The Provenance

Self-described "avant-goth metallers" the Provenance formed in Gothenburg, Sweden, circa 1995 by Emma Hellstrom (vocals/flute/keyboard), Tobias Martinsson (vocals/guitar), and Joel Lindell (drums). Within a few months, they began performing regularly on the city's famed heavy metal club scene, and were soon recording their first demos, 1996's "Requiem of Mankind" and 1997's "Endless Confinement" — the latter also featuring lead guitarist Joakim Rosen. The Provenance were then forced into a long hiatus when Hellstrom relocated to France for a year, but resumed their work upon her return, drafting bassist Jonnie Tall for the sessions of their debut album, 2001's 25th Hour; Bleeding. Heavily influenced by the work of Holland's Gathering and other gothic-inflected progressive rockers, the album also flirted with elements of death metal — not surprising given this has become their hometown's most famous musical export. Soon after its release, the Provenance began work on a follow-up called Still at Arms Length, which they released in early 2003 via Scarlet Records.