Catamenia

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Catamenia


Img_capt = Catamenia at Jalometalli 2008, Oulu
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Oulu, Finland
Genre = Melodic black metal
Years_active = 1995–present
Label = Massacre
Associated_acts = Beherit, The Black League, Burning Point, Dawn of Relic, End of You, Impaled Nazarene, Kalmah, National Napalm Syndicate
URL = [http://www.catamenia.net www.catamenia.net]
Current_members = Riku Hopeakoski
Ari Nissillä
Toni Kansanoja
Kari Vähäkuopus
Mikko Nevanlahti
Past_members = (See: full listing)

Catamenia is a melodic black metal band from Finland, founded in 1995 by original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu. They have been signed to Massacre Records ever since their first full-length, "Halls of Frozen North" in 1998. As of 2008, they have released seven albums, 1 EP, and one DVD. They have a studio album in the works, which contains the roman numerals, "VIII", signaling their eighth studio album.

History

They released their first demo album in their first active year, simply titled "Demo '95". Their second demo, "Winds" released in 1996, led to a four-album contract with Massacre Records in 1997. Their debut full-length album "Halls of Frozen North" was recorded in Commusication Studios, Beindersheim, Germany, in 1997 with Gerhard Magin (Crematory, Mystic Circle) and was released in 1998. A year later they recorded their second album, "Morning Crimson" (1999) in Sweden, at Sunlight Studios with Thomas Skogsberg (Katatonia, Dismember). The band's third album "Eternal Winter's Prophecy" was recorded in their home country in 2000 at Tico-Tico Studios with Ahti Kortelainen (Kalmah, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Dawn of Relic). Their last album for Massacre Records was entitled "Eskhata", released in 2002, recorded in Oulu, Finland at SoundMix Studios with producer Mika Pohjola (The Black League). After the release and promotion of "Eskhata", Catamenia renewed their contract with Massacre Records for three more albums, citing good working relations.

Catamenia faced many line-up changes during the rehearsal of their fifth album, but their line-up steadied and again were a six-piece for its release.

Catamenia recorded their fifth album "Chaos Born" at Neo Studio in Oulu, Finland with Kari Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen (Burning Point, Embraze, Afterworld, Sentenced). "ChaosBorn" combines melodics and aggressive metal with excellent balance. After praise from media and their fans for "ChaosBorn", "Winternight Tragedies" was stated as their sixth studio release, again with Mastervox Studios and producers Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen.

While working on "Winternight Tragedies", the band encountered problems with collaboration, distance and lack of practice. As a result line-up changes were made. Vocalist Mika and bassist Timo were replaced by new vocalist O.J. Mustonen and bassist Mikko Hepo-oja.

The album features raw, aggressive and angry songs while still keeping the melodious background intact.

In 2006, their seventh album, "" was released. Later that year, a DVD entitled, "Bringing the Cold to Poland", was released featuring live recordings at the Stodola Club in Warsaw, Poland.

Drummer Veikko Jumisko departed from Catamenia in Spring 2007 because he was not capable to join the touring anymore.

The US tour has been postponed until 2008, because of promotion problems. A short Canadian tour called Brothers of Cold is happening in May 2008.

In May 2008, Olli Mustonen left the band for undisclosed reasons. It is believed since he missed the Canadian tour, he was deemed unreliable. Ari Nissilä will take over lead vocals from now on.

Discography

Albums

* "Halls of Frozen North" (1998)
* "Morning Crimson" (1999)
* "Eternal Winter's Prophecy" (2000)
* "Eskhata" (2002)
* "Chaos Born" (2003)
* "Winternight Tragedies" (2005)
* "" (2006)
* "VIII - The Time Unchained" (2008)

Demos/EPs

* "Demo '95" (1995)
* "Winds" (1996)
* "Shape Edition" (1999)

Videography

Video

* "Kuolon Tanssi" (music video) (2003)
* "Tuhat Vuotta" (music video) (2006)
* "Bringing the Cold to Poland" (DVD) (2006)
* "Location: COLD" (music video) (2006)

Cover songs

* "Fuel for Hatred" (Satyricon) − on "Winternight Tragedies"
* "I Wanna Be Somebody" (W.A.S.P.) − on "Location: COLD"

Band members

Current

* Riku Hopeakoski − lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards on "Eskhata" - [http://www.myspace.com/kaaoz Riku's MySpace site]
* Ari Nissilä − lead vocals, rhythm guitar, backing vocals - [http://www.myspace.com/nipamania Ari's MySpace site]
* Toni Kansanoja − bass guitar - [http://www.myspace.com/koopra Toni's MySpace site]
* Kakke Vähäkuopus − clean vocals
* Mikko Nevanlahti − drums - [http://www.myspace.com/neppari80 Mikko's MySpace site]

Former

* Olli-Jukka Mustonen − vocals (2005-2008)
* Mika Tönning − vocals (1995–2003)
* Sampo Ukkola − guitars (1997–1999)
* Timo Lehtinen − bass (1996–2003)
* Mikko Hepo-oja − bass (2005–2006)
* Heidi Riihinen − keyboards (1995–2000)
* Tero Nevala − keyboards (2003–2006)
* Toni Tervo − drums (1995–1999)
* Veikko Jumisko − drums (2003–2007)

Guest and session musicians

* Antti Haapsamo − vocals on "Location: COLD"
* Sir Luttinen − drums on "Eternal Winter's Prophecy"
* Janne Kusmin − drums on "Eskhata"

See also

Related genres:
* Symphonic black metal
* Black metal

External links

* [http://www.catamenia.net Catamenia official site]
* [http://www.massacre-records.com/bands/bands.asp?bands=CATAMENIA Catamenia] at Massacre Records
* [http://www.myspace.com/catameniaband Catamenia] at MySpace
* [http://www.metalfromfinland.com/Catamenia Catamenia] at Metal from Finland
* [http://www.duman6.gen.tr/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=15355 Catamenia Turkish biography]