Dark Sanctuary

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Dark Sanctuary is a French goth/neo-classical band, formed in 1996.

They play a kind of "Dark Atmospheric" music. Their first official release was a 20 min single track Mcd, Funeral Cry, released in 1997. At that time, the band only consisted of two members, Arkdae on keyboards and Marquise Ermia on vocals.

In 1998, the band wanted to increase its strength by adding new members, like another keyboard player, Hylgaryss, a percussionnist/bassist, Sombre Cÿr and a violinist, Eliane. Together, they recorded the 1st album, Royaume Mélancolique. They also held their first concert in September 1998 near Paris.

In November 1999, they signed with Wounded Love Records and after the 2nd violinist Marguerite joined, they recorded their 2nd album, De Lumière et d'Obscurité, which was released in November 2000.

Right after their recording sessions, Marquise Ermia left the band to carry on her studies, and a new singer, Dame Pandora, joined the band.

Their 3d album, "L'Être las - L'envers du miroir" was recorded in March 2002 and released at the beginning of 2003, few months after the release of a two-track single. This album, which has had a huge success in France and Germany, definitely established Dark Sanctuary as one of the greatest bands in this musical style.

After few concerts in France, the band returned to Germany in order to record its 4th album, "Les Mémoires Blessées". This latest one, which was released in early 2004, confirmed Dark Sanctuary's own style while providing a deeper maturity, as well as new musical horizons.

The line-up and intensity of a sextet offers a twist to what usually is a one-man-scene, and the diversity of the members draws a new musical landscape, without giving up the dark, melodic and bewitching side that caracterizes Dark Sanctuary since the beginning.