Kristin Starkey

Photo credits Kristin pic: Erik Enrico Ersson — Morten pic: Patrik Ullaeus

Morten Veland (SIRENIA, MORTEMIA and founder of TRISTANIA) released the fourth Mortemia song from ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’ today. A collection of 12 cover songs featuring different guest singers for each song. This track is a cover version of ‘Paint it Black’ originally recorded by The Rolling Stones, featuring Kristin Starkey on guest vocals. The song is available on all digital platforms as of today the 28th of November 2025.

Song on digital platforms: Paint it Black (feat. Kristin Starkey) by Mortemia – DistroKid

Morten Veland:

“I’m proud and honoured to welcome my friend Kristin Starkey as my special guest for ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’. This is the fourth song to be released for this album. I first met Kristin on tour in May last year when Sirenia and Temperance were touring in the UK together. Kristin is an amazing singer with an incredible voice span and diversity, and a true touring warrior that just hits the stage and totally kills it night after night. I’ve had Kristin in mind for a possible collab since we met, and I am very excited that the time now has finally come. The song we have chosen to do together is a cover of The Rolling Stones’ timeless classic ‘Paint it Black’, a song that we both love. Kristin did an absolutely amazing job with this song, really showcasing her diversity as a singer and really putting her signature on the track. Together we have created a really cool version of this timeless classic. I feel truly privileged and thankful to have Kristin on board this project and we both can’t wait to share this song with you all. The song will be available on all digital platforms on Friday the 28th of November 2025”.

Kristin:

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with my friend Morten from Mortemia / Sirenia on our rendition of the classic Rolling Stones song ‘Paint It Black.’ I’ve always felt that this song has an inherently gothic energy, and Morten has truly brought that vision to life. The dark, atmospheric instrumental he created perfectly complements the emotional depth of the track, and it was such a joy to experiment with different vocal techniques and colors to bring that mood to life. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”

After 11 years of silence Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist Morten Veland activated his solo project Mortemia during the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic, this time with a brand new concept consisting of collaborations with multiple guest singers. ‘The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions’ was a series of singles released on a monthly basis, each song featuring a well known and highly profiled guest singer from the metal scene. Following next was ‘The Covid Aftermath Sessions’, yet another album featuring 12 songs with 12 different guest singers. Now Mortemia is ready to endeavor on his third album in the collaboration format entitled ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’, once more the project will feature multiple amazing guest singers. This will be, as the title suggests an album consisting of cover songs solely. All re-arranged and performed in Mortemia’s signature style.

So far the following singers has contributed for his collaborations:

Madeleine Liljestam (Eleine)
Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN)
Alessia Scolletti (Temperance, ERA)
Liv Kristine (Liv Kristine, ex-Theatre of Tragedy, ex-Leaves Eyes)
Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side of the Moon)
Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers)
Maja Shining (Forever Still)
Erica Ohlsson (Metalite)
Heidi Parviainen (Dark Sarah, ex Amberian Dawn)
Zora Cock (Blackbriar)
Linda Toni Grahn (Anima Veil, ex Follow the Cipher)
Caterina Nix (Chaos Magic)
Federica Lanna (Volturian)
Ulli Perhonen (ex-Snow White Blood)
Ambre Vourvahis (Xandria)
Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade)
Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna)
Margarita Monet (Edge of Paradise)
Marina La Torraca (Exit Eden, Phantom Elite)
Nicoletta Rosellini (Alterium, Walk in Darkness)
Maxi Nil (Jaded Star, ex Visions of Atlantis)
Capri (Amberian Dawn)
Emma Zoldan (Sirenia)
Dianne van Giersbergen (DIANNE, Ex Libris)
Chiara Tricarico (Moonlight Haze)
Leah (Leah)
Kristin Starkey (Temperance, Twilight Force)