Catamenia
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Status: Active
Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal

- CATAMENIA (FI) was founded in 95 by their original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu, Finland.

- Already in their first year they made their first Demo.

- Second demo, 'Winds', (1996) lead to the four-album-contract with Massacre Records in 1997.

- First full-length album,'Halls of Frozen North', was recorded in
Commusication Studios, Germany, in 1997 with Gerhard Magin (Crematory, Mystic Circle,...). Released in 1998.

- Year after the release of the debut, they recorded their second album, 'Morning Crimson' (1999) in Sweden, at Sunlight Studios with Thomas Skogsberg (Katatonia, Dismember,...).

- First line-up changements had to be done after 'Morning Crimson' recordings due to personal reasons. Drummer Toni Tervo and guitarist Sampo Ukkola were replaced by Sir Luttinen and with current guitarist Ari Nissilä.

- Their 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,...).

- Now it was time to record their last contractual album 'Eskhata' for Massacre Records 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 albums more because of the good and long co-operation.

- At this point, CATAMENIA had faced many line-up changements. But during the rehearsing the new album's songs, they have found their steady line-up and again as a six-piece.

- Now...Chaos was Born! CATAMENIA recorded their new and fifth album, 'ChaosBorn' at Neo Studio in Oulu, Finland with Kari Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen (BURNING POINT, EMBRAZE, Afterworld, SENTENCED,...).

- 'ChaosBorn' combines melodics and aggressions with perfect balance. You can hear clearly as the Chaos is Born on this album!

- After great feedback from media and fans of 'ChaosBorn', was time to prepare the sixth album. Band decided to title the album as 'Winternight Tragedies'.

- Spending some time in rehearsal room, Riku had already made several great songs, it was time to book the studio.

- Cause of the great production of 'ChaosBorn', band decided to enter the same studio, Mastervox Studios with producers Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen.

- During the studio session, band encountered problems with collaboration, distance and lack of practice with few members. Line-up changes were made. Vocalist Mika and bassist Timo was replaced by new vocalist O.J. Mustonen and bassist Mikko Hepo-oja.

- Despite the facts of line-up changements, producers Kakke, Immu and the band itself, recorded and produced absolutely their most powerful album ever, 'Winternight Tragedies'.

- On the new album, 'Winternight Tragedies', band performs raw, aggressive and angry songs, still keeping the melodious side alive.

- After the great feedback of 'Winternight Tragedies', band did their first East European Tour, managed by ProMusic Production which was complete success.

- Despite the succesful year 2005, CATAMENIA decided to replace bassist Mikko Hepo-oja unanimously, cause of non-working chemistry between rest of the members. New bassist Toni Kansanoja (Black Swan, BURNING POINT) joins the band.

- In the end of 2005, Riku started to work on the seventh studio album and Mastervox studios was booked again for early summer 2006 with Kakke and Immu. This is the last contractual album for Massacre Records, so again it's time for negotiations and decisions to be made for the future.

- In the studio, band faced some serious problems again. Vocalist Olli lost his voice after singing four songs and they had to replace him by their friend Antti 'Hape' Haapsamo from Mors Subita, who sang the rest of the songs.

- New album, which was titled as 'Location:COLD', reaches whole new level in CATAMENIA's history. Album is very variable with ultra-fast riffing and amazing melodies, but also there's few mid-tempod songs aswell as cover of W.A.S.P.'s I Wanna Be Somebody.

- New member in CATAMENIA. Their great friend and producer of last three albums, Kari Vähäkuopus, joins the band as a clean vocalist. Kari will follow the band on tours always when he's capable due to his own duties.

- CATAMENIA feels like they are one big part of Massacre Records, and Massacre Records' feeling is mutual, the contract will be renewed.

- In future, CATAMENIA will have several gigs and tours around Europe, Russia and maybe in Japan, Northern and Southern America aswell.

MembersTOP

CURRENT MEMBERS:
Riku Hopeakoski	Guitars	1995 -
Mikko Nevanlahti	Drums	2007 -
Kari Vähäkuopus	Vocals	1995 -
Toni Kansanoja	Bass	2006 -
Ari Nissilä	Guitars	1995 -
Olli Mustonen	Vocals	2003 -
FORMER MEMBERS:
Janne Kusmin	Drums	2002 - 2002
Kimmo Luttinen	Drums	2000 - 2000
Toni Tervo	Drums	1995 - 1999
Tero Nevala	Keyboards	2003 - 2006
Heidi Riihinen	Keyboards	1995 - 2000
Mikko Hepo-Oja	Bass	2005 - 2006
Timo Lehtinen	Bass	1995 - 2003
Sampo Ukkola	Guitars	1995 - 1999
Mika Tönning	Vocals	1995 - 2003
Veikko Jumisko	Drums	2003 - 2007