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H8
Jussi Ahlroth, 21.9.2007, Helsingin Sanomat [The biggest newspaper in Finland]
Godsplague musicians are well known and active in Finnish metal scene. ESP guitars U.S.A. supported "guitar hero" Euge also played with Waltari, Leningrad Cowboys, Lullacry and The Black League. Euge is also part of Finnish Guitar Heros Compilation with 10 of the most respected and talented Finnish heavy metal guitarists like Alexi Laiho and Roope Latvala (Children of Bodom), Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius), Esa Holopainen (Amorphis) and Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish). Drummer Atte Sarkima is known from Havana Black, Ajattara, Verenpisara and tour drummer of Amorphis.
Godsplague's journey began already in 1997 when guitarist Euge, Bassist Arska and drummer O.J. Played in a band called Suspicious Motha. There were two other members in it too: Second guitarist Janne Hänninen and Vocalist Eppu Uutinen. They released one self-published CD: "Voice In The Kitchen" and toured all over Finland from Tavastia club to Big Finnish festivals like Nummirock and Jörisrock. Plus the guys pulled a gig any where they just could from small clubs to some one's cat's christening party…
The band was still able to do a few demos but the right musical path was still not found. Guitarist Janne Hänninen's visions about the bands music line departed so much from the other guys' thoughts that on winter 2000 he had to take his visions to some where else. Euge, Arska, O.J. and Eppu who were still eagerly standing and ready for some real action, decided to clear the table and start building GODSPLAGUE from the wretched ashes of Suspicious Motha. And also the musical line was found: Raging rock- metal!!!
The year 2000 went rolling bye, by writing new songs and doing gigs here and there. On the spring of 2001 came the release of the self produced/ released EP "Godsplague" which was sold aprox. few hundred copies, mostly on gigs. As time and the band moved on it came clear that maybe Eppu wasn't "THE" vocalist in the line up after all…
Early in the year 2002 Euge asked his good friend Nico Hartonen to come and participate in their jam session which inheld completely new songs and whole lotta new goove. The chemistries got tighly welded at same and the guys thought that the sound that Nico gave to the bands music was exactly they were looking for. Now Godsplague had a NEW frontman.
Few weeks after when Nico joined the Godsplague's forces, they went to studio with their producer P. Hirvanen With only one thing in mind: a DEMO of the new 5 songs. The session took a one whole day and all was done live. Only part that was recorded afterwards was the vocals. On the next day, Mr. Hrivanen Mixed the whole set and the demo was ready. An indie Swiss record label STRIDER RECORDS got so excited about the demo that they wanted to release the demo as it was. The demo got mastered and it got a release date on the early 2003, flying the name "SHOVEL EP". The bands first official recording was out.
The first full-length album "Evilution" was released in the end of '04 and the single "Road Song" went straight to the Finnish single charts, hanging in there at the highest position no.11 for a few weeks. That single also included the cover song of Peer Günt's "I Don't Wanna Be A Rock'n'Roll Star". Now the media was very awake and doing interviews and writing review about Godsplague. There was also few of the biggest music magazines in Finland like, Soundi, Rytmi and Suosikki.
Godsplague got on tour around Finland with "Evilution"- album. For now the band had thrown gigs around The remote area of Helsinki and did only few gigs in the other parts of Finland, here and there, including a visit in Sweden again! Euge and Nico Departed with their other band mates from DRIVE in the year 2005 and put their whole energy on Godsplague.
A total of over 40 gigs between years '04-'05 molded the group so intensively tight Rock- Metal steamroller that the guys decided to record the next full-length album by using the same blueprint that SHOVEL- EP had on it: LIVE. Once again the Mixer/ Producer/ Engineer was to be the already "godfather- like/ Fifth member" mr. P. Hirvanen.
The up coming recording session started on fall '05 and it had a total of two week period reserved in the schedule. The material of the album was recorded by using the "old school-ish" feel on it: Van Halen's and Black Sabbath's early material kinda way, Which means that they didn't use/ do any doubles on guitar, no samples on drums, only the band's guys at their best form doing what they do best… While the recorder kept rolling. In the end it showed that the record became even more rocking than the "Evilution" was. But still it was filled with raging interpretation and super catchy melodies.
The band's second full-length album carries the name "TRIUMPH" and it was released (Fin) on Feb. 22nd 2006. The single "war Sign" was released on Feb. 1st 2006 and with it's number two song "Hell Belly" You get a very good taste of the new rocking material of the album. Plus the bonus video from the single song "Was Sign" is in the single as well…
The new Godsplague Album is called "H8" and it is straight and hard alternative metal. A mixture of Diablo, Meshuggah and Alice in Chains, a party album par excellence!
So remember to keep your beer cold and dig GODSPLAGUE!!!