LUNAR PATH Parts Ways With Bassist

Finnish melodic gothic metal/rock band LUNAR PATH have parted ways with bassist Jesse Mäläskä.

Commented the group: "We are sad to inform that our bass player, Jesse Mäläskä, has decided to leave the band. The decision was fully understood by both parts and there was absolutely no drama involved. Jesse grew apart from the band musically. This, in turn, led to the situation that the smartest choice would be to part as friends. So, after two years of awesome bass duty, we thank him and wish him all the best in his future career!"

LUNAR PATH's debut album, "Memento Mori", was released in February via Inverse Records.

According to a press release, "Memento Mori" is "a concept album about a downward spiral in depression and death, set out to stretch the boundaries of traditional melodic/gothic metal with its dark and brooding atmosphere. This nightmarish journey through hell and back was inspired by arson, mishaps, bad luck as well as the lineup changes the band endured during these past years. These events shaped the band and transformed the album into a dynamic ensemble with warm and cold flashes of traditional metal and darkly progressive stunts, promising to raise eyebrows and make hearts race."

"Memento Mori" features guest appearances by such acclaimed musicians and vocalists such as Attila Csihar (MAYHEM, ABORYM),Tuomas Saukkonen (BEFORE THE DAWN, BLACK SUN AEON),Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto (CHARON, NORTHERN KINGS, HARMAJA) and Antti Leskinen (FATAL SOUND PROJECT, CHAINED, MURENA).

Formed in late 2006, LUNAR PATH released a few demos and EPs before starting to work on "Memento Mori". The band became victims of arson in early 2010 when a deranged person intentionally set fire to the ground floor of their practice flat while the band was playing, trapping them upstairs. During the attempt to reach safety, guitarist and album producer Jonas Eriksson sustained severe damage to his foot, but luckily nobody else was hurt in the fire. The band didn't spend their time crying over spilled milk as a few months later the band toured Scandinavia supporting DEATHSTARS and ex-IRON MAIDEN vocalist Paul Di'Anno; with Eriksson playing the entire tour sitting down with his broken leg in a cast.

LUNAR PATH lead vocalist Janica Lönn has been working with BLACK SUN AEON lately, most notably singing on their highly acclaimed "Blacklight Deliverance" album.