Finnish old school death metal band Messiah Paratroops, founded in 1989, have finally released their long-awaited debut album ‘Legions of Tomorrow’ on April 4th 2025 via Inverse Records. The album leaves no room for weakness. It features 9 tracks where rapid blast beats, brutal guitar riffs, and furious vocals combine to drag the listener into a raw Death Metal experience.
LISTEN to Legions of Tomorrow on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/messiah-paratroops-album
‘Out of Reality’ music video available here: https://youtu.be/L69lNB5tBp4
Track list:
- Out of Reality
- Rats in the Walls
- Messiah Paratroops
- Morbid Prayer
- Repulsion
- Bloodlust
- Legions of Tomorrow
- Murders of the Lake
- Painful Sleep
- Mixed and mastered by Jari “Tupi” Tuomainen
- Cover art by Niko Anttila
The first shots of Messiah Paratroops were fired in 1989. Aku and Niku joined the already existing band Necrophiliac. However, we found out that there was a band with the same name in Brazil, so a name change was necessary. The official launch of Messiah Paratroops was carried out by Aku Oksala (vocals), Niku Oksala (bass), Pekka Laasanen
(drums), Janne Roima (guitar), and Mikko Vainikainen (guitar). At the time, our music was mostly thrash metal. In 1990, Mikko was replaced by Sami Jämsen on guitar, and in the same year, the first official demo Extreme Pain was released.Before this, we had recorded Rheumatoid (1989), Children of the Corn (1990), and the song Other Side in Studio Sound.
Our first official gig was at Nuorisokeskus 44 in Kuopio in 1990, and after that, more gigs started coming in. One particularly memorable gig was in Sulkava, where we played with Nuxvomica, Astenia, and Alennusmyynti. The gig was unforgettable in many ways, even so that one of our guitarists wasn’t allowed to play because of intoxication. Nevertheless, we managed to finish the show successfully.
The Extreme Pain demo sold well. With more experience gained from gigs and rehearsing in the trenches, we recorded the Lost Soul Domain demo in 1991. It sold out quickly and was well received worldwide. This led to the release of The Past EP through Seraphic Decay Records. Some copies of this rare release can still be found in various parts of the world.
Soon after, Pekka Laasanen left the band after a gig at Desperado Bar, and was replaced by Ilari Jäntti (Barathrum) on drums. In 1992, with this new lineup, we recorded The Other Gods demo. We also performed at Neulamäki Rock and the recycling center alongside Impaled Nazarene, Barathrum, and Mystification. After a few years of performing and creating new material, we recorded the Jesus Christ Cyberseed demo in 1994. This demo deviated slightly from our traditional death metal style, with lyrics focusing more on technology and sci-fi themes. After this, our war machines
went silent for nearly two decades…
In 2014, it was time to bring out the war arsenal again and start re-recording our old songs with the following lineup:
• Sami Jämsen (guitar)
• Janne Roima (guitar)
• Tuomo Latvala (drums)
• Niku Oksala (bass)
• Aku Oksala (vocals)
We recorded The Breeding, Cyberseed, Lost Soul Domain, and To Be Left High and Dry, but these re-recorded versions were never released. This lineup performed two gigs: the first at Old Farts Rock in Henry’s Pub, Kuopio (2014) and the second at Finnish Death Metal Maniacs Festival in Pori (2017).
War takes its toll, and in 2017, the lineup changed once again. Sami, Janne, and Tuomo left the group, and we brought in:
• Ville Vesterinen (guitar)
• Antti Sinikangas (guitar)
• Peachy (drums)
With Ville’s creative input, three new songs were written:
• Evil Lives Among Us
• Madness Incarnate
• Murders of the Lake
Demo versions of these songs were recorded. This lineup managed to play a few gigs before more changes occurred. Ville left the group, and Jani Vartiainen took over on guitar. More new songs started emerging with the debut album in mind. We even managed to get to the studio to record, but the momentum began to fade…
Once again, it was time to open the tent flap and bring in new soldiers.
• Pete Airaksinen joined on guitar.
• Vilho Kananen joined on drums.
• Jari Bäck took over as the main bassist alongside Niku Oksala.
With this lineup, new songs were written, and after years of effort, the recording of our debut album was finally completed at the end of 2023.
Our debut album “Legions of Tomorrow” is released on April 4th 2025 via Inverse Records.
Line-up:
Vocals – Aku Oksala
Guitars – Pete Airaksinen
Guitars – Jani Vartiainen
Drums – Vilho Kananen
Bass – Jari Bäck
https://www.messiah-paratroops.com
https://www.facebook.com/messiahparatroops
https://www.instagram.com/messiahparatroopsofficial
https://messiahparatroops.bandcamp.com
Click image to watch the video
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