five albums with Tristania, Stene left the band in February 2007 to finish her university degree which she started but did not finish in 2000, and also because she did not like the direction of the band's recent music. Coincidentally, singer Tarja Turunen had left the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish around the same time, leading to widespread speculation that Stene would be her replacement, and Stene had to announce that this was merely a rumor. 2007–2012: Retirement In the years after she left Tristania, Stene retired from the music industry. She gave birth to two children and taught singing during her retirement. In a 2010 interview, Stene was asked if she would sing professionally again. She declared that when given a good offer, she would take it. In 2011, the electronic band Plutho released a song called "Queen of Broken Hearts" featuring Stene, though it was recorded back in 1999. 2013–present: Return to music In June 2013, Stene announced on Facebook that she was returning to the music scene. Her first new music activity was an appearance with the extreme metal project God of Atheists, formed by Asgeir Mickelson. In 2015 she wrote and sang one song for the gothic metal band Viper Solfa on their debut album Carving an Icon. Stene also ventured into theater work. She appeared in a play titled Skammens Gissel (Hostage of Shame) in which she played the role of Silja. Her theater debut was in October 2015. She described the play and her character: In July 2020, Stene announced the formation of a new doom metal band called Veil of Secrets with Asgeir Mickelson. The band's debut album Dead Poetry was released in November 2020. According to Stene, "After some years with no music production or dissemination, I strongly felt an inner longing to create and feel alive through music. So I started to seek a resolution. [...] The composing process of' Dead Poetry was deeply founded on honesty and trust, and therefore I'm very proud to finally share Veil of Secrets." Discography Tristania Demos Tristania (1997) Albums Widow's Weeds (1998) Beyond the Veil (1999) World of Glass (2001) Ashes (2005) Illumination (2007) Live albums Widow's Tour (1999) Widow's Tour/Angina (1999) Compilation albums Midwintertears / Angina (2001) Midwinter Tears (2005) Veil of Secrets Albums Dead Poetry (2020) Guest vocal appearances Green Carnation - Journey to the End of the Night (1999) Samael -