Dark Sarah

{{Short description|Finnish symphonic metal band}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Dark Sarah | image = DarkSarah.png | image_upright = 1.2 | landscape = | alias = | origin = Kerava, Finland | genre = Symphonic metal<ref>{{cite web|title=Dark Sarah - New Album Coming, Details Unveiled|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=30084|website=Metalstorm|accessdate=14 August 2017|date= 19 August 2011}}</ref> | years_active = {{Start date|2012}}–present | label = Napalm Records | website = {{URL|darksarah.com}} | current_members = Heidi Parviainen Sami Salonen Rude Rothstén Thomas Tunkkari | past_members = Jukka Koskinen Lauri Kuussalo JP Leppäluoto Erkka Korhonen Henrik Airaksinen }}

'''Dark Sarah''' is a Finnish symphonic metal band formed by Heidi Parviainen after her departure from Amberian Dawn in 2012.<ref name="DS_Puzzle">{{cite web|title=Former AMBERIAN DAWN Singer Returns With New DARK SARAH Album 'The Puzzle'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-amberian-dawn-singer-returns-with-new-dark-sarah-album-the-puzzle/|website=Blabbermouth|accessdate=14 August 2017|date= 14 September 2016}}</ref> Their style has been described as "cinematic metal".<ref name="DS_Puzzle"/><ref name="Bravewords_DS2"/>

== History ==

===Formation and ''Behind the Black Veil'' (2012–2015)=== Vocalist Heidi Parviainen started working on Dark Sarah's debut album ''Behind the Black Veil'' after having made the decision to leave her former band Amberian Dawn.<ref name="DS_Black Veil">{{cite web|title=Former AMBERIAN DAWN Singer's DARK SARAH: 'Behind The Black Veil' Album Artwork Unveiled|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-amberian-dawn-singers-dark-sarah-behind-the-black-veil-album-artwork-unveiled/|website=Blabbermouth|accessdate=14 August 2017|date= 24 February 2014}}</ref> When writing her first lyrics for the song "Save Me", which is about a character named Sarah, who is left at the altar by her fiancé, and runs off into the woods in tears, she eventually decided to make a concept album which would be about the dark side of Sarah.<ref name="Bravewords_DS"/> It was also then that she came up with the name of her project. To bring her project to the attention of audience, she asked musicians Kasperi Heikkinen, Teemu Laitinen and Jukka Koskinen to record the first two songs "Save Me" and "Poison Apple" for what would turn out into Dark Sarah's debut album ''Behind the Black Veil''.

To finance the whole project, three separate Indiegogo campaigns were started, which all received full funding by the fans.<ref name="Bravewords_DS">{{cite web|last1=Simms|first1=Kelley|title=DARK SARAH - A NEW DAY DAWNS|url=http://bravewords.com/features/dark-sarah-a-new-day-dawns|website=Bravewords|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=13 May 2015}}</ref> The cd would be recorded into three parts, called episodes, the first episode containing the first four tracks, the second tracks 5 to 8, and the third tracks 9 to 14. For promotional purposes the EP ''Violent Roses'', which contained episodes 1 and 2, went on sale during Metal Female Voices Fest 2014.<ref name="Heidi_interview">{{cite web|last1=Sandvall|first1=Anders|title=Dark Sarah – singer Heidi Parviainen|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2015/06/22/dark-sarah-singer-heidi-parviaine|website=Metal-Rules|accessdate=14 August 2017|date= 22 June 2015}}</ref> Only 250 copies were pressed, and all were signed by the then live line up.

In the meantime the rest of the recordings for ''Behind the Black Veil'' continued. On 27 September 2012 it was announced that Manuela Kraller (ex-Xandria) would participate in a duet for the song "Memories Fall", as the Fate character. Two more collaborations were announced later on as well, on 13 January 2013 that of Inga Scharf (character Queen of No Good) and Stefan Schmidt from German metal band Van Canto for the song "Evil Roots",<ref name="Bravewords_DS2">{{cite web|title=VAN CANTO VOCALIST PENS SONG FOR FORMER AMBERIAN DAWN SINGER'S DARK SARAH PROJECT|url=http://bravewords.com/news/van-canto-vocalist-pens-song-for-former-amberian-dawn-singers-dark-sarah-project|website=Bravewords|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=13 January 2014}}</ref> and on 29 August 2014 that of Tony Kakko (character The Moon) from Finnish metal band Sonata Arctica for the song "Light in You".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thorley|first1=Andy|title=Dark Sarah See The Light|url=http://www.maximumvolumemusic.com/dark-sarah-see-the-light/|website=Maximumvolumemusic|accessdate=14 August 2017|date= 23 April 2015}}</ref> Parviainen completed the lyrics with the help of Emy Frost, Janne Storm and Perttu Vänskä, and the music with Frost, Storm, Mikko P. Mustonen and Stefan Schmidt. Guitarists Sami Salonen and Erkka Korhonen, drummer Lauri Kuussalo and bass player Jukka Koskinen were added to the official line up of Dark Sarah, which now had turned into a live band, with Parviainen remaining the main figure. On the way, bass player Jukka Koskinen left, and was replaced by Rude Rothstén, while on 29 April 2015 it was announced that drummer Lauri Kussaloit had left Dark Sarah to be able to concentrate more on his own music, and was replaced by Thomas Tunkkari. Video's for the songs "Memories Fall" (feat. Manuela Kraller), "Hunting the Dreamer" and "Light in You" (feat. Tony Kakko) were released.

===''The Puzzle'' (2015–2017)=== On 16 December 2015 Parviainen announced through her Facebook page that recordings for the first songs of the next album had started. On 6 March 2016 the first teaser was released together with the title of the new album, which would be named ''The Puzzle''. The story of the album is going to continue from where it ended on the previous album. Parviainen explains it as: "''The Puzzle'' is a concept album and it continues the story that started on the debut album called ''Behind the Black Veil''. After the evil tree had died and Dark Sarah's soul with it, she was sent to drift along the river of death. The streams took her on an island where the banished souls are taken to. To get off the island she needs to solve the puzzle and find three keys."<ref name="Puzzel=review">{{cite web|title=Dark Sarah The Puzzle|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/review/viewreview.php?month=November&year=2016&pos=10|website=Metal-Rules|accessdate=14 August 2017}}</ref> thumb|right|Heidi Parviainen and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto singing live as the characters "Dark Sarah" and "The Dragon" at a concert in November 2017 Once again an indiegogo campaign started to finance the album, this time without several episodes.<ref name="Heidi_interview2">{{cite web|last1=Sandvall|first1=Anders|title=Singer and leader Heidi Parviainen – Dark Sarah|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2017/01/28/dark-sarah-singer-and-leader-heidi-parviainen/|website=Metal-Rules|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=20 January 2017}}</ref> Full funding was reached at the end of the campaign. The first video for the song of the album "Little Men" was released on 15 April 2016. On 24 April Parviainen revealed on her Facebook page that once again three guests would perform on the new album. Manuela Kraller returns as her character Fate on the song "Rain", and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (Charon, Northern Kings) plays the character The Dragon on the song "Dance with the Dragon".<ref>{{cite web|title=DARK SARAH Feat. Former AMBERIAN DAWN Singer HEIDI PARVIAINEN: 'Dance With The Dragon' Video|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dark-sarah-feat-former-amberian-dawn-singer-heidi-parviainen-dance-with-the-dragon-video/|website=Blabbermouth|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=16 November 2016}}</ref> On 13 September the third guest was announced, Charlotte Wessels (Delain, Phantasma) plays the character Evil Siren Mermaid on the song "Aquarium", along with the information that ''The Puzzle'' would have been released in Europe and North America on 18 November. On 18 October a lyric video from the song "Aquarium" was released.<ref>{{cite web|title=DARK SARAH: Lyric Video For New Song 'Aquarium' Feat. DELAIN's CHARLOTTE WESSELS|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dark-sarah-lyric-video-for-new-song-aquarium-feat-delain-charlotte-wessels.html#6HpzKhxE12FDjBsV.99|website=Blabbermouth|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=18 October 2016|archive-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815030618/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dark-sarah-lyric-video-for-new-song-aquarium-feat-delain-charlotte-wessels.html#6HpzKhxE12FDjBsV.99|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''The Golden Moth'' (2017–2019)=== In March 2017, it was announced that a third album was in the works, with JP Leppäluoto returning to reprise his role as The Dragon, as well as join the band lineup<ref>{{cite web|title=DARK SARAH: JP LEPPÄLUOTO JOINS LINEUP FOR THIRD ALBUM|url=http://powerofmetal.dk/news/dark-sarah-jp-leppaluoto-joins-lineup-for-third-album/|website=Power of Metal|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902161828/http://powerofmetal.dk/news/dark-sarah-jp-leppaluoto-joins-lineup-for-third-album|archive-date=2 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and compose music for the album together with Parviainen. Another crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a new music video was also announced. The description on the crowdfunding page read; "The concept of Dark Sarah is built around a story that tells about a young woman called Sarah and her fight against her evil side persona Dark Sarah. The albums tell a story about her journey through three worlds - The Middle World, the world of living (''Behind The Black Veil'' album) and The Under World, where the dead dwell (''The Puzzle'' album) and The Upper World, where spirits and gods reside."<ref>{{cite web|title=DARK SARAH & THE DRAGON - NEW music video|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dark-sarah-the-dragon-new-music-video--2#/|website=Indiegogo|accessdate=14 August 2017}}</ref> The new album was also described as a continuation of the story of Dark Sarah and The Dragon (the ruler of the Underworld), who meet again in The Upper World. On 26 October the next Indiegogo campaign started, which reached full funds on 14 December.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2226336|title=DARK SARAH - The Golden Moth - NEW ALBUM|website=Indiegogo.com|accessdate=15 October 2020}}</ref> Along with it came the title of the new album, ''The Golden Moth'', and a new music video for the song "Trespasser".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=914aqd7BpJM|title=DARK SARAH - Trespasser|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=15 October 2020}}</ref> On 2 November, singer Zuberoa Aznárez from Spanish metal band Diabulus in Musica was revealed as the first new guest on the album as the fierce goddess Iron Mask on Dark Sarah's Facebook page. Later on 3 December the other two guests were revealed, singer and bassplayer Marko Hietala from Finnish metal band Nightwish as the god White Beard and accordion player Netta Skog from the Finnish metal band Ensiferum as an accordion playing Fortune Teller.{{fact|date=March 2019}}

===''Grim'' (2020)===

The album started a new story line with a new protagonist called Luna. Luna is a new incarnation of Dark Sarah, a witch who tries to save the city of Grim from the monster Mörk (Jasse Jatala) and evil orb Malevolent. JP Leppäluoto left the band but featured on the album as Wolf. Album was released by Napalm Records.

===''Attack Of Orym'' (2023)===

Dark Sarah announced the departure of Erkka Korhonen and invited a keyboardist Henrik Airaksinen (Feridea) to replace him. The new album Attack of Orym was again crowdfunded on Indie Gogo and released in January 27th 2023. It continues the new storyline which started on Grim-album. Featuring singers were announced Mark Jansen(EPICA) as Orym and JP Leppäluoto as Wolf/Dragon. Dark Sarah toured in Europe with Sirenia and Amberian Dawn in Fall 2023.

=== Upcoming sixth album === Dark Sarah began working on their sixth album as of November 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Happy weekend!!!! 🤩 It’s official - New DS album no6 is in the making! 🥶 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DCZ8Lr5iILR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== |website=Instagram |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref>, even if keyboardist Henrik Airaksinen decided to leave the band in summer 2024 to concentrate on his own project. He was replaced by Sebastian Lindström in April 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcoming a new Dark Sarah member! |url=https://darksarah.com/blogs/news/welcoming-a-new-dark-sarah-member |website=DarkSarah.com |access-date=3 February 2026}}</ref>

==Band members== ===Current=== * Heidi Parviainen — vocals (2012–present) * Sami Salonen — guitars (2019–present; touring member 2014–2019) * Thomas Tunkkari — drums (2015–present) * Rude Rothstén — bass (2014–present) * Sebastian Lindström — keys (2025-present)

===Former=== * Jukka Koskinen — bass (2014) * Lauri Kuussalo — drums (2014–2015) * Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto — vocals (2017–2019) * Erkka Korhonen — guitars (2014–2021) * Henrik Airaksinen - synth & keys (2022-2024)

===Session=== ''Behind the Black Veil'': * Kasperi Heikkinen (guitars on "Save Me" and "Poison Apple") * Manuela Kraller (as the character Fate on "Memories Fall") * Inga Scharf (as the character Queen of No Good on "Evil Roots") * Van Canto (backing vocals on "Evil Roots") * Tuomas Nieminen (backing vocals on "Silver Tree" and "Light in You") * Tony Kakko (as the character The Moon on "Light in You")

''The Puzzle'': * Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (as the character The Dragon on "Dance with the Dragon") * Charlotte Wessels (as the character Evil Siren Mermaid on "Aquarium") * Manuela Kraller (as the character Fate on "Rain")

''The Golden Moth'': * Zuberoa Aznárez (as the character Iron Mask) * Marko Hietala (as the character White Beard) * Netta Skog (as the character Fortune Teller) * Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (as the character The Dragon)

''Grim'': * Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (as the character The Dragon/Garmr the Wolf) * Jasse Jatala (as the character Mörk)

''Attack Of Orym'': * Mark Jansen (as the character Orym) * Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (as the character The Dragon/Garmr the Wolf)

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:130 bottom:80 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:11/22/2012 till:02/03/2026 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

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BarData = bar:Heidi text:"Heidi Parviainen" bar:Juha text:"Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto" bar:Sami text:"Sami Salonen" bar:Erkka text:"Erkka Korhonen" bar:Jukka text:"Jukka Koskinen" bar:Rude text:"Rude Rothstén" bar:Lauri text:"Lauri Kuussalo" bar:Thomas text:"Thomas Tunkkari" bar:Henrik text:"Henrik Airaksinen" bar:Seb text:"Sebastian Lindström"

PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Heidi from:11/22/2012 till:end color:vocals bar:Juha from:03/31/2017 till:06/01/2019 color:vocals bar:Sami from:11/01/2014 till:end color:guitar bar:Erkka from:11/01/2014 till:11/17/2021 color:guitar bar:Jukka from:09/01/2014 till:11/01/2014 color:bass bar:Rude from:11/01/2014 till:end color:bass bar:Lauri from:11/01/2014 till:04/29/2015 color:drums bar:Thomas from:04/29/2015 till:end color:drums bar:Henrik from:01/01/2022 till:06/29/2024 color:keys bar:Seb from:04/08/2025 till:end color:keys }}

==Discography== ;Studio albums * ''Behind the Black Veil'' (2015) * ''The Puzzle'' (2016) * ''The Golden Moth'' (2018) * ''Grim'' (2020) * ''Attack of Orym'' (2023)

;EPs * ''Violent Roses'' (2014)

;Music videos * "Save Me" (2013) * "Memories Fall" (2014) * "Hunting the Dreamer" (2014) * "Light in You" (2015) * "Little Men" (2016) * "Aquarium" (lyric video) (2016) * "Dance with the Dragon" (2016) * "Trespasser" (2017) * "Gods Speak" (lyric video) (2018) * "Sky Sailing" (2018) * "Golden Moth" (2018) * "Melancholia" (2020) * "All Ears!" (2020) * "Illuminate" (2020) * "B.U.R.N" (2023) * "Warning Sign" (2023) * "Invincible" (lyric video)(2023)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{allmusic}} {{Dark Sarah}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Finnish symphonic metal musical groups Category:Finnish gothic metal musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 2012 Category:Napalm Records artists Category:2012 establishments in Finland Category:Female-fronted musical groups