Deuteronomium is a Christian death metal band formed in 1993 in Jyväskylä, Finland. It is one of Finland's earliest and most influential groups in the Christian extreme metal genre, and together with Immortal Souls, one of the only remaining active bands from the first wave of Finnish Christian extreme metal.
Background information
- Origin: Jyväskylä, Finland
- Genres: Death metal, death 'n' roll, melodic death metal
- Years active: 1993–2001, 2006–present
- Labels: Little Rose Productions, Bullroser Records
- Current members: Manu Lehtinen (bass), Miika Partala (guitar, lead vocals), Kalle Paju (guitar), Janne-Jussi Kontoniemi (drums)
History
The band was conceived by bassist Manu Lehtinen in 1991, who chose the name "Deuteronomium" (the Latinized Greek name for the biblical Book of Deuteronomy) because he thought it "looked cool" and was "hard to spell." The band officially formed in 1993 with Manu and his brother Jarno Lehtinen. Their early style was straightforward death metal and grindcore, influenced by Vengeance Rising, Mortification, Cannibal Corpse, and Carcass. Their first demo, Paths of Righteousness (1993), gained attention in underground circles.
In 1996, the band recorded their first EP Tribal Eagle, which is recognized as the first Finnish Christian metal CD. Their debut album Street Corner Queen was released in 1998 on their own label Little Rose Productions, which also signed bands such as Immortal Souls, Lament, and Mordecai. The album experimented with black metal, reggae, funk, and rap elements.
The second album Here to Stay (1999) saw a shift toward a groove-oriented "death 'n' roll" sound. The band gained international recognition, headlining festivals such as Seaside Festival in Norway (with Narnia and Newsboys as support) and touring in the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The band split up in 2001 but reformed in 2006 after a comeback concert at OHM-Fest. Their third album From the Midst of the Battle (2008) peaked at No. 11 on the Official Finnish Top 40 Album Chart. Subsequent releases include Deathbed Poetry – Hope Against Hope (2011) and The Amen (2013).
Notable facts
- In 2000, Markus "Black Raven" Vainionpää won the Annual Air Guitar World Championship performing Deuteronomium's song "Crosshope."
- The band was once sponsored by Dr Pepper.
- Their first EP Tribal Eagle is considered the first Finnish Christian metal CD.
Discography
- Paths of Righteousness (demo, 1993)
- Crosshope (demo, 1995)
- Tribal Eagle (EP, 1997)
- Street Corner Queen (1998)
- Here to Stay (1999)
- From the Midst of the Battle (2008)
- Retaliatory Strike (EP, 2009)
- Deathbed Poetry – Hope Against Hope (2011)
- The Amen (2013)
