The name Artifact is currently used by two bands 1) Artifact is a industrial/goth metal band from the city of Stavanger on the west coast of Norway, formed in late 2002. After a rough start and a l series of line-up changes, the band settled on their line-up in late 2004 when vocalist Tor Arne Fassotte of Unpure and This Negative Karma joined the band. In addition to Tor Arne, the group consisted of guitarist Bjørnar Landa (who also plays with well-known Norwegian gothic metal band Sirenia and Deathfare) and guitarist Pål Evensen. The band held their debut concert in the city of Sandnes in May 2005, supporting Trail Of Tears, and released a demo called Abandoned EP in September the same year. Following the release, Artifact had played concerts in several parts of Norway, been aired on national radio on several occasions, played support for Theatre Of Tragedy and been in the global top ten at Broadjam for weeks at the time with the several tracks. With their official debut „The Only Salvation“ on Spiralchords Music in 2008, Artifact offered a multifaceted adventure that blends dark rock, metal and industrial in a remarkably strong way. Juicy riffs, crunchy synths and huge choruses amalgamate with varied atmospheres which pend between aggressive volcanos („Dead Eyes“, „New Messiah“) and emotional, thoughtful beauty („Scapegoated & Demonized“). The band played the German WGT Festival in 2008 in support of their debut album, as well as several gigs in Norway (amongst other with Zeromancer). The band released a video for the song "New Messiah" early 2009, featuring a special guest appearance by Tristania singer Mariangela Demurtas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ouKhM_mPis The current line-up is: Pål Evensen - guitars and programming Tor Arne Fassotte - vocals Svein Harald Kleppe - drums www.artifact.no www.myspace.com/artifact2 2) Artifact are also a mainly instrumental post-rock band based in Huddersfield, England. Their debut album, Cities Being Raised, is set for release Autumn 2008. www.myspace.com/artifactuk
