BATTLELORE - "EVERNIGHT” (Napalm Records, 2007)

BATTLELORE - "EVERNIGHT” (Napalm Records, 2007) photo 03 J. Vahvanen and M. Kokkola founded Battlelore in 1999. The same year their first promo CD "Warrior's Tale" was released. "Warrior's Tale" received the praise of many in the business, but the band would have to wait over two years, after the release of their second demo "Dark Fantasy", to catch the attention of Napalm Records. At the request of the label, Battlelore recorded an untitled three-track promo CD and soon thereafter the deal was finalized. In autumn 2001 Battlelore recorded their very well received debut "...Where the Shadows Lie" at Music Bros Studios. Shortly thereafter, and due to personal reasons, T. Havo left Battlelore to be replaced by J. Rautio on lead guitar. The second album "Sword's Song" was released in the spring of 2003 and took Battlelore to a totally new musical level. "Sword's Song" was also recorded at Music Bros Studios under the guidance of Miitri Aaltonen. Battlelore's first DVD "The Journey" - featuring the energetic live show at Tavastia club - saw the light of day in early 2004 and helped the band further expand their fan base. In August 2004 Battlelore endured another line-up change. The very talented Patrik Mennander left the band to follow another career path, leaving his scepter and crown as Battlelore vocalist behind until a worthy Uruk-Hai warrior was found to fill this enormous task with honor. His last performance with Battlelore took place at the spectacular headlining show at RingCon, the official Lord of the Rings Festival in Bonn, Germany. After the successful European tour in support of Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity, made possible by the addition of two session musicians (the low-growling vocalist Tomi Mykk�nen and raging bass player Timo Honkanen, who filled in for a temporarily absent Miika Kokkola), Battlelore began searching for Patrick's replacement. Furthermore, Miika Kokkola announced that he too, for personal reasons, would be leaving the band. Luckily, Timo and Tomi's showing on tour convinced Battlelore that they could not find better replacements.
BATTLELORE - "EVERNIGHT” (Napalm Records, 2007) photo 04
Battlelore's third album "Third Age of the Sun" was recorded at Sound Suite Studios in Spring 2005 resulting in an innovative and fresh finished product. With producer Terje Refsnes at the helm, Battlelore found a new sound for its journey through Middle Earth. The band concentrated on creating the perfect atmosphere and underlying moods sans the oftentimes overdone computer programming that more than not results in an inorganic sound. "Third Age of the Sun" is in contrast a lively creation in which one can enjoy the sounds of true instruments and where the joy of playing is continually present. The fourth Battlelore album “Evernight” was recorded in the winter of 2006. Once again, Battlelore chose to work with Miitri Aaltonen at Music Bros Studios, supported by a stateof- he-art studio and Miitri’s irrefutable experience. The results cannot only be heard in the even more bombastic, more epic, and heavier soundscapes that adorn this latest offering, but also in the lyrics, which have become deeper and more personal than ever before. “Evernight” continues to remain loyal to the heritage of J.R.R.Tolkien, but the band’s sound has evolved to deliver more atmosphere and an obscurer end result.

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