Origin: Finland  
Genres:
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Page online: August 17, 2006
Last update/review: September 8, 2024

Wintersun

Vocalist/guitarist Jari Mäenpää made a name for himself playing in Ensiferum, appearing on that band's first two albums before departing to do his own thing, that being Wintersun. The self-titled debut album was done almost exclusively by Mäenpää, as he handled the vocals and all instruments save the drums (the band has now expanded to a quartet). The style is in some respects a continuation or expansion on Mäenpää's former band -- maybe two parts Ensiferum and one part Children Of Bodom, with songs ranging from more overt viking/folk numbers ("Death And The Healing", where Jari forgoes the usual harsh singing for a fine, majestic clean vocal) to more COB-ish speed metal ("Beyond The Dark Sun", "Winter Madness"). Well above average for the genre, Wintersun is a keeper.

Recent album: Time II, released on August 30, 2024.

Current Members

Jari Mäenpää

vocals/guitars (Arthemesia, ex-Ensiferum)

Teemu Mäntysaari

guitars

Jukka Koskinen

bass (ex-Cain's Offering, Nightwish, ex-Norther)

Kai Hahto

drums (guest for Agressor, ex-Enochian Crescent, Nightwish, ex-Rotten Sound, ex-Swallow The Sun, ex-Trees Of Eternity)



Discography


Wintersun  
2004 Nuclear Blast
  1. Beyond the Dark Sun
  2. Winter Madness
  3. Sleeping Stars
  4. Battle Against Time
  5. Death and the Healing
  6. Starchild
  7. Beautiful Death
  8. Sadness and Hate
  • Jari Mäenpää
  • Kai Hahto



Time I  
2012 Nuclear Blast
  1. When Time Fades Away
  2. Sons of Winter and Stars
  3. Land of Snow and Sorrow
  4. Darkness and Frost
  5. Time
  • Jari Mäenpää
  • Teemu Mäntysaari
  • Jukka Koskinen
  • Kai Hahto
2012 Readers' Album #45




The Forest Seasons  
2017 Nuclear Blast
  1. Awaken from the Dark Slumber (Spring)
  2. The Forest That Weeps (Summer)
  3. Eternal Darkness (Autumn)
  4. Loneliness (Winter)
  • Jari Mäenpää
  • Teemu Mäntysaari
  • Jukka Koskinen
  • Kai Hahto



Live At Tuska Festival 2013  LIVE
2017 Nuclear Blast
  1. When Time Fades Away
  2. Sons of Winter and Stars
  3. Land of Snow and Sorrow
  4. Winter Madness
  5. Beautiful Death
  6. Starchild
  7. Time
  • Jari Mäenpää
  • Teemu Mäntysaari
  • Jukka Koskinen
  • Kai Hahto



Time II  
2024 Nuclear Blast
  1. Fields of Snow
  2. The Way of the Fire
  3. One with the Shadows
  4. Ominous Clouds
  5. Storm
  6. Silver Leaves
  • Jari Mäenpää
  • Teemu Mäntysaari
  • Jukka Koskinen
  • Kai Hahto




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