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intothewellsabyss
Nov 21, 20226 min read

Sentenced - Buried Alive (2006)

FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…



On November 21, 2006 (or the 22nd, depending on the source), Sentenced released their first and only live CD/DVD Buried Alive via Century Media Records.



Background:

Before we get into Buried Alive, I believe we should go back to the bands humble beginnings. Sentenced began in 1988 as the band 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.



Their 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. Their first Century Media release Amok (1994) sold over 35,000 copies sold worldwide.



In September of 1995, the band released the Love & Death MCD. 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.



Now full-fledged members of the band, Laihiala and Kukkohovi participated in the composition process, resulting in Sentenced's fifth full-length album, Frozen. Its style being similar to that of its predecessor Down, Frozen was also recorded at the Woodhouse Studios, and was released in 1998. 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 that the band had now fully turned away from Melodic Death Metal. The album was followed by an extensive tour, with the band visiting the United States for the first time. Crimson peaked at No. 1 on the Finnish album charts.



Two years later, Sentenced released their album The Cold White Light, in which we see a slightly different side of the band, with their lyrics displaying some self-irony and even a rare positive edge. They released the single No One There which peaked at No. 1 on the Finnish Charts, with Sentenced following that with an extensive USA tour alongside Killswitch Engage, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. The album peaked at No. 45 on the German album charts. The band also went on a European Tour with Lacuna Coil.



(European Tour Poster Featuring In Flames, Killswitch Engage, Sentenced & Dark Tranquility)


In 2003, following The Cold White Light, the band released the CD single Routasydän, which was composed for 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.



Then finally, in early 2005 the band announced that their following release, The Funeral Album, would be their last. The album topped the Finnish album chart upon its release in May 2005 and made it to position No. 49 on the German Media Control chart. Their Ever-Frost single went straight to No. 1 on the official Finnish Single Chart, staying there for 6 straight weeks.



Now, let’s get into Buried Alive…


In support of their final release, Sentenced performed farewell gigs during the spring and summer of 2005 and ended with a final show on October 1, 2005 in their hometown Oulu. The concert was filmed and directed by Mika Ronkainen. Titled Buried Alive, the film of the funeral gig was premiered at Oulu Music Video Festival on September 9, 2006.



The show was then later released as a 2-DVD/2-CD set(the 2-CD and 2-DVD versions may be purchased separately as well). The DVD includes 25 songs (not counting the intro and outro) recorded live during Sentenced' last show on October 1, 2005 at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland.



The song selection features many fan favorites, such as Dead Moon Rising, Neverlasting, Nepenthe, the combined The Suicider/Excuse Me While I Kill Myself, The Way I Wanna Go, and The Rain Comes Falling Down. This live performance is almost flawless, as the band is surrounded by a stage setting of frosted trees, pyrotechnics, and a wintry atmosphere made to feel even colder with the addition of falling snowflakes. The bands final performance is nothing short of spectacular. Another splendid addition to their final performance, is that former singer Taneli Jarva takes over lead vocals for a five-song segment, which includes the tracks; The War Ain't Over!, Nepenthe, Northern Lights, The Way I Wanna Go, and Dance on the Graves (Lil' Siztah).



Disc 2 of the DVD version contains a segment called Home Soil Funeral Procession, which begins with the Sentenced carrying a casket through the city streets and across fields, and ultimately having their photographs taken in the casket. Two informative interviews with guitarist Sami Lopakka (who does most of the talking) and vocalist Ville Laihiala, and one with Jarva, who was interviewed separately are included. The remainder of Disc 2 consists of "extras" material, including the band's six videos.



Prior to the DVD’s release, the bands final studio album, The Funeral Album was awarded gold status in Finland for sales in excess of 15,000 copies. Footage of this event can also be seen on the Buried Alive DVD!



Final Thoughts:

Buried Alive is mandatory SENTENCED. I highly recommend that you check it out, especially the DVD version. And, if you’re not familiar with the band, I suggest Buried Alive as a great starting point, as you get a taste of the band on their many avenues along the way to their gloried Goth Metal finality.



Side Note:

Sentenced were awarded Platinum status 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 August 14, 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 tragically died on February 19, 2009. On June 26, 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.



Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells



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