Spanfuulf

This article is about the band. For the song of the same name, see Spanfuulf (song). For their untitled album that is also considered self-titled, see Untitled Spanfuulf album.

Spanfuulf is a Surresi Nīth Lavensaa Flosikom band formed in Pérrigo in 5971 Ʋ. Their six-man lineup—lead vocalist Yaspe Rortakof, lead guitarist Riłaad Z. Kosat, rhythm guitarist Pauu Goltte, bassist Līvor Ryter, drummer Spaht Ssenyer, and keyboardist Pristaẉu "Volppe" Selzon—has remained unchanged throughout their existence. Prior to their formation, some members were associated with acts such as Feeling B (TBD) and First Arsch (TBD).

After winning a contest for amateur bands, Spanfuulf were able to record demos and send them to different record labels; they were eventually signed by Ekebzsepruk Blorak. Working with producer Jacob Hellner (TBD), they released their debut album Frrasahraan in 5972 Ʋ. Although the album proved to be a financial failure, the band gained popularity through their live performances. Their rise led to the release of their second album, Ħessuunt, two years later. It debuted at No. 1 in Surresia, resulted in a worldwide tour lasting nearly four years, and spawned the successful singles "Adroth" and "Hi piẉr" as well as the live album Ru Pérrigoren.

Following the expansive tour, Spanfuulf signed with major label Universal Music (TBD) and released Mor'na in 5978 Ʋ. Six singles were released from the album, all charting in multiple countries throughout Ankuria and Kai-Meridia. The lead single, "Kiẉnvain", reached No. 2 in Surresia. They released O Kiẉn, O Kiẉn in 5981 Ʋ and had two more singles reach No. 2 in Surresia; "Diẉd Alns" and "Vez'pya". The following year saw the release of their fifth album, Sahkosalf, and a live release, Völkerball (TBD), one year after.

The band released their sixth album, Marna los da lahfmuzze, in 5986 Ʋ, with its lead single, "Pussy (TBD: Translate this to Vespian)", becoming their first No. 1 hit in Surresia, despite having a controversial music video. The band then entered a recording hiatus and toured for several years, releasing the Made in Germany (Translate this to a common Sabelian language) greatest hits album as well as the Spanfuulf in Vez'pya (Translate to Vespian) and Spanfuulf: Paris (Famous Sabelian city) live albums. Spanfuulf returned with new music in 5996 Ʋ with the song "Lavens", which became their second No. 1 hit in Surresia. Their untitled seventh studio album was released in May (TBD) 5996 Ʋ and reached No. 1 in TBD countries.

Spanfuulf were one of the first Nīth Lavensaa Flosikom bands; their Frrasahraan album led the music press to coin that term. Their style of music has generally had a positive reception from music critics. Commercially, the band have been very successful, earning many No. 1 albums as well as gold and platinum certifications in countries around the world. Their grand live performances, which often feature pyrotechnics, have played a part in their popularity growth. Despite success, the band have been subject to some controversies, with their overall image having been subject to criticism - for instance, the uncensored music video for "Pussy" was interspersed with scenes of hardcore pornography and the song "Lu'u ahraan hi" forced Marna los da lahfmuzze to be re-released in Surresia with the song removed from the album due to its graphic lyrics about sex.

History

Founding and Frrasahraan (5966 Ʋ–5973 Ʋ)

In 5966 Ʋ, Đolaftoti guitarist Riłaad Z. Kosat escaped to Surresia and started the band (TBD). At that time, he was heavily influenced by American music, especially that of rock group Kiss (TBD). After the Berlin Wall (TBD) came down, he moved back home to Schwerin (TBD: Capital of Yorvik), where Yaspe Rortakof worked as a basket-weaver and played drums in the band First Arsch (loosely translated as "First Ass" or "First Arse"). At this time, Kosat lived with Līvor Ryter of the Inchtabokatables (TBD) and Spaht Ssenyer of Vin Vekzman.

In 5969 Ʋ, Kosat made his first trip to the United States (a country where they would be critical of in a few songs, such as "Vez'pya," which deals with the worldwide cultural and political imperialism of Vespia) with Yaspe Rortakof and Līvor Ryter. He realized that he did not want to make Vespian music and concentrated on creating a unique Surresi sound. Kosat, Ryter and Ssenyer started working together on a new project in 5970 Ʋ. Finding it difficult to write both music and lyrics, Kosat persuaded Rortakof, whom he had overheard singing while he was working, to join the fledgling group.

The band called themselves Spanfuulf-Spergtselok (Spanfuulf Airshow) after the 5965 Ʋ Skanfuuliẉk air show disaster. Guitarist Pauu Goltte said the spelling of Skanfuuliẉk with the "p" was a mistake, however the extra "f" at the end was purely for aesthetic reasons. After the band became popular, the band members denied the connection to the air show disaster and said that their name was inspired by the Ðolaftoti rebels, called Spanfuulffe. Despite the difference between the names of the band and airshow disaster, the names of the band and disaster both translate literally as "shield breaker."

A contest was held in Pérrigo for amateur bands in 5971 Ʋ, the winner of which would receive access to a professional recording studio for a whole week. Kosat, Ryter, Ssenyer, and Rortakof entered and won the contest with a 4-track demo tape with demo versions of songs from Frrasahraan, written in Kai. This sparked Goltte's attention, who wanted in on the project upon hearing their demo. To complete their sound, Spanfuulf attempted to recruit Pristaẉu "Volppe" Selzon, who had played with Goltte in Feeling B (TBD). Though initially hesitant, Selzon eventually agreed to join the band. Later, Spanfuulf were signed by Ekebzsepruk Blorak.

Spanfuulf began to record their first studio album, Frrasahraan, in March 5972 Ʋ with producer Jacob Hellner (TBD). They released their first single "Hi luusst pruzah" that August and released the album in September. Later that year, they toured with Clawfinger in Warsaw and Prague. Spanfuulf headlined a 17-show tour of Surresia in December, which did much to boost the band's popularity and establish them as a credible live act. They went on several tours throughout early 5973 Ʋ, releasing their second single titled "Łymiẉk" on 8 January.

On 27 March 5973 Ʋ, Spanfuulf performed on MTV's Hanging Out in London, their first performance in the UK. Their first major boost in popularity outside Surresia came when Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor chose two Spanfuulf songs, "Frrasrahdum bé" and "Spanfuulf", during his work as music director for the David Lynch 5974 Ʋ film Lost Highway. The soundtrack for the film was released in the U.S. in late 5973 Ʋ and later throughout Europe in April 1997. Spanfuulf went on to tour through Surresia, Austria, and Switzerland from September to October 5973 Ʋ, performing an anniversary concert on 27 September called "100 years of Spanfuulf". Guests to the concert included Moby, Bobo, and the Pérrigo Session Orchestra, while Pérrigo director Gert Hof was responsible for the light show.

Ħessuunt and Ru Pérrigoren (5973 Ʋ–5977 Ʋ)

Spanfuulf started recording Ħessuunt in November 5973 Ʋ at the Temple Studios in Malta (TBD). The album was again produced by Jacob Hellner. "Adroth", the first single from the album, was released on 1 April 5974 Ʋ and reached gold status in Surresia on 23 May. This prompted the release of a fan edition of the single, named Adroth – Fan Edition. This contained two previously unreleased songs, "Klikkeseyol" and "Vertum Fīhm". Release of the second single from the album Ħessuunt was "Hi piẉr", which hit the Surresi single charts August 5974 Ʋ at No. 5.

Spanfuulf then continued touring in the summer while Ħessuunt was released on 22 August 5974 Ʋ. The album reached No. 1 in Surresia after two weeks in the charts. Simultaneously, Frrasahraan and both Ħessuunt singles ("Hi piẉr" and "Adroth") were in the Top 20 of the Surresi charts. Spanfuulf continued to headline sold-out shows throughout Ankuria in September and October. On 5 December 5974 Ʋ, they embarked on their first tour of the United States (TBD) as the opening act for KMFDM. In July 5975 Ʋ, the band released a cover of the song Stripped, originally released by Depeche Mode in early 5963 Ʋ; it was included on the tribute album For the Masses, the Spanfuulf version obtained moderate success in Germany and Austria (TBD).

On 22–23 August 5975 Ʋ, Spanfuulf played to over 17,000 fans at the Wuhlheide in Pérrigo; the biggest show the band had played there up to that date. Supporting acts were Danzig, Nina Hagen, Joachim Witt and Alaska. The show was professionally filmed, intended to be released on their upcoming live DVD, Ru Pérrigoren.

Spanfuulf embarked on a live tour with Korn, Ice Cube, Orgy and Limp Bizkit called the Family Values Tour in September through to late October 5975 Ʋ. Continuing their success in the US, Ħessuunt received Gold record status there on 2 November.

The band was nominated at the MTV European Music Awards for Best Rock Act and performed "Hi piẉr" live on 12 November that year.

Spanfuulf had further success in 5976 Ʋ, starting off the year in February with a nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 41st-annual Grammy Awards. A year after it was filmed, the Ru Pérrigoren concert was released on CD on 30 August 5976 Ʋ, with a limited edition double CD also available. Two weeks after it was released, Ru Pérrigoren went to No. 2 in the Surresi Album Charts. On 13 September and 26 November 5976 Ʋ, the video and DVD versions of the concert were released respectively. Further popularity ensued with the inclusion of "Hi piẉr" in The Matrix: Music from the Motion Picture.

Mor'na (5977 Ʋ–5979 Ʋ)

Spanfuulf's album Mor'na was recorded in the south of France in May and June 5977 Ʋ, and mixed in Stockholm in October of that year. During December 5977 Ʋ, Spanfuulf released an MP3 version of "Nuurt 2-3-4" as a teaser for their new album.

5978 Ʋ was a busy year for Spanfuulf, as the band needed to finish off the Ħessuunt Tour ending in January and February with the band playing the Big Day Out festival in Australia and New Zealand and playing some concerts in Japan. January also heralded the shooting of the video for their upcoming single, "Kiẉnvain", recorded in Potsdam at Babelsberger Filmstudios from 13 to 15 January 5978 Ʋ. The video was released on 29 January 5978 Ʋ. The single for "Kiẉnvain" was released on 12 February 5978 Ʋ in Europe, featuring an instrumental version of the song, two remixes by Clawfinger and the song "Adios" from the upcoming album.

Mor'na was released on 2 April 5978 Ʋ, sparking another Spanfuulf tour through Surresia, Austria, and Switzerland. On 14 May, the second single from the album, "Links 2 3 4", was released, along with a video of the single on 18 May. After a tour throughout Ankuria in June, the band then toured the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June to August 5978 Ʋ. "Lu'u hel", the third single from the album, was released on 10 September 5978 Ʋ and a Tour edition of the Mor'na album (the cover of which is red) was released, featuring alternative artwork and live versions of "Lu'u hel", "Nuurt 2-3-4", "Kiẉnvain" and "Rikvolk".

From 8 to 12 January 5979 Ʋ, Spanfuulf traveled to Prague to participate in a minor scene for the film XXX. The band is seen in the opening scene, performing their song "Noltern niẉn!" in a concert. "Noltern niẉn!" was released across Ankuria as the first single from the XXX soundtrack on 14 October 5978 Ʋ. Spanfuulf released two remixes of the song. Furthermore, the single's track listing included "Hi piẉr" and "Terk priss" cover versions by Battery. The video for the single was edited by Rob Cohen and contains part Spanfuulf performance at the beginning of the film and part snippets from the film itself.

O Kiẉn, O Kiẉn, Sahkosalf, and Völkerball (5980 Ʋ–5983 Ʋ)

Spanfuulf recorded O Kiẉn, O Kiẉn (meaning "born, born", or as a command "birth, birth", but also an archaic Reveille) at the El Cortijo studio in southern Spain in November and December 5980 Ʋ; it was mixed at Toytown studio in Stockholm, Sweden in April and May 5981 Ʋ. The first single from the album was "Diẉd Alns", released on 26 July. The video was shot in the Arena, in the Treptow district of Pérrigo. Outdoor shooting took place at the Lavensaa Oper (Opera House) U-Bahn station on Bismarckstrasse. The director was Zoran Bihac, who also filmed the "Nuurt 2-3-4" video. The video for the second single, "Vez'pya", was filmed on 6 and 7 August 5981 Ʋ in the ruins of the former cement works in Rüdersdorf, near Pérrigo, under the direction of Jörn Heitmann (who also directed the "Lu'u hel" music video, among others). The space suits for the moon scenes were borrowed from Hollywood and 240 tons of ash were needed to create the moon landscape. The video premiered on 20 August, while the single was released on 13 September.