An innovative progressive metal outfit based out of Notodden, Norway, Leprous draw inspiration from a wide array of genres and artists, including Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Arvo Pärt, Behemoth, Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, and Dillinger Escape Plan. Leprous issued a series of demos before the release of their acclaimed debut studio album, Tall Poppy Syndrome, in 2009. A 2010 stint as the live backing band for former Emperor frontman Ihsahn -- his wife is Leprous vocalist/keyboardist Einar Solberg's sister -- helped to further Leprous' public profile, and in 2011 the group issued its highly anticipated sophomore long-player, Bilateral, which featured guest vocals from Ihsahn. The brooding Coal arrived in 2013, followed in 2015 by The Congregation, the latter of which earned the group its first Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian equivalent of a Grammy Award) nomination. In 2017 Leprous issued their fifth studio long-player, the ambitious Malina, followed by a substantial European tour. ~ James Christopher Monger