| Eternal Oath | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres | Symphonic death metal Melodic death metal Gothic metal Progressive metal |
| Years active | 1991–2007 |
| Labels | Sound Pollution/Black Lodge Records |
| Associated acts | Amon Amarth Mörk Gryning |
| Members | |
| Joni Mäensivu Peter Nagy Petri Tarvainen Mika Kajanen Ted Jonsson Johan Adler |
|
| Past members | |
| Timo Hovinen Stefan Norgren Peter Wendin Pelle Almquist Ted Lundström Daniel Dziuba Martin Wiklander |
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Eternal Oath were a symphonic/melodic death metal band, formed in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden. In their 15 year existence, they released 3 albums, 1 demo, 1 EP and 1 compilation. The group had been in the process of recording a 4th full length but ultimately disbanded in January 2007. The fate of the recorded songs is currently unknown.
Two notable past members include Peter Nagy (former multi-instrumentalist for Mörk Gryning) and Ted Lundström (current Amon Amarth bassist).
Contents |
Eternal Oath was formed in 1991 by Ted Jonsson (drums), Petri Tarvainen (guitar) and Joni Mäensivu (vocals). In February 1994, the band recorded a 3 song promotional tape which secured a deal with Rat Pack Records for one EP. In March 1995, So Silent was recorded. Financial problems with the company would delay the EP's release; The group subsequently broke their contract with the label and self-released the EP the following year financed by Nwrapped Media.
In March 1998, the band entered the studio to record their first full-length album, Through The Eyes Of Hatred for Singapore-based label Pulverised Records. The album would be released in early 1999.
In the fall of 2001, the band entered Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden to record their second full-length, Righteous. Containing 10 tracks including a cover of Paradise Lost´s "Eternal", the album received a wide response all over the world. Righteous was mixed and engineered by Fredrik Nordström, known for contribution to albums by In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Dark Tranquillity.
A few months later, Pulverised Records went bankrupt, and in early 2004 the band signed with Sound Pollution/Black Lodge Records, who in turn purchased the entire Eternal Oath back catalog. In June of the same year, Eternal Oath returned to Studio Fredman once again to record their 3rd (and last) LP, Wither, which would be released March 29, 2005 through Black Lodge.[1]
After over 15 years of activity, the band dissolved in early 2007, with some previous members going on to form a new project, Faceshift, later in the year.[2]
Official statement from the band:
"Eternal Oath rejoins forces again Once one of the leading melodic death-metal acts from Sweden, has decided to reunite after a 5-year absence. The band has stated that: "After 15 years, we needed this break. From the band, from each other, and to be able to focus on other things in life for a while. Now we are back with a new perspective, recharged batteries and tons of new ideas. It has been truly fun to exchange ideas and start rehearsing again." This year Eternal oath is celebrating their 20th anniversary since the band was formed and they will perform their reunion gig on Reunion Botkyrka on August 20th. The new line-up consists of 4 of the founding members, With Peter Nagy-Eklof and Petri Tarvainen on guitar, Ted Jonsson on drums and Joni Mäensivu on vocals. They also have strengthened their forces with 2 new members, Mika Kajanen on bass and Johan Adler on keyboards. "The new guys brings so much to the table, they fill the gaps perfectly and makes the band feel solid and complete, something we´ve been striving for a long time". The band has started working on new material and a new album is planned to see daylight in the beginning of 2013... "
While firmly rooted in Swedish melodic death metal, the band's direction has varied on each album, going from blues/folk music progressions similar to Opeth to symphonic experimentation like Hypocrisy. The band had also utilized female gothic metal vocals and traits of doom/death metal.