JATAO, also known as Jess and the Ancient Ones, is a heavy rock band from Kuopio, Finland, formed in 2010. The band draws inspiration from almost anything imaginable – both within music and far beyond it.
When creating music, imagination should never be restricted; it could be considered the lifeblood of the band’s artistic expression.While the band’s 2012 debut album carried strong NWOBHM influences, JATAO has since evolved towards an increasingly distinctive identity of its own. Today, echoes of surf, blues and folk can be heard alongside heavy rock and beyond.
The band has undergone several changes in recent years, and today’s release of the Skeleton single marks the first JATAO recording to feature vocalist Laura Vesprini and keyboard player Katya. Guitarist Tommi Hoffrén explains the origins of the new single:
“Originally, the idea was to have a small recording session to capture a couple of standalone tracks. We wanted to experiment with different recording techniques and, at the same time, record the songs for a 7” single. What was supposed to be a fairly simple project ended up taking much longer than expected, but now it is finally done. With Laura and Katya on board, our sound is finding its way back to its roots.”
The animated lyric video for Skeleton was directed by Costin Chioreanu (Twilight 13 Media) and it’s out on Svart Records’ YouTube channel now. Skeleton will also be released as a 7” vinyl single through Doomentia Records, with Svart Records handling the digital release.
JATAO will also celebrate the new single on stage with their annual Halloween show at Ravintola Ottopoika in Kuopio, Finland, on October 17, 2026.
Advance tickets are available now!
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