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Waltari is a Finnish band from
Helsinki Helsinki () is the Capital city, capital and most populous List of cities and towns in Finland, city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About people live in the municipali ...
known for combining numerous styles, from different
metal A metal () is a material that, when polished or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electrical resistivity and conductivity, electricity and thermal conductivity, heat relatively well. These properties are all associated wit ...
subgenres such as
progressive metal Progressive metal (often shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven sound of the former with t ...
,
alternative metal Alternative metal (also known as alt-metal) is a genre of heavy metal music that combines heavy metal with influences from alternative rock and other genres not normally associated with metal. Alternative metal bands are often characterized by ...
and
extreme metal Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. It has been defined as a "cluster of metal subgenres characterized by sonic, verbal, and visual tran ...
to non-metal styles such as
hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...
,
pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...
, industrial,
techno Techno is a genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempos being in the range from 120 to 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central rhythm is typically in common time ( ) and often ...
,
punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...
and
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...
. Most of the band's music is written by Kärtsy Hatakka. Finnish metal musicians who started their international career in Waltari include
Kreator Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen, formed in 1982. Their current line-up consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mille Petrozza, Miland "Mille" Petrozza, drummer Jürgen Reil, Jürgen "Ventor" Reil, lead guitarist Sami Yli- ...
's Sami Yli-Sirniö, Roope Latvala of
Children of Bodom Children of Bodom was a Finnish melodic death metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993 as Inearthed, the final line-up of the group upon their split in 2019 consisted of frontman Alexi Laiho, drummer Jaska Raatikainen, bassist Henkka Seppälä, ...
, and Janne Parviainen of
Ensiferum Ensiferum (Latin: , n adj., meaning "sword bearing") is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "melodic folk metal". History Formation, demos and ''Ensiferum'' (1995−2002) ''Ensiferum'' was foun ...
.


History

Waltari was formed in 1986 in Helsinki by Kärtsy Hatakka (vocals and bass), Jariot Lehtinen (guitars) and Sale Suomalainen (drums).
Sami Yli-Sirniö Sami Yli-Sirniö (born 10 April 1972) is a Finnish musician who is currently the lead guitarist of the German band Kreator and the Finnish metal bands Waltari and Barren Earth. He spent part of his life in Germany and thus has strong ties with ...
joined as second guitarist in 1989, a year after the release of their first EP, ''Mut Hei'' ("But hey!"). Their first 2 albums, ''
Monk-Punk ''Monk-Punk'' is the debut studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "Good God" – 4:28 # "Rap Your Body Beat" – 3:55 # "Curiosity" – 5:41 # "Ride" – 3:28 # "Hello" – 2:39 # "Sad Song" – 5:04 # "Same ...
'' and ''
Torcha! ''Torcha!'' is the second studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "Lights On" – 4:54 # "The Lie of the Zombie" – 4:43 # "I Held You So Long" – 4:40 # "Dedicated to the Flyers" – 2:45 # "Lust of Life" â ...
'', released in 1991 and 1992 respectively, saw the band begin blending a variety of styles of rock and metal. After releasing a compilation of early work under the title ''
Pala Leipää ''Pala Leipää'' (A Piece of Bread) is a compilation of the Finnish metal band Waltari. It was released by Stupido Records in 1993. Track listing # Pois (Away) 05:09 # Good God 04:38 # Aika Tulee (Time Blows) 05:01 # Pala Leipää (A P ...
'' ("A Piece of Bread") (1993), the band went on to release ''
So Fine! ''So Fine!'' is the first collaboration album between Finnish avant-garde progressive metal band Waltari and Joik group Angelit. Track listing # "The Beginning Song" – 4:14 # "Mad Boy" – 4:23 # "So Fine" – 4:32 # " A Forest (The Cure ...
'' (1994), a collaboration with
Joik A joik or yoik (anglicised, where the latter spelling in English conforms with the pronunciation; also named , , , or in the Sámi languages) is a traditional form of song in Sámi music performed by the Sámi people of Sápmi in Northern E ...
group
Angelit Angelit, formerly known as Angelin tytöt (''Aŋŋel nieiddat''), is a Finnish Sámi folk music group formed by sisters Ursula and Tuuni Länsman in 1989. However, the history of the group can be traced back to 1982 when Eino Ukkonen, Ursula and ...
. Their next album, ''
Big Bang The Big Bang is a physical theory that describes how the universe expanded from an initial state of high density and temperature. Various cosmological models based on the Big Bang concept explain a broad range of phenomena, including th ...
'' (1995), mixes techno with heavy metal. In 1995,
Roope Latvala Roope Juhani Latvala (born 25 June 1970) is a Finnish guitarist. He is one of the founding members of the thrash metal band Stone, which was one of the first notable bands in the history of Finnish heavy metal. He was also the former guitarist ...
joined the band, replacing Sami Yli-Sirniö. At this time, Hatakka was working with conductor Riku Niemi on a project combining heavy metal with
classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be #Relationship to other music traditions, distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical mu ...
. This project eventually became known as ''
Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C ''Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! (Death Metal Symphony in Deep C)'' is the fourth studio album by Finnish band Waltari, combining death metal with European classical music, classical music. Originally, ''Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!'' was written as a stage sho ...
''. The show was performed in 1995, and the album was released in 1996. In 1997, the band released ''
Space Avenue ''Space Avenue'' is the fifth studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "External" – 4:57 # "Far Away" – 4:52 # "Wolves On The Street" – 4:26 # "Progression" – 4:03 # "Blind Zone" – 4:16 # "Purify Your ...
'', a more progressive work containing more electronic drums, as well as a collaboration with
Apocalyptica Apocalyptica is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Helsinki, formed in 1993. The band is currently composed of three classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso. Originally a Classical music, classical- ...
. In 1998, to celebrate their ten-year anniversary, the band released a compilation titled ''
Decade A decade (from , , ) is a period of 10 years. Decades may describe any 10-year period, such as those of a person's life, or refer to specific groupings of calendar years. Usage Any period of ten years is a "decade". For example, the statement ...
''. In 1999, Kärtsy Hatakka and Waltari were working on yet another metal/classical collaboration, and this gave rise to the stage show ''Evangelicum'' (Evankeliumi). This production differed from ''Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!'' in that it contained music, ballet and a light show. It also featured a new opera singer. The guest vocalist was
Tarja Turunen Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli (born 17 August 1977), known professionally as Tarja Turunen or simply Tarja, is a Finnish Heavy metal music, heavy metal singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Nightwish. Turunen studied lyrical ...
, who was the lead vocalist of the still young band
Nightwish Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Neval ...
. The choreographer was
Jorma Uotinen Jorma Leo Kalevi Uotinen (born 28 June 1950 in Pori) is a Finnish dancer, singer and choreographer. As a dancer and choreographer, Uotinen has worked both in many dance groups, both in and outside of Finland, since 1970. He has received many Fin ...
. This show was released in 1999 on DVD. A musical album version of ''Evankeliumi'' was not released. Waltari's next album, '' Radium Round'' (1999), featured a strong pop influence. After ''Radium Round'', the band passed out of the public eye, working on less mainstream releases such as the metal / ''
yoik A joik or yoik (anglicised, where the latter spelling in English conforms with the pronunciation; also named , , , or in the Sámi languages) is a traditional form of song in Sámi music performed by the Sámi people of Sápmi in Northern Europe ...
'' crossover ''Channel Nordica'' (2000) and the punk EP ''Back to Persepolis'' (2001). However, these releases were very hard to obtain, and for a while Waltari only survived through its live shows. In 2001, the band's old guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö returned, and Roope Latvala left the band. In 2004, Waltari released an all-new studio album, ''
Rare Species A rare species is a group of organisms that are very uncommon, scarce, or infrequently encountered. This designation may be applied to either a plant or animal taxon, and is distinct from the term ''endangered species, endangered'' or ''threatened ...
''. The ''
Blood Sample In medicine, sampling is gathering of matter from the body to aid in the process of a medical diagnosis and/or evaluation of an indication for treatment, further medical tests or other procedures. In this sense, the sample is the gathered matter ...
'' album was released in 2005. In 2006, "Early Years" was released, a double album presenting remastered versions of the first album ''
Monk-Punk ''Monk-Punk'' is the debut studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "Good God" – 4:28 # "Rap Your Body Beat" – 3:55 # "Curiosity" – 5:41 # "Ride" – 3:28 # "Hello" – 2:39 # "Sad Song" – 5:04 # "Same ...
'' and ''
Pala Leipää ''Pala Leipää'' (A Piece of Bread) is a compilation of the Finnish metal band Waltari. It was released by Stupido Records in 1993. Track listing # Pois (Away) 05:09 # Good God 04:38 # Aika Tulee (Time Blows) 05:01 # Pala Leipää (A P ...
'', containing additional tracks from the 1980s, never released before and recorded in autumn 2005 by the original trio: Jariot, Kärtsy and Sale. Waltari released the album '' Release Date'' in 2007. This album includes bonus track "Spokebone", a collaboration with
Amorphis Amorphis is a Finnish progressive metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive meta ...
singer
Tomi Joutsen Amorphis is a Finnish progressive metal band founded by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive meta ...
and Finnish ethnic band
Värttinä Värttinä (, meaning " spindle") is a Finnish folk music band that started as a project by Sari and Mari Kaasinen in 1983 in the village of Rääkkylä, in Karelia, the southeastern region of Finland. Many transformations have taken place in t ...
. '' Below Zero'' was released in 2009. ''
Covers All ''Covers All'' is the 11th album by Finnish heavy metal band Waltari. It is a cover album recorded on the 25th anniversary of Waltari, released in 2011 by Stupido Records label. Track listing # P.L.U.C.K. ( System Of A Down cover) - 3:49 # Gi ...
'', a cover album, was released in 2011. Their album '' You are Waltari'' was released on 27 February 2015. A single, "Digging the Alien", was also released as a music video. There was also a video from the second single, "Only the Truth". '' Global Rock'' was released on 20 March 2020.


Band members


Current members

* Kärtsy Hatakka — lead vocals, bass, keyboards (1986–present) * Jariot Lehtinen — guitars, backing vocals (1986–present) *
Sami Yli-Sirniö Sami Yli-Sirniö (born 10 April 1972) is a Finnish musician who is currently the lead guitarist of the German band Kreator and the Finnish metal bands Waltari and Barren Earth. He spent part of his life in Germany and thus has strong ties with ...
— guitars, backing vocals (1989–1995, 2000–present) * Ville Vehviläinen — drums (2004–present) * Kimmo Korhonen — guitars, backing vocals (2009–present) *
Jani Hölli Jani Kristian "Jay" Hölli is a Finnish Musician from Tampere. He has played keyboards in several Finnish Power and Progressive Metal bands. These have included, Snakegod, Dingo, Soulrelic, Villieläin, Technical Justice and Leewings. He is the ...
— keyboards (2014–present) * Antti Kolehmainen — guitars, backing vocals (2017–present)


Past members

* Sale Suomalainen — drums (1986–1990, 2005) *
Janne Parviainen Janne Parviainen (born 1973) is a Finnish Heavy metal music, heavy metal drummer who plays in the bands Sinergy, Barathrum and Ensiferum. He is a former member of Waltari and Zwanziger. Parviainen joined Barathrum in 2000 and Sinergy and Ensif ...
— drums (1990–2002) *
Roope Latvala Roope Juhani Latvala (born 25 June 1970) is a Finnish guitarist. He is one of the founding members of the thrash metal band Stone, which was one of the first notable bands in the history of Finnish heavy metal. He was also the former guitarist ...
— guitars (1995–2001) * Mika Järveläinen — drums (2002–2004) * Janne Immonen — keyboards, programming (2006–2014) * Nino Silvennoinen — guitars, backing vocals (2013–2017)


Timeline


Discography


Albums

*''
Monk-Punk ''Monk-Punk'' is the debut studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "Good God" – 4:28 # "Rap Your Body Beat" – 3:55 # "Curiosity" – 5:41 # "Ride" – 3:28 # "Hello" – 2:39 # "Sad Song" – 5:04 # "Same ...
'' (1991) *''
Torcha! ''Torcha!'' is the second studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "Lights On" – 4:54 # "The Lie of the Zombie" – 4:43 # "I Held You So Long" – 4:40 # "Dedicated to the Flyers" – 2:45 # "Lust of Life" â ...
'' (1992) *''
Pala leipää ''Pala Leipää'' (A Piece of Bread) is a compilation of the Finnish metal band Waltari. It was released by Stupido Records in 1993. Track listing # Pois (Away) 05:09 # Good God 04:38 # Aika Tulee (Time Blows) 05:01 # Pala Leipää (A P ...
'' (compilation, 1993) *''
So Fine! ''So Fine!'' is the first collaboration album between Finnish avant-garde progressive metal band Waltari and Joik group Angelit. Track listing # "The Beginning Song" – 4:14 # "Mad Boy" – 4:23 # "So Fine" – 4:32 # " A Forest (The Cure ...
'' (collaboration with
Angelit Angelit, formerly known as Angelin tytöt (''Aŋŋel nieiddat''), is a Finnish Sámi folk music group formed by sisters Ursula and Tuuni Länsman in 1989. However, the history of the group can be traced back to 1982 when Eino Ukkonen, Ursula and ...
, 1994) *''
Big Bang The Big Bang is a physical theory that describes how the universe expanded from an initial state of high density and temperature. Various cosmological models based on the Big Bang concept explain a broad range of phenomena, including th ...
'' (1995) *''
Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C ''Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! (Death Metal Symphony in Deep C)'' is the fourth studio album by Finnish band Waltari, combining death metal with European classical music, classical music. Originally, ''Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!'' was written as a stage sho ...
'' (1996) *''
Space Avenue ''Space Avenue'' is the fifth studio album by the Finnish avant-garde metal band Waltari. Track listing # "External" – 4:57 # "Far Away" – 4:52 # "Wolves On The Street" – 4:26 # "Progression" – 4:03 # "Blind Zone" – 4:16 # "Purify Your ...
'' (1997) *''Decade'' (compilation, 1998) *'' Radium Round'' (1999) *'' Channel Nordica'' (collaboration with Angelit, 2000) *''
Rare Species A rare species is a group of organisms that are very uncommon, scarce, or infrequently encountered. This designation may be applied to either a plant or animal taxon, and is distinct from the term ''endangered species, endangered'' or ''threatened ...
'' (2004) *''
Blood Sample In medicine, sampling is gathering of matter from the body to aid in the process of a medical diagnosis and/or evaluation of an indication for treatment, further medical tests or other procedures. In this sense, the sample is the gathered matter ...
'' (2005) *''Early Years'' (double album, remastered + additional tracks; compilation, 2006) *'' Release Date'' (2007) *''The 2nd Decade – In the Cradle'' (compilation, 2008) *'' Below Zero'' (2009) *''
Covers All ''Covers All'' is the 11th album by Finnish heavy metal band Waltari. It is a cover album recorded on the 25th anniversary of Waltari, released in 2011 by Stupido Records label. Track listing # P.L.U.C.K. ( System Of A Down cover) - 3:49 # Gi ...
'' (2011) *'' You are Waltari'' (2015) *'' Global Rock'' (2020) *''3rd Decade - Anniversary edition'' (re-recording album, 2021) *'' Nations' Neurosis'' (2025)


EPs

*''Waltari'' (demo) (1988) *''Roskia/Avfall EP'' (1989) *''Mut Hei EP'' (1990) *''Aika tuulee EP'' (1992) *''Misty Man EP'' (1994) *''The Stage EP'' (1995) *''Blind Zone EP'' (1997) *''Back to Persepolis EP'' (2001) *''Not Enough EP'' (2005)


Bibliography

*


References


External links


Official website
* {{Authority control 1986 establishments in Finland Avant-garde metal musical groups Finnish progressive metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1986 Finnish musical quintets Finnish rock music groups Finnish heavy metal musical groups Finnish alternative metal musical groups Finnish musical sextets Musical septets