Release date: 2007; Label: Andur Industrial
By: Elvira Visser
Finland is definitely a country that brings forth many and many band in all
styles. Afterword is another band that comes from Helsinki and after years of
jamming and having fun they are now taking things serious.
�
Back in 1999 it all started with an instrumental guitar project from Ilkka Haavisto and Samuel Marna.
In that year Jaakko Katila joined to accompany the guitars with some drums.
The band played some memorable gigs. In 2002 things changed due to the fact
that band members were abroad, but acoustic gigs were still played by those
who were left behind. The band developed a different approach on stage and decided
to give the band a different name and changed it into “Afterword”.
In 2003 Jussi Kurki, bass player, became a full member of the band. Since then
the band is serious and this year they produced their EP “Not Aware”
When listening to their music you can hear what bands influences influence
them, bands such as Stereophonics and Pearl Jam. They create nice rock songs
with nice guitar riffs. The influences from the brothers Gallagher are also
recognisable and gives Afterword’s music a britpop, and an alternative rock
feeling.
The EP starts with “Not Aware” but you can hear that they are aware
of what they are playing. Some good rock-ish intro and introduction to Ilkka’s
voice, which derives perfectly for this kind of music. A nice drum rhythm starts
the second song and the melody of the vocals sounds a bit the same as the first
song. “Away from Familiar” is then completely different, a total different
approach. This song starts a bit sad with clearly some Finnish melancholy but
the chorus sounds much happier. Ilkka is using his voice with more variation,
putting more emotion to the song. A very nice bass-line greets you at “Orange
Ghosts” their final track. To me this song represents Afterword best. It
lets you hear some nice rock-ish guitars, tempo drums, nice bass-line and Ilkka
singing a bit rougher throughout the song. A good way to introduce people to
the band.
Afterword is:
Ilkka Haavisto – vocals, guitar�
Samuel Marna – guitar, keyboard�
Jaakko Katila – drums�
Jussi Kurki – bass
| 1 Not Aware 2 Blind Eye 3 Away from Fimiliar
4 Fence 5 Orange Ghost |