Gothic Theatre
Solemn Empire
Denver CO, has always been known for having some of the heaviest, and some of the most diverse bands, and SE seems to fit in very well with this idea. Blending differeent and newer styles of metal into a culmination of sound that was never really heard before. In year 2002 Jesse, Greg, and Mike formed a band called NONEAYA. Incorporating sounds of that time they were a force to be reckened with. Playing with the likes of SICKBOX,FOMOFUIAB, and other bands of that time, NONEAYA was soon to be known as a band with a future. Short lived was their future when their drummer had a unfortunate occurence in his life that would not allow him to perform any longer. In 2003 Mike was replaced with Tim, a great drummer with great promise. His style added a new element of melodic nature to what was NONEAYA. As they had once pulled themself together they now needed a bassist, as well as a vocalist. Andy was recruited for bass. Known for being in older bands and being a experienced bass player Nunya was almost completed. The last piece that was necessary to complete this devastating force was a vocalist. After trying a number a vocalists (including the present vocalist Hailen) in the timespan of 1 year and none of them working, plus unexpected events happening in each members lives NONEAYA cut their losses, and went their seperate ways. Three years after the break, in 2006, both Jesse and Greg decided to try again. Within this time the reasons behind NONEAYA’S first drummer Mike leaving the band had disappated. Greg and Jesse quickly joined up with their long time brother in music, creating what should of been NONEAYA. It seemed though, this time around they wanted to take a different approach. They did not want to be what they were before musically, as each member had grown individually in music as well as in their personal lives. So they wipe the slate clean, and started a new sound. They worked at making what they wanted and what they thought they should be. They soon after figured all this out within a short while of being reunited and the search was once again on for a bassist as well as for a vocalist. The first vocalist chosen for the new sound was Cloud. He definitely had a lot to offer to the table and with him the remaining members felt confident in the new road lying ahead them. They had known Cloud from since they were known as “NONEAYA”, and was ultimately known as another revived brother in music. All that was needed after months of writing and rehearsing was a bassist. Everything still looked very hopeful, until July of 2007, when Cloud had to unexpectedly leave the band. At yet another loss, the triplet had no thought of slowing down. They started again for a search for yet another vocalist. Someone that could possibly bring as much to the table as they have already put on the table through out the years. During the early moments of their new search, they came across Hailen(ex-gematria, ex-crisys), a vocalist that had once tried out for “NONEAYA” but had long since made a name for himself. Hailen had been a long time supporter of the members of “NONEAYA” and since his last audition, had been working on his own music aspirations. He was a little more known in the Denver scene and his voice had improved greatly. Jesse, Greg, and Mike asked Hailen to come down and audition for them again. In hearing what he had to offer, they accepted Hailen into the fold. A whole new unit was formed. Still in search for a bass player, but with no worries on finding one, for the fact of the music sounding great with or without one. The four came together to decided what they were, and what they were to be in the future. This goal inscribed in their minds, a structure of music that will stand out on its own, in other words, by itself. And with that thought in mind, they knew they had to build an empire….from there, Solemn Empire was born.
