Malpractice

Malpractice emerged as a Finnish hard rock outfit that merged the intensity of heavy metal with the breadth and vision of progressive rock, eventually cultivating a global following for their sound. The group originated in 1994 as a thrash metal ensemble and endured multiple lineup shifts until settling on an initial stable configuration featuring Mika Uronen handling lead vocals, Joonas Koto and Tuomo Pärttö sharing guitar duties, Petri Vuorio on bass, and Miikka Tikka on drums. During spring 1996 they issued their debut EP Memorial on their own, marking a shift away from thrash roots toward a more tuneful and expansive style. Their follow-up EP Frozen appeared toward the end of that year and served as Petri Vuorio’s final contribution; Jonas Mäki joined as bassist the next year. By 1998 the band had completed their debut full-length Of Shape and Balance, which they funded independently before licensing it to Mastervox Records. Shortly after its release Tuomo Pärttö departed, prompting the arrival of Sami Pesonen on guitar, while in 1999 Miikka Tikka exited and Toni Paananen assumed the drum chair. From 2001 through 2004 the musicians composed and tracked fresh material, culminating in the 2004 demo Circles and Lines that secured a contract with Spinefarm Records. In 2005 they wrote, recorded, and issued Deviation from the Flow, their inaugural Spinefarm album and Mika Uronen’s last with the band before his announced exit in May 2006. Early the following year a website statement revealed that Malpractice had nearly finalized its hunt for a replacement vocalist while developing songs slated for an album projected for 2008.