Sentenced started in 1989 as Deformity and changed their name to Sentenced in 1989, after a few line-up changes. The original line-up consisted of Miika Tenkula (lead guitar and vocals), Sami Lopakka (guitar), Vesa Ranta (drums), and Lari Kylmänen (bass). They recorded two demo tapes: When Death Joins Us... in 1990 and Rotting Ways to Misery in 1991. The band actually got their very first record deal (with the French label Thrash Records) after their first demo. In 1991, bassist Taneli Jarva joined the band, replacing Kylmänen just as the band was about to record their debut album, Shadows of the Past. At that time, their musical style was fast, typical European death metal. In Spring 1992, they recorded a three-song promotional tape, Journey to Pohjola, and as a result got a deal with the Finnish Spinefarm Records. By the year of 1992 had done over 50 live shows and sold all 1500 copies of their debut album Shadows of the Past, their earlier 2 demos and a lot of merchandise.
The second album, North from Here, was released in the spring of 1993, and later that year The Trooper EP. Jarva had assumed lead vocal duties using a different style than Tenkula's. It was North From Here that earned the band the attention of German record label Century Media Records, and in 1994 Sentenced left Spinefarm in order to head toward a wider market with a new multi-album contract under Century Media. In 1995, Sentenced released their 'break through' album, Amok, which is considered by many to be their best work. Compared to earlier releases, the music had slowed down somewhat, acquiring a more melodic structure. The track "Nepenthe" was complemented with a music video and the band took to tour Europe in two full-length tours supporting Samael and Tiamat.The first Century Media release "Amok" (1994) was to be their break-through with over 35,000 copies sold worldwide.
In autumn, the band released the Love & Death CD. Music-wise, it kept a fairly similar concept as Amok, as the songs had been written around the same time. Sentenced had achieved success in doom/death markets, but Jarva left the band because of musical differences.
After Jarva's departure, Ville Laihiala (of Breed fame) joined the band in 1996, just weeks before the band was due to head to Germany to record their fourth album Down with producer Waldemar Sorychta. Once again, the music became more melodic with a significant NWOBHM influence. During this time, bassist Sami Kukkohovi also joined the band, but only as a session member on gigs. Later, in spring 1997 he was granted a permanent slot in the line-up. The "Down" album gained great reviews in music-magazines all over the world, and was named Album of the month in German magazines such as Rock Hard and Metal Hammer. 1996 and the following year, saw Sentenced on a worldwide success crusade. Sentenced's fifth full-length album, Frozen, was also recorded at the Woodhouse Studios, and released in 1998, its style is similar to Down. Laihiala and Kukkohovi had become initiated into the band, so they participated in the composition process, resulting in the next album: Frozen. In 1999, a special edition of Frozen was released, containing a re-colored (gold) cover and rearranged track running order, with four cover songs included.
The next Sentenced album to be released was Crimson in 2000. The single "Killing Me, Killing You" demonstrated the band's turn away from melodic death metal. The album was followed by an extensive tour. That was the first time the band visited USA. The album peaked in 1st place on the Finnish album chart. Two years after the release of The Cold White Light, the band was seen in a slightly different light, the lyrics displaying some self-irony and even a rare positive edge. They released the single "No One There" which peaked The Finnish Charts at Number 1 following that with an extensive USA tour alongside Killswitch Engage, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. The album peaked 45th place in the German album chart. The single "No One There" was on the 1st place as well in the Finnish single chart. The band went on a European Tour with Lacuna coil.
After The Cold White Light, they released a CD single in 2003 along with songs by other bands on a four track compilation single that was dedicated to Oulun Kärpät, the ice hockey team of the band's hometown, Routasydän (translates to "Heart of Permafrost") remains the only song Sentenced sang in Finnish, and cannot be found elsewhere. The song caused something of a stir in Finland, as several politicians reviewed the lyrics and purported them to contain Nazi overtones, which the band has steadfastly refuted.
In early 2005 the band announced that their following release, The Funeral Album, would be their last. They performed farewell gigs during the spring and summer and ended with a final show on 1 October 2005 in their hometown Oulu. The concert film Buried Alive, directed by Mika Ronkainen, filmed at the funeral gig, was premiered at Oulu Music Video Festival on 9 September 2006. In 2005 The Funeral Album was awarded gold status in Finland for sales in excess of 15,000 copies, footage of the event is filmed in the Buried Alive DVD! The CD topped the Finnish album chart upon its release in May 2005 and made it to position No. 49 on the German Media Control chart. "Ever-Frost" single went straight to 1st position on Official Finnish Single Chart staying there for 6 straight weeks.
Sentenced have been awarded Platinum in the band's native Finland for their posthumous live DVD Buried Alive. The trophy was handed out to the band's former members at the Century Media 20th anniversary party at the Tavastia club in Helsinki on 14 August 2008, where Poisonblack and labelmates Norther and Kivimetsän Druidi played exclusive gigs to properly celebrate this special event.
All hope for the band to return was gone when guitarist and founding member Miika Tenkula died on 19 February 2009. On 26 June 2009 it was announced by his family that Miika died from a heart attack caused by a genetic heart condition that he had for many years previous to the break-up. He is buried in the Kirkkosaari cemetery in his hometown Muhos.
On 13 November 2009 Sentenced released a box set of 16 CDs and 2 DVDs chronicling their entire career in a coffin-shaped box. The box-set also included rare and previously unreleased tracks.
On 12 December 2014 a book written by Matti Riekki, a Finnish rock journalist, about the band's history was released. It is named "Täältä Pohjoiseen - Sentencedin Tarina" and so far available in Finnish only. The title translates to "North from Here – The Story of Sentenced."
Vesa Ranta released a photo book Agony Walk – On the Road with Sentenced in September 2019. Sami Lopakka released his first novel Marras in January 2014. The novel is about fictional Oulu-based metal band's European tour and have clear influences from his experience of touring with Sentenced.
EVER
Sentenced Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True or false, they seem the same.
Filthy fingers, rise in rows
And out of shit a flower grows.
I'm amazed,
How damn low people can go only by being themselves.
Will always know we never lost.
Flame rose high. Not enough to melt the ice.
Tiny minds and virtuous whores,
A bunch of morons with a cause.
Jesus saves? We will piss upon your graves!
Three wise men came to the north,
On their donkeys they rode forth.
Whining I'd committed sins,
Moaning I'm too everything.
Still amazed,
How a whole trio of men can only have two brain cells.
Those with hearts of ever-frost,
Will always know we never lost.
Acid rain: Urine on your flames.
The lyrics of Sentenced's song "Ever" are a commentary on human nature and society, focusing on the tendency of people to point fingers and place blame on others, without regard for the truth. The idea of accusations and blame being indistinguishable from one another is emphasized in the line "True or false, they seem the same." The metaphor of a flower growing out of shit suggests that something positive can come from the worst situations, and that there is always hope for growth and improvement.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of resilience and the ability to withstand adversity. The phrase "hearts of ever-frost" suggests coldness and hardness, but also implies that these hearts will never thaw or break. The line "Flame rose high. Not enough to melt the ice" reinforces this image of stoicism and persevering through difficult times.
The second verse introduces the idea of religious zealotry and hypocrisy, with the phrase "virtuous whores" implying that those who claim righteousness may not be as pure as they seem. The line "Jesus saves? We will piss upon your graves!" is a direct challenge to the idea of salvation and the notion that one can be saved by a higher power. The final verse relates a story of three wise men who come to the north, but rather than offering guidance or wisdom, they criticize and condemn. The line "Moaning I'm too everything" suggests that no matter what someone does or who they are, there will always be those who find fault.
Overall, the lyrics of "Ever" are a condemnation of human nature and societal norms, but also offer a glimmer of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
The accusations and the blame,
Regardless of whether accusations against me are true or false, they always have the same harmful effect.
True or false, they seem the same.
Accusations against me always seem to cause harm, regardless of their veracity.
Filthy fingers, rise in rows
People are quick to point fingers and accuse, often without fully understanding the situation.
And out of shit a flower grows.
Despite the negative circumstances surrounding a situation, something positive can still arise.
I'm amazed,
I'm shocked and surprised by what I'm witnessing.
How damn low people can go only by being themselves.
People are capable of causing great harm without needing any outside influence or encouragement.
Those with hearts of ever-frost,
Individuals who are emotionally distant and cold will always remember that we have not truly lost, regardless of the situation.
Will always know we never lost.
People who do not allow themselves to get emotionally involved in situations will always be able to find positive outcomes, despite setbacks.
Flame rose high. Not enough to melt the ice.
Despite intense emotions and passion, they are not enough to change an emotionally cold person's perspective.
Tiny minds and virtuous whores,
People with narrow-minded views and hypocritical behaviors.
A bunch of morons with a cause.
People who are foolish or unintelligent but still actively pursue a particular agenda or goal.
Jesus saves? We will piss upon your graves!
Expression of a vehement anti-religious sentiment and disregard for the beliefs of others.
Three wise men came to the north,
Reference to a biblical story about travel and seeking guidance.
On their donkeys they rode forth.
Further allusion to the biblical story previously mentioned.
Whining I'd committed sins,
Bemoaning the fact that someone is flawed and imperfect.
Moaning I'm too everything.
Feeling overwhelmed or inadequate due to personal flaws and failures.
Still amazed,
Continuing to be surprised by what is being experienced.
How a whole trio of men can only have two brain cells.
A humorous insult or criticism commenting on the perceived intelligence of the individuals in the story previously mentioned.
Acid rain: Urine on your flames.
A metaphorical description of the negative effect that criticism and cruelty can have on someone's passion or motivation.
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrisday1526
2019, still here, RIP Sentenced.
@EmAllWasTaken
Still hanging on. Wondering how their brilliance was never getting the recognition it deserved and got practically forgotten by rest of the world. After all these years it's heartwarming to still find small bastions of hope holding the torch up high.
@2undo907
@@EmAllWasTaken I've found this band recently. Amazing songs, I thought it was a very popular band
@JWaltter
@@EmAllWasTaken They were brilliant, one of my alltime favourites, something I grev up with, Frozen and Grimson albums were my lullabies in my late teens :)
Still as for international success, little less beer and... Who knows....
@86Samuli
2020
@michalwisniewski5491
@@86Samuli also 2020
@Dreefire
I lived a long period of my life with Sentenced playing in Loop on my mp3...This helped me a lot for not explode and make some stupid thing. I discovered them in 2005, the year they broke up : / ! I will never see them in a Live, and they are still my Favorite Band : ( ... Rest In Peace Miika.
@leka7236
They helped me over divorce, Sonata Arctica too, not my kind of music really but those lyrics
@Megaalith
One of the only metal bands to make me tear up honestly
@apuuvah
One of the best Finnish metal bands. Easily.