Eternal Oath

Eternal Oath is 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. In 2011, the band re-united with the promise of new material sometime in 2013.

Eternal Oath
OriginStockholm, Sweden
GenresSymphonic death metal
Melodic death metal
Gothic metal
Progressive metal
Years active1991–2007, 2011-present
LabelsSound Pollution/Black Lodge Records
Associated actsAmon Amarth
Mörk Gryning
MembersJoni Mäensivu
Petri Tarvainen
Ted Jonsson
Peter Nagy
Mika Kajanen
Johan Adler
Past membersTimo Hovinen
Stefan Norgren
Peter Wendin
Pelle Almquist
Ted Lundström
Daniel Dziuba
Martin Wiklander

Two notable past members include Peter Nagy (former multi-instrumentalist for Mörk Gryning) and Ted Lundström (current Amon Amarth bassist).

History

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]

Breakup and reunion

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]

In 2011, the band announced that Eternal Oath was rejoins forces after a 5-year absence. This came at the 20th anniversary of the band. 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 reinforced the set with 2 new members, Mika Kajanen on bass and Johan Adler on keyboards. The band has started working on new material and a new album is planned for beginning of 2013.

Style

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.

Discography

Studio Albums
  • 1999: Through The Eyes of Hatred (Pulverised Records)
  • 2002: Righteous (Greater Art Records)
  • 2005: Wither (Black Lodge Records)
  • 2013: Ghostlands[3]

EPs
  • 1996: So Silent (NWrapped Media)

Demos
  • 1991: Art of Darkness

Compilation
  • 2006: Re-Released Hatred (So Silent and Through The Eyes Of Hatred on one CD) (Black Lodge Records)

Members
  • Joni Mäensivu - vocals
  • Ted Jonsson - drums
  • Peter Nagy - guitar
  • Petri Tarvainen - guitar
  • Mika Kajanen - Bass guitar
  • Johan Adler - Keyboards

Past members
  • Timo Hovinen - vocals
  • Peter Wendin - bass guitar
  • Stefan Norgren - drums (previously keyboards)
  • Pelle Almquist - keyboards
  • Ted Lundström - bass guitar (1991–1993)
  • Daniel Dziuba - guitar (1991–1993)
  • Martin Wiklander - bass guitar (1993–1996)
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References
  1. "Eternal Oath Biography on Black Lodge Records Website". Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  2. "Former ETERNAL OATH Members To Release FACESHIFT Debut". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  3. Eternal Oath Releasing New Album "Ghostlands"
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