Poisonblack

Poisonblack is a Finnish metal band from Oulu, formed in 2000 by former Sentenced frontman Ville Laihiala as a side project, initially so he can concentrate on guitar. The group is active from 2000 to 2015 and is associated with alternative metal, gothic metal, hard rock and heavy metal.

Formation and early lineup

The first Poisonblack album, Escapextacy, appears in 2003. On that recording, Charon singer Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto performs lead vocals. At that stage Laihiala resumes work with Sentenced after the album’s release. The band’s line-up also includes bassist Antti Remes, drummer Tarmo Kanerva and keyboardist Marco Sneck alongside Laihiala.

Later work

After Sentenced breaks up in 2005, Laihiala revives Poisonblack and takes over lead vocals himself. The next album, Lust Stained Despair, arrives in 2006 and reaches number two on the Finnish albums chart. Poisonblack then releases A Dead Heavy Day in 2008, Of Rust and Bones in 2010, Drive in 2011 and Lyijy in 2013. These later releases present a heavier, more rock-oriented and less melancholic sound than the debut.