[2] In 2007, Stene left Tristania and temporarily retired from the music industry to start a family and teach singing.

[5] Stene has also cited Tori Amos, Björk, David Bowie, Tom Waits, and Diamanda Galás as "only a few of many singers that I think are very good".

[5] During her school years, Stene performed in jazz, folk, and classical concerts both as a solo artist and with various bands.

[3][8] Tristania keyboardist Einar Moen stated in an interview that Stene "has a classical education actually – sort of an opera school or university degree.

[14][15] In 2011, the electronic band Plutho released a song called "Queen of Broken Hearts" featuring Stene, though it was recorded back in 1999.

[17][18] In 2015 she wrote and sang one song for the gothic metal band Viper Solfa on their debut album Carving an Icon.

[17][20] She described the play and her character: Silja made the choice to move away from her husband and her children to a collective of German soldiers.

[17]In July 2020, Stene announced the formation of a new doom metal band called Veil of Secrets with Asgeir Mickelson.

[...] 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.