Leprous

Leprous is a progressive metal group from Notodden, Norway, active since 2001. The band’s line-up changes over time, and its current members are Einar Solberg, Tor Oddmund Suhrke, Simen Børven, Robin Ognedal and Baard Kolstad. Other musicians associated with the group include Stian Lonar, Esben Meyer Kristensen, Truls Vennman, Kenneth Lia Solberg, Halvor Strand, Øystein Skonseng Landsverk, Tor Stian Borhaug, Tobias Ørnes Andersen and Raphael Weinroth-Browne.

The band emerges from a Norwegian scene that also includes Emperor, Zyklon, Ihsahn and Circus Maximus. Leprous works as a session band for Ihsahn, the former front figure of Emperor. Their style spans progressive metal and progressive rock, with references in the broader description to avant-garde metal, extreme progressive metal and alternative rock, and with elements of jazz and heavier metal passages. The vocals combine clean singing and growling.

Early recordings and label releases

Before its first full-length album, Leprous records two demos: Silent Waters and Aeolia. Aeolia receives strong reviews, including a perfect score from a Norwegian webzine. In August 2008 the band records its debut album, Tall Poppy Syndrome, which leads to interest from record companies and a signing with Sensory Records. The album appears in 2009.

Albums and live release

Leprous’ studio albums are Tall Poppy Syndrome (2009), Bilateral (2011), Coal (2013), The Congregation (2015), Malina (2017), Pitfalls (2019), Aphelion (2021) and Melodies of Atonement (2024). The band also releases the live album Live at Rockefeller Music Hall in 2016.

Live activity

Leprous reaches the finals of the Norwegian Rock Championship twice. After the release of Tall Poppy Syndrome, the band tours Scandinavia and later supports Therion on a European tour that covers 17 countries. The group is described as difficult to classify, drawing on progressive rock, jazz and metal while keeping a sound centred on complex arrangement and contrasting vocal styles.