Ultimatium - Biography
Biography
This all stated one boring autumn day back in 2001. My friend Timo came to see me, in hope of getting a new ring tone for his phone. Timo had one cartoon melody in his mind, but I just didn't make ring tone out of it, I made whole song and after that I recorded it with my computer. That gave me the idea to start recording my own music with my computer, since I didn't have any active bands that time. I released my first solo-demo as an introduction of my skills and I managed to get two vocalists for my demo. Cd was called "Call of the Twilight". It didn't reach any big success, but I did get some name in internet mp3 sites.
After military service, I still didn't have any band and I started to make my second demo, after one friend asked me to do it. This time things were bit different and after some really hard times and lots of disappointments, I managed to get full 5 song Cd ready and I named it "End of Darkness". I was able to get some top-class pro singers this time for the Cd and this time I got little more success. Two good reviews and one interview to a Greece netzine "Behind the Veil". I also hit the TOP40 in mp3.com's power metal-charts one day, in position 40 and songs got total amount of 1010 download/streams in December 2002.
At the beginning of year 2003 Harri Niskanen and Tuomo Juntunen joined our band and from that point, it was obvious that my solo-project had turned into a band. Next May, we hooked up with a singer JT Partanen and he promised to sing our next demo, which we called "Follow the Star". We hit the Suomussalmi Nuokkari's studio at the beginning of June and we recorded guitars and basses there. Keybs were recorded during spring. We still didn't have a proper drummer, so we had to use drums machine? We released the demo at the beginning of July and it was well received in netzines and on music sites. Song "In Winter Nights" was #6 on mikseri.net Metal chart and also it hit the #39 on mp3.com's power metal charts. After this "huge" success, we took our songs from web and soon we'll tell you why, on part 2.
Without any warning, right after we put the songs to internet, right after #6 position in Mikseri, we received quite unexpected email. It was from one of the Finnish labels and they wanted to sign us. But we didn't rush into a deal, we contacted other labels also, including Mastervox. So it began, we visited Neo Studio, recorded a three song promo and we signed with Mastervox. After extensive quest for drummer, we were ready to hit the studio for our debut album.
Everything seemed to be fine, the Mastervox studios was booked for a month for us and everything seemed to be in order as we started our intensive recording session. But little did we know of our drummer, Tero Maijala? At the first days of drum recordings it was clear that his style of playing was way too light and "folkish" for us. After trying and trying we did not have a choice but to take out our wild card and put Harri behind the drums. Although he first hesitated and didn't want to play, we managed to record all the drum tracks and we were more than satisfied to the fact that nothing could stop us now. While Kakke was mixing the drums, Matti recorded the keyboard parts with another recording set.
The bass lines were recorded in ten hours, during two days and we all were really surprised about that. Guitars were recorded next with some extra equipment we managed to obtain. And finally, as we got our singer to the studio, we continued recording guitars in the mornings and vocals in the evenings. Time was to end too soon and so our working hours were really long, example on thursday morning we started at 10.00am and finished at 2.00am at the friday morning. Recording had to be stopped during the "South Park" because the tired minds were too tired to resist the immature ass humor. And on sunday we all headed back to the wilderness, happy and in hangover. Quite many bottles of beer drunken, many whiskey drinks in the bar, too many hangovers, one pizza-accidence and lot's of bad humor? But we did it?
At this point it was obvious that we cannot continue with Tero on the drums, due to his lack of skills and "power", so we were once again forced to find another drummer. This time the old finnish proverb "Ei kannata mennä merta edemmäs kalaan (no need to go beyond the sea to get some fish (or something like that))" was true again. We didn't have any clue that our HC-Punk-drummer-friend was skilled also with double pedals and he would be interested in playing power metal. So on one friday night, when Petteri was tasting some beer, Matti asked him to join Ultimatium, or at least to try some rehearsals. So next week we went to rehearsals with Petteri on the drums. Things started to look bright again and after couple of rehearsals, although Petteri still hesitated his own skills, Matti was looking happy and was sure that we won't need to find another drummer. Petteri's punk-background was enough to speed his playing into a much more than we needed at this point.
As the drummer part was ok, we started to arrange a music video from the song "Follow me". Our producer had an idea of the video and we contacted with Marko Haapala from Kuhmo. He has good experience in creating a music video from scratch and with almost zero-budget. After some arrangements, on our winter holiday, we went to Oulunsalo to shoot the band part of the video. At the evening, after the twilight, there was almost -20 degrees of celsius, but with the aid of some alcohol we managed to stay "warm" and after some serious technical problems we managed to get some material also? The video was finished and freely released at the same date than the Mastervox Metalsingle II.
Now, before the release of New Dawn, we can assure that our many rehearsal sessions have not gone in vain and you will also hear it live. Songs carry out with more tempo than on record and it brings us great advantage and energy on the stages. If you would have been on our secret gig, you would know what we mean and the witnesses, who were there, know that also. Now, all the we need is to get some gigs and a chance to proof our skills
The second album was been planned already after the recordings of New Dawn. As the songs were ready, we had some great time to get couple of gigs before actual process of next album.
We got a great opportunity as Marko Kemppainen from the same city won the olympic silver medal and we were asked to play in his "welcoming celebrations". Without much of rehearsing we went and played couple of songs there and somebody even liked us (thus there were mostly old people). A great first performance and a lot of audience.
It seemed like we wouldn't get any gigs for the remaining year, but suddenly something started to happen. In a matter of weeks we confirmed to play at Hevimesta, Oulu and Kalpea Kukko, Kajaani (with To/Die/For). Show at Hevimesta was AWESOME (although we weren't happy with our own performance), thanks to our many fans, who have supported us from the Very beginning. You're great! And show in Kajaani? Man, It was also great, it was fun to warm up for To/Die/For.
What I could not foreseen was that before the two gigs, our singer JT informed me that he doesn't want to continue in Ultimatium. The announcement was total surprise to us, but perhaps it was only a matter of time and somehow we all could expect this to happen. JT's a great guy, but he's totally different kind of person than we rest of us are. As we hang out in the bars 'till the dawn, JT did not. As we smelt bad and looked bit ill next day, JT did not? There was always a lack of comedy and laughter with JT. Perhaps powermetal just wasn't his thing?
Now, before the recordings of yet unnamed, highly better next album, we are more than happy announce, that the hole that was left from JT, will be filled and overwhelmed by my (Matti speaking here) friend from the times of Santhyr, mr. "Dragonslayer", currently "Dark Lord", TOMI VIILTOLA!!! This time I'm quite sure that the personal chemistry will match better than it did with JT, since Viiltola still owns me couple of beers 🙂 Tomi's heavier voice, his wicked sense of humor, attitude and appearance will surely please us much. You'll see (and hear). END OF THIS CHAPTER?
After hooking up with Viiltola, we headed to Mastervox Studios (end 2004, demo samples pt. 1 & 2) to record some demo songs with Viiltola on the vocals. Outcome pleased us and producer much and we decided to move forwards. Next thing to do was to continue demoing/arranging of the songs with Viiltola. We did 2 separate demoing session in Suomussalmi and Oulu before booking the Mastervox Studio for recordings of the second album. At this point it already seemed that recording session couldn't be done at once, but in a separate session during summer/fall 2005? But much more we didn't see coming?
We started recording drums on May and everything seemed like it was going to be ok, but sadly, Petteri's drumming was not Ultimatium-enough style. Although Petteri's performance on stage was great, new songs just didn't have that kind of "feel" and "power" we and record-company were hoping? And so it was decided to postpone further recordings untill we had resolved the situation?
After a couple of weeks we (as the rest of the band) had no choice but to let Petteri go (this is where we didn't handle the situation well enough, so: Sorry, Petteri, for any inconvenience). I (Matti) had fortunately enough (via some personal life matters) come aware of one crazy, kick-ass drummer from Pyhäjärvi and after some serious phone number hunting (thanks to Jussi from Agonizer) we got connected with Tony (or Toni) Qvick. Tony was really excited about the opportunity and our music, so after couple of weeks (somewhere early July 2005) we headed to Pyhäjärvi to test Tony's skills?
And from the very first songs played together, we were sure that he's our guy, he's the one that can play drums on the album. So, after one more rehearsing weekend we packed up Mastervox's mobile recording set and headed to Pyhäjärvi to some serious drum-recordings. From this point things were bound to roll out real nicely. On the very beginning of Ultimatium Matti and Harri decided that we try to keep Ultimatium's music "live-like" on the records also and this time we certainly succeeded. Tony's dynamical drums-style and improvised arrangements made the songs even better than they were on demos. After three days we were done with the drums and it was time to head back to Oulu to continue?
Well, when you start to record an album by yourselves, why not to continue? It was somewhere October already when we continued the recording process. Again we picked up the mobile unit and started recording keyboards and basses at Toppila, Oulu, at our apartment. Somewhat week went on as we recorded most of the keys (with X3 borrowed from M. Pouke, thanks) and basses (yes, basses, not a bass). We continued with "live-like" feeling on keys and basses also, so that our songs would sound relaxed, but still energised and versatile?
After that we were ready to hit the Mastervox studios to do the guitars and vocals. And still continue recordings by ourselves, except that now Immu was helping out on technical issues and more or less supervising our recordings. Harri wrecked up his guitar A-string couple of times (two times @ exactly same location, at heavy riff after chorus of Whispers), but otherwise recordings went on nicely. I (Matti) got some time off as Nipa Nissilä helped on recordings on couple of days?
Vocals recordings and solos yet to complete, we booked up two new sessions to Mastervox Studios to complete them. We did lot's of work on re-arranging some of the vocal parts but the outcome was supreme. Tomi reached up the highest and the lowest notes possible and still sounded great all the times. At this point we decided to use two other singers to complete track 6.
We still needed one more session to finish up the vocals and solos and at this point, we had managed to get A. Nissilä & M- Pouke to give some extra spice for the most wicked song we'd ever come up with? Not a typical power-metal track, I'd say? Yes, and it was already March 2006, so the time passed by pretty quickly.
So it was time for mixing? After three or so versions we finally got what everybody wanted (on July 2006). Meantime we unsuccessfully tried to come up with a new logo, album cover and name for the album?
More trouble was to come? We were facing some tough times trying to find someone to make logo and cover. After two or so unsuccessful attempts (waiting for outcomes costed us delayed the process significantly) label contacted Joe Petagno and we was first to come up with perfect cover. Before completing, we did a promo-shoot with whole band and started to make a logo. Too bad it took some time also and after some defeats we contacted TocixlAngel and he was able to come up with a logo on short notice. I think it was somewhere early August 2007 when we got the logo. At this point Tuomo had decided to move back to Suomussalmi and henceforth leave the band, so a bassist was needed (and is still needed: March 2008).
In the end, after second attempt, Matti made inlays to album with I.Ilmarinen and name was decided also: Hwainoo. Hwainoo is an ancient name for the areas residing in both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia that are these days parts of Finland and Sweden. Currently the modern name for Hwainoo is Kainuu that is still used for the eastern parts of Finland. And so, the album was sent to print shop on beginning of November?
After some major problems with print shop, we finally got to hold our "child" our arms for the very first time in middle of March. And a release date was set: 16.4.2008
to be continued?
After releasing Hwainoo, Japanese Soundholic records got interested of it and wanted to license Hwainoo to Japan and so it was seen 25th September: first official Ultimatium release in Japan, with a bonus track. Before that, Ultimatium was able to get their pack together for a couple of gigs. First one in Hevimesta, Oulu, was a great blast of live powermetal at its best and audience and even we were stunned of how our energy on stage. Another gig took place on very birthplace of Ultimatium, in Suomussalmi. Ultimatium performed a petrol scented show in Heikki Kovalainen karting race. Bass player for those gigs was Sauli Jauhiainen, our to-be second guitarist.
At the time, Hwainoo was getting more and more interest abroad and received couple of stunning reviews, especially from USA, but other countries seemed to like Hwainoo more than expected. Unfortunately, this didn't show up as new licensing deals or even distribution deals to Europe & USA. Nevertheless, it seemed as Hwainoo was available worldwide, thanks to Soundholic's japan-versions finding many import shops across the globe.
As there were no new gigs confirmed, band decided late 2008 to start looking towards third album. Hard drive was filled up with songs and there was enough material to make even three albums, but as Matti started picking up the diamonds from the pile of songs, it was obvious that third album would shift to heavier powermetal, with bit more leaning to progressive stuff, because that was starting to become the sound of the band in rehearsals and overall feelings were, that we want and especially can go to darker shadows. Of course, the fact that we had two guitarists now, had a lot to do with new songs, as Matti was able to write more and more guitar riffs with harmonies and stuff.
2008-2009 Ultimatium started seriously working with their third album. Pre-production demos with Tomi's vocals were recorded and in the end of December 2008, Ultimatium got what they wanted: a brand new bass player to replace hole left by Tuomo Juntunen. Mikko proved to be most skillful with great sound and a matching persona and big thanks for finding him to us goes to Samu Siltakoski. With our pack completed, we started rehearsing for new songs.
For the first time, many songs got new looks in rehearsals and got shaped to be a songs of Ultimatium, not just Matti's writings? Everybody was thrilled with new songs and without a doubt, we were 100% sure that this album was going to be greatest piece of art ultimatium has ever made? Well, at least almost everybody were thrilled? And sometimes, it need only one to throw the shit into a fan and it spreads on everyone's face.
?we mean records company representative. Mid 2009 we delivered our songs to our label and continued rehearsing heavily (for our standards). Surprise hit us early December, right after label had asked, when we are coming to studio and right after we were able to get some schedule details done with label. Suddenly, after half a year silence, after preliminary schedules was suggested to us by label, same thing started that was during Hwainoo: melodies did not please record company representative.
We always welcome criticism, but the timing was most odd. This all seemed very unreasonable, when comparing to promotion/marketing support received from the label. As the months passed by, it became clear that there was no way we could settle up this mess with Mastervox records. Our opinion was that there was nothing wrong with songs and label's opinion was that there is something from with melodies overall, not on any specific songs, not on any specific things, melodies just didn't tickle our, obviously. Yet months passed and needles to say, we grew even tired of the situation and worst thing was, that we no longer received any replies to our emails to Mastervox records. Final nail to the coffin was comment from label, asking why 2 out of 3 promo songs, that was supposed to go to Soundholic, were jazz.
It was time to get this issue cleared up for the good. But yet again, it's hard to get things settled, when there's no response. Even an attempt to call to record company didn't produce any results, obviously there was no time, no enthusiasm to get things straight. It also became to our knowledge, that our japanese label had closed up, apparently sometime late 2009, after death of their president. So, only one thing remains: On 16th of April, exactly two years after hwainoo, Ultimatium single-handedly cuts deal off with Mastervox records, because of several contract violations by Mastervox records. It is to be stated, that Ultimatium tried, despite of no promo/marketing support, despite of zero royalties paid to us, to fill up their part of the deal untill the very end. But it takes two to tango?
So, what now, one might ask. First of all, we're straightening up our lines. New homepages, new promo pictures, for starters. No more silence. We start to look for a new label, but in meantime, we're starting to records our third album, of course. There might be some gigs too, but the main focus is on third album. We're not sure when it will be finished, but we hope to get recordings and mixing & stuff finished by the and of 2010. If no label found our album interesting enough, we are prepared to release our album freely on internet, because all it matters now, is to bring our songs to you, no matter how
After announcing the break up with Mastervox records, we got a gig offer to play at Elmusrock, Pyhäjärvi. We rehearsed a nice set of ~45mins of old and new songs, performing songs like C'est la Vie and Curtain of Darkness live for the first time and all seemed well. Within a months or so after the gig, we settled up the score with Mastervox, all in good manner, and were confirmed as "free" band again and started planning and recording the "Hold you ground"-promo-ep. At this time it already started to look like there was some musical & production differences within the band, but we managed to get past them, at least for a while. Promo was released on February 2011 and although well received, phones were not ringing, emails not filling up with recording contracts. Also, half or our band had joined to other band at the meantime and since nothing was (again) going forwards, Matti asked Toni to re-think his position and ambitions towards Ultimatium. As expected, Toni decided to leave the band, as well as Mikko & Sauli, and to focus with the other groups.
Past couple of years had been quite a "rowing against the wind" and often we felt that the crew on the other side of boat were rowing to opposite direction, so rarely I say this, but that time it felt like a big relief to start building the band up again. Harri and Tomi were also determined to make the best full-length for Ultimatium yet, so we kept fine-tuning our songs, altering the choruses and finding a better ways to vocalize Tomi in better way. And on one bit drunky late-autumn weekend in Tomi's flat, it hit.
On that gig on July 2011, we noticed that constant high-pitched vocals was not a good choice in the long run. It was taxing and frankly, we started to feel it was getting a bit monotonic too. So, perhaps not even intentionally, as we started to re-record some of the demos for the third album, we found a new, improved way for Tomi to use his vocals in Ultimatium, that would still be high but offer a way more punch than before. Also, with the new vocals, the high-pitched parts started so sound a lot better and give more impact, even when in smaller numbers. And we came up a name to that style too, Jörnittäminen 🙂 We literally re-did all the choruses and some of the other parts too with the new style and were excited obviously.
During the re-recording on demos, search for the replacement members of course continued. We had some good applicants for drumming, but didn't find what we were looking for. Also, Harri had moved further south, we thought it's best to find a session member to fill the spot for 3rd album at least. So that settled, search continued?
Harri suggested we'd ask Juha Haipus to play the bass for the album and for our luck, he said yes. Not long after that, drummer Matti Auerkallio from Tampere was hired to lay down the drums for the album and that announced, at the early autumn 2012, Vis Vires Infinitus had its first tracks kicked off?
Oh, and during the search for members, we had gotten some positive feedback from labels too, what are the odds for that, but any serious negotiations were waiting for the end results of recordings?
So, after all that off-music nonsense, getting rid of recording deal the half of the band, keeping a low profile for almost two years, who would have guessed that the 3rd album of Ultimatium would ever be on works? I don't think many. But when the first tracks from Auerkallio came to my computer, I was very excited. Without any rehearsals, without anything more instructions than a drum machine demo tapes, Matti Auerkallio's style of playing absolutely stunned me. Not only had he played everything I wanted to those songs but way more, making the drums sound so inventive and clever. Especially what he did with the mid-part of Never Tell blew my mind. Luckily he even video recorded the takes so it was more fun to actually see him doing the tracks. That really gave me the hopes up for the album, but little did I know what would come out of the fingers of our next contestant?.
We all knew how good bass player Juha Haipus is, we had seen the videos etc. so I was excepting some hard-core bass playing + we had one rehearsal weekend with Juha when trying out one drummer, so I did get some idea what he was doing with the songs. Just like with Matti Auerkallio, I gave free hands for Juha to do the bass lines he wanted and this was quite new tactic for me to utilize. When he then played first song on actual recording, with a single take, I just could do anything more than to smile and widely. Of course we had to do the take again, because the master-bass-wizard was not happy about it, but for me it was like having a solo-guitarist on bass. He had brought something to songs that I could have ever imagined being part of bass track on power metal song. During two days and total of around eight hours, he had shown me a brand new way of putting the bass to Ultimatium songs and I couldn't but smile 🙂
So, with the base of the album done so brilliantly, it gave a big boost for the rest of us to go for the extra mile to record best Ultimatium album yet. Matti had some new equipments and lot's of new virtual instruments to give the keys the massive sound for songs that needs heavy strings and also the solo sound had gone thru major overhaul compared to previous album. Harri recorded his parts in his premises / rehearsal place and he really took his time to hone the guitar sound to perfection. Vocals were recorded at Tomi's place, in a relaxed environment in a bit over a week + one extra weekend was used afterwards to make every line sound great. Matti Aurkallio also did some background vocals to add some nice finishing touch to the songs.
During this two years of recording, Matti was constantly mixing / mastering the album to keep the sounds good from start to beginning and after the guitar solos were done, Matti and Harri spend a weekend mixing the album to sound like Ultimatium's album. So, after couple feedback rounds, album was finished at the beginning of 2015.
Of course, during the recording part, eyes were kept open for licensing partners. Also, it was discussed whether we should self-release he album too, but it was decided to do that only if no good deal would come up. First contacts regarding the album were already back at 2011, but obviously it was too soon to do any deals at that time. Also, we were very close to a licensing deal in autumn 2013, a label had liked our "Hold you ground"-promo and wanted to do a deal with us, but in the end we decided that the offered deal was not good enough.
After declining one deal, we focused on finishing the album and for a while, things were pretty quiet. On autumn 2014, we again activated in regards of finding a licensing partner. We sent a big bunch of emails to potential labels, targeting mostly small to mid-sized labels. And one thing I'd like to mention for certain labels: bring our act to 2015 please, it's everyone's waste of money / resources & time to demand physical copy only of any material!!! I don't really understand why good quality mp3 is not enough to start with? So, we skipped around 3-4 potential labels, 'cause we didn't think we want to do a deal with a label stuck n 90's.
This time, so replies started to come to mailbox pretty soon, but it started to look pretty bad, since most of the answers were something like "Very good album, but we don't have money to release it". So, that got me bit worried, 'cause obviously the material and our mix had market potential, so things were bit out of our hands. Few very good email conversation were going on and couple of labels wanted to take our album into their stores / distribute it, if we find a deal or self-release it. After that, it became quiet real fast, but it was just a calm before the storm?
At very end of 2014, almost like a present from Joulupukki ( the Finnish santa ), we got a serious licensing proposal from Underground Symphony. After digging information & the usual "due diligence" stuff, we asked them to send us their licensing proposal and to our almost a surprise, the deal was actually pretty good, compared to previous deals / proposals we had. So with a very big excitement, we then inked a licensing deal with the and set the release of "Vis Vires Infinitus" to July 2015. Also, we had started planning a digi single release to boost our licensing parter search, but that then became a boost for album sales and on 9th of March, 2015, "Never Tell" single was released.
So, the Vis Vires Infinitus was released, then what? Well, not a lot? There was some marketing going on, interview etc, small stuff, yet bigger than ever. Sadly i started so early that the reviewers were not that happy with the album. For me it seemed that those that heard the band first time, were giving better ratings and those that had already been listening our previous albums were bit disappointed? That didn't really matter, at least they were writing of us 🙂 After all, we proved ourselves and everyone else that the diy mentality was enough to produce high quality album sounds wise, so it's something that's good to build on.
We were trying to organize some gigs also, but for some reason, answers to our requests were zero, literally. We did get one gig offer, but unfortunately the timings were against us. So, probably after 6 months, we just called it a quits and Matti started focusing on new songs.
Quite early in the composing process, it started to seem that this time also, those familiar with songs from first two albums are going to be disappointed. But then again, we're doing this mainly for us, it's just glad someone else likes those songs too.
But let's not go do deep to the topic of 4th album, so I won't spoil anything, yet
Source: http://www.ultimatium.com/history.php?page=hist1
After military service, I still didn't have any band and I started to make my second demo, after one friend asked me to do it. This time things were bit different and after some really hard times and lots of disappointments, I managed to get full 5 song Cd ready and I named it "End of Darkness". I was able to get some top-class pro singers this time for the Cd and this time I got little more success. Two good reviews and one interview to a Greece netzine "Behind the Veil". I also hit the TOP40 in mp3.com's power metal-charts one day, in position 40 and songs got total amount of 1010 download/streams in December 2002.
At the beginning of year 2003 Harri Niskanen and Tuomo Juntunen joined our band and from that point, it was obvious that my solo-project had turned into a band. Next May, we hooked up with a singer JT Partanen and he promised to sing our next demo, which we called "Follow the Star". We hit the Suomussalmi Nuokkari's studio at the beginning of June and we recorded guitars and basses there. Keybs were recorded during spring. We still didn't have a proper drummer, so we had to use drums machine? We released the demo at the beginning of July and it was well received in netzines and on music sites. Song "In Winter Nights" was #6 on mikseri.net Metal chart and also it hit the #39 on mp3.com's power metal charts. After this "huge" success, we took our songs from web and soon we'll tell you why, on part 2.
Without any warning, right after we put the songs to internet, right after #6 position in Mikseri, we received quite unexpected email. It was from one of the Finnish labels and they wanted to sign us. But we didn't rush into a deal, we contacted other labels also, including Mastervox. So it began, we visited Neo Studio, recorded a three song promo and we signed with Mastervox. After extensive quest for drummer, we were ready to hit the studio for our debut album.
Everything seemed to be fine, the Mastervox studios was booked for a month for us and everything seemed to be in order as we started our intensive recording session. But little did we know of our drummer, Tero Maijala? At the first days of drum recordings it was clear that his style of playing was way too light and "folkish" for us. After trying and trying we did not have a choice but to take out our wild card and put Harri behind the drums. Although he first hesitated and didn't want to play, we managed to record all the drum tracks and we were more than satisfied to the fact that nothing could stop us now. While Kakke was mixing the drums, Matti recorded the keyboard parts with another recording set.
The bass lines were recorded in ten hours, during two days and we all were really surprised about that. Guitars were recorded next with some extra equipment we managed to obtain. And finally, as we got our singer to the studio, we continued recording guitars in the mornings and vocals in the evenings. Time was to end too soon and so our working hours were really long, example on thursday morning we started at 10.00am and finished at 2.00am at the friday morning. Recording had to be stopped during the "South Park" because the tired minds were too tired to resist the immature ass humor. And on sunday we all headed back to the wilderness, happy and in hangover. Quite many bottles of beer drunken, many whiskey drinks in the bar, too many hangovers, one pizza-accidence and lot's of bad humor? But we did it?
At this point it was obvious that we cannot continue with Tero on the drums, due to his lack of skills and "power", so we were once again forced to find another drummer. This time the old finnish proverb "Ei kannata mennä merta edemmäs kalaan (no need to go beyond the sea to get some fish (or something like that))" was true again. We didn't have any clue that our HC-Punk-drummer-friend was skilled also with double pedals and he would be interested in playing power metal. So on one friday night, when Petteri was tasting some beer, Matti asked him to join Ultimatium, or at least to try some rehearsals. So next week we went to rehearsals with Petteri on the drums. Things started to look bright again and after couple of rehearsals, although Petteri still hesitated his own skills, Matti was looking happy and was sure that we won't need to find another drummer. Petteri's punk-background was enough to speed his playing into a much more than we needed at this point.
As the drummer part was ok, we started to arrange a music video from the song "Follow me". Our producer had an idea of the video and we contacted with Marko Haapala from Kuhmo. He has good experience in creating a music video from scratch and with almost zero-budget. After some arrangements, on our winter holiday, we went to Oulunsalo to shoot the band part of the video. At the evening, after the twilight, there was almost -20 degrees of celsius, but with the aid of some alcohol we managed to stay "warm" and after some serious technical problems we managed to get some material also? The video was finished and freely released at the same date than the Mastervox Metalsingle II.
Now, before the release of New Dawn, we can assure that our many rehearsal sessions have not gone in vain and you will also hear it live. Songs carry out with more tempo than on record and it brings us great advantage and energy on the stages. If you would have been on our secret gig, you would know what we mean and the witnesses, who were there, know that also. Now, all the we need is to get some gigs and a chance to proof our skills
The second album was been planned already after the recordings of New Dawn. As the songs were ready, we had some great time to get couple of gigs before actual process of next album.
We got a great opportunity as Marko Kemppainen from the same city won the olympic silver medal and we were asked to play in his "welcoming celebrations". Without much of rehearsing we went and played couple of songs there and somebody even liked us (thus there were mostly old people). A great first performance and a lot of audience.
It seemed like we wouldn't get any gigs for the remaining year, but suddenly something started to happen. In a matter of weeks we confirmed to play at Hevimesta, Oulu and Kalpea Kukko, Kajaani (with To/Die/For). Show at Hevimesta was AWESOME (although we weren't happy with our own performance), thanks to our many fans, who have supported us from the Very beginning. You're great! And show in Kajaani? Man, It was also great, it was fun to warm up for To/Die/For.
What I could not foreseen was that before the two gigs, our singer JT informed me that he doesn't want to continue in Ultimatium. The announcement was total surprise to us, but perhaps it was only a matter of time and somehow we all could expect this to happen. JT's a great guy, but he's totally different kind of person than we rest of us are. As we hang out in the bars 'till the dawn, JT did not. As we smelt bad and looked bit ill next day, JT did not? There was always a lack of comedy and laughter with JT. Perhaps powermetal just wasn't his thing?
Now, before the recordings of yet unnamed, highly better next album, we are more than happy announce, that the hole that was left from JT, will be filled and overwhelmed by my (Matti speaking here) friend from the times of Santhyr, mr. "Dragonslayer", currently "Dark Lord", TOMI VIILTOLA!!! This time I'm quite sure that the personal chemistry will match better than it did with JT, since Viiltola still owns me couple of beers 🙂 Tomi's heavier voice, his wicked sense of humor, attitude and appearance will surely please us much. You'll see (and hear). END OF THIS CHAPTER?
After hooking up with Viiltola, we headed to Mastervox Studios (end 2004, demo samples pt. 1 & 2) to record some demo songs with Viiltola on the vocals. Outcome pleased us and producer much and we decided to move forwards. Next thing to do was to continue demoing/arranging of the songs with Viiltola. We did 2 separate demoing session in Suomussalmi and Oulu before booking the Mastervox Studio for recordings of the second album. At this point it already seemed that recording session couldn't be done at once, but in a separate session during summer/fall 2005? But much more we didn't see coming?
We started recording drums on May and everything seemed like it was going to be ok, but sadly, Petteri's drumming was not Ultimatium-enough style. Although Petteri's performance on stage was great, new songs just didn't have that kind of "feel" and "power" we and record-company were hoping? And so it was decided to postpone further recordings untill we had resolved the situation?
After a couple of weeks we (as the rest of the band) had no choice but to let Petteri go (this is where we didn't handle the situation well enough, so: Sorry, Petteri, for any inconvenience). I (Matti) had fortunately enough (via some personal life matters) come aware of one crazy, kick-ass drummer from Pyhäjärvi and after some serious phone number hunting (thanks to Jussi from Agonizer) we got connected with Tony (or Toni) Qvick. Tony was really excited about the opportunity and our music, so after couple of weeks (somewhere early July 2005) we headed to Pyhäjärvi to test Tony's skills?
And from the very first songs played together, we were sure that he's our guy, he's the one that can play drums on the album. So, after one more rehearsing weekend we packed up Mastervox's mobile recording set and headed to Pyhäjärvi to some serious drum-recordings. From this point things were bound to roll out real nicely. On the very beginning of Ultimatium Matti and Harri decided that we try to keep Ultimatium's music "live-like" on the records also and this time we certainly succeeded. Tony's dynamical drums-style and improvised arrangements made the songs even better than they were on demos. After three days we were done with the drums and it was time to head back to Oulu to continue?
Well, when you start to record an album by yourselves, why not to continue? It was somewhere October already when we continued the recording process. Again we picked up the mobile unit and started recording keyboards and basses at Toppila, Oulu, at our apartment. Somewhat week went on as we recorded most of the keys (with X3 borrowed from M. Pouke, thanks) and basses (yes, basses, not a bass). We continued with "live-like" feeling on keys and basses also, so that our songs would sound relaxed, but still energised and versatile?
After that we were ready to hit the Mastervox studios to do the guitars and vocals. And still continue recordings by ourselves, except that now Immu was helping out on technical issues and more or less supervising our recordings. Harri wrecked up his guitar A-string couple of times (two times @ exactly same location, at heavy riff after chorus of Whispers), but otherwise recordings went on nicely. I (Matti) got some time off as Nipa Nissilä helped on recordings on couple of days?
Vocals recordings and solos yet to complete, we booked up two new sessions to Mastervox Studios to complete them. We did lot's of work on re-arranging some of the vocal parts but the outcome was supreme. Tomi reached up the highest and the lowest notes possible and still sounded great all the times. At this point we decided to use two other singers to complete track 6.
We still needed one more session to finish up the vocals and solos and at this point, we had managed to get A. Nissilä & M- Pouke to give some extra spice for the most wicked song we'd ever come up with? Not a typical power-metal track, I'd say? Yes, and it was already March 2006, so the time passed by pretty quickly.
So it was time for mixing? After three or so versions we finally got what everybody wanted (on July 2006). Meantime we unsuccessfully tried to come up with a new logo, album cover and name for the album?
More trouble was to come? We were facing some tough times trying to find someone to make logo and cover. After two or so unsuccessful attempts (waiting for outcomes costed us delayed the process significantly) label contacted Joe Petagno and we was first to come up with perfect cover. Before completing, we did a promo-shoot with whole band and started to make a logo. Too bad it took some time also and after some defeats we contacted TocixlAngel and he was able to come up with a logo on short notice. I think it was somewhere early August 2007 when we got the logo. At this point Tuomo had decided to move back to Suomussalmi and henceforth leave the band, so a bassist was needed (and is still needed: March 2008).
In the end, after second attempt, Matti made inlays to album with I.Ilmarinen and name was decided also: Hwainoo. Hwainoo is an ancient name for the areas residing in both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia that are these days parts of Finland and Sweden. Currently the modern name for Hwainoo is Kainuu that is still used for the eastern parts of Finland. And so, the album was sent to print shop on beginning of November?
After some major problems with print shop, we finally got to hold our "child" our arms for the very first time in middle of March. And a release date was set: 16.4.2008
to be continued?
After releasing Hwainoo, Japanese Soundholic records got interested of it and wanted to license Hwainoo to Japan and so it was seen 25th September: first official Ultimatium release in Japan, with a bonus track. Before that, Ultimatium was able to get their pack together for a couple of gigs. First one in Hevimesta, Oulu, was a great blast of live powermetal at its best and audience and even we were stunned of how our energy on stage. Another gig took place on very birthplace of Ultimatium, in Suomussalmi. Ultimatium performed a petrol scented show in Heikki Kovalainen karting race. Bass player for those gigs was Sauli Jauhiainen, our to-be second guitarist.
At the time, Hwainoo was getting more and more interest abroad and received couple of stunning reviews, especially from USA, but other countries seemed to like Hwainoo more than expected. Unfortunately, this didn't show up as new licensing deals or even distribution deals to Europe & USA. Nevertheless, it seemed as Hwainoo was available worldwide, thanks to Soundholic's japan-versions finding many import shops across the globe.
As there were no new gigs confirmed, band decided late 2008 to start looking towards third album. Hard drive was filled up with songs and there was enough material to make even three albums, but as Matti started picking up the diamonds from the pile of songs, it was obvious that third album would shift to heavier powermetal, with bit more leaning to progressive stuff, because that was starting to become the sound of the band in rehearsals and overall feelings were, that we want and especially can go to darker shadows. Of course, the fact that we had two guitarists now, had a lot to do with new songs, as Matti was able to write more and more guitar riffs with harmonies and stuff.
2008-2009 Ultimatium started seriously working with their third album. Pre-production demos with Tomi's vocals were recorded and in the end of December 2008, Ultimatium got what they wanted: a brand new bass player to replace hole left by Tuomo Juntunen. Mikko proved to be most skillful with great sound and a matching persona and big thanks for finding him to us goes to Samu Siltakoski. With our pack completed, we started rehearsing for new songs.
For the first time, many songs got new looks in rehearsals and got shaped to be a songs of Ultimatium, not just Matti's writings? Everybody was thrilled with new songs and without a doubt, we were 100% sure that this album was going to be greatest piece of art ultimatium has ever made? Well, at least almost everybody were thrilled? And sometimes, it need only one to throw the shit into a fan and it spreads on everyone's face.
?we mean records company representative. Mid 2009 we delivered our songs to our label and continued rehearsing heavily (for our standards). Surprise hit us early December, right after label had asked, when we are coming to studio and right after we were able to get some schedule details done with label. Suddenly, after half a year silence, after preliminary schedules was suggested to us by label, same thing started that was during Hwainoo: melodies did not please record company representative.
We always welcome criticism, but the timing was most odd. This all seemed very unreasonable, when comparing to promotion/marketing support received from the label. As the months passed by, it became clear that there was no way we could settle up this mess with Mastervox records. Our opinion was that there was nothing wrong with songs and label's opinion was that there is something from with melodies overall, not on any specific songs, not on any specific things, melodies just didn't tickle our, obviously. Yet months passed and needles to say, we grew even tired of the situation and worst thing was, that we no longer received any replies to our emails to Mastervox records. Final nail to the coffin was comment from label, asking why 2 out of 3 promo songs, that was supposed to go to Soundholic, were jazz.
It was time to get this issue cleared up for the good. But yet again, it's hard to get things settled, when there's no response. Even an attempt to call to record company didn't produce any results, obviously there was no time, no enthusiasm to get things straight. It also became to our knowledge, that our japanese label had closed up, apparently sometime late 2009, after death of their president. So, only one thing remains: On 16th of April, exactly two years after hwainoo, Ultimatium single-handedly cuts deal off with Mastervox records, because of several contract violations by Mastervox records. It is to be stated, that Ultimatium tried, despite of no promo/marketing support, despite of zero royalties paid to us, to fill up their part of the deal untill the very end. But it takes two to tango?
So, what now, one might ask. First of all, we're straightening up our lines. New homepages, new promo pictures, for starters. No more silence. We start to look for a new label, but in meantime, we're starting to records our third album, of course. There might be some gigs too, but the main focus is on third album. We're not sure when it will be finished, but we hope to get recordings and mixing & stuff finished by the and of 2010. If no label found our album interesting enough, we are prepared to release our album freely on internet, because all it matters now, is to bring our songs to you, no matter how
After announcing the break up with Mastervox records, we got a gig offer to play at Elmusrock, Pyhäjärvi. We rehearsed a nice set of ~45mins of old and new songs, performing songs like C'est la Vie and Curtain of Darkness live for the first time and all seemed well. Within a months or so after the gig, we settled up the score with Mastervox, all in good manner, and were confirmed as "free" band again and started planning and recording the "Hold you ground"-promo-ep. At this time it already started to look like there was some musical & production differences within the band, but we managed to get past them, at least for a while. Promo was released on February 2011 and although well received, phones were not ringing, emails not filling up with recording contracts. Also, half or our band had joined to other band at the meantime and since nothing was (again) going forwards, Matti asked Toni to re-think his position and ambitions towards Ultimatium. As expected, Toni decided to leave the band, as well as Mikko & Sauli, and to focus with the other groups.
Past couple of years had been quite a "rowing against the wind" and often we felt that the crew on the other side of boat were rowing to opposite direction, so rarely I say this, but that time it felt like a big relief to start building the band up again. Harri and Tomi were also determined to make the best full-length for Ultimatium yet, so we kept fine-tuning our songs, altering the choruses and finding a better ways to vocalize Tomi in better way. And on one bit drunky late-autumn weekend in Tomi's flat, it hit.
On that gig on July 2011, we noticed that constant high-pitched vocals was not a good choice in the long run. It was taxing and frankly, we started to feel it was getting a bit monotonic too. So, perhaps not even intentionally, as we started to re-record some of the demos for the third album, we found a new, improved way for Tomi to use his vocals in Ultimatium, that would still be high but offer a way more punch than before. Also, with the new vocals, the high-pitched parts started so sound a lot better and give more impact, even when in smaller numbers. And we came up a name to that style too, Jörnittäminen 🙂 We literally re-did all the choruses and some of the other parts too with the new style and were excited obviously.
During the re-recording on demos, search for the replacement members of course continued. We had some good applicants for drumming, but didn't find what we were looking for. Also, Harri had moved further south, we thought it's best to find a session member to fill the spot for 3rd album at least. So that settled, search continued?
Harri suggested we'd ask Juha Haipus to play the bass for the album and for our luck, he said yes. Not long after that, drummer Matti Auerkallio from Tampere was hired to lay down the drums for the album and that announced, at the early autumn 2012, Vis Vires Infinitus had its first tracks kicked off?
Oh, and during the search for members, we had gotten some positive feedback from labels too, what are the odds for that, but any serious negotiations were waiting for the end results of recordings?
So, after all that off-music nonsense, getting rid of recording deal the half of the band, keeping a low profile for almost two years, who would have guessed that the 3rd album of Ultimatium would ever be on works? I don't think many. But when the first tracks from Auerkallio came to my computer, I was very excited. Without any rehearsals, without anything more instructions than a drum machine demo tapes, Matti Auerkallio's style of playing absolutely stunned me. Not only had he played everything I wanted to those songs but way more, making the drums sound so inventive and clever. Especially what he did with the mid-part of Never Tell blew my mind. Luckily he even video recorded the takes so it was more fun to actually see him doing the tracks. That really gave me the hopes up for the album, but little did I know what would come out of the fingers of our next contestant?.
We all knew how good bass player Juha Haipus is, we had seen the videos etc. so I was excepting some hard-core bass playing + we had one rehearsal weekend with Juha when trying out one drummer, so I did get some idea what he was doing with the songs. Just like with Matti Auerkallio, I gave free hands for Juha to do the bass lines he wanted and this was quite new tactic for me to utilize. When he then played first song on actual recording, with a single take, I just could do anything more than to smile and widely. Of course we had to do the take again, because the master-bass-wizard was not happy about it, but for me it was like having a solo-guitarist on bass. He had brought something to songs that I could have ever imagined being part of bass track on power metal song. During two days and total of around eight hours, he had shown me a brand new way of putting the bass to Ultimatium songs and I couldn't but smile 🙂
So, with the base of the album done so brilliantly, it gave a big boost for the rest of us to go for the extra mile to record best Ultimatium album yet. Matti had some new equipments and lot's of new virtual instruments to give the keys the massive sound for songs that needs heavy strings and also the solo sound had gone thru major overhaul compared to previous album. Harri recorded his parts in his premises / rehearsal place and he really took his time to hone the guitar sound to perfection. Vocals were recorded at Tomi's place, in a relaxed environment in a bit over a week + one extra weekend was used afterwards to make every line sound great. Matti Aurkallio also did some background vocals to add some nice finishing touch to the songs.
During this two years of recording, Matti was constantly mixing / mastering the album to keep the sounds good from start to beginning and after the guitar solos were done, Matti and Harri spend a weekend mixing the album to sound like Ultimatium's album. So, after couple feedback rounds, album was finished at the beginning of 2015.
Of course, during the recording part, eyes were kept open for licensing partners. Also, it was discussed whether we should self-release he album too, but it was decided to do that only if no good deal would come up. First contacts regarding the album were already back at 2011, but obviously it was too soon to do any deals at that time. Also, we were very close to a licensing deal in autumn 2013, a label had liked our "Hold you ground"-promo and wanted to do a deal with us, but in the end we decided that the offered deal was not good enough.
After declining one deal, we focused on finishing the album and for a while, things were pretty quiet. On autumn 2014, we again activated in regards of finding a licensing partner. We sent a big bunch of emails to potential labels, targeting mostly small to mid-sized labels. And one thing I'd like to mention for certain labels: bring our act to 2015 please, it's everyone's waste of money / resources & time to demand physical copy only of any material!!! I don't really understand why good quality mp3 is not enough to start with? So, we skipped around 3-4 potential labels, 'cause we didn't think we want to do a deal with a label stuck n 90's.
This time, so replies started to come to mailbox pretty soon, but it started to look pretty bad, since most of the answers were something like "Very good album, but we don't have money to release it". So, that got me bit worried, 'cause obviously the material and our mix had market potential, so things were bit out of our hands. Few very good email conversation were going on and couple of labels wanted to take our album into their stores / distribute it, if we find a deal or self-release it. After that, it became quiet real fast, but it was just a calm before the storm?
At very end of 2014, almost like a present from Joulupukki ( the Finnish santa ), we got a serious licensing proposal from Underground Symphony. After digging information & the usual "due diligence" stuff, we asked them to send us their licensing proposal and to our almost a surprise, the deal was actually pretty good, compared to previous deals / proposals we had. So with a very big excitement, we then inked a licensing deal with the and set the release of "Vis Vires Infinitus" to July 2015. Also, we had started planning a digi single release to boost our licensing parter search, but that then became a boost for album sales and on 9th of March, 2015, "Never Tell" single was released.
So, the Vis Vires Infinitus was released, then what? Well, not a lot? There was some marketing going on, interview etc, small stuff, yet bigger than ever. Sadly i started so early that the reviewers were not that happy with the album. For me it seemed that those that heard the band first time, were giving better ratings and those that had already been listening our previous albums were bit disappointed? That didn't really matter, at least they were writing of us 🙂 After all, we proved ourselves and everyone else that the diy mentality was enough to produce high quality album sounds wise, so it's something that's good to build on.
We were trying to organize some gigs also, but for some reason, answers to our requests were zero, literally. We did get one gig offer, but unfortunately the timings were against us. So, probably after 6 months, we just called it a quits and Matti started focusing on new songs.
Quite early in the composing process, it started to seem that this time also, those familiar with songs from first two albums are going to be disappointed. But then again, we're doing this mainly for us, it's just glad someone else likes those songs too.
But let's not go do deep to the topic of 4th album, so I won't spoil anything, yet
Source: http://www.ultimatium.com/history.php?page=hist1