1996
Like in so many other band biographies before, the history of L`ĀME IMMORTELLE also began at a party with a lot of alcohol and cheap talk involved. That's where Thomas Rainer met Hannes Medwenitsch and after several meetings the two young ambitious musicians decided to work together. This cooperation resulted in the creation of their first song "Final Oath" which was not released until 2001 on the "Judgement" single.1996 also brought out the composition of the song "Life will never be the same again" which gave the impulse to look for a female voice to complete the band's line up. Sonja Kraushofer, a former classmate of Thomas showed interest in joining the new-born project and after first hearing her excellent voice together with their songs, Thomas and Hannes were sure that she was the missing piece to complete L`ĀME IMMORTELLE.
1997
This year started with sending a heap of copies of their demo tape "Lieder die wie Wunden bluten" to labels all over Europe. The small independant label, MOS Records from Liechtenstein showed interest in signing the group, and after the first L'ÂME IMMORTELLE live performance in spring 1997 a recording contract was signed resulting in the release of "Lieder die wie Wunden bluten", re-recorded in Switzerland.
This debut album took over the German darkwave/gothic scene by storm not only due to the hit-song "Life will never be the same again".
1998
After intense dedication to songwriting and several concerts in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium the second album "In einer Zukunft aus Tränen und Stahl" was recorded and produced. The song "Bitterkeit" from this album became THE hymn of the German gothic movement and is nowadays still played at every gothic party all over the country. Not only because of this, the album entered the German alternative charts.
1999
To present their music to a broader audience, L'ĀME IMMORTELLE supported US cult band CHRISTIAN DEATH on their European tour. In order to accompany this event, the band released the rare so-called "Tour CD" which contained 4 exclusive tracks and was handsigned by the band members and limited to 500 pieces. The contract with MOS Records ran out and LAI signed with TRISOL MUSIC GROUP. The album "Wenn der letzte Schatten fällt" which was produced by Volker Lutz (EVIL'S TOY) didn't dissappoint the steadiliy growing fanbase and a cover story in one of Germany's leading music magazines as well as another chart position verified that L'ĀME IMMORTELLE have grown to be one of Europe's leading darkwave/gothic bands.
2000
In February the band headlined an extensive concert tour throughout Germany and not only due to its success the band entered the studio again to record their fourth studio album entitled "Dann habe im umsonst gelebt". These recording sessions first integrated a string section as well as several other "real" instruments to focus the band's electronic sound into a more organic direction.
2001
The album "Dann habe ich umsonst gelebt" was released in January and on the soon following European tour L'ĀME IMMORTELLE were given the proof that they delivered a masterpiece of gothic/darkwave music by means of sold-out concerts and position 48 in the German billboard charts. The band played all mayor festivals that summer competing at top positions with major acts like Marylin Manson.
Not being able to rest, L'ĀME IMMORTELLE embarked on their second tour that year in October to reconquer German concert venues. The extensive live show featuring exclusive stage design, a range of live musicians as well as a huge light show thrilled audiences all over Germany.
2002
In order to satisfy the demand for video documenation of last year's successful tour, "Zwielicht" was released on February 8th. A double CD set with one CD containing remixes of "Dann habe im umsonst gelebt" songs and a VCD with live video recordings. In Summer founding member Hannes Medwenitsch had to quit the band due to his state of health and Sonja and Thomas decided to continue working as a duo.
Nevertheless guitarist Ashley Dayour joined the band as a live musician later that year and contributed a lot to the songwriting process of the new album. L`ÂME IMMORTELLE played more concerts and festivals all over Europe and released "Tiefster Winter" in November, the single that helped the band to rule the dancefloors of German clubs again.
2003
The album "Als die Liebe starb" was released in February and exceeded all expectations that were put into it. 3 weeks in the billboard charts (top position No.38) und numerous No.1 positionings as well as the tremendous success of the following European tour showed once again that L`ĀME IMMORTELLE was no phenomenon that could be restricted to the gothic scene only.The DVD that had been filmed during this tour was released under the name "Disharmony-Live!" in July and entered the German DVD Charts on No. 9. But the year was long from being over for the band . In October they released a rarities collection called "Seelensturm" which was followed by another very successful European tour which even lead them to Moscow.
2004
Due to the success of L'ÂME IMMORTELLE GUN (BMG) offers the band a contract which opens up new horizons for Sonja and Thomas. The cooperation with their label colleagues of OOMPH! on the single „Brennende Liebe" helps them gain popularity beyond the Gothic scene and enter the billboard charts on position 9.
The album „Gezeiten", produced by John A. Rivers (Dead Can Dance) and Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Paradiese Lost), is rocking, expressive and thus experimental like never before. The success of the singles „5 Jahre", „Stumme Schreie" and „Fallen Angel" stands for itself - again chart positions are reached and the corresponding videos are on rotation on the music channels.
2006
This year „Auf Deinen Schwingen" is released - a very complex and conceptually self-contained album which presents the „love" topic with its manifold contradictions and variations such as desire, yearning and despair. „Nur Du", „Phönix" and „Du siehst mich nicht" become hit songs as well and reinforce the leading role L'ÂME IMMORTELLE has in the music business. The double CD „Visionen" contains narrations of E.A.Poe texts and is released by Audio Lübbe Verlag (with the collaboration of Christopher Lee, Iris Berben, Ulrich Pleitgen and other bands/musicians). Its theme song „Dein Herz" is performed by L'ÂME IMMORTELLE and recorded together with the Berlin film orchestra. The corresponding video also features Ulrich Pleitgen. In December Sonja und Thomas go on tour again, accompanied by the „Gezeiten" live band, with their new and very successful tour called „Der letzte Akt".
2007
The Best-Of CD „10 Jahre" is released by GUN due to the band's 10th anniversary. After that release it becomes quiet around L'ÂME IMMORTELLE and in autumn the rumour is spread that the band has broken up. Meanwhile Sonja and Thomas are back in the studio to work on their new album „Namenlos". The album deals frankly with death and was inspired by a cemetery in Vienna called „Friedhof der Namenlosen" ("cemetery of the nameless"). After finishing the cooperation with GUN L'ÂME IMMORTELLE resign with their old label TRISOL. Together with their „old" musicians, but without a producer and external assistance the band work on their new album and the preparation of the corresponding tour which is announced at the end of the year to resolve all doubts concerning a break-up.