Catamenia formed in 1993. The first demo came out in '95. In the year after that Catamenia made their second demo "Winds". This demo led to their contract with Massacre Records in early 1997.
Their debut album "Halls of Frozen North" (released in 1998) was recorded at the Commusication Studios, Frankenthal, Germany together with producer Gerhard Magin (Crematory, Heavenwood, Theatre of Tragedy a.o.) this album recieved critical acclaim all across Europe and the band achieved more then remarkable sales-figures for newcomers to the scene.
Their combination of crystal-clear Black-Metal and melodic guitar hooks was well appreciated everywhere. After that there were lot of opportunities to go tour with bands like Dimmu Borgir, Death, Morbid Angel etc...but they were all cancelled regardin Catamenia. Now the new album was recorded at a "high-temple" of Death- and Black Metal, the now legendary Sunlight Studio in Stockholm, Sweden having enlisted the extraordinary talents of prodcuer and "guru" Tomas Skogsberg (Entombed, Dismember, Dissection a.o.).
The result is a raw, heavy and hellishly catchy Nordic Black-Metal album which will certainly raise this bands profile in 1999. Unlike the majority of acts within their genre Catamenia have become substantially heavier and faster whilst at the same time retainingthe catchiness of their songs (which has become something of a trademark for this band). On the new opus the talents of keyboard player Heidi Riihinen are used to their potential adding a heavily orchestral aura to Catamenia's sonic storm.
Especially remarkable is the German track "Winternacht" the lyrics and backing-vocals of which were done by Atrocity's Alexander Krull when he visited the band during their studio session. With "Morning Crimson" these fiery Finns have delivered the album that will earn them their rightful place in the "Valhalla" of Nordic Black Metal bands. A tour of Catamenia is planned for autumn 1999. But before they will play shows with Dimmu Borgir in Finland (May '99). Since then six-piece band changed to five-piece 'causs kicking their rhythm guitarist "Sampo Ukkola" out of the band.
Also changed the drummer "Toni Tervo" to ex-Impaled Nazarene's drummer Sir Kimmo Luttinen (Plays also in Finnish metal band "Legenda"). 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.