1991-1997
The band was founded in 1991 by Sami Helle (vocals/guitar) under the
name Maniax, shortly thereafter joined by drummer Santeri Salmi and
bassist Tuomo Tukkimäki. The first demo "Face The Fact" was released 4
years later, and the second, called "Prophecy...", in 1996. The music
was some sort of hardcore-influenced thrash metal. In 1998, the
initial band name was changed to Dauntless, and the music begun to
seek its current shape.
1998-2001
The third demo, "Cold I Am", was released in 1998, and the band felt
their line-up needed a second guitarist. Well, a lead guitarist
anyway. The post was taken by Riku Katainen. In 1999 they recorded
another demo called "Inhumankind". They made a couple of successful
shows (including one in the national band contest) and quickly earned
their reputation as an aggressive live act. However, the Finnish army
intervened the plot and the band was forced to recharge their
batteries until early 2002.
2002-2003
In summer 2002 the band was ready to record their fifth demo, but this
time they decided to try it out with another lead vocalist. Ari
Nieminen (ex-Caledonian) impressed them at the first rehearsal and the
search promptly ended. Coming to the end of the year, the demo "Modern
Ways Of Discipline" was released and the first offers for a record
contract were received. None were accepted, however. In 2003 another
series of successful shows followed, including the afterclub of Tuska
Open Air metal festival.
2004
Summer 2004 saw the band recording, yes, their sixth demo. "Ruins
MMIV" and the video clip of the song "Ruins" gathered interest from
many directions and supposedly more unreasonable record contracts were
offered. The band was chosen as the demo band of the month in Inferno;
this is when everyone, and I mean everyone started asking why is the
band still unsigned.
2005-2006
In 2005 the original bass player Tuomo Tukkimäki left the band and was
shortly after replaced by Olli Määttä, who stood his trial at the
afterclub of Tuska (it was the second time Dauntless played there).
The seventh demo "Obey - Erase - Obey" was released, and the band once
again returned to their persistent quest for a decent record deal.
And yes, this time it finally happened. The Finnish label Firebox
Records signed Dauntless, and sent them to the studio in late 2006 to
record their debut album "Execute The Fact". The album compiled some
of their most wanted songs from the demo times with a few unheard
ones, surpassing everything Dauntless had made so far. And that kind
of an assault was simply asking to be succeeded with another.
2007-present
After the release of "Execute The Fact" Dauntless spent a year
sparsely on the road, already building up plans for their next full-
length album. In 2008, however, they mutually cancelled their
agreement with Firebox Records and started looking for another label.
This time it wasn't so hard either. Newly founded Full Metal Records,
also from Finland, took interest in the band and made them an offer
they couldn't refuse.
So, after years of hard work, ups and downs (mostly downs), Dauntless
is here to entertain us with another album that takes it from where
they were left on "Execute The Fact". "Death Row Poet" introduces a
new, matured side to their sound, grown on their deep roots in
relentless death/thrash metal.
During the process of recording "Death Row Poet", the long-time
drummer Santeri Salmi left his seat to pursue his other interests;
meaning that he will most probably be involved on the next Dauntless
album as an engineer. His replacement, Arto Vesander, was immediately
found from among close friends.
So, the release date of "Death Row Poet" is at the end of February.
Until then, hold your breath. And after?. Catch the band on the road
when they hit the nearest town.
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