Former SENTENCED Guitarist's Cause Of Death Revealed

The surviving members of the long-defunct Finnish band SENTENCED have issued a new statement regarding the passing of the group's former guitarist and main songwriter, Miika Tenkula, who was found dead at his home on February 19, 2009. He was 34 years old.

The statement reads as follows: "To stop rumours about Miika Tenkula's cause of death, his family wishes to state the following: Miika had a genetic heart condition and died from a sudden attack at his home on February 18, 2009. For those wondering where Miika is buried, his grave can be found at the Kirkkosaari cemetery in his hometown Muhos, Finland."

A farewell video can be viewed below.

SENTENCED's posthumous DVD, "Buried Alive", was certified platinum last year in the band's native Finland. The disc topped the official Finnish chart upon its release in late 2006.

The former members of SENTENCED were presented with the platinum award for "Buried Alive" on August 14, 2008 at Century Media Records' 20th-anniversary party at the Tavastia club in Helsinki where ex-SENTENCED singer Ville Laihiala's new band, POISONBLACK, and labelmates NORTHER and KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI performed.

An e-card for "Buried Alive" DVD, which captures the Finnish band's final performance in their hometown of Oulu, Finland on October 1, 2005, can be accessed at this location. The e-card features a full mock-up of the DVD menu and a taste of "Buried Alive", including one full live song as well as snippets from all chapters.

Directed by Mika Ronkainen of Klaffi Productions, the two-disc set features the entire concert, including a special guest appearance by former SENTENCED vocalist Taneli Jarva.

SENTENCED's last-ever studio CD, aptly titled "The Funeral Album", entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 1 back in June 2005. The follow-up to 2002's "The Cold White Light" was recorded primarily at Finnvox and Tonebox studios (both in Finland), and mixed and mastered at Finnvox. Producing the effort was Hiili Hiilesmaa, who also worked with SENTENCED on the group's previous two albums, 2000's "Crimson" and "The Cold White Light".