Year : 2004 (Reaper Entertainment Remastered Edition 2020)
Style : Melodic Power Metal , Melodic Hard Rock
Country : Finland
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 142 mb
Bio:
Founded by ex-BLINDSIDE members Marko Pukkila (bass) and Tony Smedjebacka (drums) in 2000 and after recording a couple of demos together with guitarist Jani Liimatainen (ex-SONATA ARCTICA), both media and fans saw themselves forced to give this band a massive push! Before the recordings of the debut album guitarist Emppu Vuorinen (NIGHTWISH) also joined the band.After the very well received release of their debut album “Invitation”, ALTARIA, undoubtfully being a newcommer to the scene, had made it into the Finnish charts and had become the most selling band on their label. ALTARIA toured their home country Funland, where they immediately managed to establish themselves as one of the finest live acts.On the second album, “Divinity” (2004), the band was in charge of the whole album production whereas the mix this time took place at Tico Tico Studios and was done by Ahti Kortelainen (SONATA ARCTICA, SENTENCED). The mastering – as on the debut CD – again was handled by Mika Jussila (STRATOVARIUS, AMORPHIS, APOCALYPTICA) at the legendary Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. The result was a sparkling melodic metal album with a typical Scandinavian approach to catchy hooks, powerful guitar riffs, controlled but striking heavyness & power, remarkable melodies and a versatile instrumentation.After two successful studio albums, some touring and line-up changes, ALTARIA released “The Fallen Empire” in 2006. The album orientated a lot more on the roots of the band, and compared to the predecessor „Divinity“ offered a slightly harder edge. A move going along with this development was the addition of Swedish producer Jonas Kjellgren – famous for his work with bands such as CENTINEX, STEEL ATTACK und CARNAL FORGE. This move also can be regarded as a big step into the right direction. Most parts of the new album were recorded in Kjellgren’s Black Lodge Studios in Sweden. Former DIO guitarist Rowan Robertson and SONATA ARCTICA keyboard player Henrik Klingenberg are guests on the album. To promote “The Fallen Empire” the band toured Europe as support to DORO & SONATA ARCTICA, followed by a tour in Finland.In 2009 the new lineup released a new album “Unholy”. After the release of the album the band decided to take a break and only played a few shows and festivals to support the new album.In 2016 ALTARIA decided to call it quits and played a farewell show in Finland at the legendary Nummirock Festival. What makes that show so special is that the show included performances of all former ALTARIA members.in 2019, after being buried for a few years and over 1,2, MILLION views of their song “Unchain The Rain” on Youtube, ALTARIA is back from the grave with their legendary and most successful 2006 lineup! ALTARIA has signed a worldwide record deal with Reaper Entertainment Europe.On March 27th 2020 Altaria released their second album “Divinity” as a remastered re-release on vinyl, CD and digital. A brand new album will be out in 2021.
Album:
ALTARIA, the melodic metal legends from Finland, are back. The band celebrates its resurrection with a new edition of the successful album “Divinity” from 2004, which has been remastered and will be released on vinyl for the first time on March 27, 2020 via Reaper Entertainment.Today the band presents the first digital single to the band hit “Unchain the Rain”. The song is now available on all streaming platforms.The band states: “Divinity, our second album, have been sold out for years. The fans keep asking us when the album will be available again. Now we got some good news for you. Not only will the Divinity album be released again, it will be REMASTERED and it will be released as a limited edition vinyl and CD. The CD version will also include two bonus tracks. We are so stoked about the release and the remastered version of Divinity kicks ass! The first release of the album will be the opening track Unchain The Rain. The song has over 1,2 million views on Youtube, so we are very happy to get the song released as the first single from the upcoming re-release!”
Line Up:
Taage Laiho - Vocals (2003-2006, 2019-present) - See also: Hevinkelium, Kilpi, Maelstorm, ex-Ghost Machinery, ex-Mad Hatter's Den, ex-Raskasta Joulua, ex-Taage Laiho Gang
Marko Pukkila - Bass (2000-2008, 2019-present) - See also: Stargazery, Seventh Tribe, ex-Blindside, ex-Dream Asylum
Tony Smedjebacka - Drums (2000-2016, 2019-present) - See also: ex-Blindside
Jani Liimatainen - Guitars, Keyboards
Tracklist:
01. Unchain the Rain 03:43
02. Will to Live 03:57
03. Prophet of Pestilence 03:41
04. Darkened Highlight 03:44
05. Discovery 03:53
06. Falling Again 04:14
07. Divine 04:04
08. Haven 03:41
09. Try to Remember 03:39
10. Stain on the Switchblade 03:28
11. Enemy 04:16
12. Final Warning 04:08
13. Balls to the Wall (Accept cover) 04:49 (Bonus Track)
14. Stranger (Cacophony cover) (Bonus Track)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
