History & Biography Downfall was formed in 1998 by guitarist Timo Eskelinen and drummer Kalle Tulonen. The metal is meshed with drum machines and keyboards, but this approach is soon abandoned in favour of a more organic sound.
1999 brings bassist Dmitry Martynoff and returning singer Jani Peippo. This line-up practices hard for the band's first live experience which happens to be in Virrat as support to Sonata Arctica.
A five-song EP called Dark Parade followed in the spring of 2000 which brings the band a contract with Low Frequency Records for two albums. The band appeared on a Finnish CD sampler and appeared at the Nummirock Festival in Finland. A video for Dark Parade was shot in November of 2000.
The debut, ironically dubbed My Last Prayer, was recorded in February 2002 at Studio Watercastle in Jyväskylä. Downfall replaced drummer Kalle Tulonen with former Diablo drummer Timo Kemppaine in early 2003. A self-titled demo was the last release before the act changed its monicker to Blackstar Halo in 2009. Dino Kulberg was the final drummer.
Reviews DOWNFALL - MY LAST PRAYER - LOW FREQUENCY
It would be far too easy to begin and end this review by calling Downfall clones of Sentenced. These Finns certainly take most of their cues from their established country-mates' newer albums. Still, Downfall has a more up-beat tempo and clearly uses more standard rock riffs than Sentenced. The vocals are emotional and profound, yet too close to Sentenced for the band's own good. The keyboards make sporadic appearances, but are mercifully relegated to background filler status during those occasions. Downfall has a good command of song writing and an even better sound. The band should strive to outgrow its influences from here on and work on its infrequent strength, namely the heavy guitar tone which can reach Entombed proportions. It will be interesting to watch the band grow and choose sides in the future. - Ali "The Metallian"
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