# Universum (band)

Universum are a heavy metal band from Adelaide, South Australia. The band completed formation in early 2007 and describe their sound a fusion of Scandinavian melodic death metal, new wave American metal, old school thrash metal and progressive metal. Universum have released two albums to date, the debut album Leto Destinatus on 15 June 2008 and their second album Mortuus Machina on 1 January 2011.

## Band history

Formed in early 2006, their sound was influenced by such bands as Pantera, Death, and Iron Maiden. In 2007, Universum completed an eponymous demo. Soon Liam Brophy and Rachael Madden were added to the line up. Playing a string of Australian shows, Universum entered the Emergenza Battle of the Bands competition where they came away runners up in the South Australian state final, winning 'Best Vocalist' and 'Best Guitarist' (Michael Soininen). Shortly following, the band recorded their debut album, Leto Destinatus, which was well received by critics. The album was mixed and mastered in Sweden by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Soilwork, Amon Amarth). The artwork was done by Gus Sazes, and the album featured a guest solo by Tomy Laisto from the Finnish melodeath band Mors Principium Est. Following the album's release, the band were signed by Riot Entertainment. In October 2008, Universum embarked on their first Australian national tour, with the UK's power metal band DragonForce. They have also secured 2009 shows with Cradle of Filth, Edguy, Cynic, Dark Funeral and Ensiferum. The band has featured on both the UK's Terrorizer magazine (Jan 2009, issue No. 180) and Metal Hammer's (Apr 2009, issue No. 191) covermount CDs.
On the back of releasing Leto Destinatus, Universum picked up a string of endorsements and in March 2010 Michael Soininen and Stephen Murphy were fortunate enough to be the first Australian guitarists listed on the Ibanez guitars web page artist roster.
In June 2010, the band confirmed on their Myspace page that they had parted ways with their longtime bassist Liam Brophy. He was replaced by Doug Clark.
Universum released their 2nd album Mortuus Machina intended for 15 December 2010 but pushed back to 1 January 2011, and it featured guest appearances from vocalist Christian Älvestam (ex Scar Symmetry, Miseration), vocalist Tommy Tuovinen (myGRAIN), as well as guest guitar solos from Nightrage guitarists, Marios Iliopoulos and Olof Mörck. Jens Bogren of Sweden's Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Soilwork, Amon Amarth, Katatonia) once again handled both mixing and mastering duties.

### Return

Universum stopped touring and producing new music in 2012, suggesting that they quietly disbanded. However, on 30 December 2018, they shared a demo of a new song entitled "Burdened" on their Facebook page. They have not given any indication of whether a new album is in the works.

## Members
### Current members

* Michael Soininen - guitars and clean vocals (Since 2006)
* Stephen Murphy - guitars (Since 2006)
* Jaron Soininen - drums (Since 2006)
* Rachael Madden - keyboards (Since 2006)
* Adam Soininen - screamed vocals (Since 2007)
* Doug Clark - bass (Since 2010)

### Former Members

* Liam Brophy - bass (2006–2010)

### Guest musicians

| Name | Contribution | Band | Additional information |
| Christian Älvestam | Guest vocals | Miseration, Solution .45, ex Scar Symmetry | Vocals on the tracks "Sum of the Universe, Fractured Archetype, 2.0 - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Ola Frenning | Guest guitar | ex Soilwork | Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Tommy Tuovinen | Guest vocals | myGRAIN | Vocals on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Marios Iliopoulos | Guest guitar | Nightrage | Lead solo on the track "Sum of the Universe - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Olof Mörck | Guest guitar | Amaranthe, ex Nightrage | Lead solo on the track "Asymmetric Dimensional State - (Mortuus Machina)" |
| Tomy Laisto | Guest guitar | Mors Principium Est | Lead solo on the track "Ignite the Subconscious - (Leto Destinatus)" |
| Paul Wardingham | Guest guitar | (solo musician) | Lead solo on the track "Aeon Displacement - (Mortuus Machina)" |

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Date of Release | Title | Label | Peak | Sales |
| 15 July 2008 | Leto Destinatus | Riot |
| 1 January 2011 | Mortuus Machina | | | |

### Demo

* Self Titled (2007, demo)