Biography
Finland's melodic combo Charon makes a triumphant return with Songs for the Sinners out on Spinefarm Records. Years of fine-tuning their style has resulted in a heavier edged album than heard from charon previously, without losing any of their characteristic knack for killer guitar melodies and memorable vocal lines. A sterling production/mixing job by Mikko Karmila (renowned for his work with Nightwish & countless other perennial metal favorites from Finland) completes the picture.
Charon, consisting of Antti Karihtala (drums), Teemu Hautamäki (bass), Pasi Sipilä (guitar), JP Leppäluoto (vocals), and Lauri Tuohimaa (guitar, replacing long-time member Jasse Hast), was formed in 1992. After two demos, they found the current frontman JP and recorded their album Sorrowburn on Danish Emanzipation Productions label. The tentative foray into death metal territory evident on Sorrowburn was not to last and the band soon found their sound naturally transforming into more contemporary rock-metal style.
In support of their second album, Tearstained, Charon toured with Sentenced, and finally caught the attention of Spinefarm Records. The hard work of the band finally started paying off with the release of their Downhearted album in 2001, which showcased a band bringing a style to near-perfection with genre favorites such as Little Angel, the promo video of which (directed by Tuukka Temonen) eventually rose to the number one position on Nordiska Videolistan (Nordic Video List). The actual album was 3 on the Finnish album charts, with the single In Trust of No-one even reaching the coveted 1 position.
After touring with two of Europe's most popular symphonic metal bands, Nightwish and After Forever, in 2002, Charon scored two more chart successes with their 2003 singles "In Trust Of No One" and "Religious Delicious". Both of these songs feature on the album The Dying Daylights, released in autumn 2003. The Dying Daylights hit the charts taking the band on the road for some intense touring. Also during 2003, JP lent his vocals to Poisonblack album "Escapexstacy", fronted by former Sentenced vocalist Ville Laihiala. Songs for the Sinners can do no worse, for Charon are now, with the fifth album, at the top of their game. Guest appearances include Sande and Tomi from Amorphis and Marko Manninen from the Finnish cult act Alamaailman Vasarat (cello).
In 2007, CHARON is in the process of working on a sixth album.
Top of page
