Career
Trail of Tears (1997-2000)
Michaelsen started off as the female vocalist in 1997 for Norwegian gothic metal band Trail of Tears, succeeding after Ales Vik who departed from the band that same year. A year later, Michaelsen and the band recorded their debut album Disclosure in Red in which she sung contralto vocals and contributed to writing lyrics. In 2000, she again took role of contralto vocals in their second album Profoundemonium, which was last album to feature Helena.
Soon after, she was replaced by Cathrine Paulsen in May of that year.
Sahara Dust (2002-2003)
Two years after leaving Trail of Tears, she was selected by Mark Jansen (who had just left After Forever) as vocalist for his new band Sahara Dust. But she left not long after, replaced by then-unknown Simone Simons.
The band was renamed Epica, inspired by the album of the same name by Tampa, Florida-based Kamelot that was released the same year. Imperia & Angel (2004-present)
After leaving Sahara Dust, Michaelsen teamed up with Steve Wolz (who was to be the drummer for Sahara Dust) and the pair relocated to Norway.
Upon their return to The Netherlands they formed the band Imperia.
As Imperia, Michaelsen and Wolz recorded a cover of "The Lotus Eaters" by Dead Can Dance for a double tribute album with the same title released through the Greek label Black Lotus Records. The track subsequently was included in Imperia"s 2004 album The Ancient Dance of Qetesh as a bonus track.
