DAY ONE of the Festival opens at sunset with Swallow the Sun (Fin), along with Kamelot (USA) and Sisters of Mercy (UK).

Two unforgettable days in Piata Mare of Sibiu will bring six bands for the first time in Romania. The second day of the Festival offers the live performances of Serj Tankian, Dark Tranquillity and Sirenia.

Finnish band Swallow the Sun saw their debut in the beginning of 2000. Founding members Juha Raivio and Pasi Pasanen previously played together in another band, Plutonium Orange.

Their music is complex and rich in imagery and message. At times romantic, sad or aggressive, Swallow the Sun cannot be overlooked in the doom and melodic scenes. With four studio recordings, the band continuously refines its style and likes to experiment with new sounds.

Their first demo recording “Out of This Gloomy Light” appeared in 2003 and is currently a rare and collectible item. The disc features the first song that Raivio and Pasanen wrote together, “Through her Silvery Body”. The band signed up with Firebox Records and immediately co-opted Markus Jämsen and Mikko Kotamäki from Funerius Nocturnum

The end of 2003 brought their debut album “The Morning Never Came”. Inferno Magazine declared it “Best Debut Album of the Year” and Kerrang! quoted: “One of the best times of the doom metal scene of our days!”.

In February 2005, “Ghosts of Loss” was released. This second album contained “Forgive Her…”, the single which earned the band the 4th position in the Finnish Top 20 and 6 consecutive weeks of presence in the charts.

In 2007, Swallow the Sun releases the album “Hope” and signs up with famous Spinefarm Records, producer of bands such as Amorphis, Ensiferum, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, The Kovenant and Nightwish.

“Plague of Butterflies” is the title of the band’s 2008 EP. The tracks tell the story of an old hermit, dark forests, loneliness and plague. The record also features the 2003 “Out of this Gloomy Light” song. For Swallow the Sun, 2008 was the year in which the band best defined their style, combining dynamic and aggressive sounds with screaming or mellower rhythms.

Also, in 2008, Swallow the Sun was the supporting act for Apocalyptica in an UK tour.

In May 2009, drummer Kai Hahto from Wintersun replaced founder member Pasi Pasanen. During the summer of 2009, the band spent three weeks in Fascination Street Studios (Switzerland) with producer Jens Bogren recording their newest album, “New Moon”.

Currently, Swallow the Sun is touring in Israel, Germany, France, Finland, Canada and the U.S. In August 2010, the Finnish doomers will play live for the first time in Romania at the ARTmania Festival in Sibiu.

ARTmania Festival 2010 prepares six important concerts in Piata Mare on Friday and Saturday, as well as other events in the weekend of August 13 – 15. The public will have access to the events with valid tickets or passes for Piata Mare. Festival passes and tickets are available in Germanos, Carturesti, Diverta, Vodafone and Humanitas stores and also online on www.eventim.ro and www.myticket.ro (a 6% ticketing fare applies). Prices are as follows: May 1 – 31, 80 RON/ day and 140 RON/ full pass; June 1 – August 12, 90 RON / day and 160 RON/ full pass; August 13 – 15, 110 RON/day and 180 RON/ full pass.

This event is co-funded by the Local Council of Sibiu through the City Hall and the Centre for Culture of Sibiu and by the Sibiu County Council.

Partners: Continental Hotels hotel chain

Main Media Partners: Academia Catavencu, Revista VIP, Autoexpert, Glamour, GQ,Chip, Level, Popcorn, 24-FUN, Port.ro, Metalhead.ro.

Media Partners: Yachtexpert, Radio Lynx, iconcert.ro, maximumrock.ro, metalfan.ro, artactmagazine.ro, carteadenisip.ro, kogaionon.ro, rockstage.ro, bangyourbrain.ro, rockarolla.ro, rockxpress.ro.

For more information on access to the Festival, tickets and event schedule please visit the official Festival website: www.artmaniafestival.ro.