Eternal Oath

Eternal Oath
Origin	Stockholm, Sweden
Genres	Symphonic death metal Melodic death metal Gothic metal Progressive metal
Years active	1991–2007
Labels	Sound Pollution/Black Lodge Records
Members	Timo Hovinen Peter Nagy Petri Tarvainen Peter Wendin Stefan Norgren
Past members	Joni Mäensivu Ted Jonsson Pelle Almquist Ted Lundström Daniel Dziuba Martin Wiklander

Eternal Oath were a symphonic/melodic death metal band, formed in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden. In their 15 year existence, they released 3 albums, 1 demo, 1 EP and 1 compilation. The group had been in the process of recording a 4th full length but ultimately disbanded in January 2007. The fate of the recorded songs is currently unknown.

Two notable past members include Peter Nagy (former multi-instrumentalist for Mörk Gryning) and Ted Lundström (current Amon Amarth bassist).

History

Eternal Oath was formed in 1991 by Ted Jonsson (drums), Petri Tarvainen (guitar) and Joni Mäensivu (vocals). In February 1994, the band recorded a 3 song promotional tape which secured a deal with Rat Pack Records for one EP. In March 1995, So Silent was recorded. Financial problems with the company would delay the EP's release; The group subsequently broke their contract with the label and self-released the EP the following year financed by Nwrapped Media.

In March 1998, the band entered the studio to record their first full-length album, Through The Eyes Of Hatred for Singapore-based label Pulverised Records. The album would be released in early 1999.

In the fall of 2001, the band entered Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden to record their second full-length, Righteous. Containing 10 tracks including a cover of Paradise Lost´s "Eternal", the album received a wide response all over the world. Righteous was mixed and engineered by Fredrik Nordström, known for contribution to albums by In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates and Dark Tranquillity.

A few months later, Pulverised Records went bankrupt, and in early 2004 the band signed with Sound Pollution/Black Lodge Records, who in turn purchased the entire Eternal Oath back catalog. In June of the same year, Eternal Oath returned to Studio Fredman once again to record their 3rd (and last) LP, Wither, which would be released March 29, 2005 through Black Lodge.

After over 15 years of activity, the band dissolved in early 2007, with some previous members going on to form a new project, Faceshift, later in the year.

Style

While firmly rooted in Swedish melodic death metal, the band's direction has varied on each album, going from blues/folk music progressions similar to Opeth to symphonic experimentation like Hypocrisy. The band had also utilized female gothic metal vocals and traits of doom/death metal.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Through The Eyes of Hatred (1999, Pulverised Records)
• Righteous (2002, Greater Art Records)
• Wither (2005, Black Lodge Records)

EPs

• So Silent (1996, NWrapped Media)

Demos

• Art of Darkness (1991)

Compilation

• Re-Released Hatred (So Silent and Through The Eyes Of Hatred on one CD) (2006, Black Lodge Records)

Members

Joni Mäensivu - vocals Ted Jonsson - drums Peter Nagy - guitar Petri Tarvainen - guitar Mika Kajanen - Bass guitar Johan Adler - Keyboards

Last known line-up

• Timo Hovinen - vocals
• Peter Nagy - guitar
• Petri Tarvainen - guitar
• Peter Wendin - bass guitar
• Stefan Norgren - drums (previously keyboards)

Past members

• Joni Mäensivu - vocals
• Ted Jonsson - drums
• Pelle Almquist - keyboards
• Ted Lundström - bass guitar (1991–1993)
• Daniel Dziuba - guitar (1991–1993)
• Martin Wiklander - bass guitar (1993–1996)

External links

• Official MySpace page
• Metal-Archives page