Trivalia-Sion (Serbian Gothic Rock)

The band was formed during the summer of 1986 in Niš by vocalist Vladimir Žikić “Vlad-a-Mantis“, also the songwriter as well as the rhythm machine sequencer, bass guitarist Boban Stojiljković “Bocko“ and guitarist Srđan Jovanović “Điđa“. The band was named after the old Serbian country Tribalia, situated in the Timok Valley during the reign of the House of Nemanjić. Starting with a lot of written material, during the following year, the band recorded their debut extended play We Always..., inspired lyrically by religion, mythology, secret societies and musically predominantly by movie soundtracks, and the popular post-punk and gothic rock acts such as Joy Division, The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, The Cure and Fields of the Nephilim.[1] The album was released independently by the band themselves on compact cassette only. Beside the recorded material, on live appearances the band also performed cover versions of the bands they were citing as their influences. *** Correction: The inspiration for the name came from the world Tribali (a tribe somewhere where Serbia would later emerge), letter B was changed to V, and letter A was added, thus creating Trivalia.