Catamenia is one of Finland's best known melodic black metal bands.

- Catamenia was founded in 95 by their original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu, Finland.

- Already in their first year they made their first Demo.

- Second demo, "Winds", (1996) lead to the four-album-contract with Massacre Records in 1997.

- First full-length album,"Halls of Frozen North", was recorded in Commusication Studios, Germany, in 1997 with Gerhard Magin (Crematory, Mystic Circle,...). Released in 1998.

- Year after the release of the debut, they recorded their second album, "Morning Crimson" (1999) in Sweden, at Sunlight Studios with Thomas Skogsberg (Katatonia, Dismember,...).

- Their third album, "Eternal Winter`s Prophecy", was recorded in their home country in 2000 at Tico-Tico Studios with Ahti Kortelainen (Kalmah, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Dawn of Relic,...).

- Now it was time to record their last contractual album "Eskhata" for Massacre Records in 2002. Recorded in Oulu, Finland, at SoundMix Studios with producer Mika Pohjola (The Black League,...).

- After the release and promotion of "Eskhata", Catamenia renewed their contract with Massacre Records for three albums more because of the good and long co-operation.

- At this point, Catamenia had faced many line-up changements. But during the rehearsing the new album`s songs, they have found their steady line-up and again as a six-piece.

- Now...Chaos was Born! Catamenia recorded their new and fifth album, "ChaosBorn" at Neo Studio in Oulu, Finland with Kari Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen (Burning Point, Embraze, Afterworld, Sentenced,...).

- "ChaosBorn" combines melodics and aggressions with perfect balance. You can hear clearly as the Chaos is Born on this album!

- After great feedback from media and fans of 'ChaosBorn', was time to prepare the sixth album. Band decided to title the album as 'Winternight Tragedies'.

- Spending some time in rehearsal room, Riku had already made several great songs, it was time to book the studio.

- Cause of the great production of ChaosBorn, band decided to enter the same studio, Mastervox Studios with producers Kakke Vähäkuopus and Immu Ilmarinen.

- During the studio session, band encountered problems with collaboration, distance and lack of practice with few members. Line-up changes were made. Vocalist Mika and bassist Timo was replaced by new vocalist O.J. Mustonen and bassist Mikko Hepo-oja.

- Despite the facts of line-up changements, producers Kakke, Immu and the band itself, recorded and produced absolutely their most powerful album ever, 'Winternight Tragedies'.

- On the new album, 'Winternight Tragedies', band performs raw, aggressive and angry songs, still keeping the melodious side alive.

Discography

• Halls of Frozen North (1998)
• Morning Crimson (1999)
• Eternal Winter's Prophecy (2000)
• Eskhata (2002)
• Chaos Born (2003)

See also

Related genres:

• black metal