The Man-Eating Tree is a Finnish atmospheric metal band from Oulu, founded in 2009 and characterised by their atmospheric and melodic compositions that integrate elements of gothic metal. After the dissolution of Sentenced in 2005, drummer Vesa Ranta took a musical break. In 2009 he founded The Man-Eating Tree together with guitarist Janne Markus ( ex-Poisonblack), bassist Mikko Uusimaa (Reflexion), vocalist Tuomas Tuominen (ex-Fallof the Leafe) and keyboardist Heidi Määttä (ex-Embraze). The band’s name arose from a fascination with the legend of man-eating trees.
In September 2010, the band released their debut album ‘Vine’, produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa. The first single ‘Out of the Wind’ reached number 3 in the Finnish charts. This was followed by a European tour in support of Tarot.
In 2011, the second album ‘Harvest’ was released, again produced by Hiilesmaa. The band toured as support for Amorphis and Leprous.
After personnel changes, including the departure of singer Tuominen and keyboardist Määttä, the band released their third album ‘In the Absence of Light’ in 2015 with new singer Antti Kumpulainen.
After a long break, The Man-Eating Tree 2025 returns with a new line-up and fresh energy. The current line-up includes: Manne Ikonen (vocals, ex-GhostBrigade), Janne Markus (guitar, vocals, ex-Poisonblack, ex-TheAbbey), Sakke Paavola (guitar), Aksu Hanttu (drums, ex-Entwine, Tuoni, S-Tool) and Mika ‘June’ Junttila (bass, Mors Subita).
The band is also planning to perform live again from 2025 and play both club shows and festivals. Founding member Janne Markus commented on the band’s revival: “This is not just a new reunion of old friends. It’s a new musical direction that allows us to push the boundaries further and further. We are very much looking forward to presenting this to you.”
With the new album ‘Night Verses’, The Man-Eating Tree open a new chapter in their band history and present themselves in a renewed sound that preserves their atmospheric and melodic identity while exploring new musical horizons.
On April 11, 2025, the new studio album ‘Night Verses’ by Finnish band The Man-Eating Tree will be released on the German label Noble Demon. Having recently released the brand new track ‘Seer’, their first release in almost a decade since their last album ‘In The Absence Of Light’, the band now present the second…
The German independent label Noble Demon is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the release of the brand new label sampler “Noble Demonic Metal – Chapter 5”. Founded by former Nuclear Blast veteranPatrick Walch, in collaboration with Berlin-based media company UCM.ONE, Noble Demon has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene,…
Almost a decade after their last album “In The Absence Of Light”, Finnish atmospheric metal band The Man-Eating Tree are back with the intense track “Seer”. The eagerly awaited new single is a dark and stirring return that promises to inspire fans and newcomers alike. “Seer” is the first taste of the upcoming album ‘Night…
The YouTube channel from the Noble Demon label reached the threshold of 10,000 subscribers today after a little over a year in its existence with 2,625,490 views. A little over a year ago, the former Nuclear Blast veteran and head of the digital department of the leading rock & metal label, Patrick Walch, announced the…
Kicking off into this Black Friday with the probably best news for all metalheads and heavy music lovers: Patrick Walch has announced the launch of the brand new record label Noble Demon! Patrick Walch is joining forces with UCM.ONE and can thus draw on the existing structures there. Thorsten Kriebus acts as Product Manager. The team…
