Biography
Rotten Sound emerged in the 1990s as central figures within Scandinavia’s death metal and grindcore circles, earning acclaim for their singularly severe and unwavering style of extreme music. Through numerous lineup shifts since their formation, the group has maintained a singular identity built on a ferocious blend of death metal, black metal, and grindcore elements that remains both aggressive and unsparing. While commercial breakthrough has eluded them, the quartet has cultivated a devoted underground audience across three decades, culminating in the arrival of their eighth studio album, Apocalypse, in 2023.
Guitarist Mika Aalto launched the project in Vaasa, Finland, during 1993, drawing initial inspiration from Slayer, Napalm Death, Suicidal Tendencies, Entombed, and Carcass. Aalto, vocalist Keijo Niinimaa, bassist Matti Raappana, and drummer Sami Latvain have formed the longest-running core, even as other members cycled through the ranks. Their reputation for delivering some of the most punishing live performances on the grindcore circuit was established early; recording began the following year with the single “Sick Bastard,” issued by Genet. Further 1990s singles arrived via SOA (“Psychotic Veterinarian,” 1995), Anomie (“Loosin’ Face,” 1996), and IDS (“Splitted Alive,” 1997). Repulse Records, a Spanish imprint, released the debut full-length Under Pressure in 1998 and the follow-up Drain in 1999.
Entering the new millennium, Rotten Sound joined Necropolis’s Deathvomit imprint, which put out Still Psycho in 2000 and Murderworks in 2002. A move to Spinefarm yielded Exit in 2005, a concise and abrasive collection whose tracks seldom exceed two minutes. Cycles appeared on the same label three years later, maintaining the same concise attack while foregrounding themes of socio-political tension. Relapse Records became the new home in 2011 for Cursed, which featured guest contributions from Jason Netherton of Misery Index and Lars Göran Petrov of Entombed. Subsequent releases on Season of Mist included the 2013 Species at War EP, the 2016 album Abuse to Suffer—centered on existential dread—and the 2018 Suffer to Abuse EP. Apocalypse, issued in 2023, stands as their eighth long-player and delivers a tightly concentrated burst of intensity.
Guitarist Mika Aalto launched the project in Vaasa, Finland, during 1993, drawing initial inspiration from Slayer, Napalm Death, Suicidal Tendencies, Entombed, and Carcass. Aalto, vocalist Keijo Niinimaa, bassist Matti Raappana, and drummer Sami Latvain have formed the longest-running core, even as other members cycled through the ranks. Their reputation for delivering some of the most punishing live performances on the grindcore circuit was established early; recording began the following year with the single “Sick Bastard,” issued by Genet. Further 1990s singles arrived via SOA (“Psychotic Veterinarian,” 1995), Anomie (“Loosin’ Face,” 1996), and IDS (“Splitted Alive,” 1997). Repulse Records, a Spanish imprint, released the debut full-length Under Pressure in 1998 and the follow-up Drain in 1999.
Entering the new millennium, Rotten Sound joined Necropolis’s Deathvomit imprint, which put out Still Psycho in 2000 and Murderworks in 2002. A move to Spinefarm yielded Exit in 2005, a concise and abrasive collection whose tracks seldom exceed two minutes. Cycles appeared on the same label three years later, maintaining the same concise attack while foregrounding themes of socio-political tension. Relapse Records became the new home in 2011 for Cursed, which featured guest contributions from Jason Netherton of Misery Index and Lars Göran Petrov of Entombed. Subsequent releases on Season of Mist included the 2013 Species at War EP, the 2016 album Abuse to Suffer—centered on existential dread—and the 2018 Suffer to Abuse EP. Apocalypse, issued in 2023, stands as their eighth long-player and delivers a tightly concentrated burst of intensity.
Albums
Apocalypse
2023
Suffer to Abuse
2018
Exit
2016
Abuse to Suffer (Deluxe)
2016
Abuse to Suffer
2016
Under Pressure
2016
Drain
2016
Cursed
2011
Napalm
2010
Cycles
2008
Murderworks
2002
Under pressure
1997
Singles
