Artist: THAUROROD
Album: ANTEINFERNO (CD)

Release date: 2013
Media type: CD

THAUROROD leapt out of the Finnish underground in 2010: after the newcomers made quite some heads turn with their first three EPs, their debut „Upon haunted battlefields“ put them right on the map with the big players of metal! No wonder they were picked as support act for SABATON`s EU tour shortly after – and in 2011 THAUROROD gained even more fans on tour with SYMPHONY X and NEVERMORE.

Their secret for success? Their unique version of epic symphonic metal and power metal! The sixpiece is often compared to genre overlords SONATA ARCTICA (mainman Tony Kakko is a big THAUROROD fan, by the way), DRAGONFORCE and STRATOVARIUS, but the band has managed to carve a niche of its own. The typical THAUROROD style is now striving for perfection on the second album “Anteinferno” that will be released December 20, 2013 via NoiseArt Records.

“The album recordings started in december 2012 by recording drums at Rockstar Productions in our hometown Hyvinkaa”, bass player Pasi Tanskanen reveals. “Everything else was recorded at Emil's, Andi's, Haage's and my home studios during January - September 2013. We mixed the album at D-Studio in Klaukkala, Finland. Jassi from D-Studio really understands how drums, bass, rhythm guitar etc. should sound on a metal album and that's why the sound on the record really got all the balls in the world!!!” Line up changes often mean the downfall of a young band, but THAUROROD were lucky enough to find a splendid replacement for their departed singers soon – enter Andi Kravljaca! “Overall, none of our previous tours was presenting THAUROROD to the audience like we would have wanted to - and like THAUROROD is now on stage with Andi!”

Which is why „Anteinferno“ is quite different from its predecessor – straighter, catchier and much more refined! “We have pushed all the boundaries further. I think we have a lot more different moods and atmospheres on this album. Of course Andi's vocals are a very very big difference itself. I think the songs go more into the direction of the 80s and 90s than they did on “Upon haunted battlefields”. The overall song and sound quality are just so much better and I can't wait to get it to the listeners!”

Lyric-wise, THAUROROD once more delve into historic battles – for example a part of the Rose Wars in Towton, England 1461. The title track clearly refers to Dante Alighieri`s „Divine Comedy“ though. Pasi: “According to the book the ones who are faithful to God go to paradise and the ones who are evil or rebellious go to inferno. A place by the inferno is called anteinferno where all the sad souls go who were only faithful for themselves so both paradise and inferno closed their gates to them.”

Just like it was the case with “Upon haunted battlefields”, the cover artwork has been taken care of Ken Kelly of MANOWAR fame. „I found this masterpiece with all the strong colors of the flames and a warrior on a horse and thought it would fit perfectly, but also would reflect the battle themes and the theme of the last song which is about the world's biggest horse breed, the Shire horse, which was used in medieval battles ages ago. So I would say it's a pretty perfect cover for this album!”

TRACKLIST:

    1. Planet X
    2. Heart Of The Lion
    3. Overboard
    4. Far From Home
    5. Victor
    6. Marked For Diablo
    7. For The Rose To The Grave
    8. Anteinferno
    9. Path
    10. Riders Of The Shires

LINE-UP:

Andi Kravljaca - Vocals
Emil Pohjalainen - Lead guitars
Lasse Nyman - Guitars
Harri Koskela - Keyboards & Piano
Pasi Tanskanen - Bass
Joonas Pykala-aho - Drums

Discography:

2005 Thaurorod (EP)
2007 Tales Of The End (EP)
2007 Morning Lake (EP)
2010 Upon Haunted Battlefields (CD)
2013 Anteinferno (CD)