Miika Tenkula, former lead guitarist and main
songwriter of the acclaimed Finnish band
SENTENCED, was found dead at his home earlier
today (Thursday, February 19). He was 34 years old.
Nalle Österman (GANDALF,
LULLACRY, CHAOSBREED) tells
BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "It's true, confirmed personally
by [former SENTENCED] drummer Vesa
Ranta.
"The fact remains that Miika had a serious
drinking problem for many years which escalated after
SENTENCED was buried. They don't call it King
Alcohol for nothing...
"The metal scene in Finland mourns now for one of the most talented
metal guitarists to ever emerge from [the country]."
The official cause of Miika's death has not yet
been released.
SENTENCED's posthumous DVD, "Buried
Alive", was certified platinum last year in the band's
native Finland. The disc topped the official Finnish chart upon its
release in late 2006.
The former members of SENTENCED were presented
with the platinum award for "Buried Alive" on
August 14, 2008 at Century Media Records'
20th-anniversary party at the Tavastia club in Helsinki where
ex-SENTENCED singer Ville
Laihiala's new band, POISONBLACK, and
labelmates NORTHER and KIVIMETSÄN
DRUIDI performed.
An e-card for "Buried Alive" DVD, which captures
the Finnish band's final performance in their hometown of Oulu,
Finland on October 1, 2005, can be accessed at this
location. The e-card features a full mock-up of
the DVD menu and a taste of "Buried Alive",
including one full live song as well as snippets from all
chapters.
Directed by Mika Ronkainen of Klaffi
Productions, the two-disc set features the entire concert,
including a special guest appearance by former
SENTENCED vocalist Taneli
Jarva.
SENTENCED's last-ever studio CD, aptly titled
"The Funeral Album", entered the Finnish national
chart at position No. 1 back in June 2005. The follow-up to 2002's
"The Cold White Light" was recorded primarily at
Finnvox and Tonebox studios (both
in Finland), and mixed and mastered at Finnvox.
Producing the effort was Hiili Hiilesmaa, who also
worked with SENTENCED on the group's previous two
albums, 2000's "Crimson" and "The Cold
White Light".
Miika Tenkula
