Mannhai

Mannhai is a stoner and doom metal band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in late 1999 by guitarist Ilkka Laaksomaa and former Amorphis bassist Oppu Laine. They were soon joined by drummer Mikko Junior Pietinen. The band quickly began composing material and entered the studio within four months of forming, recording three instrumental tracks. These recordings attracted former Xysma vocalist Joanitor Muurinen to join the group. By the end of 2000, Mannhai signed a record deal with Finnish label Spinefarm Records. On January 24, 2001, the band began recording their debut album, The Sons of Yesterday's Black Grouse, at Seawolf Studios in Helsinki. The album was later licensed to Nuclear Blast's sub-label Revolution for a European release in September 2001. In late 2002, Mannhai prepared to release their second album, Evil Under the Sun, through Spinefarm Records. The album included a cover of A New Day Yesterday by Jethro Tull. Guitarist Mikko Raita and drummer Mikko Pietinen later formed a progressive rock project named Luokkasota, which included Finntroll and Moonsorrow keyboardist Henri Sorvali and Prode bassist Jussi Korhonen. Mannhai recorded their third album, The Exploder, with producer Jürgen Hendlmeier at Soundtrack Studio in Helsinki. Originally scheduled for a February 2004 release, the album was later delayed until April. In November of that year, vocalist Joanitor Muurinen left the band and was replaced by Trond The Wolf Skog from the Norwegian band Honcho. In mid-April 2004, Mannhai began a co-headlining European tour with Swedish band The Awesome Machine under the name Double Stoner Treatment. During the tour, Trond Skog abruptly left the band on April 19. Pasi Koskinen, known for his work with Amorphis, Ajattara, and Shape of Despair, was brought in as a replacement to complete the tour. On August 4, 2005, Mannhai bassist Oppu Laine, keyboardist Kasper Mårtenson, and drummer Mikko Pietinen collaborated with Markku Crazy Heiskanen of Havana Black and Nalle Österman of Chaosbreed, Lullacry, and Gandalf for a one-off tribute show to The Doors under the name The Blue Horse. In January 2006, Mannhai released the single Spacebell, which reached number one on the Finnish charts and included a non-album track titled The Rocketeer. In April, the band signed with German label Dockyard 1 Records for the European release of the album Hellroad Caravan. In May, Mannhai performed a three-day series of shows at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Riga, Latvia. During the summer, drummer duties were temporarily filled by Nalle Österman from Sonic Roots. In October 2006, Mannhai toured Europe with Swedish band Truckfighters. In November 2006, Mannhai contributed a cover of Forever My Queen, produced by Jürgen Hendlmeier, to a split 7-inch tribute single dedicated to Pentagram. The release was shared with Finnish doom metal band Reverend Bizarre and issued by The Church Within Records. Studio albums The Sons of Yesterday's Black Grouse (2001) Evil Under the Sun (2002) The Exploder (2004) Hellroad Caravan (2006) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.