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)
The Distorted Facts
Dauntless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The distorted facts of their beliefs
Cruel and mean - at every turn
Are the lies and truth they feed
One mind leads with a heart of stone
His victims will pray as they explode
They're blinded by the leaders of greed
Truth will heal - everything
Without filtering the shit is released
They believe in what they do
They convince all the fools
When the truth comes finally out
They hide behind the lies
The lyrics of Dauntless's song The Distorted Facts seem to be a commentary on the way that leaders can manipulate different realities in order to serve their interests, leading to distortions of truth that can be incredibly damaging. In the opening lines, the song suggests that the band can see through some of the claims that are being made by political or religious leaders, and that these claims are distortions of reality. People are being fed lies and cruelty, and the 'truth' that is being promoted is a distorted version of what might really be going on.
The middle section of the song seems to focus on the way that a single leader can take control of a situation, even when the views being promoted are inherently damaging. There is a sense that the leader referred to has a 'heart of stone', with no concern for the devastation his actions might cause, and that his victims are essentially helpless in the face of this power. The lyrics suggest that there are many people who cannot see through the leader's lies, and who are therefore blinded by the promises of enrichment and power.
The final section of the song seems to suggest that the truth cannot be contained forever, and that even if lies and distortions are being promoted by those in power, sooner or later the truth will come out. However, the song seems to acknowledge that there may be a gap between when the truth is revealed and when those in power are held accountable for their actions. The final lines suggest that the leaders will hide behind their lies, even as the truth is being uncovered. Overall, the song paints a picture of a world in which truth is distorted, and those in power are able to maintain their grip on power even in the face of the most damaging of accusations.
Line by Line Meaning
We can see - through the times
Despite the passing of time, we are able to perceive and comprehend the situation at hand.
The distorted facts of their beliefs
The information presented to us by those in power is manipulated and twisted to fit their own agenda.
Cruel and mean - at every turn
The actions exhibited by those in authority are consistently malevolent and spiteful.
Are the lies and truth they feed
The information disseminated by those in charge is a combination of falsehoods and reality, oftentimes designed to mislead and confuse us.
One mind leads with a heart of stone
A single individual, who is ruthless and unfeeling, holds the reins of power.
His victims will pray as they explode
The people under his rule are doomed to suffer and will only be allowed to express their anguish as they meet their inevitable end.
Most believe - it's so absurd
The majority of people are convinced that the actions of their leaders are ridiculous and nonsensical.
They're blinded by the leaders of greed
The common populace is unable to see the truth due to the manipulations of those with insatiable desires for wealth and power.
Truth will heal - everything
The only way to correct this situation is to reveal the complete and unfiltered facts to the public.
Without filtering the shit is released
Only through complete honesty and transparency can the true situation be exposed, releasing the disgusting and deteriorating reality of those in charge.
They believe in what they do
The people in power are convinced that their actions are necessary and justifiable.
They convince all the fools
Through manipulation and deceit, the leaders are able to fool and convince the general public.
When the truth comes finally out
The eventual exposure of the truth to the public is inevitable.
They hide behind the lies
To avoid responsibility for their actions, the leaders will attempt to obscure the truth with more falsehoods.
Contributed by Adrian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.