Biography
1997
Iisalmi based guitarists Heikki Matero and Esa-Mikko Lappalainen start jamming together. Heikki is strongly influenced by Metallica and Kirk Hammet whereas Esa-Mikko has played more hard rock oriented music like Guns ’n Roses and Slash’s Snakepit. Their different approaches start to sound very unique together from the very beginning and they start expanding each others musical horizons from the day one. Soon they hook up with drummer Otto Aminoff and foundation of a new band is settled. Esmi’s brother J-P is brought on bass duties and line-up is later completed with vocalist Juha Härkin.
This line up plays it’s first years only cover songs from such bands as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns ‘n Roses, Ac/Dc, The Offspring, Pantera and Hurriganes (!).
Band starts to call theirselves Farewell.
1999
When new millenium approaches Farewell begins thinking of writing music of their own. A first Farewell song is written, but at the same time band decides to separate ways with vocalist Härkin. New singer Markus Makkonen is brought in. The song number one gets a title “Path Of Thorns”. At the same year band writes two more songs still, titled “Road Under Feet” and “Hermit Song”. All of them get surprisingly enthusiastic response from local band scene and each of them will remain in Farewell live set for years to come.
2000
Inspired by the positive feedback of their songs Farewell-camp feels that a demo tape is needed. A new song called “Until The Bitter End” is written and in may band begins demo recordings in their rehearsal space. Demo tape is recorded “live” to maintain the atmosphere of a live situation. “Community of the Wicked” is completed within a weekend. After the demo tape is done, Farewell begins to play increasingly live and a reputation as a band of energetic live performers is earned in local band scene.
2002
After some new songs added in their roster Farewell decides to record their first full album. “Cure For Sympathy”, “Sold”, “Cold Autumn Ride” and “Son Of Mourning Star” are recorded alongside new versions of “Communitys” songs. Album is recorded and mixed in four weekends and is finally titled “Cold Autumn Ride”. During the recording process Otto announces that he’ll be leaving Farewell after the album is done. Farewell plays last show with him in august at the album’s release show.
New drummer is desperately needed. After some consideration former band mate of Markus and Fall Of Man drummer, Toni Balk, gets the post.
2003
Year 2003 is spent rehearsing with Toni and writing new material. New Farewell plays a bunch of gigs and is obvious to everyone that Toni fits in perfectly. Three songs “On One Card, “Deeper Down” and “Grey Days Gone By” are written.
2004
Farewell records a promotional single called “On One Card” consisting of the new songs done in previous year. At the same time three new songs “Down With The Damned, “From Alpha to Omega” and “Here Comes The Fear” are completed. New Farewell is beginning to sound more and more heavy. New songs are recorded later in the same year for a new promotional single, titled “Down With The Damned”. Both singles were recorded within a weekend with british producer Richard Stockdale.
New energy of Farwell is noticed and they finally get to play abroad. A three-date Irish tour in november is organised with local metalheads Madra. Farewell and Madra play in Derry, Dublin and Belfast and the Derry show is totally packed. The Irish tour turns out to be an awesome experience, both bands enjoy their selves and aftershow parties will be remembered as notorius.
2005
To return the favour, Farewell tours with Madra again, this time in Finland. Three dates in Kuopio, Iisalmi and Kajaani are played. When the tour, titled as “Old Painless”, is completed it’s time to start looking forward in Farewell’s career. Two tours with Irish trash maestros inspires Farewell to explore even further in the world of heavy riffing. Three new songs “All Is Lost”, “One Day” and “Ever-Misery” are written. Each of them expanding Farewell’s sound to new extent. It’s time to record again!
2006
In february band starts to work with their forthcoming album which will include songs from two singles, all re-recorded and those three new ones. Album is mixed, produced, engineered, edited and mastered by Toni and Markus. Album artwork is provided once again by mr. Sami Kaarakainen, who has worked with Farewell since “Community..”. New album is titled as “Do You Think You Know Me”. Title represents the tremendeous change of recent years in Farewells sound. “D.Y.T.Y.K.M.” will surprise many of groups old fans with it’s heavier approach.
2007
With new album in their sleeves Farewell will start their tenth year in music by returning to live scene after a year spent in studio. Also band is positive that new songs will be written very soon and that the war will go on…Forever, bitches!
2008
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Farewell will open a brand new chapter in their career in 2008. After ten years spent composing, decomposing, gigging, recording and spreading Uncontrolled Farewell Reaction (c.), Farewell is hoping to drop some jaws in this year. Our new songs have definitely taken a big step since "Do you think you know me" and we're set to explode this year! Core meltdown is indeed in sight! There will be more thrash, more screaming, faster songs, bigger wall of sound, more melody, more powerful choruses and riffs. in Farewell camp we've at least surprised ourselves with our new found confidence! Come and check us out in 2008...if you dare.
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