Skepticism (band)

Skepticism is a Finnish funeral doom metal band. Formed in 1991, they are regarded as one of the pioneers of the genre.^{[citation needed]}

Skepticism
Skepticism performing in Germany, 2015
Background information
Origin	Riihimäki, Finland
Genres	Funeral doom metal
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Red Stream
Members	Matti Tilaeus Jani Kekarainen Pasi Pöyry Lasse Pelkonen
Past members	J. Korpihete
Website	skepticism.fi

History

Starting out with a death metal sound on their first 7", Skepticism soon began to evolve into a more distinctive style, a combination of slow doom metal and death metal with prolific use of keyboards, especially using an organ sound. The keyboards intend to create a depressive sound, rather than the gothic sound that many metal bands using keyboards tend to focus on. This style was first heard on the Aeothe Kaear demo (1994), which was still up-tempo compared to the material that was to follow. The debut album Stormcrowfleet (1995) pushed the band's style away from traditional doom metal.^[1][2]

After this, the band released its first 'pair', an EP and album which are thematically connected: Ethere (1997) and Lead and Aether (1998). In 1999, Aes was released, a one-track EP lasting almost 28 minutes, and another departure into different stylistic territory from the band. A variety of musical themes are explored before the song turns back upon itself and returns to the opening theme.

The band's latest releases were contained in the second 'pair', The Process of Farmakon (2002) and Farmakon (2003). These releases involve another slight departure from earlier releases, by introducing more elements of dissonance and experimentation. Their 2008 release is called Alloy. In 2015, Skepticism released Ordeal, which was recorded live in front of an audience.^[3]

In 2021, the band released their sixth album, Companion,^[4] and a music video for the song "Calla".

Band members

• Matti Tilaeus - vocals (1991-)
• Jani Kekarainen - guitar (1991-)
• Eero Pöyry - keyboards (1991-)
• Lasse Pelkonen - drums (1991-)

Live musicians

• Timo Sitomaniemi – guitars (2015-)

Former members

• Tobias Kellgren - vocals (1991-1993)

Discography

Studio albums

• Stormcrowfleet (1995, Red Stream)
• Lead and Aether (1997, Red Stream)
• Farmakon (2003, Red Stream)
• Alloy (2008, Red Stream)
• Ordeal (2015, Svart Records)
• Companion (2021, Svart Records)

Demos, singles and EPs

• "Towards My End" (7" Single, 1992)
• Aeothe Kaear (Demo, 1994)
• Ethere (EP, 1997, Red Stream)
• Aes (EP, 1998, Red Stream)
• The Process of Farmakon (EP, 2002, Red Stream)