The third demo, "Cold I Am", was released in 1998, and the band felt their line-up needed a second guitarist. The post was taken by Riku Katainen. In 1999 they recorded another demo called "Inhumankind". They made a couple of successful shows (including one in the national band contest) and quickly earned their reputation as an aggressive live act. However, the Finnish army intervened the plot and the band was forced to recharge their batteries until early 2002.
In summer 2002 the band was ready to record their fifth demo, but this time they decided to try it out with another lead vocalist. Ari Nieminen (ex-Caledonian) impressed them at the first rehearsal and the search promptly ended. Coming to the end of the year, the demo "Modern Ways Of Discipline" was released and the first offers for a record contract were received. None were accepted, however. In 2003 another series of successful shows followed, including the afterclub of Tuska Open Air metal festival.
Summer 2004 saw the band recording their sixth demo. "Ruins MMIV" and the video clip of the song "Ruins" gathered interest from many directions and supposedly more unreasonable record contracts were offered. The band was chosen as the demo band of the month in Inferno. But Dauntless was still without decent record deal.
In 2005 the original bass player Tuomo Tukkimäki left the band and was shortly after replaced by Olli Määttä, who stood his trial at the afterclub of Tuska (it was the second time Dauntless played there). The seventh demo "Obey - Erase - Obey" was released, and the band once again returned to their persistent quest for a decent record deal.
Finally finnish label Firebox Records signed Dauntless, and sent them to the studio in late 2006 to record their debut album Execute the Fact. The album compiled some of their most wanted songs from the demo times with a few unheard ones, surpassing everything Dauntless had made so far. Execute the Fact was released in 2007.
After the release of Execute the Fact Dauntless spent a year sparsely on the road, already building up plans for their next full-length album. In 2008, however, they mutually cancelled their agreement with Firebox Records and started looking for another label. This time it wasn't so hard. Newly founded Full Metal Records, also from Finland, took interest in the band and signed Dauntless.
During the process of recording Death Row Poet , the long-time drummer Santeri Salmi left his seat to pursue his other interests; meaning that he will most probably be involved on the next Dauntless album as an engineer. His replacement, Arto Vesander, was immediately found from among close friends.
Their second album, Death Row Poet, was released 25.2.2009.
Demos released:
Face the Fact (1995)
Prophecy... (1996)
Cold I Am (1998)
Inhumankind (1999)
Modern Ways of Discipline (2002)
Ruins MMIV (2004)
Obey - Erase - Obey (2005)
Current members:
Riku Katainen, lead guitar (1998-current)
Sami Helle, guitar (1991-current)
Olli Määttä, bass (2005-current)
Arto Vesander , drums (2008-current)
Former members:
Ari Nieminen, vocals (2002-2009)
Tuomo Tukkimäki,bass (1991-2005)
Santeri Salmi, drums (1991-2008)
Flow of Fortune
Dauntless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It has to be well-oiled
Obstacles keep on coming
But you'll never see it fall
Pure solid gold
They offer for your soul
Sign here, let's make a deal?
Accept - Adjust - Obey
Earn your life constrained
Denied to think at all
It just slows down your work rate
You think their deals are fair
They only grow their market share
Their goal is to collect
Every dollar they can get
What lies behind the walls
Corrupted ways of mind
They lead their troops to glory
Greed keeps them blind
The opening lyrics to Dauntless's song Flow of Fortune speak to the idea that our society and economy rely heavily on the pursuit of profit. The 'engine' that drives our world is fueled by the desire to accumulate more and more wealth. This engine is represented by various industries and corporations that are willing to do anything to increase their profits - even if it means sacrificing ethical considerations or manipulating their customers. The line, "you'll never see it fall", implies that despite all the obstacles that come their way, these powerful entities will always find a way to stay afloat.
The second part of the song's lyrics criticize the way that these corporations often manipulate individuals by offering them promises of wealth and success in exchange for their souls. The notion of 'pure solid gold' being offered for someone's soul is representative of the idea that we trade our values and morals in exchange for personal gain. The lines "accept - adjust - obey, earn your life constrained, denied to think at all, it just slows down your work rate" describe the mentality that corporations promote - that our only goal in life should be to work harder and faster, without asking questions or thinking critically about the system in which we operate. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that the pursuit of profit has led to a society that is corrupted and blinded by its own greed.
Line by Line Meaning
The engine runs on profit
This system operates by making money and generating revenue.
It has to be well-oiled
To keep this system functioning smoothly, it must be properly maintained and managed.
Obstacles keep on coming
Challenges and difficulties are a constant part of this process.
But you'll never see it fall
Despite the challenges, this system is designed to persevere and stay intact.
Pure solid gold
The reward for participating in this system is valuable and worth its weight in gold.
They offer for your soul
The reward is so enticing that it comes at a cost to your own morality and ethics.
Sign here, let's make a deal?
Are you willing to agree to the terms of this system's offer?
Accept - Adjust - Obey
To succeed in this system, one must conform and follow its rules and regulations.
Earn your life constrained
Participating in this system requires sacrificing one's freedom and individuality for financial gain.
Denied to think at all
This system values conformity over critical thinking and creativity.
It just slows down your work rate
Originality and creativity are viewed as impediments to efficiently and effectively making money.
You think their deals are fair
Participating in this system can create illusions of fairness and equality.
They only grow their market share
The true aim of this system is to expand its reach and influence over the market.
Their goal is to collect
This system is designed to acquire and amass wealth as its primary goal.
Every dollar they can get
No expense is too great, no method too unethical, to acquire more money and resources.
What lies behind the walls
The true workings and intentions of this system are hidden behind a facade of legitimacy.
Corrupted ways of mind
This system promotes and perpetuates unethical and immoral practices and beliefs.
They lead their troops to glory
The leaders of this system are motivated by personal gain and are willing to exploit their followers to achieve it.
Greed keeps them blind
The desire for wealth and power has blinded the creators of this system to the harm they are causing to others.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.