CATAMENIA were founded by original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu, Finland. After the demo "Winds" (1997) the band signed with Massacre Records who released their debut album "HALLS OF FROZEN NORTH" in 1998. Already on their debut the Finns were standing out of the unoverseeable mass of Black Metal bands, which both press and fans honoured with good reviews and sales figures. With their second album "MORNING CRIMSON" (1999) CATAMENIA developed their status and established themselves with a good amount of fans. After this second album the first line-up changes had to be faced: guitarist Ari Nissilä came for Sampo Ukkola and drummer Toni Tervo was replaced by Sir Luttinen (Black League).
With this new line up the third album "ETERNAL WINTER'S PROPHECY" was recorded and established the band finally in the first row of nordic black metal bands. On the new album ESKHATA" the Finns now come as a four-piece as Sir Luttinen left and also female keyboarder Heidi Riihinen due to private reasons. So the album was recorded with drummer Janne Kusmin (Kalmah) who is not a steady band member. "ESKHATA" was for the first time recorded in the band's home town Oulu at the SoundMix studio and it seemed to be the right decision! "ESKHATA" shows perfectly the band's skills and stands above their previous releases. The opener "Storm" with his remarkable chorus line has to be called a black metal "hit" and is supposed to be a steady guest at every metal disco.
Smashers like "Rain of Blood", "Vortex" or the epic "Eskhata" undoubtelly are some of the best tracks ever written by CATAMENIA and the clean vocals by Ari combine perfect with Mika's hysteric screaming. With "ESKHATA" the band present themselves stronger than ever and show for the first time their enormous potential.
Current Line-up:
Riku K-oz Hopeakoski - Lead & Clean Guitars
Ari WarTechs Nissilä - Rhythm Guitars and Clean Vox
Timo Lede Lehtinen - Five String Bass and Fretless Bass
Mika Deimhal Tönning - Screaming Vocals
Veikkomoottorisaha Jumisko - Drums
