Rotten Sound is a grindcore band from Vaasa, Finland, formed in 1993. The band's lineup includes vocalist Keijo Niinimaa, guitarist Mika Aalto, bassist Matti Raappana, and drummer Sami Latva. Over the years, they have gained a reputation as one of the most intense acts in the Scandinavian death metal and grindcore scene. The group has released eight studio albums and numerous other recordings, consistently delivering their signature aggressive sound.

Early Years and First Releases (1993–2000)
Rotten Sound was founded in 1993 by guitarist Mika Aalto. In 1994, the band made its recording debut with the single Sick Bastard, released through Genet Records. Their early years were marked by a series of underground releases, such as Psychotic Veterinarian (1995) on SOA, Loosin' Face (1996) on Anomie, and Splitted Alive (1997) on IDS.

In 1998, the band released its first full-length album, Under Pressure, through the Spanish label Repulse Records. The album was followed by Drain in 1999, which also marked the debut of second guitarist Juha Ylikoski. Rotten Sound began to expand their presence in the international grindcore scene with these early releases. They signed with American label Necropolis Records in 2000 and released the Still Psycho EP, which included a cover of Carcass’s “Reek of Putrefaction.”

Breakthrough with Murderworks and Exit (2001–2005)
In 2002, Rotten Sound released Murderworks, their second full-length album, which received praise for its intense sound and relentless energy. Reviewer Alex Henderson described it as a "sensory assault" from start to finish. To promote Murderworks, the band embarked on a European tour titled "Murdering Europe," with support from the Czech bands Fleshless and Lykathea Aflame.

Their next album, Exit, was recorded at Soundlab Studio in Sweden with producer Mieszko Talarczyk and released in 2005. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 22 on the Finnish charts. Rotten Sound continued to build their reputation with a series of tours in Europe and North America, performing alongside acts like Hateplow, Disfear, and Circle of Dead Children.

Further Success with Cycles and Tours (2006–2008)
In 2006, Rotten Sound reissued Murderworks and supported it with the "Grind Your Face Off Tour," a European tour featuring the band Sayyadina. That same year, they released the mini-album Consume to Contaminate through Spinefarm Records, followed by more European tours, including one supporting Malevolent Creation.

The band entered the studio in 2007 to begin recording their fifth full-length album, Cycles, which was released in January 2008. Recorded with Janne Saksa at Kantola and Sound Supreme Studios and mastered by Pelle Henricsson, Cycles continued the band's tradition of delivering high-energy grindcore with tight musicianship.

Napalm EP and Cursed (2009–2011)
In 2009, Rotten Sound signed with Relapse Records, a move that brought the band wider international exposure. Their Napalm EP, released in 2010, featured three new tracks and three covers of Napalm Death songs. They promoted the release with the "Machines of Grind" European tour, sharing the stage with Aborted and The Red Chord.

Their sixth studio album, Cursed, followed in 2011. Released by Relapse Records (and Fullsteam Records in Finland), Cursed explored themes of societal curses and was well-received by fans and critics. The band supported the release with a headline tour across Europe and Japan, performing at major festivals like Kabuto Metal Fest alongside bands such as Morbid Angel and The Haunted.

Species at War and Abuse to Suffer (2012–2021)
In 2012, Rotten Sound signed with Season of Mist for a European deal and released the Species at War EP in January 2013. The EP was recorded at Nordic Audio Labs and mixed and mastered by drummer Sami Latva. The band toured extensively to support the release, headlining the Grind Over Europe Tour 2012 and performing alongside bands like Exhumed and Magrudergrind.

Their seventh studio album, Abuse to Suffer, was released in 2016. The album featured a sample from Noam Chomsky's speech at MIT in 2011, which added a political and philosophical dimension to their already aggressive sound. Rotten Sound continued to tour internationally, maintaining their position as one of the leading acts in the grindcore genre.

Recent Years and Apocalypse (2022–present)
In December 2022, Rotten Sound announced the upcoming release of their eighth studio album, Apocalypse, scheduled for 31 March 2023. The album, which continues the band's legacy of aggressive and uncompromising grindcore, marks their latest contribution to a career spanning over three decades.

Band Members
Current Members:

Keijo Niinimaa – vocals (1993–present)
Mika Aalto – guitar (1993–present)
Sami Latva – drums (2006–present)
David Kasipovic – bass (2020–present)
Former Members:

Masa Kovero – bass (1994)
Ville Väisänen – drums (1994)
Kai Hahto – drums (1995–2006)
Juha Ylikoski – guitar (1998–2001)
Pekka Ranta – bass (1997–2000)
Mika Häkki – bass (2000–2003)
Toni Pihlaja – bass (2003–2010)
Kristian Toivainen – bass (2010–2020)
Discography
Studio Albums:

Under Pressure (1997)
Drain (1999)
Murderworks (2002)
Exit (2005)
Cycles (2008)
Cursed (2011)
Abuse to Suffer (2016)
Apocalypse (2023)
Extended Plays:

Sick Bastard (1994)
Psychotic Veterinarian (1995)
Loosin' Face (1996)
Still Psycho (2000)
Consume to Contaminate (2006)
Napalm (2010)
Species at War (2013)
Suffer to Abuse (2018)
Rotten Sound's journey from the Finnish underground scene to international grindcore prominence has been marked by relentless energy, uncompromising sound, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme music. Their influence on the genre continues to be felt, and their legacy is cemented by their long-lasting career and passionate fanbase.