Altaria

The creation of Altaria is owed to bassist Marko Pukkila and drummer Tony Smedjebacka, both former members of Blindside. At a time when melodic speed metal bands tend to spring up all over, often claiming Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, etc. as influences, Altaria was very fortunate to manage to secure excellent musicians. The first to join the band was singer Johan Mattjus, an old acquaintance of Marko Pukkila. The trio was soon joined by a certain Jani Liimatainen, who is none other than the guitarist of Sonata Arctica.