Music Style Progressive Death

Artist History Everything started when three young metallers from Vantaa, Finland wanted not just to listen to metal but also make it themselves. Okko(g), Johannes(k) and Jukka(v) were old friends and both Okko and Johannes were talented players despite their young age. Johannes had played the piano since he was 4 years old.A second guitarist, Daavid was soon found from among their friends. Bass player, Tuomo joined in soon after Daavid due to them being good friends. Elenium was given birth in autumn 1995 After rehearsing with a few different drummers the duty was given to Mikko. The members were highly inspired by death metal acts like Amorphis (Tales From The Thousand Lakes, Karelian Isthmus), so it was a natural choice to start playing melodic death. Amorphis`s mixture of synth and death metal impressed them deeply. Elenium recorded their first demo in spring 96. The second demo; "This Side of Paradise" 98 got much more attention and positive feedback. Daavid had left the band before the recording of "TSoP"-demo. A new guitarist, Lemmi (Tommi Leinonen) was soon found from a local band called Borealms after their split up. At that time also Borealms had a huge impact on Ele`s music. Borealms played melodic metal with a lot of synths very much in the vein of Amorphis. Elenium was offered a record deal by a small label called HellaRecords. The label was convinced by their potential after seeing them on stage with Children of Bodom in spring 98. This Side of Paradise single was recorded during the same spring. A video for the song; Shades of Grey was filmed also. Due to some musical and social disagreements Okko left the band in spring -99. The co-operation with HellaRecords didn`t work out, Because of their lack of intrest and time. After Okkos departure Elenium concentrated on composing new material and improving their musical skills instead of replacing Okko. During that time Elenium played only few gigs as a five-piece. Finally in autumn 2001 a lead guitarist was found after trying many guitarists. The new guitarist, Kasperi convinced the band immediately with his tremendous skills. He also got along with other members very well straight from the start. Kasperi studies music to become a professional musician. Kasperi was the missing piece of the puzzle and Elenium got a new dimension into their music. After his joining in started a heavy training season because everyone was anxious to get on the stage and to record new material. The band has now played some gigs in their full line up and the feedback has been very positive and the chemistry within the band is superb. Their latest demo has been sold out within 6 months and it has been praised by several zines. Elenium signed a deal for 2 albums with Rage of Achilles and their debut will be out before the end of year 2003.

Group Members Vocals: Jukka Pelkonen Guitars: Kasperi Heikkinen Guitars: Tommi Leinonen Drums: Mikko Niemelä Bass: Tuomo Räisänen Keyboards: Johannes Salo

Press Reviews Deadtide (http://www.deadtide.com/) Elenium follow up their promising 2001 demo with a magnificently produced EP that shows them evolving into a powerhouse of synth-heavy Euro-metal band, better(!!!) than Amorphis or Children of Bodom, and right on par with Portugal's brilliant and criminally underrated Malevolence. While Promo 2001 suffered from wearing their influences a little too blatantly on their sleeves, it was saved by the songwriting and the strengths of their singer. On Them Used Gods, both of these elements are pumped through the roof and the influences are fading fast. The music is mid-paced, but quick, filled with agile guitar-synth interplay and start-stop rhythmic grooves that break out into big, open spaces. Piano and synth play a prominent role in the music, but it's justified, far from cheesy, and the production is so good - the guitars are just massive - that the synths can add the counterpoint to the riffing and fill in the holes with glorious sound without sacrificing one bit of power in the guitars. The end result is symphonic, sophisticated and heavy, with Inbred Infinity their most powerful concoction. If there's a metal god up there somewhere, this one will get them signed. STANDOUT TRACKS: All of them!!! //muxlow//

Location Helsinki, Vantaa - Finland

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