Helena Iren Michaelsen

Helena Michaelsen
Background information
Birth name	Helena Iren Michaelsen
Born	(1977-06-02) 2 June 1977 Evje, Norway
Genres	Symphonic metal, gothic metal, symphonic black metal
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Massacre Records

Helena Iren Michaelsen (born 2 June 1977) is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who well-known as the frontwoman European symphonic metal band Imperia and her own solo project Angel. She was a once a member of the former Gothic metal band Trail of Tears and symphonic metal band Sahara Dust who later renamed to Epica.

Musical career

Trail of Tears (1997-2000)

Michaelsen was born in Evje, and started off as the female vocalist in 1997 for Norwegian gothic metal band Trail of Tears, succeeding after Ales Vik who departed from the band that same year. A year later, Michaelsen and the band recorded their debut album Disclosure in Red in which she sang contralto vocals and contributed to writing lyrics. In 2000, she again took role of contralto vocals in their second album Profoundemonium, which was last album to feature Helena.

Soon after, she was replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year.

Sahara Dust (2002-2003)

Two years after leaving Trail of Tears, she was selected by Mark Jansen (who had just left After Forever) as vocalist for his new band Sahara Dust; but she left not long after, replaced by then-unknown Simone Simons. The band was renamed Epica, inspired by the album of the same name by Tampa, Florida-based Kamelot that was released the same year.

Imperia & Angel (2004-present)

After leaving Sahara Dust, Michaelsen teamed up with Steve Wolz (who was to be the drummer for Sahara Dust) and the pair relocated to Norway. Upon their return to The Netherlands they formed the band Imperia.

As Imperia, Michaelsen and Wolz recorded a cover of "The Lotus Eaters" by Dead Can Dance for a double tribute album with the same title released through the Greek label Black Lotus Records. The track subsequently was included in Imperia's 2004 album The Ancient Dance of Qetesh as a bonus track.

Personal life

Michaelsen has 2 children—a son named Joackim (b. 1995), and a daughter named Angel (b. 2006).

Helena's birth name was Margrethe Jacobsen, but had her name changed at the age of 18.

Discography

Imperia

Studio albums:

• The Ancient Dance of Qetesh (2004)
• The Queen of Light (2007)
• Secret Passion (2011)
• Tears of Silence (2015)
• Flames of Eternity (2019)

Singles:

• Let Down (2011)

Compilations

• Queen of Passion (2013)

Angel (Solo Project)

Studio albums:

• A Woman's Diary - Chapter I (2005)
• A Woman's Diary - Chapter II (2020)

Singles:

• Don't Wanna Run (2005)
• Angel Maria (2019)

Trail of Tears

Demos:

• When Silence Cries... (1997)

Studio albums:

• Disclosure in Red (1998)
• Profoundemonium (2000)

Guest Appearances

• 2003: Zazaz (Nox)

External links

• Official website