Wintersun

Infobox musical artist |
Name = Wintersun


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Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Helsinki, Finland
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = Nuclear Blast
Associated_acts = Ensiferum Norther Arthemesia Rotten Sound
URL = [http://www.wintermadness.net www.wintermadness.net]
Current_members = Jari Mäenpää Teemu Mäntysaari Jukka Koskinen Kai Hahto
Past_members = Oliver Fokin

Wintersun is a Finnish metal band, founded by ex-Ensiferum frontman, Jari Mäenpää. The band plays a range of genres that is often hard to define into one style, these being power metal [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:w9ftxqlsld0e allmusic ((( Wintersun > Overview ))) ] ] , folk metal [cite web |author=Eldefors, Vincent |title=Interview with Jari Mäenpää of Wintersun |url=http://www.tartareandesire.com/interviews/wintersun.html |publisher=Tartareanddesire.com |accessdate=2008-03-25] [ [http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=7453 The Metal Observer - Review - Wintersun - S/T ] ] , progressive metal, melodic death metal and melodic black metal. There is also prominent use of orchestral keyboard sounds.

History

The first Wintersun album was supposed to be a side project of Ensiferum member Jari Mäenpää. However, the Ensiferum Europe tour was unfortunately scheduled for the same time with recordings of "Wintersun". Mäenpää had to choose between his booked recording time for Wintersun and Ensiferum; he chose Wintersun and was forced to leave Ensiferum behind. Wintersun was produced solely by Jari Mäenpää himself, with only a session drummer (Kai Hahto) to perform the drums and percussion. Jari performed the vocals, bass, guitars and synth alone. On September 13, 2004 self-titled "Wintersun" album was released through Nuclear Blast Records. A live DVD was released only after their fifth concert. [http://wintermadness.net/messageboard/viewtopic.php?p=8884&highlight=#8884 WINTERSUN :: View topic - wintersun petition ] ]

According to their official website, the band started to record their next full-length, entitled "Time", at Sonic Pump Studios in May 2006. The mixing was meant to take place in quarter 3, 2006, but had to be delayed until May 2007. In April 2007, a further delay was announced due to computer difficulties (hitting RAM limits due to the complexity of the songs), pushing the album's release date to 2008, however, it is stated on Wintersun's official forum by Jari that a 64-bit OS will help resolve the computer difficulties. [ [http://www.wintermadness.net/ Wintersun .: Official Homesite ] ] As of June 5, 2008, Jari has stated that the vocals are about 50% done and synths & samples are 30% done. [ [http://www.wintermadness.net/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=542 WINTERSUN :: View topic - Is all this computer bullshit really necessary ] ]

Band line-up

Current members

* Jari Mäenpää − vocals, guitar (studio keyboards, bass on "Wintersun")
* Teemu Mäntysaari − guitar
* Jukka Koskinen − bass
* Kai Hahto − drums

Former members

* Oliver Fokin − guitar *http://www.getreadytorock.com/pure_metal/wintersun_interview.htm]

Discography

Demo albums

* "Winter Madness" (2004)

tudio albums

* "Wintersun" (2004)
* "Time" (TBA)

Live albums

* "" (2006)

Videography

* "Beyond the Dark Sun" - "Wintersun" (2004)
* "Live at Summer Breeze 2005" - DVD (2005)

External links

* [http://www.wintermadness.net Official Wintersun website]
* [http://www.nuclearblast.de Record Label]
* [http://www.myspace.com/wintersun Official Wintersun MySpace page]

References