Ode In Black is a band from Kuopio, Finland. After releasing their first EP ”Goodbye” in 2014, the band spent the next years touring all over Finland, spreading the word of their melancholic metal and preparing new material. In 2017 the band begun working on their first full-length album. In the summer of 2017 the band released two singles ”The Sea In Which We Drown” and ”The Lone Wolf”. 2018 blasted off with the band’s debut full-length album ”Seeds Of Chaos” coming out in early January.
As you wander through the album ”Seeds Of Chaos”, one cannot help but notice the northern melancholy that lingers throughout the songs. Through the years the band has grown, matured and taken significant steps forward. Though one can still hear the heavier metal tones as well as the influence of some of the greatest Finnish bands such as HIM & Sentenced, the melodic components have begun to gain more of a foothold in the band’s music. The 11 songs are packed full of everything that you need to get addicted to Ode In Black.
Whereas ”Burden” and ”Lullaby For The Innocent” hypnotize you with their melancholic grip, ”Seeds Of Chaos” and ”The Sea In Which We Drown” blow you away with mesmerizing melodies. The new album reminds you of old Finnish tales; of the stories that do not always have a happy ending and that begin with the words ”it was a dark and stormy night”.
Pasi Mäenpää (Vocals)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Other bands: Chevi Eye (2005-2008) and Unskinny.
Main influences: Music in general.
Hobbies: Sports.
Favourite albums: Guns n’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction.
Iiro Saarinen (Guitars and Backing Vocals)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Gear: Gibson Les Paul Custom VOS ’58, ESP Eclipse II, LTD EC-1000FM, Engl E-670 6L6 Special Edition and Engl 4 x 12 XXL PRO Cabinet.
Other bands: Black Light Discipline (2005-2011), Chevi Eye (2003-2008), Burning Winter (a couple of times after 2001) and No Talent.
Main influences: Finnish bands like Sentenced, HIM, Charon, Entwine. Also german power metal (Helloween, Gamma Ray, Rage), 80’s hard rock, hair metal & glam rock. As a guitar player, I’ve been influenced most by Miika Tenkula (Sentenced), Jasse Salonen (Hybrid Children), TJ Saarinen & Blues Saraceno.
Hobbies: Revolt, disorder, chaos and especially activity that appears to have no meaning.
Favourite albums: Helloween: Time Of The Oath, Hybrid Children: Uncensored Teenage Hardcore, Sentenced: Frozen, HIM: Greatest Lovensongs vol. 666 and Charon: Downhearted.
Websites: www.iirosaarinen.com
Juhani Saarinen (Guitars)
Joined the band: Autumn 2012.
Gear: ESP LTD EC-1000 and Ibanez RG320.
Other bands: A few small projects in the past.
Main influences: Metal and Rock music from 70s, 80s and 90s, Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), Jim Martin (Faith No More), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), Slash (Guns n’ Roses) and TJ Saarinen.
Hobbies: Music, reading, studying, watching TV and sports, jogging and gym.
Favourite albums: Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, Faith No More: The Real Thing, Guns n’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction, Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic, Sentenced: Down, The Darkness: Hot Cakes and HIM: Love Metal.
Ville Puustinen (Bass)
Joined the band: Winter 2014.
Gear: Gibson Thunderbird IV, Gibson Flying-V, Monster El Monarca 300+300W P2P Bass Head + Monster MCQ-410 Bass Cabinet + Monster MCS-115 Bass Cabinet
Other bands: Megawatt (1993-1999) , White Lightning (2000), Syndrooma (2004-) plus session guitarist with Mikko Leppilampi, Paavo Lötjönen and Peter Westerholm (2012).
Main influences: Roope Latvala, Nicke Anderson, Costello Hautamäki, A-H Haapasalo.
Hobbies: Golf, Fishing.
Favourite albums: Everything from Sentenced + Poisonblack, The Cardigans: My Favourite Game, Hellacopters: By The Grace Of God, In Flames: The Jester Race.
Taisto Ristivirta (Drums)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Gear: Tama Silverstar, Meinl symbals and IronCobra pedal.
Other bands: Rosy Dream (1994-) and Chevi Eye (2000-2008).
Main influences: Ian Paice, Jeff Porcaro, Dave Lombardo, Twist Twist Erkinharju, Mikko Kaakkurinniemi, Antero Seppänen etc.
Hobbies: Golf and reading.
Favourite albums: Deep Purple: Machine Head, Guns N’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction and Peer Günt: Smalltown Maniacs.