Finnish quintet MALPRACTICE has inked a deal with New Jersey-based Sensory Records.
Formed in 1994 in Kouvola, Finland by guitarist Joonas Koto, MALPRACTICE started out as a thrash act. Following the release of a debut MCD, Memorial, in 1996, the band cast aside its most aggressive influences and opted to explore a more progressive direction, which was apparent on their second MCD, Frozen, released later the same year. Without a deal in place, MALPRACTICE entered the studio in March 1998 to record its first full-length album, Of Shape And Balance, released via Mastervox Records in September of that year.
Following a brief hiatus and reactivation in 2004, MALPRACTICE signed with Spinefarm. This also began the band’s cooperation and friendship with producer/engineer Anssi Kippo at Astia Studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, SINERGY, NORTHER), with the recording of their second full-length, Deviation From The Flow, and into the 2008 release of their third album, Triangular, which not only expanded their forward-thinking style, also reinvigorated some of their early thrash elements. In 2010 the band recorded a demo, which eventually became their fourth album, Turning Tides. As their contract with Spinefarm expired, the band sought new pastures, and given the more melodic and progressive nature of their style, found solace in Laser’s Edge offshoot Sensory Records, which is now preparing Turning Tides for proper worldwide release this summer.
Turning Tides represents MALPRACTICE at their absolute best, combing intricate progressive metal with catchy melodies topped with excellent musicianship and brilliant vocal harmonies, and a must-hear for fans of QUEENSRŸCHE, FATES WARNING, DREAM THEATER and MEGADETH.
MALPRACTICE is:
Joonas Koto – Guitar
Toni Paananen – Drums
Aleksi Parviainen – Vocals
Markus Vanhala – Guitar
Jonas Mäki – Bass