New Jersey-based Sensory Records confirms that Finnish prog-metallers MALPRACTICE has become the newest addition in the label’s roster.
Formed in 1994 in Kouvola, Finland by guitarist, Joonas Koto, MALPRACTICE started out as a thrash act. Following the release of self-financed debut MCD, Memorial, in 1996, the band cast aside their 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 recorded an album’s worth of material in March 1998, which became their 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/Universal. This also began the band’s cooperation and friendship with producer/engineer, Anssi Kippo at Astia Studio, 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 self-produced their own outstanding demo, which eventually became their fourth album, Turning Tides. As their contract with Spinefarm was 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, who 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. Final release details on Turning Tides will be released in the near future.
Turning Tides trailer, as well as making of footage, can be seen below: