Waltari | |
---|---|
Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
Genres | Experimental metal, alternative metal, progressive metal |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | Stupido Records, The All Blacks, Spin Records, EMI, Edel Records, Parlophone, Vindauga, Bluelight Records, Dockyard 1 |
Associated acts | Kreator, Ensiferum, Children of Bodom, Amorphis, Sinergy, Barathrum, Stone, Barren Earth |
Website | Official Website |
Members |
Kärtsy Hatakka Jariot Lehtinen Sami Yli-Sirniö Ville Vehviläinen Kimmo Korhonen Nino Silvennoinen Jani Hölli |
Past members | Sale Suomalainen Janne Parviainen Roope Latvala Mika Järveläinen Janne Immonen |
Waltari is a band from Finland, known for its diversity and combination of music styles, frequently combining alternative metal, progressive metal, death metal, hard rock, heavy metal, hip hop, industrial, pop, punk, symphonic metal, techno and thrash metal.
Most of the band's music is written by Kärtsy Hatakka. Waltari's lyrics often deal with personal feelings of anxiety, loneliness and the cruelty of the world, often with heavy irony and sarcasm.
The name Waltari is a reference to the popular Finnish author Mika Waltari, a favourite author of guitarist Jariot Lehtinen.
Waltari was formed in 1986 in Helsinki, Finland, by Kärtsy Hatakka (vocals and bass), Jariot Lehtinen (guitars) and Sale Suomalainen (drums). Sami Yli-Sirniö joined as second guitarist in 1989, a year after the release of their first EP, Mut Hei ("But, hi!").
Their second album, Monk-Punk, was released in 1991. As the title suggests, this album was mostly punk. Their next album Torcha! (1992) was the album on which Waltari started blending various musical styles into the sound that would become their own.
After releasing a compilation of early work under the title Pala Leipää ("A Piece of Bread") (1993), the band went on to release So Fine! (1994), an album similar to Torcha!. Their next album, Big Bang (1995) is to date their biggest success. The album concentrates on mixing techno with heavy metal.