HB (band) explained

HB
Landscape:yes
Origin:Forssa, Finland
Genre:Christian metal, symphonic metal, power metal
Years Active:2002–2016
Label:Bullroser, Data Universum, HooBee
Current Members:
  • Johanna Kultalahti (Aaltonen)
  • Antti Niskala
  • Markus Malin
  • Tuomas Kannisto

HB was a Christian symphonic metal band, formed in Forssa, Finland in 2002. They recorded a demo, four albums in Finnish with English versions for three of them, three singles, and a live DVD filmed at the Maata Näkyvissä Festival (2006).

Concerning the origin and meaning of the initials HB, Johanna Kultalahti (Aaltonen) said at the official website of the band: "Actually the initials H and B don't really stand for anything. We once had a competition on our webpage, where people could suggest different meanings for the two letters. Holy Bible was one of the suggestions."[1]

Musically the band performs symphonic metal with powerful sounds of the electric guitars, bass guitar and drums, fused with characteristic instruments of classical music, choir and even a few verses of lyric singing. The band is also characterized by the strong spiritual content in their Christ-centred lyrics.

Johanna Kultalahti (Aaltonen), the original lead vocalist, left in early 2013, to be replaced by Miia Rautkoski,[2] who in turn announced her departure from the band in March 2014. On May 3, 2014 the band announced Johanna Aaltonen was back with HB.[3]

On December 10, 2016 they played their farewell concert in Germany at Christmas Rock Night.[4] They told the audience that they had decided to go their own ways in mutual agreement.

in March 2022 they released a new music video, "Praying for Europe".[5] [6]

Members

Final line-up

Other former members

Timeline

Discography

Finnish-language version English-language version
Title Year Format Title Year
HB 2002 2002 Demo/EP
Uskon Puolesta 2004 Album The Battle of God[7] 2011
Turhaa Tärinää?   (two-track single) 2004 CDS
Enne 2005 Album Frozen Inside 2008
Can You Road? 2006 DVD
Piikki lihassa 2008 Album Jesus Metal Explosion 2010
Perkeleitä 2010 CD
Pääkallonpaikka 2010 Album
CDS "Mary"   (Christmas single) 2014

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Entry nº1951 on the bands official forum . September 6, 2011 . August 26, 2012 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002943/http://hbmusic.net/vieraskirja/index.php?show=18 . dead .
  2. Web site: New Lead Singer and New Album for HB. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504121830/http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2013/03/05/new-lead-singer-and-new-album-for-hb/. dead. May 4, 2014. October 15, 2020.
  3. http://mauce.nl/site/johanna-is-back-in-hb/ Johanna is back in HB
  4. Web site: Facebook . . December 11, 2016 . June 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220605142039/https://www.facebook.com/149236541794296/photos/a.456643591053588.120190.149236541794296/1306799619371310/?type=3 . dead .
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=rExYGgOzVoA&fbclid=IwAR1aPcdgaN61FeU_8-EbMQcQFFj9Tc3iegWySD8eaxXDJb0-cd19Q6bpM-4 Youtube.com
  6. https://www.mediocremonday.com/hb-praying-for-europe-official-music-video-2022-with-lyrics/ Mediocremonday.com - HB – Praying for Europe (Official Music Video 2022 with lyrics)
  7. Web site: HB. November 11, 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120402183000/http://hbmusic.net/index.php?page=3. April 2, 2012. mdy-all.