Skepticism (band)
Skepticism | |
---|---|
Würzburg, Germany, 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Riihimäki, Southern Finland |
Genres | Funeral doom metal |
Years active | 1991–present |
Labels | Red Stream |
Website | Skepticism |
Members |
Matti Jani Kekarainen Pasi Pöyry Lasse Pelkonen |
Past members | J. Korpihete |
Skepticism is a funeral doom metal band from Finland. Formed in 1991, they are regarded as one of the pioneers of the genre.
Overview of studio work
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 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 studio.
Line-up
Their long-time line-up was reached in early 1993 and consisted of a drummer, guitarist, organist and a vocalist. No changes in the line-up took place until 2015, when they adopted a second guitarist for the recording of Ordeal and following live events.
- Matti - Vocals
- Jani Kekarainen - Guitars
- Timo Sitomaniemi - Guitars
- Eero Pöyry - Keyboards
- Lasse Pelkonen - Drums
Discography
Studio albums
- Stormcrowfleet (1995, Red Stream)
- Lead and Aether (1998, Red Stream)
- Farmakon (2003, Red Stream)
- Alloy (2008, Red Stream)
- Ordeal (2015, Svart Records)
Demos, singles & EPs
- "Towards My End" (7" Single, 1992)
- Aeothe Kaear (Demo, 1994)
- Ethere (EP, 1997, Red Stream)
- Aes (EP, 1999, Red Stream)
- The Process of Farmakon (EP, 2002, Red Stream)
External links
- Skepticism the official website of Skepticism since early 2008
- farmakon.com used to be the official website address of Skepticism between early 2003 and late 2005
- Skepticism on Myspace
- Interview with www.doom-metal.com, April 2003
- Svart Records - Skepticism's record label 2015
- Red Stream - Skepticism's record label 1995-2008
- Skepticism discography at MusicBrainz
- Skepticism discography at Discogs
- Skepticism at Encyclopaedia Metallum