To/Die/For

To/Die/For (often abbreviated TDF) are a gothic metal band from the town of Kouvola in southeast of Finland, assembled in 1993 as a hard rock band under the name Mary-Ann. In 1999, they decided to change their musical style to gothic metal, changing their band name as well. The band disbanded on 13 April 2009, but has reformed as of 4 July 2009, and played their final concert at John Smith Festival in Finland on June 22, 2016. They reformed once again in early 2020.[1]

Also known asMary-Ann (1993–1999)
OriginFinland
GenresGothic metal
Years active1993–2016, 2020–present
LabelsSpinefarm Records
Websitehttp://www.todiefor.fi/
MembersJape Perätalo (vocals)
Juppe Sutela (guitar)
Joonas Koto (guitar)
Miikka Kuisma (bass)
Matti Huopainen (drums)
Past membersTonmi Lillman
Marko Kangaskolkka
Mika Ahtiainen
Josey Strandman
Santtu Lonka
Juha Kylmänen
Jussi-Mikko Salminen
Antti-Matti Talala
Eza Viren
Samuel Schildt

Band history

Mary-Ann (1993 - 1999)

To/Die/For was formed under the name Mary-Ann in 1993. They released two demo EPs, "Mary-Ann" in 1997 and "Deeper Sin" in 1998, before changing name as they modified musical style from heavy metal to gothic metal in 1999. "Deeper Sin" thereby resulted in a record deal with Spinefarm Records.

All Eternity / Epilogue (1999 - 2002)

Their debut album - All Eternity - was released in Finland by the end of 1999, and the band then signed contracts with Nuclear Blast (for Europe) and Pony Canyon (for Japan). Their cover of the Sandra song In the Heat of the Night was to be the only single, and together with "Farewell" it was recorded as a music video, and obtained a fair amount of exposure.

In 2000, the band toured Europe together with Dark Tranquillity, Sentenced and In Flames. Bassist Miikka Kuisma quit the band and was replaced by Marko Kangaskolkka, who had played with the band in its early years. "Epilogue", the successor of "All Eternity", was released in 2001, and was followed by a tour with Lacrimosa.

Jaded / IV / Wounds Wide Open (2003 - 2009)

The album "Jaded" was released in 2003, and is by many fans still seen as their best effort. In August of that year, vocalist Jarno Perätalo left the band. He assembled a new band named Tiaga, integrated by former members of To/Die/For. Juha Kylmänen (from For My Pain and Reflexion) then assumed the vocals of To/Die/For. However, in 2004, Jarno Perätalo and the band Tiaga took the name To/Die/For themselves, releasing the fourth album, simply entitled "IV", in 2005.

On 4 October 2006 To/Die/For released their fifth studio album, entitled "Wounds Wide Open". After the promotional tour that stretched to October 2007, the band decided to take a break.

Samsara / Cult, Deaths, Split-Up & Reformation (2009-2016, 2019-present)

To/Die/For released their 6th album "Samsara" in 2011, and after spending the following years touring, released their 7th studio album "Cult" in May 2015. The first single from their album "Screaming Birds" was released in November 2014. To/Die/For retired in July 2016.

Two of the band's former drummers died; Tommi Lillman died on 13 February 2012 after an illness,[2] and Santtu Lonka died on January 26, 2020 with no cause of death revealed (probably suicide).[3][4]

In January 2020, the band announced they would be reuniting to play at the John Smith Fesival at Laukaa, Finland in July 2020.[5]

Line-up

Line-up in the "Mary-Ann" era is unknown.

Current members
  • Jape Perätalo - Vocals (1999–2016, 2020–present)
  • Juppe Sutela - Guitar (1999–2005, 2010–2016, 2020–present)
  • Joonas Koto - Guitar (1999–2002, 2005–2009, 2020–present)
  • Miikka Kuisma - Bass (1999–2000, 2020–present)
  • Matti Huopainen - Drums (2011–2016, 2020–present)

Former members
  • Tonmi Lillman - Drums (1999–2003, 2009–2010; died 2012)
  • Marko Kangaskolkka - Bass (2001–2004)
  • Mika Ahtiainen - Guitar (2002–2005)
  • Josey Strandman - Bass (2004–2011)
  • Santtu Lonka - Drums (2003–2008, 2010–2011; died 2020)
  • Antti-Matti "Antza" Talala - Guitar (2005–2014)
  • Jussi-Mikko Salminen - Keyboards (2004–2005, 2010–2014)
  • Toni Paananen - Drums (2008–2009)
  • Samuel Schildt - Bass (2014–2015)
  • Eza Viren - Bass (2011–2014), Guitar (2014–2016)

Guest musicians

Timeline


Discography

Demos & EPs (as Mary-Ann)
  • Mary-ann (Demo Album, 1997)
  • Deeper Sin (Demo EP, 1998)

Albums

Compilations
  • Epilogue from the Past (2010)

Singles
  • In the Heat of the Night (2000)
  • Hollow Heart (2001)
  • Little Deaths (2005)
  • Like Never Before (2006)
  • Screaming Birds (2014)

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2010-01-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Former TO/DIE/FOR And SINERGY Drummer TONMI LILLMAN Dead at 38". Blabbermouth.net. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  3. "Santtu Lonka, batería de To/Die/For, ha fallecido - Fotoconciertos". Fotoconciertos. January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  4. "TO/DIE/FOR Drummer SANTTU LONKA Passes, R.I.P." Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  5. "TO/DIE/FOR ANNOUNCE ALL ETERNITY 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW". 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
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