Sentenced

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sentenced


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Img_size = 300
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Muhos/Oulu, Finland
Genre = Gothic metal
Melodic death metal (early)
Years_active = 1989–2005
Label = Century Media
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.sentenced.org www.sentenced.org]
Current_members =
Past_members = (final line-up) Ville Laihiala Miika Tenkula Sami Lopakka Sami Kukkohovi Vesa Ranta

Sentenced was a doom / gothic metal and in the beginning melodic death metal [http://www.metalreview.com/viewreview.aspx?ID=1637] band formed in 1989, in the town of Muhos, Finland. They disbanded in 2005.

Biography

Sentenced's predecessor:Deformity, started in 1988, but in 1989 as the band's line-up changed, the name changed to Sentenced. The original line-up consisted of Miika Tenkula (lead guitar & vocals), Sami Lopakka (guitar), Vesa Ranta (drums) and Lari Kylmänen (bass). They recorded two demo tapes: "When Death Joins Us..." in 1990 and "Rotting Ways to Misery" in 1991. The band actually got their very first record deal (With the French label Thrash Records) after their first demo..

In 1991 bassist Taneli Jarva joined the band, replacing Kylmänen just as the band was about to record their debut album "Shadows of the Past". At that time, their musical style was fast, typical European melodic death metal. In Spring 1992 they recorded a new three-song promotional tape "Journey to Pohjola" . As a result, they got themselves a deal with the Finnish Spinefarm Records.

The second album "North from Here" (and later during the ongoing year, "The Trooper EP") was released in the spring of 1993. Jarva had assumed lead vocal duties using a different style than Tenkula's. It was "North From Here" that earned the band the attention of German record label Century Media Records, and in 1994 Sentenced left Spinefarm in order to head toward a wider market with a new multi-album contract under Century Media

In 1995, Sentenced released their 'breakthrough' album "Amok", considered by many to be their best work. Compared to earlier releases, the music had slowed down somewhat, acquiring a more melodic structure. The track "Nepenthe" was complemented with a music video and the band took to tour Europe in two full-length tours supporting Samael and Tiamat.

In autumn, the band released the "Love & Death" MCD. Music-wise, it kept a fairly similar concept as "Amok", as the songs had been written around the same time. Sentenced had achieved success in Doom/death markets, however Jarva soon left the band because of musical differences and lack of interest in music. This surprised many fans, and as a result of this, he stayed out the music business "for fear of hearing Sentenced on the radio" [Buried Alive DVD Interview]

After the departure of Jarva, Ville Laihiala (of "Breed" fame) in 1996 joined the band. The decision was finalized just three weeks before the band was due to head to Germany to record their fourth album "Down" with producer Waldemar Sorychta. Once again, the music became more melodic with a significant NWOBHM influence. During this time, bassist Sami Kukkohovi also joined the band, but only as a session member on gigs. Later, in spring 1997 he was granted a permanent slot in the line-up.

Sentenced's fifth full-length album "Frozen" was also recorded at the Woodhouse Studios, and released in 1998 .It kept a similar musical style as "Down", adding depth wherever necessary. Laihiala and Kukkohovi had become initiated into the band, so they participated in the composition process, resulting in the next album: "Frozen". In 1999 a special edition of "Frozen" was released, containing a recolored (gold) cover and rearranged track running order, with four cover songs included.

The next Sentenced album to be released was "Crimson" in 2000. The single "Killing Me, Killing You" demonstrated the turn towards becoming Melodic Death Metal. Two years after the release of "The Cold White Light", the band was seen in a slightly different light, the lyrics displaying some self-irony and even an extremely rare positive edge.

After "The Cold White Light", they released a CD-single. Released in 2003 along with songs by other bands on a four track compilation single that was dedicated to Oulun Kärpät, the ice hockey team of the band's hometown, "Routasydän" remains the only song Sentenced sung in Finnish, and cannot be found elsewhere. The song caused something of a stir in Finland, as several politicians reviewed the lyrics and purported them to contain Nazi overtones, which the band has steadfastly refuted.

In early 2005, the band announced that their following release "The Funeral Album" would be their last. It was also stated that there would be no reunions. They performed many farewell gigs during the spring and summer and ended with a final gig on October 1st 2005 in their hometown Oulu, Finland. The concert film "Buried Alive", directed by Mika Ronkainen, filmed at the funeral gig was premiered at Oulu Music Video Festival September 9th, 2006.

Members

Final line-up

* Ville Laihiala – Vocals (1996-2005)
* Miika Tenkula – Guitar (1989-2005)
* Sami Lopakka – Guitar (1989-2005)
* Sami Kukkohovi – Bass guitar (1996-2005)
* Vesa Ranta – Drums (1989-2005)

Previous members

* Lari Kylmänen – Bass guitar (1989-1991)
* Taneli Jarva – Bass guitar and vocals (1991-1996)
* Tuure Heikkilä - Drums (1988 - 1989)

ession members

* Niko Karppinen – Bass guitar (live) (1995-1996)
* Tarmo Kanerva – Drums (summer 1999)
* Marco Sneck - Keyboards

pecial guests

* Vorphalack – Backup vocals (1996)

Discography

tudio albums

* "Shadows of the Past" (1991)
* "North from Here" (1993)
* "Amok" (1995)
* "Down" (1996)
* "Frozen" (1998)
* "Crimson" (2000)
* "The Cold White Light" (2002)
* "The Funeral Album" (2005)

EPs

* "The Trooper" (1993)
* "Love & Death" (1995)

Live album

* "Buried Alive" (2 discs, 2006)

DVDs

* "Buried Alive" (2 discs, 2006)

ingles

* "Killing Me Killing You (1999)
* "No One There" (2002)
* "Routasydän" (2003)
* "Ever-Frost" (2005)
* "The Glow of 1000 Suns / Amok Run" (2008)

Compilation

* "" (1997)

Demos

* "When Death Joins Us..." (1990)
* "Rotting Ways to Misery" (1991)
* "Journey to Pohjola" (1992)
* "Amok Runs" (1994)

plit albums

* "Cronology of Death" (1991)
* "promo split MCD" (2005)

Reissues

* "Crimson" (2007)
* "Down" (2007)
* "Frozen" (2007)
* "North From Here" (2008)
* "Shadows Of The Past" (2008)

Videography

* "Nepenthe" (1994)
* "Noose" (1997), directed by Sökö Kaukoranta
* "The Suicider" (1998)
* "Killing Me Killing You" (1999), directed by Pasi Pauni
* "No One There" (2002), directed by Pete Veijalainen
* "Ever-Frost" (2005), directed by Mika Ronkainen
* "Despair-Ridden Hearts" (2006), directed by Mika Ronkainen

References

External links

* [http://www.sentenced.org Sentenced - official website]
* [http://www.centurymedia.com Century Media - official website]
* [http://www.poisonblack.com Poisonblack - official website]