Waltari is a musical group in the Finnish music scene. It is often praised by musicians and shunned by major public. Waltari is known for its diversity and combination of such music styles as punk, pop, heavy metal, rock, techno, funk, progressive rock and rap. However, singer/bassist and band co-founder Kärtsy Hatakka's extremely personal voice differentiates the band from similar Finnish acts, The Rasmus and Nightwish. Most of the band's music is written by Hatakka. Waltari's lyrics often deal with personal feelings of anxiety, loneliness and the cruelty of the world, often with heavy irony and sarcasm.
Two years later they had finished their first album, "Monk Punk" (1991). This album was almost pure punk, but also possessed one rap song: "Rap Your Body Beat". In 1990, Sale left the band and Janne Parviainen replaced him.
Their next album "Torcha!" (1992) saw completely new Waltari. Marked by a larger diversity of styles, it most notably contained the hits "Lights On" and "Fool's Gold" as well as a cover song of Madonna's "Vogue",
Their third album, "So Fine!" (1994) cemeted Waltari's cult status. Containing techno mixed with joik to classic rock-ballad and back to fast-phased funky heavy metal, this album revealed the true nature of the band. In 1995 Roope Latvala (current second guitarist of Children of Bodom ) joined the band, replacing Sami Yli-Sirniö.
The album "Big Bang" (1995) was their biggest success. The album concentrated on mixing techno with heavy metal.
Recent Waltari albums:
"Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C" (1996)
"Space Avenue" (1997)
"Decade" (1998)
"Radium Round" (1999)
"Channel Nordica" (2000)
"Back To Persepolis" (2001)
"Rare Species" (2004)
Official Waltari Website
Planet Waltari - Fan page about Waltari
History
Waltari was formed in 1986 in Helsinki, Finland, by Kärtsy Hatakka (vocals and bass), Jariot Lehtinen (guitars) and Sale (drums). Sami Yli-Sirniö joined as second guitarist in 1989, a year after the release of their first EP, "Mut Hei".Two years later they had finished their first album, "Monk Punk" (1991). This album was almost pure punk, but also possessed one rap song: "Rap Your Body Beat". In 1990, Sale left the band and Janne Parviainen replaced him.
Their next album "Torcha!" (1992) saw completely new Waltari. Marked by a larger diversity of styles, it most notably contained the hits "Lights On" and "Fool's Gold" as well as a cover song of Madonna's "Vogue",
Their third album, "So Fine!" (1994) cemeted Waltari's cult status. Containing techno mixed with joik to classic rock-ballad and back to fast-phased funky heavy metal, this album revealed the true nature of the band. In 1995 Roope Latvala (current second guitarist of Children of Bodom ) joined the band, replacing Sami Yli-Sirniö.
The album "Big Bang" (1995) was their biggest success. The album concentrated on mixing techno with heavy metal.
Recent Waltari albums: