Ode In Black is a rock band from Kuopio, Finland. The band consists of Pasi Mäenpää (vocals), Iiro Saarinen (guitars and backing vocals), Juhani Saarinen (guitars), Ville Puustinen (bass) and Taisto Ristivirta (drums). The band has been in its current line-up since 2015. Ode In Black relies on tight playing, gritty riffs, and catchy choruses. At times, their music may display influences from Finnish melancholic metal, while at other times, they pay homage to 80’s glam rock.
After releasing their first EP ”Goodbye” in 2014, the band spent the next years touring all over Finland and spreading the word of their melancholic metal. In 2017 the band begun working on their first full-length album. In the summer of 2017 the band released two singles ”The Sea In Which We Drown” and ”The Lone Wolf”. 2018 blasted off with the band’s debut full-length album ”Seeds Of Chaos”.
During the covid-years, the band has evolved heavier and darker than before. A first taste of Ode In Black’s new sound is the single “Until We Fall”, which was released during spring 2023 alongside with a music video. The energetic “Until We Fall” gives a taste of what’s to come as the band finalizes their next release.
Pasi Mäenpää (Vocals)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Other bands: Chevi Eye (2005-2008) and Unskinny.
Main influences: Music in general.
Hobbies: Sports.
Favourite albums: Guns n’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction.
Iiro Saarinen (Guitars and Backing Vocals)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Gear: Gibson Les Paul Custom VOS ’58, ESP Eclipse II, LTD EC-1000FM, Engl E-670 6L6 Special Edition and Engl 4 x 12 XXL PRO Cabinet.
Other bands: Black Light Discipline (2005-2011), Chevi Eye (2003-2008), Burning Winter (a couple of times after 2001) and No Talent.
Main influences: Finnish bands like Sentenced, HIM, Charon, Entwine. Also german power metal (Helloween, Gamma Ray, Rage), 80’s hard rock, hair metal & glam rock. As a guitar player, I’ve been influenced most by Miika Tenkula (Sentenced), Jasse Salonen (Hybrid Children), TJ Saarinen & Blues Saraceno.
Hobbies: Revolt, disorder, chaos and especially activity that appears to have no meaning.
Favourite albums: Helloween: Time Of The Oath, Hybrid Children: Uncensored Teenage Hardcore, Sentenced: Frozen, HIM: Greatest Lovensongs vol. 666 and Charon: Downhearted.
Websites: www.iirosaarinen.com
Juhani Saarinen (Guitars)
Joined the band: Autumn 2012.
Gear: ESP LTD EC-1000 and Ibanez RG320.
Other bands: A few small projects in the past.
Main influences: Metal and Rock music from 70s, 80s and 90s, Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), Jim Martin (Faith No More), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), Slash (Guns n’ Roses) and TJ Saarinen.
Hobbies: Music, reading, studying, watching TV and sports, jogging and gym.
Favourite albums: Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, Faith No More: The Real Thing, Guns n’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction, Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic, Sentenced: Down, The Darkness: Hot Cakes and HIM: Love Metal.
Ville Puustinen (Bass)
Joined the band: Winter 2014.
Gear: Gibson Thunderbird IV, Gibson Flying-V, Monster El Monarca 300+300W P2P Bass Head + Monster MCQ-410 Bass Cabinet + Monster MCS-115 Bass Cabinet
Other bands: Megawatt (1993-1999) , White Lightning (2000), Syndrooma (2004-) plus session guitarist with Mikko Leppilampi, Paavo Lötjönen and Peter Westerholm (2012).
Main influences: Roope Latvala, Nicke Anderson, Costello Hautamäki, A-H Haapasalo.
Hobbies: Golf, Fishing.
Favourite albums: Everything from Sentenced + Poisonblack, The Cardigans: My Favourite Game, Hellacopters: By The Grace Of God, In Flames: The Jester Race.
Taisto Ristivirta (Drums)
Joined the band: In the beginning in 2010.
Gear: Tama Silverstar, Meinl symbals and IronCobra pedal.
Other bands: Rosy Dream (1994-) and Chevi Eye (2000-2008).
Main influences: Ian Paice, Jeff Porcaro, Dave Lombardo, Twist Twist Erkinharju, Mikko Kaakkurinniemi, Antero Seppänen etc.
Hobbies: Golf and reading.
Favourite albums: Deep Purple: Machine Head, Guns N’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction and Peer Günt: Smalltown Maniacs.