Skepticism (band)

Last updated

Skepticism
Hammer of Doom X Wurzburg Skepticism 14.jpg
Skepticism performing in Germany, 2015
Background information
Origin Riihimäki, Finland
Genres Funeral doom metal
Years active1991–present
LabelsRed Stream
MembersMatti Tilaeus
Jani Kekarainen
Pasi Pöyry
Lasse Pelkonen
Past membersJ. Korpihete
Website skepticism.fi

Skepticism is a Finnish funeral doom metal band. Formed in 1991, they are regarded as one of the pioneers of the genre.[ citation needed ]

Contents

History

Starting out with a death metal sound on their first 7", Skepticism soon began to evolve into a more distinctive style, a combination of slow doom metal and death metal with prolific use of keyboards, especially using an organ sound. The keyboards intend to create a depressive sound, rather than the gothic sound that many metal bands using keyboards tend to focus on. This style was first heard on the Aeothe Kaear demo (1994), which was still up-tempo compared to the material that was to follow. The debut full-length Stormcrowfleet (1995) took that style a step further, consisting of six long and slow tracks with an average length of nearly ten minutes each.

After this, the band released its first 'pair', an EP and album which are thematically connected: Ethere (1997) and Lead and Aether (1998). In 1999, Aes was released, a one-track EP lasting almost 28 minutes, and another departure into different stylistic territory from the band. A variety of musical themes are explored before the song turns back upon itself and returns to the opening theme.

The band's latest releases were contained in the second 'pair', The Process of Farmakon (2002) and Farmakon (2003). These releases involve another slight departure from earlier releases, by introducing more elements of dissonance and experimentation. Their 2008 release is called Alloy . In 2015, Skepticism released Ordeal, which was recorded live in front of an audience.

In 2021, the band announced their upcoming sixth album, Companion, and a music video for the song "Calla".

Band members

Live musicians

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Demos, singles and EPs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkthrone</span> Norwegian black metal band

Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band from Kolbotn, Akershus. Formed in 1986 as a death metal band named Black Death, in 1991 Darkthrone embraced a black metal style influenced by Bathory and Celtic Frost and became one of the leading bands in the Norwegian black metal scene.

Summoning is an Austrian atmospheric black metal band based in Vienna. Since their formation in 1993, they have released eight full-length albums and two EPs via Napalm Records. Their lyrics make extensive use of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings and mythology. Since 1995, their lineup has had a consistent lineup of Richard Lederer as "Protector" and Michael Gregor as "Silenius". The band never played live performances and has consistently maintained that they have no interest in ever doing so. Their latest album With Doom We Come was released on 5 January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryptopsy</span> Canadian technical death metal band

Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, formed in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Carnation</span> Norwegian band

Green Carnation is a Norwegian progressive metal band from Kristiansand, formed in 1990. Green Carnation's trend of music has continuously changed on every release one by one; from straight forward death metal in their demo, to death-doom, then a progressive doom metal sound, to an atmospheric gothic metal sound, to a melancholic hard rock sound and in 2006, went as far as to releasing an entirely acoustic album Acoustic Verses. The band released its first album in 14 years titled Leaves of Yesteryear on May 8, 2020, which marked a return to their earlier gothic progressive metal roots. A new single was composed, arranged, rehearsed and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, called "The World Without a View", and released digitally on December 18, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Gathering (band)</span> Dutch rock band

The Gathering is a Dutch rock band formed in Oss, North Brabant in 1989. The band's lineup currently consists of founding brothers René Rutten (guitars) and Hans Rutten (drums), Silje Wergeland, Hugo Prinsen Geerligs (bass) and Frank Boeijen (keyboards).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autopsy (band)</span> American death metal band

Autopsy is an American death metal band formed in Contra Costa County, California in 1987 by Chris Reifert and Eric Cutler. The group disbanded in 1995 and reunited in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Black</span> Australian metal band

Virgin Black is an Australian symphonic gothic and doom metal band. The band was signed to The End Records and Germany's Massacre Records, through which it released four albums and one EP. A fifth album, originally planned for release in 2006, was released independently in 2018. As of 2021, they are signed to Australian record label, Dark Escapes Music. Formed in 1995 in Adelaide, they have achieved international acclaim during their career, receiving praise from such magazines as Orkus, Metal Hammer, Legacy and The Village Voice.

Thergothon was a Finnish doom metal band which lasted from 1990 until 1993 and pioneered the funeral doom subgenre. They only released one demo, Fhtagn nagh Yog-Sothoth (1991), and one album, Stream from the Heavens (1994). Their sound was extremely slow and dirge-like in long pieces, which combined heavy guitar riffs, extremely deep death grunts and sparse lead guitar melodies. The band disbanded a year before the release of the album and its members focused on other projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anorexia Nervosa (band)</span> 1991 French black metal band

Anorexia Nervosa is a French symphonic black metal band from Limoges, formed in 1991. They are currently "on hold" due to the departure of vocalist RMS Hreidmarr.

Bethlehem is a German extreme metal band from Grevenbroich, formed in 1991 by Jürgen Bartsch and Klaus Matton. Before starting Bethlehem, Bartsch and Matton used to play in a German thrash metal band Morbid Vision. Many of their lyrics revolve around sickness, morbidity, suicide, death and madness, and may to some extent be personal to the band.

<i>Dance of December Souls</i> 1993 studio album by Katatonia

Dance of December Souls is the debut studio album by Swedish heavy metal band Katatonia. It was released on CD in 1993 by No Fashion Records and LP by Helion Records, released in the US in 1999 by Century Black. In 2004, record label Black Lodge reissued the album with all new artwork, but the band has stated on its website that it does not support this release for personal reasons. In 2007, the album was reissued, this time under Peaceville UK with a blue version of the original cover and all five songs from the Jhva Elohim Meth... The Revival EP appended as bonus tracks. In 2010, Svart Records released a double vinyl version, which also included all songs from the EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novembers Doom</span> American death-doom metal band

Novembers Doom is an American death-doom band from Chicago, currently signed to Prophecy Productions. Along with Evoken and Rigor Sardonicous, Novembers Doom is one of the earliest American death-doom bands still active today.

<i>Stormcrowfleet</i> 1995 studio album by Skepticism

Stormcrowfleet is the debut album by the Finnish funeral doom metal band Skepticism. It is one of the most important releases of the genre, and is considered a classic within it.

Beyond Dawn is a Norwegian avant-garde metal band turned electropop composed of Espen Ingierd, Petter Haavik, Tore Gjedrem, and Einar Sjursø. They are described on their official website as "Norway's Best & Least Selling Act". After two demo tapes in 1990 and 1991, the band were picked up by French label Adipocere Records, which made possible the band's first two commercial releases, 1993's Up Through the Linear Shades 7" and 1994's Longing for Scarlet Days EP. In 1995, Beyond Dawn released their critically acclaimed full-length debut Pity Love on Candlelight Records. Soon after, the band began work on an album intended to be a departure from the doom metal music they were becoming known for, but their record label was less than pleased with the band's drastic change in sound and they were soon in search of a new label. They eventually signed with Misanthropy Records and released Revelry in 1998 to more critical praise. Beyond Dawn eventually resumed work on the would-be 1996 album and, after adding additional material and overdubs, released In Reverie in 1999 on Eibon Records, which would also be reissued in 2005 with two bonus tracks. During the latter half of 1999, they released Electric Sulking Machine on the Peaceville label, which soon became a favorite amongst fans and remains sought after due to its limited pressing.

Callisto is a post-metal band from Turku, Finland.

Dark Suns is a German progressive metal band formed in 1997. It is currently composed of guitarists Maik Knappe and Torsten Wenzel, with Maik's brother Niko performing the vocals and drums. The band has released one demo, one EP, and five studio albums as of 2016.

<i>Alloy</i> (Skepticism album) 2008 studio album by Skepticism

Alloy is the fourth studio album by the Finnish funeral doom band Skepticism.

Lethian Dreams is a French doom metal band, founded in 2002 by Carline Van Roos and Matthieu Sachs, also known for their work in the bands Aythis and Remembrance. Starting as an atmospheric doom metal band, Lethian Dreams evolved later to a more ethereal sound, adding elements from different musical styles. The band self-describes its music as "ethereal doom metal" but elements from black metal, shoegaze or post-metal can also be found in their music.

<i>Ordeal</i> (album) 2015 live album by Skepticism

Ordeal is the fifth album by Finnish funeral doom band Skepticism.

<i>Constellation</i> (EP) 1994 EP by Arcturus

Constellation is the first EP released by Norwegian experimental black metal band Arcturus. It was released on CD on 14 August 1994, through the record label Nocturnal Art Productions, limited to 500 copies. The EP is the band's only release with guitarist/bassist Samoth, who was sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in the arson of Skjold Church in Vindafjord, and the first with Ulver frontman Kristoffer Rygg on vocals, a position he would hold until his departure in 2002.