Barren Earth

Last updated

Barren Earth
Origin Helsinki, Finland
Genres Progressive death metal, melodic death metal, doom metal
Years active2007–present
Labels Peaceville Records
Members Sami Yli-Sirniö
Janne Perttilä
Olli-Pekka Laine
Marko Tarvonen
Jón Aldará
Antti Myllynen
Past membersKasper Mårtenson
Mikko Kotamäki
Website barrenearth.com

Barren Earth is a Finnish progressive death metal band from Helsinki, formed in 2007. Their music is said to be a combination of death metal, progressive rock, and folk music, pulling influence from the different groups each member is associated with. Since their formation, the band has released one EP and four full-length albums. [1]

Contents

History

Our Twilight and Curse of the Red River (2009 onwards)

In November 2009, the EP Our Twilight was issued, and included four songs. Shortly after the EP had been issued, Barren Earth performed its first gig, in the club Dante's Highlight in Helsinki. However, as the LP was set for release in March 2010, most of the festivals had already booked bands for the summer 2010. Barren Earth had a gig on Tuska Open Air Metal Festival, though.

In February 2011, the band played a five-week tour in North America under the name "Finnish Metal Tour 2011", alongside other Finnish bands including Finntroll, Ensiferum and Rotten Sound, gathering support for their album that would officially be released around two months later. [2] On 31 March 2010, the band issued their debut album, Curse of the Red River . One of its nine songs was the title song of the previous EP, "Our Twilight". The album received very positive reviews. The band went on to receive the title of "Newcomer of the year" in 2011 at the Finnish Metal Awards, and "Best debut album" at the Metal Storm Awards 2010. [3]

The Devil's Resolve (2012)

On various websites dedicated to metal bands, it was told that the band's second album, The Devil's Resolve , containing nine songs, was due to be released in November 2011, once again by Peaceville Records. [4] The Devil's Resolve is said to contain even more 1970s progressive influences while keeping the brutality associated with the band. On their website, the band stated that, originally, twelve songs were written. [5] However, on the band's Facebook page the band told that because of delays in the production process the second album would not take place until February/March 2012. [6] On 29 February 2012, the band released the video "The Rains Begin" from their upcoming album. [7]

On Lonely Towers (2015)

Barren Earth revealed on 28 January 2015 that their new album On Lonely Towers will be released on 24 March 2015 by Century Media Records. [8] In 2014 the Faroese singer Jón Aldará joined the band as the new lead vocalist. [9] He is also known from the Faroese metal band Hamferð. [10]

A Complex of Cages (2018)

Barren Earth's fourth album A Complex of Cages was released just before the Easter 2018. [11] The band and their audience celebrated the new album on Good Friday evening in a record releasing gig at Kuudes Linja club in Helsinki, supported by a local metal group Oceanhoarse. [12] This album is the second with Jón Aldará as a frontman, but his first in which he contributes more than just vocals. Almost all the lyrics on the record are contributed by Jón Aldará ("Solitude Pith" being the exception with lyrics by Laine). The man is responsible mostly of the melodies, as well. [13] [14] According to Olli-Pekka Laine Aldará was given freedom to write the lyrics, and they will not be discussed at all amongst the bandmembers. "As long as our songs are not telling about slaughtering the whale, anything will be fine by me", Laine says. "Solitude Pith", written by Laine, was already done before Aldará begun his lyrical working. It seems that song gave him some ideas, and then that theme emerged into penetrating theme for the whole album. [15] Aldará writes about people isolating, and suffering from different mental issues such as manic depression, psychopathy and agoraphobia. [16]

A Complex of Cages is also the first Barren Earth record made with absence of keyboardist Kasper Mårtenson, [17] who is occupied with Turisas as their live keyboardist. He was succeeded by Antti Myllynen. [18] The line-up change of Mårtenson leaving impacted the band's compositions, since he had been writing about a half of the material whereas Olli-Pekka Laine has been the mastermind behind the other half. [19] While Laine is still the man behind most of the composing, the other members Sami Yli-Sirniö, Janne Perttilä and Marko Tarvonen now also contribute. [20]

The fourth record has gained positive accolade by the reviewers, hailing it the best Barren Earth album so far. Jón Aldará, now singing the lyrics mostly according to his own mind and will, switches between heavy growls and clear, even operatic vocals. [21] [22] [23] The band itself thanks V. Santura (Triptykon) for his involvement on producing the record. [24]

Band members

Discography

Albums

EPs

Videography

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kreator</span> German thrash metal band

Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Their current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Miland "Mille" Petrozza, drummer Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, lead guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö, and bassist Frédéric Leclercq. The band's lineup has changed multiple times throughout its 42-year career, most noticeably with their bassists and lead guitarists. Petrozza and Reil are the only two original members left in Kreator, although the latter took a break from the band from 1994 to 1996. Yli-Sirniö has been the lead guitarist of Kreator since 2001, while Leclercq joined in 2019 as the replacement of Christian "Speesy" Giesler, who had been a member of the band since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amorphis</span> Finnish heavy metal band

Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive metal and folk metal. They frequently use the Kalevala, the epic poem of Finland, as a source for their lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eternal Tears of Sorrow</span> Finnish metal band

Eternal Tears of Sorrow is a Finnish symphonic/melodic death metal band formed in Pudasjärvi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turisas</span> Finnish metal band

Turisas is a Finnish metal band from Hämeenlinna who, since 2022, have been on an indefinite hiatus. They were founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström, and named after an ancient Finnish god of war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ensiferum</span> Finnish folk metal band

Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "melodic folk metal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waltari</span> Finnish metal band

Waltari is a Finnish band from Helsinki known for combining numerous styles, from different metal subgenres such as progressive metal, alternative metal and extreme metal to non-metal styles such as hip hop, pop, industrial, techno, punk and hard rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sami Yli-Sirniö</span> Finnish guitarist (born 1972)

Sami Yli-Sirniö is a Finnish musician, currently the lead guitarist of the Finnish metal bands Waltari, Barren Earth and German band Kreator. He spent part of his life in Germany and thus has strong ties with the German metal scene. German Rock Hard magazine featured him in 2007 as "forgotten guitar hero".

Mannhai is a Finnish stoner rock band from Helsinki. The band was formed in late 1999 by bass player Olli-Pekka "Oppu" Laine and guitarist Ilkka "Ile" Laaksomaa. Soon they were accompanied by a young drummer, Mikko "Junior" Pietinen, and the following year by lead singer Jani "Joãnitor" Muurinen.

<i>From Afar</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Ensiferum

From Afar is the fourth studio album by Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum, released on 9 September 2009 on Spinefarm Records. It is the band's first album to feature keyboardist Emmi Silvennoinen. The album was produced by Nightwish producer Tero Kinnunen and Victory Songs producer Janne Joutsenniemi. It was mixed by HIM producer Hiili Hiilesmaa. The limited edition of the album includes a cover of Swedish folk rock group Nordman.

<i>Below Zero</i> (Waltari album) 2009 studio album by Waltari

Below Zero is the 10th studio album by the Finnish metal band Waltari. A music video was made for the song "In the Cradle".

<i>Release Date</i> 2007 studio album by Waltari

Release Date is the ninth studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari.

<i>Big Bang</i> (Waltari album) 1995 studio album by Waltari

Big Bang is the third studio album by the Finnish avant-garde progressive metal band Waltari, released in 1995.

<i>So Fine!</i> 1994 studio album by Waltari with Angelit

So Fine! is the first collaboration album between Finnish avant-garde progressive metal band Waltari and Joik group Angelit.

<i>Torcha!</i> 1992 studio album by Waltari

Torcha! is the second studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari.

<i>Monk-Punk</i> 1991 studio album by Waltari

Monk-Punk is the debut studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olli-Pekka Laine</span> Finnish bassist

Olli-Pekka Laine is a Finnish musician, currently serving as a bassist in the metal bands Amorphis and Barren Earth (2008–). He was also formerly part of other Finnish metal bands, Nuxvomica (1990), Rytmihäiriö (1991–1992), Mannhai, Chaosbreed (2003–2005) & Kiljuvelka-70.

<i>Covers All</i> 2011 studio album by Waltari

Covers All is the 11th album by Finnish heavy metal band Waltari. It is a cover album recorded on the 25th anniversary of Waltari, released in 2011 by Stupido Records label.

<i>One Man Army</i> (Ensiferum album) 2015 studio album by Ensiferum

One Man Army is the sixth studio album by Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on 20 February 2015 through Metal Blade. It is the band's last album to feature keyboardist Emmi Silvennoinen.

<i>Queen of Time</i> 2018 studio album by Amorphis

Queen of Time is the thirteenth studio album by Finnish heavy metal band Amorphis, released worldwide on 18 May 2018 through Nuclear Blast. This is the first album since 1999's Tuonela to feature original bassist Olli-Pekka Laine who rejoined the band in 2017, making this the first time since 1994's Tales from the Thousand Lakes that all four original band members played together on an album. The album was produced by Jens Bogren, who was described as "a true brother in spirit."

<i>Thalassic</i> 2020 studio album by Ensiferum

Thalassic is the eighth studio album by Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum. It was released on 10 July 2020 through Metal Blade Records. It is the first Ensiferum album to feature new keyboardist and clean vocalist Pekka Montin, who joined the band in February 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "Barren Earth". Discogs. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "Finnish Metal Tour 2011 – Parts 1-8". Barren Earth. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  3. ↑ "News Archive". Barren Earth. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "Barren Earth – The Devil's Resolve". Encyclopaedia Metallum – The Metal Archives. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "What's Up?". Barren Earth. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  6. ↑ "Facebook". Barren Earth. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Barren Earth – The Rains Begin". MetalCallOut.com. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Barren Earth New Album Details". MetalCallOut.com. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "BARREN EARTH Announces New Singer". Blabbermouth.net. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Samuelsen, Ingi (29 January 2015). "Nýggjur tungur finskur rokkur við føroyskum sangara" (in Faroese). Aktuelt.fo. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  11. ↑ Maniax, Slayanys (1 April 2018). "Barren Earth Release New Album 'A Complex of Cages'". Nordic Metal. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  12. ↑ steelrain (4 April 2018). "BARREN EARTH & OCEANHOARSE – Kuudes Linja, Helsinki, March 30, 2018". Nordic Metal. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  13. ↑ Rob (28 March 2018). "Barren Earth – "A Complex of Cages"". Progressive Music Planet. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  14. ↑ Aldará, Jón; Aldará, Jón; Yli-Sirniö, Sami; Yli-Sirniö, Sami; Perttilä, Janne; Perttilä, Janne; Myllynen, Antti; Laine, Olli-Pekka; Laine, Olli-Pekka (2018), A complex of cages, Barren Earth, Century Media Records, retrieved 3 January 2019
  15. ↑ ""Kun ei itse ole enää niin melankolinen mieleltään kuin teininä, tällainen synkistely saattaa tuntua vähän naurettavalta" – haastattelussa Barren Earth". Inferno.fi (in Finnish). 30 June 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  16. ↑ Blabbermouth (9 February 2018). "BARREN EARTH Feat. KREATOR Guitarist SAMI YLI-SIRNIÖ: 'A Complex of Cages' Album Due in March". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  17. ↑ "Century Media Records – Barren Earth". centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  18. ↑ MetalDaveCampbell. "Metal-Temple.com :: Barren Earth – A Complex of Cages (CD Review)". metal-temple.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  19. ↑ Progressive Music Planet (28 March 2018). "Barren Earth – "A Complex of Cages"". Progressive Music Planet. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  20. ↑ Aldará, Jón; Aldará, Jón; Yli-Sirniö, Sami; Yli-Sirniö, Sami; Perttilä, Janne; Perttilä, Janne; Myllynen, Antti; Laine, Olli-Pekka; Laine, Olli-Pekka (2018), A complex of cages, Barren Earth, Century Media Records, retrieved 3 January 2019
  21. ↑ Progressive Music Planet (28 March 2018). "Barren Earth – "A Complex of Cages"". Progressive Music Planet. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  22. ↑ manofmuchmetal (27 March 2018). "Barren Earth – A Complex of Cages – Album Review". Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  23. ↑ MetalDaveCampbell. "Metal-Temple.com :: Barren Earth – A Complex of Cages (CD Review)". metal-temple.com. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  24. ↑ Blabbermouth (9 February 2018). "BARREN EARTH Feat. KREATOR Guitarist SAMI YLI-SIRNIÖ: 'A Complex of Cages' Album Due in March". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "BARREN EARTH: Announce Jón Aldará as new vocalist". Metalrecusants.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Barren Earth – Unveil New Album First Single And Details". metalstorm.net. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  27. ↑ "BARREN EARTH To Release A Complex of Cages Album in March; "Further Down" Single Streaming". bravewords.com. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  28. ↑ "Century Media Records – Barren Earth: : release video for new single "The Ruby"!". centurymedia.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.