Benea Reach

**Labels:** | * Tabu Recordings
 **Former members:** | Ilkka ViitasaloMarko HautakoskiMartin SivertsenAndreas BerglihnMikael WildénThomas WangHåkon SagenChrister EspevollHåkon NakkenMorten HolmquistTor Erik DrangslandAlwin NedrumTor Magne GlidjeAnders Lidal

**Benea Reach** was a metalcore/sludge metal band that originated in Olso, Norway out of the continent of Europe. The band began in 2003, after the disbanding of Selfmindead, many of the original members' previous band.

## History

The band's original lineup consisted of Ilkka "Volume" Viitasalo on Vocals, Martin "Heddal" Sivertsen on Guitars, Tor Magne Glidje on Guitars, Erik Drangsland on Guitars, Morten Holmquist on Bass, Anders Lidal on Keyboards and Programming, and Marko "Storm" Hautakoski on Drums. However, lineups shifted quickly in 2003. Glidje, Drangsland, Holmquist, and Lidal quickly departed, with Drangsland and Holmquist seemingly dropping off music, while Glidje and Lidal formed Mantric with former members of Extol and Lengsel. However, before their departure, the band recorded a live demo EP, titled *Pandemonium*, which was released independently. Storm, Volume, and Heddal continued with the band, recruiting new members Håkon Sagen of Marty Friedman's live band, Håkon Nakken formerly of Selfmindead, and Christer Espevoll formerly of Extol.

 Following the new lineup's induction, the band signed with Tabu Recordings. With the signing, the band recorded their debut album, *Monument Bineothan*, which was nominated in the 35th Annual Spellemannsprisen for the metal category, against heavyweights Enslaved, Gorgoroth, and Keep of Kalessin. In August 2007, the band announced they would be working on a follow-up release with famed producer Tue Madsen (Aborted, Dark Tranquility, The Haunted). On December 26, 2007, Benea Reach announced their sophomore album, being mixed by Tue Madsen, would be titled *Alleviat*. In 2008, Alwin Nedrum joined on Keyboards, who recorded on their newest release. *Alleviat* was released on February 4, 2008. In 2010, Sagen and Nakken departed from the band, being replaced by Andreas Berglihn and Mikael Wildén respectively. By 2011, Espevoll and Nedrum had departed from the lineup, leaving the position to be filled by Thomas Wang. The band recorded and released a third album, which subsequently became their final release, titled *Possession*. The album's lineup consisted of Volume, Heddal, Storm, Berglihn, Wildén, and Wang.

## Members

**Last Known Lineup**

* Ilkka "Volume" Viitasalo - Vocals (2003-2014)
* Martin "Heddal" Sivertsen - Guitars (2003-2014)
* Thomas Wang - Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2011-2014)
* Andreas Berglihn - Guitars (2010-2014), Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2011-2014)
* Mikael Wildén - Bass (2010-2014), Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2011-2014)
* Marko "Storm" Hautakoski - Drums (2003-2014), Keyboards (2003-2008, 2011-2014), Bass (2006-2008), Guitars, Backing Vocals (2011-2014)

**Former**

* Tor Magne Glidje - Guitars (2003)
* Erik Drangsland - Guitars (2003)
* Håkon Sagen - Guitars (2003-2009)
* Christer Espevoll - Guitars (2003-2011), Backing Vocals (2006-2008)
* Morten Holmquist - Bass (2003)
* Håkon Nakken - Bass (2003-2010)
* Anders Lidal - Keyboards (2003)
* Alwin Nedrum - Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2008-2011), Guitars (2009-2010)

**Live**

* Tommy Hjelm - Guitars (2009)

**Session**

* Remi Christiansen - Pedal Steel Guitars (2006)
* Christian Wibe - Programming (2008)
* Espen Høydalsvik - Programming (2008)
* Tue Madsen - Programming (2008)

## Discography

**Demo**

* *Pandemonium* (2004)

**Studio albums**

* *Momentum Bineothan* (2006)
* *Alleviat* (2008)
* *Possession* (2013)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 TomNr1 (July 19, 2006). "Benea Reach". Encyclopedia Metallum. Retrieved on June 20, 2019.
2. ↑ Pettersen, Tomas Lauvland (January 3, 2007). "Spellemannpris nominations announced." MIC: Listen to Norway. Retrieved on June 20, 2019.
3. ↑ "Producer Tue Madsen Issues Updates On Eminence, Moonspell, Heaven Shall Burn". Blabbermouth.net. August 29, 2007. Retrieved on June 20, 2019.
4. ↑ "Benea Reach Record New Album". Indie Vision Music. December 26, 2007. Retrieved on June 20, 2019.
5. ↑ "Benea Reach - Possession". Discogs. Retrieved on June 20, 2019.