Norther

Originally formed under the name Requiem, the Finnish metal band Norther emerged from the partnership between Toni Hallio and Petri Lindroos. Once initial refinements were complete, Kristian Ranta joined on guitar and clean vocals, officially establishing Norther. Tuomas Planman then completed the rhythm section, while keyboardist and synth player Jukka Koskinen contributed occasional textural elements. Their debut album, Dreams of Endless War, appeared in 2002 and reached the Finnish top twenty. This success secured studio sessions with Anssi Kippo, who produced the 2003 follow-up Mirror of Madness. The record climbed close to the top ten and earned Norther a support slot on a tour with Dimmu Borgir and Hypocrisy later that year. Although their third album, Death Unlimited, did not match the commercial performance of its predecessor, it generated additional live opportunities and wider recognition. In 2005 the group issued an EP while collaborating with producer Fredrik Nordström—known for his work with At the Gates and Opeth—on the album Till Death Unites Us, released in January 2006. Prior to its release, Hallio departed and was succeeded by Hikki Saari. The album peaked at number six in Finland, prompting an extensive tour that occupied most of the next eighteen months. In 2008 Norther issued their first Century Media record, the self-titled N.