Biography
- Catamenia (FI) was founded in 95 by their original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu, Finland.
- Already the first year we recorded our first demo at ValleyWhyNeo Studio which is known nowadays as Mastervox Studios.
- 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, we recorded our 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.
- Our third album, 'Eternal Winter`s Prophecy', was recorded in our 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 our 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 new 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.
- Because of the great production of 'ChaosBorn', band decided to enter the same studio, Mastervox Studios with producers Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen to record the next album.
- During the studio session, band encountered some problems with collaboration, distance and lack of practice with few members. Line-up changes had to be 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 yet, '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. Catamenia's 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 is renewed.
- Catamenia's first DVD, 'Bringing The Cold To Poland', is recorded in Warsaw and produced by Metal Mind Productions.
- During the touring in Russia and Europe, Tero decided to leave the band after Russian part of the tour - he fell in love with our promoter and followed her back to Moscow.
- Again some sad news in Cata-camp. Drummer Veikko Jumisko departed from Catamenia in Spring 2007 because he was not capable to join the touring anymore.
- After a short seek for the new drummer we found a perfect, yet still enough crazy replacement for Veikko, so Mikko Nevanlahti joins the band.
- Catamenia is again a 5-piece band by the departure of vocalist Olli Mustonen. There were some problems with his vocals cords and he had lost his voice. From now on the lead vocals are sang by Ari Nissilä, Kari Vähäkuopus and Toni Kansanoja.
- Riku started to write new music for the next album, which carries a name 'VIII - The Time Unchained' and the recordings take place again at Mastervox Studios, Oulu, Finland by the producers Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen.
- New album is very variable and includes aggressive, fast guitar riffing with blasting drums, screaming vocals and low grunts but still having the traditional Catamenia melodies and clean vocals. This is the first time, Catamenia album is not including any keyboards.
Top of page
