Spinefarm Records
Encyclopedia
Spinefarm Records is a Finland
-based record label
focusing mainly on heavy metal
artists. In 1999
, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent
. Since 2002, Spinefarm has been part of Universal Music Group
, but operates as an independent business unit.
In Autumn 2007, Spinefarm launched in the UK, starting with re-issuing deluxe versions of the first 5 Nightwish albums, including the 'Over The Hills And Far Away' EP.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
-based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
focusing mainly on heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
artists. In 1999
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent
Thy Serpent
Thy Serpent is a blackened doom metal/symphonic black metal band from Espoo, Finland. It started out as a solo project by Sami Tenetz.- History :...
. Since 2002, Spinefarm has been part of Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, but operates as an independent business unit.
In Autumn 2007, Spinefarm launched in the UK, starting with re-issuing deluxe versions of the first 5 Nightwish albums, including the 'Over The Hills And Far Away' EP.
Bands
Spinefarm Records consists of five sub-labels, Spinefarm (mainstream metal, hard rock and progressive rock), Spikefarm (extreme metal, industrial metal and folk metal), Ranka (Finnish music), Ranch (rock) and Odor (pop and anything else that is not rock or metal).Spinefarm
- Agonizer
- AmarantheAmarantheAmaranthe is a power metal/melodic death metal band that originates from Sweden and Denmark. Formed by Jake E and Olof Mörck , the project began taking shape when singers Elize Ryd and Andreas Solvestrom , signed on, as did drummer Morten Løwe Sørensen...
- Amberian DawnAmberian DawnAmberian Dawn is a Finnish symphonic power metal band, formed in 2006 by Tuomas Seppälä and Tommi Kuri. Their third album End of Eden was released on Spinefarm Records in October 2010.-Atheme One :...
- AmorphisAmorphisAmorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band started 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 types of genres, which include heavy metal, progressive metal, and folk metal...
- Babylon WhoresBabylon WhoresBabylon Whores is a deathrock and metal band from Finland, founded in 1994 by Ike Vil and Ewo Meichem. As of 2006, the band has released two singles, three EPs and three albums. Throughout the years, the band's music has evolved from a raw, punk-ish style to a more massive sound with complex...
- Beherit
- BarathrumBarathrumBarathrum is a Finnish black doom band. They originate from Kuopio but have since re-located to Helsinki. The first letters of their full-length albums spell "HEIL SOVA" , which completes their original eight-album plan. However, there have been rumours about a new record ever since the Anno Aspera...
- Beto Vázquez InfinityBeto Vázquez InfinityBeto Vázquez Infinity is an Argentine metal band from Buenos Aires, formed in 2001.-Biography:After the split-up of Nepal, the Argentinean bass player and songwriter Beto Vazquez continued enlarging his musical horizons, always accumulating new ideas, and with the hope of finally making a group of...
- The Black LeagueThe Black LeagueThe Black League is a metal band from Finland. They were formed in 1998 by Taneli Jarva, three years after his departure from Finnish metal heavyweights Sentenced. The Black League's first two full-lengths carry on the spirit from Taneli's work with his former band, seasoning their metal with...
- Brother Firetribe
- CelestyCelestyCelesty is a Finnish power metal band from Seinäjoki, formed in 1998. The band has released four albums, of which their latest includes a collaboration with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and a professional choir....
- CharonCharon (band)Charon was a Finnish gothic metal band from Raahe, Finland.-Biography:Charon was founded in 1992 by Mario Tepšić, Teemu Hautamäki, Pasi Sipilä, and Jasse Hast and was originally a brutal death metal act. After releasing three promo albums and two demos, all self-released, the band signed a record...
- Children of BodomChildren of BodomChildren of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
- ChthoniCChthonic (band)Chthonic is a Taiwanese metal band, formed in 1995 in Taipei. The group incorporates influences from traditional Taiwanese music including the classical Asian instrument erhu...
- D'espairsRay (UK Only)
- Dark TranquillityDark TranquillityDark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene, and are one of the most integral pioneers of the melodic death metal genre of music....
- Darkwoods My BetrothedDarkwoods My BetrothedDarkwoods My Betrothed are a black metal band from Kitee, Finland.Formed in 1992 as Virgin Cunt, they set out to be the "most blasphemous black metal band in Europe", in a rather tongue-in-cheek sense. After recording a couple demos under this name, the band started to take themselves a lot more...
- Dead by AprilDead by AprilDead by April is a Swedish metal band from Gothenburg, formed in February 2007. The band consists of Jimmie Strimell, Zandro Santiago, Marcus Wesslén and Alex Svenningsson. They released their self-titled debut album in May 2009. In 2010 the two guitarists, Pontus Hjelm and Johan Olsson, left the...
- DragonForceDragonForceDragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
- DreamtaleDreamtale-Biography:Dreamtale was founded by guitarist Rami Keränen in the early months of 1999. Keränen also served as the band's vocalist until 2002. The band first gathered fame by playing as Sinergy's supporting act in Finland, and their second demo, Refuge from Reality, sold out on the day of its...
- EileraEileraEilera is a French metal singer, songwriter, and formerly a guitarist. She began her music career as a guitarist and songwriter for Chrysalis, a melodic death metal band. Eventually, she disbanded Chrysalis to pursue a solo career with assistance from fellow Chrysalis guitarist Loïc Tézénas under...
- End of YouEnd of YouEnd of You is a Finnish alternative/dance rock band formed in 2003 in Helsinki.-History:In 2003, the band produced a video of their first demo song Walking With No One. The video raised significant interest amongst gothic metal listeners, and in response to this positive reception. On December 12,...
- EnsiferumEnsiferumEnsiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical...
- Eternal Tears of SorrowEternal Tears of SorrowEternal Tears of Sorrow is a Finnish symphonic death metal band formed in Pudasjärvi in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland...
- FinntrollFinntrollFinntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
- Five Finger Death PunchFive Finger Death PunchFive Finger Death Punch is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2005, the group's name is derived from classic oriental martial arts cinema. The band originally consisted of vocalist Ivan Moody, guitarist Zoltan Bathory, guitarist Caleb Bingham, bassist Matt Snell,...
(UK Only) - For My Pain
- Funebre
- Hevein
- HelloweenHelloweenHelloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
(UK) - JettblackJettblackJettblack is a metal band from High Wycombe, England. They currently have released one studio album "Get Your Hands Dirty" released in June 2010, and have a second album, as yet unnamed, due for release in early 2012....
- KalmahKalmahKalmah is a melodic death metal band from Oulu, Finland that formed in 1998. In less than a year after its formation, Kalmah was signed by Spinefarm Records. The word "kalmah" is Karelian and could be translated as "to the grave" or "to the death."-History:...
- Killing JokeKilling JokeKilling Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
- KiuasKiuasKiuas is a heavy metal band from Espoo, Finland. Their music has influences from power metal, folk metal and different styles of extreme metal. Influences from progressive metal can also be heard in some songs.-History:...
- The KovenantThe KovenantThe Kovenant is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo/Hamar. The band originally formed as Covenant in 1993, but in 1999 were forced to change their name to The Kovenant due to a dispute with a Swedish electronic band of the same name....
- Le ChevalierLe ChevalierLe Chevalier can refer to:* Le Chevalier , Michelin starred restaurant in Delft, Netherlands* Le Chevalier D'Eon, a 24-episode anime TV series...
- LullacryLullacryLullacry is a melodic band with gothic metal influences that hails from Helsinki, Finland. The band recorded their first demo in 1998 and in a short time they had enough of a following to safely attempt a full-length album – Sweet Desire – recorded in 1999. This got the attention of Spinefarm...
- Machinae SupremacyMachinae SupremacyMachinae Supremacy is a Swedish band that combines modern heavy metal and alternative rock with chiptunes. Self-defined as "SID metal", many of their songs use a SidStation that features the SID chip of the Commodore 64...
- MalpracticeMalpracticeIn law, malpractice is a type of negligence in, which the professional under a duty to act, fails to follow generally accepted professional standards, and that breach of duty is the proximate cause of injury to a plaintiff who suffers harm...
- MetsatöllMetsatöllMetsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band.The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian euphemism for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics...
- MuccMuccis a Japanese visual kei rock band formed in 1997. Named after a character from the Japanese children's TV show Hirake! Ponkikki, the band is also known by the nickname 69 since "six nine" can be pronounced "muku" in Japanese...
(UK Only) - MyGRAINMyGRAINmyGRAIN is a melodic death metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They are currently signed to Spinefarm Records. They have released three studio albums.-Background:...
- My PassionMy PassionMy Passion is an English band formed in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England in 2005. They released their debut album, Corporate Flesh Party, in May 2009 on Cool Green Recordings...
- NaildownNaildownNaildown is a Finnish melodic death metal band, originally founded in 2003 under the name Acid Universe.-Biography:After two demos , their first album World Domination was released in 2005. Their latest album, Dreamcrusher, was released on March 14, 2007...
- NightwishNightwishNightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
- NortherNortherNorther is a Finnish Melodic Death Metal band from Helsinki, Finland.-History:Norther was originally formed by Kristian Ranta, Jukka Koskinen, Tuomas Planman, Petri Lindroos and Toni Hallio in the year 1996 after various of early stage band formations. The band kicked into gear with its debut...
- One Morning Left
- RammsteinRammsteinRammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
- Reckless LoveReckless LoveReckless Love is a Finnish Glam Metal band, founded 2001 in Kuopio, Finland. On February 2010, they released their eponymous debut album, which reached number 13 in the Finnish charts-History:...
- Rotten SoundRotten SoundRotten Sound is a grindcore band from Vaasa, Finland, formed in 1993. The band comprises vocalist Keijo Niinimaa, guitarist Mika Aalto, bassist Kristian Toivainen and drummer Sami Latva...
- SatyriconSatyricon (band)Satyricon is a Norwegian black metal band, and the first one in the genre to join a multi-national record label .-Biography:Satyricon was formed in 1990 by Czral and Wargod. Ulver and Satyr soon joined them...
- Sentenced
- SethianSethian (band)Sethian is a Finnish progressive metal band, originally formed in 1998 but whose debut album, Into the Silence, was not completed and released until 2003. That album bears a striking resemblance to the Empire-era of Queensrÿche, though with darker lyrics...
- Shining
- SinergySinergySinergy was a Finnish power metal band started in 1998 by American musician, Kimberly Goss. Aside from Sinergy, the most notable bands Goss has been involved with are Dimmu Borgir; as keyboardist, and Children of Bodom; where she filled in live for Janne Wirman and also contributed lyrics...
- Slaves to GravitySlaves to GravitySlaves to Gravity were an alternative hard rock band formed in the summer of 2006 in London, England.On October 9th, 2011, the band announced they would be breaking up and that they would play their last ever show at Relentless Freeze Festival on October 28th....
- Sonata ArcticaSonata ArcticaSonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
- Swallow the SunSwallow the SunSwallow the Sun is a Finnish melodic death / doom metal band.- Biography :Swallow the Sun was formed in early 2000 by Juha Raivio, joined soon by Pasi Pasanen came along . They rehearsed a couple of songs, one of them being "Through Her Silvery Body" which would end up on their first demo,Out of...
- Tarja TurunenTarja TurunenTarja Soile Susanna Turunen Cabuli is a Finnish singer-songwriter and composer. She is a full lyric soprano and has a vocal range of three octaves....
- TarotTarot (band)Tarot is a heavy metal band from Finland. They are most famous for the song “Wings of Darkness” from the 1986 album Spell of Iron. While having enjoyed a broad underground popularity in Finland, the band has never been very famous elsewhere until gaining new success in the recent years when their...
- Throne of ChaosThrone of ChaosThrone of Chaos were a heavy metal band from Espoo, Finland, active from 1996 to 2005.Their early sound, as recorded on their debut album Menace and Prayer, has been described as melodic death metal, having musical characteristics reminiscent of fellow Finns Children of Bodom.For their second...
- Thy SerpentThy SerpentThy Serpent is a blackened doom metal/symphonic black metal band from Espoo, Finland. It started out as a solo project by Sami Tenetz.- History :...
- To/Die/ForTo/Die/ForTo/Die/For is a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well...
- TwilightningTwilightningTwilightning was a power metal band from Imatra, Finland.-Biography:Twilightning formed in 1998, consisting of guitarists Tommi Sartanen and Ville Wallenius, bassist Jussi Kainulainen, and drummer Juha Leskinen, with Tommi also on vocals. After releasing their first demo in 1999, they were joined...
- WarmenWarmenWarmen is a Finnish metal band assembled by keyboard player Janne Viljami Wirman - also known as Warman. Janne has been playing with Children of Bodom since 1997, and on the year of 2000 created a musical project focused on instrumental work, which would only have guest singers on a few selected...
Spikefarm
- AjattaraAjattara (band)Ajattara is a five-piece atmospheric black metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They formed in 1996 and are still active. They are signed to Spinefarm Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Murhat, which was released in early 2011....
- Amoral
- BeheritBeherit (band)Beherit is a black metal band from Finland. The band was formed in 1989 by Nuclear Holocausto , Black Jesus and Sodomatic Slaughter , with the purpose of performing "the most primitive, savage, hell-obsessed black metal imaginable." "Beherit" is the Syriac word for Satan...
- CodeCode (band)Code are an English/Norwegian black metal band that formed in 2002.The band formed out of Aort's solo project Seasonal Code with which he had released three demos between 1998 and 2001....
- DemigodDemigod (band)Demigod was a death metal band formed in 1990 in Loimaa, Finland. The band's debut album Slumber of Sullen Eyes is highly regarded in the heavy metal community...
- EntwineEntwineEntwine is a Finnish gothic metal band.-Biography:Entwine was originally assembled as a death metal band in 1995 by guitarist and vocalist Tom Mikkola, drummer Aksu Hanttu and bassist Taipale. In 1997 they decided to change Entwine's musical style to gothic metal. Rhythm guitarist and vocalist Panu...
- FinntrollFinntrollFinntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet...
- Hanging GardenHanging GardenHanging Garden may refer to:*Hanging garden , a type of garden*The Hanging Garden, a film by Thom Fitzgerald* The Hanging Garden , a 1997 album, the soundtrack to The Hanging Garden...
- KalmahKalmahKalmah is a melodic death metal band from Oulu, Finland that formed in 1998. In less than a year after its formation, Kalmah was signed by Spinefarm Records. The word "kalmah" is Karelian and could be translated as "to the grave" or "to the death."-History:...
- MoonsorrowMoonsorrowMoonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound...
- Noumena
- Ram-ZetRam-ZetRam-Zet is an extreme metal/avant-garde metal band formed in Norway in 1998. It began as a one-man project by singer and guitarist Zet, which later evolved into a full-grown band with the arrival of Küth and Solem , leading to the release of Ram-Zet's debut album Pure Therapy in September...
- RaptureRapture (band)Rapture is a doom metal/melodic death metal band formed in 1997 in Helsinki, Finland.-History:In 1999, Rapture signed a contract with Spinefarm Records and released their debut album, Futile, in late 1999. The album was also licensed to Relapse Records for distribution outside of Finland. In early...
- Reverend BizarreReverend BizarreReverend Bizarre was a doom metal band from Finland. They played slow and heavy traditional doom with dramatic vocals, following in the footsteps of bands such as Saint Vitus, Pentagram and Black Sabbath....
- Shadow
- ShamRainShamRainShamRain is a Finnish band which plays slow, dreamlike music, also categorized as atmospheric rock. They were established in 2000 by Janne Jukarainen and Matti Reinola.-Discography:*Isolation *Goodbye to All That *Deeper Into The Night...
- Shape of DespairShape of DespairShape of Despair is an Atmospheric/Funeral Doom metal band from Finland that was formed in 1995 as Raven until 1998, when the band decided to change their name to the current one.-History:...
- SilentiumSilentiumSilentium is a Finnish Gothic metal band. The band was formed in 1995 and it originates from Jämsänkoski, Finland...
- To Separate the Flesh from the BonesTo Separate the Flesh from the BonesTo Separate the Flesh from the Bones is a grindcore/death metal band from Finland. The band can be considered a side project of three members of Finland's metal and rock scenes: Pasi Koskinen , Mika Karppinen , and Niclas Etelävuori .-Biography:The project began circa 2004 when three active...
Ranka Recordings
- AavikkoAavikkoAavikko is a Finnish synth music band, formed in Siilinjärvi in 1995. Their hallmarks include a campy, decidedly "East European" style and plastic-sounding synthesizer themes...
- Giant RobotGiant Robot (band)Giant Robot is a band based in the Helsinki area of Finland, that plays an intricate, modern mixture of rock, dub and dance music.-Albums:* Giant Robot * Crushing You with Style * Superweekend * Domesticity...
- Timo Rautiainen & Trio NiskalaukausTimo Rautiainen & Trio NiskalaukausTimo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus was a metal music band from Finland, formed in 1997. The band was led by Timo Rautiainen, leading member of Finnish metallers Lyijykomppania, a band which still has an underground cult following in the scene. The musical influence of the band ranges from Black...
- Turmion KätilötTurmion KätilötTurmion Kätilöt is a Finnish industrial metal band founded in 2003 by MC Raaka Pee and DJ Vastapallo, who until the latter's departure, were the only studio lineup...
(with actual contract problems) - ViikateViikateViikate is a Finnish metal band from Kouvola, formed in 1996. The band is known for its melancholic lyrics, drawing inspiration from Finnish romance movies of the 1950s and Finnish singers of the era, including Reino Helismaa...