Eternal Oath
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Stockholm , Sweden |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, demos, compilations |
Eternal Oath is a symphonic and melodic death metal ensemble originating from Stockholm, Sweden, established in 1991. Throughout a span exceeding fifteen years, their discography expanded to include three full-length albums, one extended play, a demo, and a compilation release. Although work commenced on a fourth studio album, the group disbanded in January 2007. They later regrouped in 2011 and subsequently issued a new album in 2013.
Among the band's former notable members are Peter Nagy, who previously contributed as a multi-instrumentalist for Mörk Gryning, and Ted Lundström, currently serving as bassist for Amon Amarth.
History
Eternal Oath was initiated in 1991 by drummer Ted Jonsson, guitarist Petri Tarvainen, and vocalist Joni Mäensivu. By February 1994, the band produced a three-track promotional tape that led to securing a contract with Rat Pack Records for an EP release. The recording of So Silent took place in March 1995; however, financial difficulties postponed its official launch. Consequently, the group terminated their contract and independently released the EP in 1996 with funding from Nwrapped Media.
Their debut album, Through The Eyes Of Hatred, was recorded in March 1998 under the Singapore-based label Pulverised Records and became available to the public in early 1999.
In autumn 2001, Eternal Oath entered Studio Fredman located in Gothenburg, Sweden, to record their sophomore album titled Righteous. This record features ten tracks, including a rendition of "Eternal" originally by Paradise Lost, which helped the band gain recognition internationally. The mixing and engineering were handled by Fredrik Nordström, renowned for collaborations with bands such as In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates, and Dark Tranquillity.
Following the bankruptcy of Pulverised Records, Eternal Oath signed with Sound Pollution/Black Lodge Records in early 2004, which also took over their previous catalog. In June of the same year, they returned to Studio Fredman to produce their third album, Wither, which was released on March 29, 2005 through Black Lodge.
Breakup and reunion
After more than fifteen years of activity, the band ceased operations in early 2007. Subsequently, several members went on to establish a new musical project called Faceshift within that year.
Celebrating their twentieth anniversary in 2011, Eternal Oath reassembled with four original members—Peter Nagy-Eklof and Petri Tarvainen on guitars, Ted Jonsson behind drums, and Joni Mäensivu handling vocals—augmented by two newcomers: bassist Mika Kajanen and keyboardist Johan Adler. Their fourth studio album, Ghostlands, was released in 2013.
Style
The band’s musical foundation lies within Swedish melodic death metal but evolved over time to incorporate diverse influences such as blues and folk-inspired progressions reminiscent of Opeth, symphonic textures comparable to those of Hypocrisy, female gothic metal vocals, along with elements drawn from doom/death metal genres.
Studio albums
- 1999: Through The Eyes of Hatred (Pulverised Records)
- 2002: Righteous (Greater Art Records)
- 2005: Wither (Black Lodge Records)
- 2013: Ghostlands
EPs
- 1996: So Silent (NWrapped Media)
Demos
- 1991: Art of Darkness
Compilation
- 2006: Re-Released Hatred (a combination of So Silent and Through The Eyes Of Hatred) (Black Lodge Records)
Members
- Joni Mäensivu – lead vocals
- Ted Jonsson – drums
- Peter Nagy – guitar
- Petri Tarvainen – guitar
- Mika Kajanen – bass guitar
- Johan Adler – keyboards
Former members
- Timo Hovinen – lead vocals
- Peter Wendin – bass
- Stefan Norgren – drums and keyboards
- Pelle Almquist – keyboards
- Ted Lundström – bass guitar (1991–1993)
- Daniel Dziuba – guitar (1991–1993)
- Martin Wiklander – bass guitar (1993–1996)