by heavy guitar riffing and occasional keyboard interludes. The band's style takes elements from gothic metal, folk metal, power metal and melodic death metal. Because of the variety of Battlelore's music, different reviewers have labeled the band with each of these genres, as well as idiosyncratic terms such as "epic metal" or "fantasy metal". Guitarist and founder Jyri Vahvanen described the music of Battlelore as "fantasy metal" and "very bombastic, epic and melodic metal". According to Battlelore's official MySpace website, Bolt Thrower, Emperor, The Gathering, Kyuss, Black Sabbath, Morbid Angel, Katatonia, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Iron Maiden, W.A.S.P., Zakk Wylde, Dissection and Theatre of Tragedy are some of the artists who influenced the music of the band. Battlelore's lyrics are about Middle-earth characters and events described by the British author J. R. R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings trilogy of books and in The Silmarillion. More lyrical inspiration comes from medieval literature and the Kalevala. Starting with the album Evernight, the band deliberately decided not to use names or places taken from the imaginary of Tolkien, although his works remain the main inspiration for their lyrics. The same inspiration marks the band's distinctive pseudo-medieval stage show, in which each member is dressed up in costumes and fantasy makeup to look like "ferocious warriors", "dirty thieves" or "beautiful female elves". Members Current members Jyri Vahvanen – rhythm guitar (1999-present) Kaisa Jouhki – female vocals (2000-present) Henri Vahvanen – drums (2000-present) Maria Honkanen – keyboards, flute (2000-present) Jussi Rautio – lead guitar (2002-present) Tomi Mykkänen – male vocals (2004-present) Timo Honkanen – bass (2004-present) Former members Miika Kokkola – bass (1999–2004) Patrik Mennander – male vocals (1999–2004) Tommi Havo – vocals (1999–2000), lead guitar (2000–2002) Jarkko Heilimo (a.k.a. Gorthaur) – drums (1999–2000) Arto Mäkikuusela – keyboards (1999–2000) Guest musicians Erik Zacharias – synthesizer Jyrki Myllärien – classical guitar Timeline Discography Studio albums Promo albums Warrior's Tale (2000) Dark Fantasy (2001) DVDs The Journey (2004) Videos "Journey to Undying Lands" (2002) "Storm of the Blades" (2005) "House of Heroes" (2007) "Third Immortal" (2008) References External links Official website [ Battlelore] at Allmusic Musical groups established in 1999 Music based on Middle-earth Lappeenranta Finnish gothic metal musical groups Finnish power metal musical groups Finnish folk metal musical groups Napalm Records artists Seven-string guitarists 1999 establishments in Finland