Sinamore

Hailing from the more historically affected — at least by Russians — side of Finland, gothic metal outfit Sinamore originally hit the underground metal demo scene in 2000. Founded two years earlier by long time friends Mikko Hiekkilä (vocals and guitar), Jarno Uski (bass), and Miika Hostikka (drums), were then known as Halflife, and their first demo, My Grace, was followed in quick succession by the demos Agony and She and the Devil, as well as the addition of Tommi Muhli on guitar in 2002. Next came demo number four, Sleeping Away, a name change to H/L, and eventually, in 2004, demo number five, Follow Into the Cry. It was at this point that H/L's luck finally changed (almost). The demo got them a deal with a small Japanese label, but the relationship went sour, and H/L was on their own before being able to record and release album number one. Now dubbed Sinamore, the band soldiered on, and were able — through the normal channels — to build enough of a buzz to get another deal opportunity, this time with Napalm Records. Their debut, A New Day, was released in January of 2006, and the band promoted it with a European tour. 2007 found Sinamore releasing album number two, Seven Sins a Second.