Ajattara (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ajattara


Img_capt = Ajattara's current line-up
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Helsinki, Finland
Genre = Black metal
Doom metal
Years_active = 1996–present
Label = Spikefarm Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.ajattara.fi/ www.ajattara.fi]
Current_members = Pasi Koskinen
Kalmos
Juha Harju
Raajat
Tommi Lillman
Past_members = Toni Laroma
Atte Sarkima
Kalle Sundström
Tomi Koivusaari
Pekka Sauvolainen
Jan Rechberger
Aki Räty
Jarmo Ikala

"Ajattara" is a five-piece black metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They formed in 1996 and are still active. They are signed to Spinefarm Records and have released five albums, their most recent being "Kalmanto", which was released in September 2007.

Overview

Brief history

Ajattarra formed in 1996. Their first release was a demo tape entitled "Helvetissä On Syntisen Taivas" which was released in 1998. The band then signed to Spikefarm Records and went on to release three albums - "Itse" in 2001, "Kuolema" in 2003 and "Tyhjyys". These albums were met with largely good reviews. Ajattara then went onto release a "Christmas Single" in the Novembers of 2004 and 2005, which is a tradition they have done for the last three years. They were entitled "Ilon Juhla" (2004) and "Joulu" (2005). The band then went onto release another album in 2006, entitled "Äpäre", which was met with similar reviews as their last three albums. The band continued with the christmass single tradition of 2004 and 2005 by releasing a single entitled "Sika" in 2006.

At the end of 2006 Ajattara's long time group broke up, when Pasi Koskinen made neo-nazi salutes and other same related political statements during a concert. Ajattara then reformated with a new line up some time during 2007. The band entered the studio on June 1 2007 to begin recording on the album "Kalmanto" which was released in September 5 2007. However, this album was not met with such good reviews as Ajattara's other albums, as some critics said the album sounded chaotic and forced.

Musical style

Ajattara combine elements of black metal and doom metal to play a style of black metal not dissimilar to Celtic Frost and to a lesser extent Samael. The combined use of synthesisers and heavy guitar sounds give Ajattara a distinct "grimey" sound. The lyrical themes of Ajattara usually deal with death, evil and paganism.

Members

Current members

* Pasi Koskinen - vocals, guitar
* Vesa Wahlroos - guitar, vocals
* Juha Harju - bass, vocals
* Janne Immonen - keyboards
* Tommi Lillman - drums

Former members

* Toni Laroma - bass
* Atte Sarkima - drums
* Kalle Sundström - keyboards
* Tomi Koivusaari - guitar
* Pekka Sauvolainen - drums
* Jan Rechberger - drums
* Aki Räty - keyboards
* Jarmo Ikala - keyboards

Discography

Albums

* Itse (2001)
* Kuolema (2003)
* Tyhjyys (2004)
* Äpäre (2006)
* Kalmanto (2007)

Demos

* Helvetissä On Syntisen Taivas (1998)

ingles

* Ilon Juhla (2004)
* Joulu (2005)
* Sika (2006)
* Tulppaani (2007)

External links

* [http://www.ajattara.fi/ Ajattara's official website]
* [http://www.spinefarm.fi/showband.php?id=7 Ajattara's page on Spinefarm Records]
* [http://www.myspace.com/ajattara Ajattara's page on MySpace]
* [http://wm08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=AJATTARA&sql=11:gxfoxqraldje~T0 Ajattara's page on the All Music Guide]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=2052 Ajattara's page on the Encyclopedia Metallum]
* [http://www.last.fm/music/Ajattara Ajattara's page at Last.fm]