Photo by Pete Voutilainen
OCTOPLOID — the solo band of Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine (bass, keyboards, backing vocals; Amorphis, Barren Earth, Mannhai) — has launched their final single, “The Hallowed Flame,” leading towards the highly anticipated release of their debut album Beyond The Aeons. Already praised by music critics across the globe, Beyond The Aeons is due out on July 5th via Reigning Phoenix Music [RPM].
Accompanied by a striking music video directed by Pete Voutilainen, “The Hallowed Flame” features Oppu’s former Barren Earth bandmate and Swallow The Sun vocalist Mikko Kotamäki. OCTOPLOID once again takes listeners on a musical journey, heightened by Kotamäki’s wide vocal spectrum and garnished with dreamy lead melodies.
Comments Oppu of the track, “It’s a doomy tune sung by Mikko Kotamäki which deals with love, longing, and hope. The crushing theme meets a tender verse, creating a vulnerable balance before the heavy interlude hits. This ballad draws its influences entirely from the ‘90s, boosting the nostalgic vibe of the entire performance.”
Watch OCTOPLOID’s “The Hallowed Flame” video HERE. Stream/purchase the track HERE.
Watch OCTOPLOID’s previously released video for “The Dawns In Nothingness [feat. Mikko Kotamäki]” HERE and “Human Amoral [feat. Tomi Joutsen]” HERE.
Beyond The Aeons was crafted at E-Studio in Sipoo, Finland, where Petri Majuri (Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe) took care of mixing the eight tracks and David Castillo (Katatonia, Leprous, Opeth) mastered the album. Orion Landau (Carcass, YOB, Russian Circles) completed the magnificent package with dreamy artwork.
Preorder Beyond The Aeons in the physical format of your choice (digipak CD, eco-friendly/recycled “Dusk Of Vex” Marbled vinyl), presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “The Hallowed Flame [feat. Mikko Kotamäki],” “The Dawns In Nothingness [feat. Mikko Kotamäki]” and “Human Amoral [feat. Tomi Joutsen]” instantly now at octoploid.rpm.link/beyondtheaeonsPR.
OCTOPLOID Live:
8/02/2024 On the Rocks – Helsinki, FI [Tickets]
OCTOPLOID formed in 2022. Combining elements from ‘90s death/black metal, ‘70s prog rock, and ‘90s psychedelic rock, their music has its own place on the map. In one phrase, OCTOPLOID‘s sound has been described as “classic death prog.”
Built around Laine, the core band includes four additional musicians: Well-seasoned and diverse drummer Mikko Pietinen brings experience from stoner rock (MannhaI) and Finnish mainstream pop rock (Kasmir), while lead/rhythm guitarist Peter Salonen (The Kinky Thing; a band performing Finnish psych rock legends Kingston Wall covers) is new face in the scene. The five-piece is completed by keyboardist Kim Rantala (Giant Robot, ex-Amorphis) and vocalist Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun; live).
Subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube HERE and listen to “The Hallowed Flame [feat. Mikko Kotamäki],” as well as other new tracks in the RPM New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
OCTOPLOID:
Mikko Kotamäki – vocals (live)
Peter Salonen – guitars
Kim Rantala – keyboards
Olli-Pekka Laine – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Mikko Pietinen – drums, percussion
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