Katra (band)
Encyclopedia
Member bios
Solopuro has been studying piano, since the age of 6. At 14 she switched to voice lessons. Today she studies singing and theatre music in Tampere University of Applied Sciences. She also has a background in dance and gymnastics. In her former bands, LovexLovex
Lovex is a rock band from Tampere, Finland.- History :Lovex started in 2001–2002, when several members and one former member, who had previously played in other bands, decided to start their own band to play rock music and have fun. As of 2004 they have written and recorded a number of songs, and...
and Essentia, she played keyboard and sang background vocals. In Coverstone (Finland) she is a vocalist. Other current members of Katra include Guitarist Kristian Kangasniemi (Sonicmind), bassist Johannes Tolonen (When the Empire Falls, Alcoholica), drummer Matti Auerkallio (Avenie, Soulfallen, Duality, Animal House, Mistreaters and Four Hoarsemen), and guitarist Teemu Mätäsjärvi (Alcoholica).
Sahara single (2006) and Katra (2007)
Solopuro released a single "Sahara" in September 2006. Then she formed the band Katra and published the self-titled album Katra through Edel Records in Spring 2007. The "Sahara" single received lots of radio play and while on tour, the band started writing new material. Katra also released a single that included the songs "Tietäjä" and "Vaaratar".Napalm Records signing and Beast Within (2008)
In November 2007 it was announced that Napalm RecordsNapalm Records
Napalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock.Originally, Napalm Records focused mainly on black metal acts such as Abigor and Summoning and folk metal bands such as Falkenbach and Vintersorg....
signed Katra and asked for an international version of their 2007 album Katra. The band recorded the 2007 album Katra in English, along with two new songs and named the English language release Beast Within. The album was produced by Risto Asikainen (Stratovarious) at Jean Records Studio. Beast Within was published in late August/early September 2008. The band played a couple of gigs in Germany, including Summer Breeze Open Air
Summer Breeze Open Air
Summer Breeze Open Air is a heavy metal music festival in Germany. It takes place annually in Dinkelsbühl, Bavaria. It was first held in 1997. The festival had been held in Abtsgmünd until 2006 when it was moved to its new location of Dinkelsbühl. The festival draws around 40,000 attendees annually...
2009 and received a good response. Katra also released a video for the title track "Beast Within". On June 19, 2010 Katra opened for Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy
Theatre of Tragedy was a Norwegian band from Stavanger, active between 1993 and 2010. They are best known for their earlier albums, which provided a great deal of influence to the gothic metal genre.-Biography:...
at Circo Volador in Mexico, a career highlight for all of the members.
Out of the Ashes (2010)
Out of the Ashes was released in October 2010 internationally through Napalm Records and in Finland through Bullhead Music. Although it is their third album, Katra considers it their first creation as a band. A video was released for the song "One Wish Away" that features an appearance by Flamma, the biggest and most versatile fire performance group in Finland. The German Orkus magazine reviewed it as darker, more melancholic and more determined than the previous album.Press and honors
Katra have been featured in Germany's Orkus magazine, where they won "Best International Newcomer" in the 2009 fan poll, and China's X music magazine. Katra have also been nominated in the "Best Atmospheric/Symphonic Metal" category for the album Beast Within on the Estonian webzine Metal Storm.Line-up
Current members:- 2006: Katra Solopuro - vocals
- 2006: Kristian Kangasniemi - guitar
- 2006: Johannes Tolonen - bass
- 2009: Teemu Mätäsjärvi - guitar
- 2009: Matti Auerkallio - drums
Former musicians:
- 2006: Jani Wilund - keyboards
- 2006: Tom "Tomma" Gardiner - guitar
- 2006-2009: Jaakko Järvensivu - drums
Tour musicians:
- 2008: Teemu Mätäsjärvi – guitar
Studio albums
- 2007: Katra (Edel)
- 2008: Beast Within (NapalmNapalm RecordsNapalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal and hard rock.Originally, Napalm Records focused mainly on black metal acts such as Abigor and Summoning and folk metal bands such as Falkenbach and Vintersorg....
) - 2010: Out of the Ashes (Napalm)