Sampsa Astala, (born 23 January 1974), known by stage names Stala and Kita, is the lead singer of the Finnish glam rock band Stala & SO. and the former and original drummer for the metal band Lordi. His current stage name, Stala, comes from his own surname, Astala. His other stage name, which he used during his time in Lordi and whenever appearing as drummer, Kita, comes from the Finnish word meaning "jaws", "gap", or "maw".

Career

Sampsa Astala created Stala & SO. as SO, back in 1997. The band recorded a few albums and toured in Finland but Astala didn't have much time for Stala & SO anymore since he joined Lordi in 2000 as drummer. He arranged and performed all backing vocals on the Lordi albums, but could not sing live due to his massive mask. With the band Lordi he went on to win the

2006 Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Athens, Greece, following the country's victory at the with the song "My Number One" by Helena Paparizou. Organised by the European Broadca ...

. In recognition, the city of Karkkila, where he spent his teenage years, named its youth facilities after him. Despite many critics wrongly accusing Lordi of being a

satanic Satanic may refer to: * Satan * Satanism * ''Satanic'' (2006 film), a 2006 American horror film * ''Satanic'' (2016 film), a 2016 American horror film * Operation Satanic, when the DGSE bombed the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour See also * ...

band, on the "Thank you to..." list on the Lordi albums, Kita thanks "Almighty God". On 4 October 2010 there was an announcement from Lordi, saying that Kita no longer was a member. Further explanation told that his leaving was a joint decision between him and his bandmates, as Kita's increasing exposure as himself with Stala & So., rather than in costume as Kita, was "breaking the rules" of Lordi. In end of 2010 it was announced that Stala & SO. would participate in Eurovision Song Contest 2011. On 23 November, the first promosingle of the new album was released, ''"Everything For Money"''. On 29 November, ''"Pamela"'', the song with which he would play in Eurovision stage was revealed through the YLE channel. On 28 January, they passed the semi final and they got "the card" for the final on 12 February. On 16 February their debut album, ''"It Is So."'', was released.

Discography

Stala & SO.

* ''It Is So.'' (2011) * ''Gimme Five'' (2012) * ''Play Another Round'' (2013) * ''Stala & So.'' (2015)

Lordi

* '' Get Heavy'' (2002) * ''

The Monsterican Dream ''The Monsterican Dream'' is the second studio album by Finnish metal band Lordi, released in 2004. It features an overall heavier sound with a more grim look to the band than Lordi's first album. The album was re-released in Finland as a "Limit ...

'' (2004) * '' The Arockalypse'' (2006) * '' Deadache'' (2008) * ''

Babez for Breakfast ''Babez for Breakfast'' is the fifth studio album by Finnish hard rock band Lordi, released on 10 September 2010. As is traditional for the band, their costumes were renewed for the release of this album. The album was produced by Michael Wagen ...

'' (2010)

Solo

* ''Se ihan kiva jäbä'' (2022)

Other releases

* Apulanta: ''Hiekka'' (2002) (backing vocals) * Järjestyshäiriö: ''Levoton'' (EP) (2004) (producer, recorder, backing vocals) * Hanna Pakarinen: ''Lovers'' (2007) (backing vocals) * Pete Parkkonen : First Album (2009) (song writing) * Naked Idol: ''Boys of Summer'' (2013) (drums) * Naked Idol: ''Shattered'' (2013) (drums) * Naked Idol: ''Filthy Fairies'' EP (2013) (drums on "Shattered" and "Filthy Fairies")

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Astala, Sampsa Lordi members Finnish rock drummers Finnish heavy metal drummers 1974 births Living people Finnish Lutherans People from Vantaa Eurovision Song Contest winners Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2006 Eurovision Song Contest entrants for Finland 21st-century drummers