UnSun
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz |
| Defunct | February 2016 |
| Headquarters | Poland |
Key people | Anna "Aya" Stefanowicz, Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz |
| Products | Gothic metal music, albums: The End of Life (2008), Clinic for Dolls (2010) |
UnSun was a Polish gothic metal ensemble established in 2006 by Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz, former guitarist of the death metal group Vader. Their inaugural album, The End of Life, debuted in September 2008 under Century Media Records. The follow-up, Clinic for Dolls, was released in 2010 through Mystic Production. Plans for a third album in 2015 were ultimately abandoned when lead singer Anna "Aya" Stefanowicz's health declined, resulting in the band's dissolution in February 2016.
History
The band originated when ex-Vader guitarist Mauser collaborated with his spouse, vocalist Anna "Aya" Stefanowicz. Initially called Unseen, they adopted the name UnSun to better represent their blend of death metal influences and melodic singing. Mauser and Aya then assembled a full lineup by bringing in additional musicians. In 2007, they secured a deal with Mystic Production.
Their musical approach invited comparisons to acts such as Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Evanescence, and Within Temptation.
The End of Life (2008)
At the start of 2008, Anna and Maurycy Stefanowicz composed their debut album The End of Life, which was recorded at Studio-X and launched on 19 September 2008 via Century Media Records. The record fused gothic metal with melodic rock influences, combining aggressive guitar riffs with softer harmonies. Critics highlighted its accessible gothic metal sound, marking a departure from Maurycy’s earlier death metal work with Vader. That same year, UnSun toured Poland during the Black Sun Tour alongside Votum and Black River.
Clinic for Dolls (2010)
On 24 June 2010, Mystic Production announced that UnSun was working on their sophomore album, Clinic for Dolls, which was scheduled for release on 11 October 2010. Vocal tracks were laid down at Studio X in Olsztyn, while instrumental parts were recorded at Hertz Studio in Bialystok, renowned for collaborations with Behemoth, Vader, and Decapitated. The album’s artwork was created by Hi-Res Studio, which also handled the band’s photo shoot. Reviews characterized the album as standard gothic metal; Sonic Seducer described it as "typical gothic metal," whereas AllMusic noted influences reminiscent of J-pop. Metal Hammer Germany pointed out its more restrained theatricality compared to other gothic releases, and About.com commended its distinctive qualities despite a reduction in symphonic elements.
In October 2010, UnSun supported Tristania during their European "Rubicon Tour." That year also saw the exit of Filip Halucha and drummer "Vaaver" Dramowicz from the group.
Third album (2011–2015)
On 1 April 2014, lead singer Anna Stefanowicz shared an update on Facebook indicating improvements in her vocal condition and ongoing work on new songs. She confirmed that recording would commence once songwriting concluded, with details about the release date forthcoming. Stefanowicz expressed gratitude to fans for their support and optimism regarding the upcoming third album.
Breakup (2016)
On 5 February 2016, Anna Stefanowicz announced via UnSun's Facebook page that the band was disbanding due to worsening vocal cord issues impacting her nervous system. She conveyed hope for successful neck and spine surgery that might improve her condition. Consequently, the group decided to cease activity, while Maurycy Stefanowicz continues his musical pursuits through a new project.
Band members
- Present lineup
- Anna "Aya" Stefanowicz (Napiórkowska) – lead vocals (2006–2016)
- Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz – guitarist (2006–2016)
- Patryk "Patrick" Malinowski – bassist (2010–2016)
- Wojtek "Gonzo" Blaszkowski – drummer (2010–2016)
- Previous members
- Filip "Heinrich" Halucha – bass guitar (2006–2010)
- Wawrzyniec "Vaaver" Dramowicz – drums (2006–2010)
Timeline
Studio albums
| Album title | Release details | Highest chart rankings | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN | |||||||||||||||||||
| The End of Life |
|
143 | |||||||||||||||||
| Clinic for Dolls |
|
218 | |||||||||||||||||
| A dash ("—") indicates albums that did not chart or were not released in that market. | |||||||||||||||||||
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director(s) | Associated album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Whispers" | Dariusz Szermanowicz, Grupa 13 | The End of Life |
| 2010 | "Home" | Mateusz Winkiel, Mania Studio | Clinic for Dolls |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Metal Female Voices Award | Template:Nom |