Tag Archives: finland

Album Review – Wolfheart / Draconian Darkness (2024)

Posted on by
Reply

Finnish frontrunners of icy Melodic Death Metal return with the musical embodiment of frigid, dark winter nights that, while terrifying and foreboding, reveal the majestic power and beauty of the natural world.

Finnish frontrunners of icy Melodic Death Metal, the unstoppable Lahti, Päijät-Häme-based Wolfheart, are preparing to unleash their latest album, Draconian Darkness, taking every aspect of the band’s trademark sound of colossal melodies, growling vocals, and driving drum rhythms to searing new levels. Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Saku Moilanen at Deep Noise Studios, the follow-up to their 2022 album King of the North is the musical embodiment of frigid, dark winter nights that, while terrifying and foreboding, reveal the majestic power and beauty of the natural world, all carefully brought into being by Tuomas Saukkonen on vocals and guitars, Vageliss Karzis on lead guitars and clean vocals, Lauri Silvonen on bass and backing vocals, and Joonas Kauppinen on drums.

An imposing, epic start gradually evolves into the metallic feast Ancient Cold, with all background orchestrations adding an extra touch of epicness to the heavy and technical sounds blasted by Tuomas & Co., whereas Joonas pounds his drums in the name of Melodic Death Metal in Evenfall, with their riffs matching perfectly with the deep roars by Tuomas, or in other words, it’s a beautiful song from the North. It’s then pedal to the metal in the just as heavy and multi-layered Burning Sky, where the riffage by Tuomas and Vageliss will pierce your mind like an arrow on fire; while slowing things down but sounding just as melodic we have Death Leads the Way, presenting nice headbanging riffs complemented by the classic drums by Joonas. And in Scion of the Flame the band brings elements from Symphonic Metal to their core Melodic Death Metal, resulting in a very detailed and epic song tailored for fans of Finnish melodeath.

Back to their more vicious sonority, it’s time for the violent Grave, a metal assault showcasing harsh lyrics (“Cross breed of pure violence and virtuous flesh / Driven by the principle of wrath / Overfeed the senses / Let the cancer cells devour / Cranial nerves under profusion of information”) and endless electricity, and their razor-edged guitars will keep cutting our skin deep in Throne of Bones, while Lauri and Joonas fill out every space left in the air with their rumbling bass and drums. It’s not as exciting as the other songs, though, but still really enjoyable. Then in Trial by Fire the quartet once again delivers a high-octane, groovy and incendiary Melodic Death Metal feast where Tuomas deeply roars supported by his bandmates until the very last second. Lastly, we face The Gale, starting in a serene and soothing manner in paradox with the rest of the album, and alternating between more violent moments and pure acoustic sounds, putting a charming yet strong ending to the album.

The guys from Wolfheart are waiting to show you all the glory of the North, and you can join them by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their official YouTube channel, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course by purchasing a copy of the excellent Draconian Darkness by clicking HERE. Melodic Death Metal will always be one of the best genres to translate the harsh yet alluring cold of the winter into music, and the unstoppable Wolfheart are offering exactly that in their powerful and enfolding new album.

Best moments of the album: Evenfall, Burning Sky and Grave.

Worst moments of the album: Throne of Bones.

Released in 2024 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. Ancient Cold 5:37
2. Evenfall 4:03
3. Burning Sky 4:15
4. Death Leads the Way 3:22
5. Scion of the Flame 4:01
6. Grave 4:22
7. Throne of Bones 5:28
8. Trial by Fire 3:53
9. The Gale 4:28

Band members
Tuomas Saukkonen – vocals, guitars
Vageliss Karzis – lead guitars, clean vocals
Lauri Silvonen – bass, backing vocals
Joonas Kauppinen – drums

Concert Review – Sonic Rites Festival 2024 (Ääniwalli, Helsinki, Finland, 05/17-05/18/2024)

Posted on by
Reply

Sonic Rites is quickly becoming one of the biggest names of independent festivals in the Nordics dedicated to underground heavy music. What started as an event in a restaurant venue in Helsinki five years later is now presented in a two-day indoor festival, featuring two stages dedicated to, as they mention themselves, ”the darkest and heaviest elements of music”.

***Review and photos by Giovanna Marques***

Sonic Rites has provided a platform for avant-garde, experimental, and alternative music genres, fostering community among artists and fans. The festival has been instrumental in showcasing diverse talent, from local Finnish acts to international underground artists and its importance lies not only in promoting musical innovation but also in challenging mainstream music norms and nurturing a subculture that thrives on artistic freedom and expression.

This year, the festival, which was almost sold out before the start of the event, took place once again at Ääniwalli, a venue housed in an industrial building, which gives it a raw and authentic ambiance that perfectly complements the underground music scene. The venue features multiple rooms, allowing for intimate performances as well as larger, more energetic shows, and it’s equipped with high-quality sound systems and lighting, ensuring an immersive experience for both performers and audiences. Ääniwalli’s industrial aesthetic, characterized by exposed brick, metalwork, and minimalist decor, provides a gritty yet welcoming environment that fosters creative expression and community.

DAY 1: 17.05.2024

Unfortunately, due to work schedule, I was not able to attend the beginning of the event, so the first band I was able to watch was SUM OF R (SUI/FIN). They started their activities in 2008 and since then have been through different phases of their sound, and today we can witness an experimental and synth-based dark ambient that creates a unique and delirious experience that I have definitely enjoyed.

The next on the schedule was PELKKÄ POUTANEN, a solo project delivering an interesting mixture of vocals, Finnish folk, and electronic music. Although the show was on a smaller stage, it felt like an already big stage star.

Also on the smaller stage, SUR-RUR (FIN) played an energetic gig, making the crowd jump and sing. The Finnish band, founded in 1996, plays a mixture of hardcore, prog, alternative, and punk rock.

Next, on the big stage, it was time for the English masters of GODFLESH to show their heavy power. Their performance was full of energy, making the night even hotter with all the intensity of their show. They were responsible for the venue to get absolutely crowded and proved that, as pioneers of industrial metal, they really know how to make a good show. Their music matched perfectly with the surroundings, giving the impression that the venue was picked to match their music.

During the interval for the gears exchange in the mainstage, JOLEA, the Finnish artist and music producer, was showing all the beauty of her other-worldly ambient music on the smaller stage.

The first night of Sonic Rites 2024 ended with a rocket performance by DISCHARGE (UK). If you think that after 6 hours of music the audience would be tired and ready to go home, you are wrong. The minute the band entered the stage, it was like we all had a shot of energy in our veins. From the first to the last song, there was no one standing still, either banging their heads, mosh-pitting, stage diving or simply moving their body to the rhythm of hardcore punk madness. Even after the last song we could feel the electricity in the air, and we left Ääniwalli in joyful sweat, ready for another day full of heavy music.

DAY 2: 18.05.2024

The second day was the most anticipated for me. Again, unfortunately, due to work reasons I was not able to attend the event from its beginning. Luckily I was able to be present for the opening act of the bigger stage, the performance of THE DEVIL’S TRADE from Hungary. Their show was melancholic, political, and bewitching from the start to the end. Even when I couldn’t understand the lyrics in Hungarian, I could feel the heaviness of the words sung, and together with the doom, folk, and heavy melodies, the band created a beautiful and unforgettable show.

Next, LOKA (FIN) was filling the smaller stage with its sludge, doom, and heavy songs. LOKA is a local band created by members from bands such as Unkind and Radien and they released their debut album in April this year. The album is a must-listen if you are into machine drumming doom!

On the bigger stage, it was time for Polish act DOPELORD to show their charm. It was definitely one of the loudest and heaviest performances of the festival, literally making the structures of the venue shake. Their psychedelic stoner doom songs combine heavy riffs, horror, and occultism lyrics with a sarcastic attitude. It made me extremely happy that I finally had the chance to see them live since I am a follower of the band from their first album, “Magick Rites”, to their last release, “Songs for Satan”. They proved it doesn’t matter if you are listening to their albums or watching their gig, a good trip is guaranteed. Definitely a show to remember!

On the smaller stage, NERO KANE (ITA) was performing simultaneously with DOPELORD on the bigger stage and therefore I did not have the chance to watch the Italian duo. That was, in my opinion, the only downside of the festival: concurrent gigs.

Luckily, I had the chance to watch part of the KOLLAPS show. The trio, originally from Melbourne, Australia but now based in Europe, makes an extremely violent-noisy performance. Combining heavy sound with live performative arts such as scraping and banging metal objects, the Post-Industrialists delivered a chaotic and artistic presentation.

On the bigger stage, it was time for the German duo MANTAR to show their sludge metal. Although they were extremely sick, as mentioned by the singer and guitarist Hanno Klänhardt, they decided to perform the show anyway. The concert was heavy and furious and as a gift to their fans, they played songs from their first album, material not always played in their gigs. The audience happily welcomed the set list and headbanged until the last song.

On the smaller stage, HERO DISHONEST (FIN) was kicking the audience’s ears with some good hardcore punk music. The space was absolutely crowded and as a small woman, it was just impossible for me to watch the gig, so I could only hear the last songs from the entrance of the space.

On the bigger stage, it was finally time for the New Orleans sludge metal pioneers of EYEHATEGOD to bring Sonic Rites 2024 to a perfect end. Their soundcheck was already a show and the fans were already enjoying themselves and vibing without the concert having even officially started. When vocalist Mike IX Williams entered the stage, the crowd began to cheer and prepare the mosh pit. The gig was a delicious heavy slap in our ears with a closing that could not be more perfect: EYEHATEGOD playing Black Sabbath’s Hand of Doom.

The 2024 edition of Sonic Rites ended and left the fans like myself eager for next year’s edition. Next year’s dates have been announced already. Follow them for more updates!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Album Review – Unborn Generation / …and All We Forget (2024)

Posted on by
Reply

These Finnish veterans strike again with a post-apocalyptic album comprised of ten songs of brutally frost-bound Grindcore and Crust.

Describing a world long after an apocalypse where rebuilding has begun, but where yet the post-apocalypse generations have learnt nothing and remain ignorant as the sins of the fathers are repeated all over again, …and All We Forget is the brand new opus by Jyväskylä, Finland-based act Unborn Generation, offering ten songs of brutally frost-bound Grindcore and Crust for admirers of the genre. Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by the band’s own vocalist and guitarist Herkko Huttunen, with drums recorded by Tuomas Kokko at Electric Fox Studios, the seventh studio album by the aforementioned Herkko Huttunen alongside bassist Arto Kettunen and drummer Eetu Huttunen brings to our avid ears the band’s trademark intense sound, a fight-or-flight response inducing, yet at the same time tingling the backsides of melancholics with northern melodies.

And the band wastes no time and begin their furious feast of Grindcore and Death Metal with Kivun kuilu, or “abyss of pain” from Finnish, with Herkko sounding absolutely demented on vocals, whereas Eetu continues to smash his drums like a beast in Rattus (or “bike”), another pulverizing creation by the trio that will leave you completely disoriented after its three minutes of insanity are over. Herkko roars and slashes his axe nonstop in Kruunu, which means “crown”, supported by the always rumbling kitchen by Arto and Eetu, followed by Puppets, another blast of pure Grindcore perfect for slamming into the pit, with Herkko screaming manically until the very last second. And Burst sounds even more demented, sharp and visceral than its predecessors, with Eetu dictating the song’s infernal pace supported by the massive bass lines by Arto.

Then blending the speed and rebelliousness of Punk Rock with their core fusion of Death Metal and Grindcore we have Heritage, and the final result is another beast of a song led by the hammering drums by Eetu. Swamp is a more cadenced tune, yet still extremely caustic and grim, with Herkko once again bursting his lungs barking nonstop, and I’m not sure how those three Finnish metallers can generate so much noise and insanity all by themselves like in Consunation, where after a sinister start all explodes into bestial Grindcore for our total delight; whereas Juuret, or “roots”, is a stunning display of sheer violence by the trio, sounding and feeling demented from start to finish with Eetu stealing the show with his unstoppable beats and fills. There’s still time for one last Grindcore attack by the band, titled Cycle, with Arto’s bass bringing tons of heaviness to their sound while Herkko extracts electricity, adrenaline and rage from his guitar.

You can enjoy the album in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to show them your support and passion for the extreme you can grab a copy of the album from the band’s own BandCamp page, from the Inverse Records webstore, or from Apple Music. Also, don’t forget to start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, joining the band on their post-apocalyptic world full of violence and evil, but at the same time to the sound of the band’s demented Grindcore to make things a lot more fun and enjoyable, therefore fueling the band to keep hammering our cranial skulls with several more albums in the upcoming years.

Best moments of the album: Rattus, Burst and Juuret.

Worst moments of the album: Swamp.

Released in 2024 Inverse Records

Track listing
1. Kivun kuilu 1:53
2. Rattus 3:11
3. Kruunu 2:51
4. Puppets 3:44
5. Burst 2:22
6. Heritage 3:21
7. Swamp 3:46
8. Consunation 3:50
9. Juuret 2:29
10. Cycle 4:20

Band members
Herkko Huttunen – vocals, guitars
Arto Kettunen – bass
Eetu Huttunen – drums

Concert Review – Graham Bonnet Band (On the Rocks, Helsinki, Finland, 04/29/2024)

Posted on by
Reply

Once again, The Headbanging Moose takes Finland by storm, this time to talk about the amazing classic rock singer Graham Bonnet and his awesome band playing in Helsinki.

***Review and photos by Giovanna Marques***

OPENING ACT: Wishing Well

As already mentioned by Renata in the Brother Firetribe gig review, The Headbanging Moose is now also in Finland, and I, Giovanna, am more than thrilled to be part of this great team! To celebrate my first contribution to THM, nothing better than Graham Bonnet, an absolute classic Rock and Roll legend showing that age is just a number and what matters in the attitude and will to rock.

The evening filled with pure quality Rock and Roll started with a performance of the Helsinki local band WISHING WELL. The band first released their material in 2015, but it has been a long-term project of the leader and guitarist, Anssi Korkiakoski. During the concert, the band played their classic songs, greatly influenced by the 1970s and 1980s classic rock bands, leaving a nostalgic and energetic feeling in the house, making the audience eager for more good rock and roll. It is worth it to check out the band’s material if you are also a fan of classic rock.


GRAHAM BONNET BAND

After the usual break to exchange the gears for the next band, we were finally gifted with the presence of Graham Bonnet and the band members on stage.

The gig started with some technical difficulties making the public unable to hear the bassist Beth-Ami Heavenstone’s chords but after a short complaint and some screams at the sound table everything was sorted out and the gig started for real. The band opened the night with the Rainbow Cover “Eyes of the World” and the British singer showed that 76 is just a number and there is no such thing as being too old to rock and roll. The band continued with a few more Rainbow songs and although my particular favorite “Love’s no Friend” was one of the highest moments of the show in my opinion, the crowd went crazy with ”Since You’ve Been Gone” leaving a super energetic atmosphere for the keyboard solo by the Italian Allessandro Bertoni.

After the short break, the singer came back to the stage and the band played songs from Bonnet’s Solo career emphasizing the quality of the musicians present in his solo albums.

I must confess that being a Michael Schenker fanatic, I was anxiously awaiting for the Assault Attack album songs, and when the band finally played “Desert Song” it was an absolute delight. The Brazilian guitarist Conrado Pesinato showed in every step of the concert that he is more than capable to carry the legacy of the astonishing guitarists that were part of Graham Bonnet’s career. Pesinato presented his version of the songs and solos, never letting the audience down and filling the concert with great technique and soul.

After The first Michael Schenker cover, the band played my personal favorite from their album “Day Out in Nowhere”, the song “Uncle John”. Something that made the concert even richer was the stories told by the members about the songs and events surrounding the band and the singer. For example, Graham explained that he wrote the lyrics of the song ”Uncle John” for a teacher who was beloved by his students but was lately charged and arrested accused of pedophilia.

Next, came the “Jet to Jet” drum solo, and we were presented with the energetic drummer Francis Cassol, also a Brazilian musician. Francis was chosen to be part of the Swedish and Finnish leg of the European tour and I think they could not have chosen any better! After the solo, the band played more songs from the singer’s solo career and covers. ”Assault Attack” and ”Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live” made the crowd sing loud, leaving the space for the final and vibrant song ”Lost in Hollywood”. The charisma of all band members made the night more than special. I am hoping they come back next year for another spectacular and nostalgic evening.

Setlist
Eyes of the World (Rainbow cover)
All Night Long (Rainbow cover)
Love’s No Friend (Rainbow cover)
Makin’ Love (Rainbow cover)
Since You’ve Been Gone (Rainbow cover)
Lazy/Keyboard Solo (Deep Purple Cover)
Imposter
S.O.S
Desert Song (MSG Cover)
Uncle John
Jet to Jet/Drum Solo (Alcatrazz cover)
Night Games
Into the Night
Assault Attack (MSG Cover)
Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live (Alcatrazz cover)
Lost in Hollywood (Rainbow cover)

Band members
Graham Bonnet – vocals
Conrado Pesinato – guitar
Beth-Ami Heavenstone – bass
Allessandro Bertoni – keyboards
Francis Cassol – drums

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Concert Review – Battle Beast (The Opera House, Toronto, ON, 05/11/2024)

Posted on by
Reply

The indomitable Battle Beast returned to Toronto during their first ever headlining tour in North America with one of the most vibrant and entertaining shows of the year so far.

OPENING ACT: Blackbriar

Two days after the bards took the city of Toronto by storm with a flawless performance, it was time for another European band to show us everything they got at the always amazing The Opera House. I’m talking about the indomitable BATTLE BEAST, who are headlining a tour in North America for the first time ever after having opened for several bands in the past few years (like for example their show with Kamelot and Xandria last August). Supported by the up-and-coming band BLACKBRIAR, Battle Beast brought endless electricity to the stage in Toronto with their Circus of Doom Over North America 2024, another excellent event hosted by  Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment, and another amazing opportunity for both Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I to enjoy some high quality heavy music on a pleasant Saturday night.

The fact the doors opened at 7pm but Assen, Netherlands-based Alternative/Symphonic Metal band BLACKBRIAR only began their concert at 8pn was great, as it gave everyone time enough to buy merch, enjoy some time with their friends, and even get to the venue in time just like what happened to me, as I made it to The Opera House only five minutes before the show due to the insane traffic to get to Toronto. Well, I gotta say I’m very happy I could make it this time, as the band kicked some ass on stage, and I’m sure they’ll get bigger and bigger and return to Toronto sooner than later. Still promoting their 2023 album A Dark Euphony, the band spearheaded by the charming and talented frontwoman Zora Cock was phenomenal throughout their entire set, and the warm reaction of the crowd was visible in the huge smiles on the band’s faces. Their frantic bassist Siebe Sol Sijpkens was on absolute fire the entire time, even having a GoPro attached to his bass during one of the songs, so I guess we’ll see some wild footage of the Toronto show in their social media in the coming days or weeks. Blackbriar are definitely going places, and if you want to know more about one of the rising forces of the Dutch scene, go check their gentle but heavy creations on Spotify as I’m sure you’ll love their music.

Setlist
Crimson Faces
I’d Rather Burn
Far Distant Land
Forever And A Day
Arms of the Ocean
Selkie
Deadly Diminuendo
Lilith Be Gone
Cicada
Until Eternity

Band members
Zora Cock – vocals
Bart Winters – lead guitar
Robin Koezen – rhythm guitar
Siebe Sol Sijpkens – bass
Ruben Wijga – keyboards
René Boxem – drums

BATTLE BEAST

It was close to 9:30pm when Helsinki, Finland’s own Heavy/Power Metal/Hard Rock machine BATTLE BEAST ignited one of the most energetic and fun performances of the city this year, proving why they’re finally headlining a tour in North America. My only complaint as usual is that they didn’t (or maybe I should say can’t) play anything form their older albums, but fortunately the material found in Bringer of Pain, No More Hollywood Endings, and Circus of Doom is awesome enough to guarantee a night of top-notch heavy music for all attendees. In addition, I need to say that their merch is a thing of beauty, offering a variety of items including patches (like the one I got with the band’s logo) and stunning shirts, all for a very reasonable price. That shows how much they care about their fans, and of course if you’re able to afford anything from a band, you become an even stronger fan of that band, right?

As mentioned, their setlist was pretty much a “best of” from their last three albums, with only the Power Metal hurricane Bringer of Pain missing to make it perfect, but of course songs like Straight to the Heart, Eye of the Storm, Bastard Son of Odin (born to kick your ass!) and Wings of Light were more than enough to keep the energy level truly high, resulting in some frantic mosh pits in the floor section, something kind of unexpected for a Battle Beast concert. Of course, all that was only possible due to another breathtaking, undisputed performance by one of the best vocalists of the current metal scene, the incendiary she-wolf Noora Louhimo, who had the entire crowd on the palm of her hands the entire time due to her undeniable charisma, onstage presence and soaring vocals. Moreover, she doesn’t stop dancing not even for a single second, leaving some of us fans breathless just by watching her moving around nonstop.

Also, it’s important to say that as now headliners, Battle Beast made sure they brought the big guns to North America, adding some wild and entertaining elements to their performance. For instance, there was a moment of whiskey drinking where they even shared some cups with the crowd, a more-than-colorful keys-drum-whatever machine guided by keyboardist Janne Björkroth, a cover version for Badfinger’s Without You sung by the band’s electrifying bassist Eero Sipilä, and a guitar-driven version of The Imperial March. And as the icing on the cake, right after that we were treated to a thrilling, pulverizing triumvirate of pure heavy music during the encore with Master of Illusion, King for a Day and Beyond the Burning Skies, putting a brilliant ending to a very successful night for the band, and leaving them more-than-eager to return to Toronto soon, as the city has become one of their favorite places in the world to play. Well, in my humble opinion, they should always return to Toronto as headliners, because they kick ass. PALJON KIITOKSIA, BATTLE BEAST!

Setlist
Circus of Doom
Straight to the Heart
Familiar Hell
Armageddon
Place That We Call Home
No More Hollywood Endings
Eye of the Storm
Without You (Badfinger cover)
Where Angels Fear to Fly
Bastard Son of Odin
Russian Roulette
Wings of Light
Eden

Encore:
The Force Theme / The Imperial March (John Williams cover)
Master of Illusion
King for a Day
Beyond the Burning Skies
Top Gun Anthem (Harold Faltermeyer song)

Band members
Noora Louhimo – vocals
Joona Björkroth – guitars, backing vocals
Juuso Soinio – guitars
Eero Sipilä – bass, backing vocals
Janne Björkroth – keyboards, orchestrations, backing vocals
Pyry Vikki – drums

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Album Review – Korpiklaani / Rankarumpu (2024)

Posted on by
Reply

Can you hear the striking Folk Metal sound of the ragged drum played by one of the most iconic Finnish bands of all time?

A highly revered and massively popular Folk Metal ensemble known for their signature style of Finnish Folk and Heavy Metal that runs the gamut of emotions for one of the most honest, unique and enthralling sounds in heavy music, Lahti, Päijät-Häme-based outfit Korpiklaani has just unleashed upon us their twelfth studio album, titled Rankarumpu (or “ragged drum” from Finnish), the follow-up to their 2021 release Jylhä. Once again produced, mixed and engineered by Janne Saksa at Sound Supreme Studio, mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers, and displaying a beautiful artwork by Jan “Örkki” Yrlund of Darkgrove Design, the new album by the shaman at heart Jonne Järvelä on vocals and acoustic guitar, Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi on the guitar, Jarkko Aaltonen on bass, Sami Perttula on the  accordion, Olli Vänskä on the violin, and Samuli Mikkonen on drums and percussion showcases a band revisiting their older sound with faster tempos for one of their catchiest albums to date, putting every single person alive to dance together with those Finnish rockers.

The opener Kotomaa (“homeland”) already invites us all for a fun and dancing Folk Metal party, with Samuli sounding amazing on drums while Sami and Olli kick some as with their respective accordion and violin, followed by Tapa sen kun kerkeet (“kill while you can”), sounding thrashier thanks to the riffs by Cane, with Jonne delivering his inebriate, raspy vocals nonstop; and there’s more of Sami’s accordion madness in Aita (“fence”), leading his horde of vodka drinkers while inspiring us all to prance around the firepit. The breathtaking Saunaan (“sauna”) is a song that will ignite some ruthless mosh pits, therefore turning the floor section into a real sauna, with Jonne roaring in great fashion supported by the electrifying sounds blasted by his bandmates, and the blazing guitar by Cane kicks off the also fast-paced Mettään (“into the woods”), which seems to be the norm throughout the entire album, and of course Samuli benefits a lot from that; whereas Kalmisto (“march to the grave”) is a groovier tune by Korpiklaani with the low-tuned, metallic bass by Jarkko adding thunder to their already classy sound.

The title-track Rankarumpu brings to our avid ears an overdose of Finnish Folk Metal led by the rhythmic beats by Samuli while Jonne keeps declaiming the song’s Finnish lyrics with tons of passion, followed by No perkele (“damn it”), and of course with that name the song was going to be a banger. Needless to say, I would love to see them playing it live, with the accordion by Sami sounding even more incendiary during the song’s headbanging four minutes. It’s then time for a melancholic tune titled Viikatelintu (“reaper bird”) which, despite being a good song, is not at the same level as all others, sounding very generic at times. Back to a more vivid and vibrant sonority we have Nouse (“rise”), where once again Samuli hammers his drums nonstop, creating a healthy paradox with Olli’s charming violin. Oraakkelit (“oracles”) is another firepit prancing hymn by Korpiklaani, with Olli and Sami stealing the spotlight with their beyond folky sounds, while lastly we have Harhainen höyhen (“lost feather”), closing the album on a high Folk Metal note thanks to the amazing vocals by Jonne and all the wicked sounds blasted by his crew.

You can enjoy Rankarumpu in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their tour dates (and if you check what they did here in Toronto a few weeks ago by clicking HERE you’ll certainly want to see them live), subscribe to their YouTube channel, and above all that, grab a copy of their fun new album by clicking HERE or HERE. Can you hear the striking Folk Metal sound of the ragged drum played by one of the most iconic Finnish bands of all time? If your answer is yes, then Rankarumpu will certainly bring a lot of joy to your shamanic heart, no doubt about that.

Best moments of the album: Kotomaa, Saunaan and No perkele.

Worst moments of the album: Viikatelintu.

Released in 2024 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. Kotomaa 3:10
2. Tapa sen kun kerkeet 2:26
3. Aita 3:47
4. Saunaan 3:18
5. Mettään 4:19
6. Kalmisto 4:22
7. Rankarumpu 2:43
8. No perkele 3:58
9. Viikatelintu 3:21
10. Nouse 3:23
11. Oraakkelit 3:12
12. Harhainen höyhen 5:16

Band members
Jonne Järvelä  – vocals, acoustic guitar
Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi – guitar
Jarkko Aaltonen – bass
Sami Perttula – accordion
Olli Vänskä – violin
Samuli Mikkonen – drums, percussion

Concert Review – Insomnium (The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON, 04/14/2024)

Posted on by
Reply

The third night in a row of first-class heavy music in Toronto was a feast of melody and darkness, courtesy of one of the pillars of Nordic Melodic Death Metal.

OPENING ACTS: Wilderun and Omnium Gatherum

Last but not least, Sunday night was the final round of one of the most metallic weekends in the past few years in Toronto, once again at The Phoenix Concert Theatre, and this time with WILDERUN, OMNIUM GATHERUM and INSOMNIUM during their North American Tour 2024. For the third night in a row, Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were there to cover another awesome event organized by Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment, and with much better traffic conditions than Friday and Saturday, basically everyone was able to get to the venue way ahead to enjoy some chat with friends. have a few drinks, buy some merch, and obviously have a good time already with the opening act of the night, even with the doors opening earlier than the previous two days.

And the opening act this time was Boston, Massachusetts-based Symphonic Progressive/Folk Metal band WILDERUN, a band that I highly recommend for fans of Opeth. To be honest, I actually prefer Wilderun’s music to Opeth’s, as I’m not sure why exactly but they do sound heavier to me. Still promoting their 2022 album Epigone, the band formed of Evan Anderson Berry, Wayne Ingram, Daniel Müller and Jonathan Teachey put on a solid performance to the point there were even mosh pits when it’s not normal to see that type of reaction when the music played is a lot more progressive and smoother like theirs. The band even acknowledged that, saying it was the first mosh pit of the tour for them, proving how much Toronto enjoyed their show. Hence, if you want to enjoy their detailed, intricate creations, you can stream all of their albums on Spotify, and I honestly can’t wait to see Wilderun live again in the near future.

Setlist
Distraction II
Identifier
The Tyranny of Imagination
Far From Where Dreams Unfurl

Band members
Evan Anderson Berry – vocals, rhythm & acoustic guitars, mandolin, keyboards
Wayne Ingram – lead & acoustic guitars, backing vocals, keyboards, orchestrations
Daniel Müller – bass, hammered dulcimer, backing vocals
Jonathan Teachey – drums, backing vocals

The second band of the night needs no introduction. Hailing from the always beautiful Finland, Melodic Death Metal squad OMNIUM GATHERUM turned up the heat considerably Sunday night with their undisputed fusion of melody and violence, with their setlist encompassing songs from their whole career (all available on Spotify), including their 2021 album Origin, and their 2023 EP Slasher, with the opener Slasher already igniting some action on the floor section. The entire band sounded amazing during their set, but of course their forntman Jukka Pelkonen stole the show with his deep roars and his amazing interaction with the crowd, which obviously led to a warm and vibrant reaction from the fans. Also, their guitarists Markus Vanhala and Nick Cordle kicked some serious ass on stage, making each song even heavier and more striking, and please keep those names in mind as there was more of the duo right after Omnium Gatherum finalized their show.

Setlist
Slasher
Paragon
Reckoning
Sacred
Soul Journeys
Gods Go First
Planet Scale
Frontiers
White Palace
New Dynamic

Band members
Jukka Pelkonen – vocals
Markus Vanhala – guitars
Nick Cordle – guitars
Mikko Kivistö – bass
Aapo Koivisto – keyboards
Atte Pesonen – drums 

INSOMNIUM

It was just a little past 9pm when Finland’s own Melodic Death Metal masters INSOMNIUM hit the stage at The Phoenix Concert Theatre for another powerful performance, just as great as when they played in the city alongside Enslaved last year, with their setlist being very similar to that, obviously focusing on their 2023 album Anno 1696. The opener 1696, followed by Ephemeral and White Christ (and we do need an Insomnium/Rotting Christ co-headlining tour just so Mr. Sakis Tolis finally joins the stage with Insomnium to sing this beautiful song), were extremely intense, enfolding and dark, and the reaction of their avid fans was fantastic as well. Also, I must say that although Lilian and The Rapids are new songs, they already sound like classics live so good they are.

Now remember when I asked you to keep the names of Nick Cordle and Markus Vanhala in mind? Well, those two guy are on double duty this entire tour, being the guitarists for both Omnium Gatherum AND Insomnium. Markus has already been playing with Insomnium for quite some time, so nothing new about that, but Nick had to take the guitars duties last minute due to a very weird reason. Guitarist Jani Liimatainen simply “disappeared” from the map a few weeks ago (well, rumor has it that he’s spending some time with a girl in Brazil, and I feel like a reporter from TMZ by writing this here) and was therefore kicked out of the band, plus the fact I have no idea why Ville Friman is not touring with Insomnium this year, so it was up to Nick and Markus to be responsible for all riffs and solos during this entire tour. They’re doing a fantastic job, by the way.

After lots and lots of horns in the air, mosh pits, and a killer encore with The Primeval Dark, While We Sleep (and I might sound repetitive, but this song always sounds superb to my ears when I see the band live or when I listen to its studio version) and Heart Like a Grave, it was time for Insomnium to say goodbye to Toronto, but of course promising they’ll be back soon for another captivating show. You can stay up to date with all things Insomnium by clicking HERE, including their tour dates, and I don’t think you’ll want to miss one of the pillars of Nordic Melodic Death Metal when those beyond talented musicians pay your city a visit, right? And for me, after a wild weekend full of first-class metal music, I’ll have only a few days of break before I fly in the direction of the Metal Gods. Oh yeah.

Setlist
1696
Ephemeral
White Christ
Change of Heart
Lilian
And Bells They Toll
The Rapids
The Gale
Mortal Share
Song of the Dusk

Encore:
The Primeval Dark
While We Sleep
Heart Like a Grave

Band members
Niilo Sevänen – lead vocals, bass
Markus Vanhala – guitars, clean vocals
Nick Cordle – guitars, clean vocals
Markus Hirvonen – drums

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Concert Review – Korpiklaani (The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON, 04/13/2024)

Posted on by
2

A night full of melody, pirates, sauna, beer, vodka, dancing and circle pits to warm up the hearts of all fans of good heavy music in Toronto.

OPENING ACTS: Illumishade and Visions Of Atlantis

Round 2 of a very metal weekend in Toronto started with “round 2 of very bad traffic”, taking me over an hour to reach once again The Phoenix Concert Theatre when it should have taken me only about 35 or 40 minutes in total this Saturday night. Well, at least this time I was able to see all bands, those being ILLUMISHADE, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS and KORPIKLAANI, during their party-like Rankarumpu North American Tour 2024, one more unforgettable event organized by the unstoppable Noel Peters of Inertia Entertainment. My friend Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I were a bit tired from the previosu night of brutality by Thy Art Is Murder, but as soon as the first band hit the stage the adrenaline started to flow and our batteries charged up quickly.

That first band was Switzerland’s Symphonic/Progressive Metal/Rock outfit ILLUMISHADE, and let’s say they won the hearts of every single person at the venue instantly with their talent, charisma, and passion for what they do. Of course all band members were great, but it was their frontwoman Fabienne Erni who stole the show with a hypnotizing performance, with her soaring vocals and beautiful moves captivating the eyes and ears of everyone at the venue. The band has recently released the album Another Side of You, available on BandCamp and on Spotify, with their setlist being almost entirely based on that album, and with songs like Here We Are and Cloudreader sounding awesome live. I really hope they return to the city sooner than later for another great show, because they’re an amazing new band from the Swiss scene and they’re definitely going places based on the quality of their music.

Setlist
Elegy
Enemy
Here We Are
Riptide
In the Darkness
Cloudreader
Tales of Time
World’s End

Band members
Fabienne Erni – vocals, piano
Jonas Wolf – guitars
Mirjam Skal – synths, orchestration
Yannick Urbanczik – bass
Marc Friedrich – drums

After a quick break, the venue was taken by storm by the most beloved pirates to ever arise from Austria. Yes, you read that correctly, as I’m talking about Melodic/Symphonic Power Metal privateers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, who put on a fantastic show for our total delight. Spearheaded by one of the most charismatic, talented and charming duos of the entire Power Metal scene, the stunning Clémentine Delauney (what a voice, my friends… what a voice!) and the electrifying Michele Guaitoli, the band brought a storm of heavy music to all fans at the venue, blending songs form their most recent album Pirates, like Master the Hurricane and the extremely catchy Clocks, with new tunes like the cheesy but awesomely fun Armada, from their upcoming album Pirates II – Armada, to be released on July 5. Their show was so full of energy to the point there were several mosh pits going on during some of their faster songs, all of course led by Michele who had all fans on the palm of his pirate hand the whole time. You can enjoy their music on BandCamp and on Spotify, as usual, and board their pirate ship when they invade your city for a sweet live concert. HAIL JOLLY ROGER!

Setlist
Master the Hurricane
Clocks
Mercy
Tonight I’m Alive
Heroes of the Dawn
Monsters
Armada
Melancholy Angel
Pirates Will Return
Legion of the Seas

Band members
Clémentine Delauney – female vocals
Michele Guaitoli – male vocals
Christian Douscha – guitars
Herbert Glos – bass
Thomas Caser – drums

KORPIKLAANI

If you have never seen the incendiary Finnish Folk Metal crew KORPIKLAANI live in your life, you have no idea what you’re missing. Let’s say that from the very first notes of the song Kotomaa, from their brand new opus Rankarumpu (to be reviewed here at The Headbanging Moose soon), it was a wild party with lots of dancing, beer, vodka, the heat of a real sauna, and so on, driving all fans crazy inside the venue. The last time I saw the band live was way back in 2014 during Paganfest America Part V (yes, that festival existed one day in Toronto), but I must say this Saturday the band was a lot tighter, more professional, more vibrant and heavier than ever, with of course frontman Jonne Järvelä stealing the spotlight with his inebriate vocals and classy dance moves.

Their setlist was a thing of beauty, blending old school songs like Wooden Pints and Happy Little Boozer with several new ones including Aita, the title-track Rankarumpu, and the breathtaking Saunaan, proving the band is in great shape and form in their new album. Also, it’s always fun to witness Sami Perttula on the accordion and Olli Vänskä on violin live, as their instruments bring an amazing vibe to all of the band’s songs, and of course that translates into endless dancing and jumping inside the circle pit (which was VERY intense, by the way). Well, let’s say things got even faster and rowdier inside the pit during the encore when they played the classics Beer Beer and Vodka, proving booze will always be the best fuel for any heavy music party, leaving all fans eager for more Korpiklaani the second their wild show was over. You can keep up to date with all things Korpiklaani by clicking HERE, and DO NOT miss their live concerts in your city or wherever you are, alright? VITTU, PERKELE, SAATANA!

Setlist
Kotomaa
Wooden Pints
A Man With a Plan
Happy Little Boozer
Journey Man
Ievan polkka
Gotta Go Home (Boney M. cover)
Aita
Tuli kokko
Pidot
Leväluhta
Sanaton maa
Rankarumpu
Pixies Dance
Juokse sinä humma
Tapa sen kun kerkeet

Encore:
Viima
Metsämies
Saunaan
Beer Beer
Vodka
Outro (Mother Earth)

Band members
Jonne Järvelä – vocals, acoustic guitar
Kalle “Cane” Savijärvi – guitar
Jarkko Aaltonen – bass
Sami Perttula – accordion
Olli Vänskä – violin
Samuli Mikkonen – drums, percussion

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Concert Review – Brother Firetribe (Logomo, Turku, Finland, 04/06/2024)

Posted on by
1

The Headbanging Moose goes to Finland! A night of party and amazing hard rock anthems with Brother Firetribe in the lovely city of Turku kicked off the Spring season in the Land of Ice and Snow.

OPENING ACT: Trust No One

That’s right! The Headbanging Moose is now partially in Finland. Many moons ago, I, Renata Santos, helped Gustavo with some concerts and albums reviews all the way from Brazil. Now living in Finland, I get the chance to see great bands every now and then and I’ll try my best to bring these reviews to you, The Headbanging Moose audience. And to celebrate this restart here, nothing better than an evening with BROTHER FIRETRIBE, one of the most admired hard rock bands of the country. In the vibrant city of Turku, the concert room of Logomo was ignited by their electrifying performance as part of the Band on a Mission tour.

To start the evening, the crowd was treated to a great performance by TRUST NO ONE, an Electronic Rock/New Romantic Finnish duo formed by Samuli Erkkilä and Joni Suhonen. They combine elements of 80s-influenced synth-pop and vibrant guitar rock, captivating with their charisma. The band took the audience on a journey to the rhythm of virtuosic synth riffs and guitar solos. Among their original compositions, they played a new song called Let Them Fall and also delighted the audience with a mesmerizing cover of Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode, showcasing their versatility and musical prowess. It was the first time I saw this band and I am really sorry I don’t know the songs, but Trust No One’s performance provided a perfect prelude to the night’s festivities. You can listen to their songs on Spotify and check on their updates on Instagram.

Band members
Samuli Erkkilä – vocals, guitars
Joni Suhonen – keyboards and synthesizers
Jaro Väisänen – touring drummer

BROTHER FIRETRIBE

After a break to prepare the stage, BROTHER FIRETRIBE emerged under the spotlight. Frontman Pekka Heino commanded the stage with his captivating vocals, while Jason Flinck, Tommi Nikulainen, Hannes Pirilä and Roope Riihijärvi complete a formidable musical force. The setlist was a journey through the band’s illustrious career, showcasing their signature blend of hard rock and melodic hooks. Kicking off with the adrenaline-fueled Break Out, they seamlessly transitioned into songs I Am Rock and Man on a Mission, igniting a frenzy among the crowd.

Hard Rock anthems like Chariot of Fire and Indelible Heroes showcased the band’s full potential, just like the new single Are You Ready?, an instant success. Pekka said a couple of times that that was a “juhlapäivä” (a party day, in Finnish) and the fans definitely partied with them. Brother Firetribe’s ability to engage and connect with their audience was evident throughout the night, especially with the charisma of the vocalist that sings looking into the fans’ eyes and ask them to sing along in every song, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration. As the main set drew to a close, the band hit the stage with For Better or for Worse and Heart Full of Fire.

Brother Firetribe’s performance at Logomo was nothing short of spectacular, cementing their status as one of Finland’s premier rock acts. They delivered a show filled with passion, energy, and infectious melodies, leaving fans exhilarated and wanting more. As the Band on a Mission tour continues to captivate audiences in Finland, they proved once again why they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock music.

Setlist
Break Out
I Am Rock
Man on a Mission
Chariot of Fire
Indelible Heroes
Are You Ready?
Arianne
Shock
Bring on the Rain
Rock in the City
Taste of a Champion
Battle Ground
I Salute You
Night Drive
Just Another Night
For Better or for Worse
Heart Full of Fire

Band members
Pekka A. Heino – vocals
Roope Riihijärvi – guitars
Tomi Nikulainen – keyboards
Jason Flinck – bass
Hannes Pirilä – drums

Metal Chick of the Month – Anni Kokkonen

Posted on by
1

Your love is poison… Running through my veins!

As it’s getting colder and colder in the Northern Hemisphere, we needed a metal lady for the month of December who’s not only used to this chilly, frosty weather, but who can also warm up our hearts with her undisputed talent, charisma and passion for heavy music. Hailing from the beautiful land of ice and snow, commonly referred to as Finland, she’s the lead singer for Symphonic/Melodic Power Metal band Nevicate, and for Symphonic/Melodic Groove Metal band Stormbreaker, as well as a lyricist and a pianist, always putting a huge smile on our faces and inspiring us to raise our horns with her powerful voice and whimsical keys. If you have no idea who Anni Kokkonen is, get ready to be stunned by one of the must-see names of the current underground scene in Finland, taking you on a wild journey through the realms of Melodic Metal in her homeland.

Anni started her career in music as the vocalist for Joensuu, Finland-based Symphonic/Melodic Power Metal outfit Nevicate (which by the way means “snowfall” in Italian) back in 2014, when the band was actually formed. Sometimes labeled as a band that plays “Pop Metal”, the music by Nevicate projects a great deal of musical features including modern EDM, classically orchestrated “drama-music” and dark, mystical Nordic atmospheres, or in other words, it’s a mixture of symphonic tones, pop vibes and electronic elements, with all lyrics revolving around psychological themes, dealing with the fragile human mind and wounds caused by adversity, resulting in a blend of feminine power, masculine headbanging and melancholic moodiness. So far, the band formed of our diva Anni Kokkonen on vocals, Lassi Porali on the guitars and backing vocals, Lumi Ollila on keyboards and backing vocals, Oskari Hevonkoski on bass and Toni Manninen on drums released their self-titled debut demo in 2016, followed by the singles Shattered, in 2017, The Surface, in 2019, and Dewdrops, in 2021, with Anni being responsible for the vocals and lyrics in all of them.

The band began to gain more ground in 2015 after participating and getting more encouragement in a project called Rock Academy in Joensuu, during which the band developed their own personal sound that reaches both catchy and heavy spheres. Having a strong musical background which can be heard from their meandering song arrangements and rigorous co-playing, all band members exploit both their steady musical knowledge and the emotion and interpretation entailed by years of playing experience. If you want to explore in more detail the mystical world ruled by Nevicate, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, BandCamp, Spotify, and YouTube, where by the way you can watch their videos for the songs Dewdrops, The Surface, and Shattered, as well as other nice videos of making of’s and playthroughs. No idea at all if the band is on hold, if they called it quits, or if they’re just taking their time before their next release, but one thing is certain, and that is we need more of the music by Nevicate.

We can all say that right now Anni is fully focused on her Symphonic/Melodic Groove Metal band Stormbreaker, playing melodic but deliciously aggressive metal music. Founded in 2021 in Joensuu, the band currently comprised of Anni alongside veteran musician Petri Tarvainen on vocals, Jaakko Kauppinen and Tomi Virtanen on the guitars, Tatu Heikkinen on bass and Sami Ratilainen on drums was originally formed as a solo project of Petri Tarvainen, employing a host of familiar traits including a dynamic male and female vocal approach, stunning musicianship, and classic arrangements, being therefore recommended for fans of Arch Enemy, Beast In Black and Nightwish, among others. Earlier this year the band released their debut effort, a four-track EP overflowing adrenaline, harmony and rage entitled Vengeance, available for a full listen on YouTube, Spotify, BandCamp, Tidal and Apple Music, or click HERE for all things Stormbreaker.

Apart form her amazing work with Nevicate and Stormbreaker, we can also enjoy Anni and her hypnotizing vocals as a guest backing vocalist in the 2022 six-track EP Age of Mist, by Joensuu-based Melodic Death Metal band Cerebral Mist. The band is currently inactive due to the death of founding member Antti Parviainen in February 2018, with Age of Mist being finished posthumously by the remaining members of the band four years later to honour him and his work. Hence, you can enjoy the music by Cerebral Mist and celebrate the life of the deceased Antti Parviainen by listening to the EP in its entirety on BandCamp, on Spotify, or on YouTube. Furthermore, you can also enjoy Anni’s powerful vocals as a guest in the single Singularity (available on BandCamp, on Spotify, on YouTube, and on other streaming services), released in 2019 by Finnish Melodic Death Metal act Decrowned.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Not only a fantastic vocalist, Anni is also a skillful pianist who does improvisations and covers on her Instagram profile @piano_b_onfire, and as Anni states in the profile herself, she plays the piano “just for fun”. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure the fact Anni can play the piano so well is extremely helpful for her when it comes to writing music for any of her bands, and speaking about her influences, she mentioned her own feelings as one of the driving forces in her writing process. “Usually, my current life situation gets me to write down my feelings which gradually develop into a lyric form. Also, whenever I’m touched by some other things that can make me put my thoughts on paper,” commented our Melodic Death Metal diva.

It’s also important to mention how dynamic the duo of Anni and Petri is for Stormbreaker, with Anni not only doing the clean parts in paradox to Petri’s harsh growls, but also showcasing her more venomous side and doing some screams as well, again proving how versatile her vocals can be. Her vocals will remind you of a young Doro Pesch at times, ad also of the iconic Kimberly Goss (of bands like Sinergy and Avernus), and all that range and versatility can be appreciated in all of its glory when Anni hits the stage, as she truly loves to perform live. “Live performances are one of the most important things to us. They tell the listeners what the band is truly about and can easily reach new fans at the same time. And to me being on stage is the best part of doing music,” she commented.

Anni doesn’t only love to be on stage and bring her music to life in front of an audience, but she also believes music videos are another crucial part of any band. “Music videos are a great way to promote bands in order to get gigs, and making them can give new exciting experiences which is always great and motivational,” she said, and we must all agree it’s always great to see a charismatic performer like her on screen, right? And lastly, when asked in one of her interviews if she prefers physical copies like CD’s, LP’s and cassettes, or if she’s a fan of digital downloads, she actually answered both are necessary in our world today. “Both have their pros and cons. Digital downloads are easy to share and spread all over the world but of course it’s a different matter to put an actual CD on a shelf. That’s why we like to make physical copies as well so we can really feel our accomplishment in our own hands.” Hence, what are you waiting for to buy the music by Anni’s amazing bands in digital or physical format, or even both? I’m sure she’ll be more than happy with that, inspiring her to keep creating thrilling and beautiful music, always embellishing the airwaves of her homeland Finland and anywhere else where good music is appreciated with her striking voice.

Anni Kokkonen’s Official Instagram
Anni Kokkonen (piano)’s Official Instagram
Stormbreaker’s Official Facebook page
Stormbreaker’s Official Instagram
Stormbreaker’s Official YouTube channel
Nevicate’s Official Facebook page
Nevicate’s Official Instagram
Nevicate’s Official YouTube channel

“Live performances are one of the most important things to us. They tell the listeners what the band is truly about and can easily reach new fans at the same time. And to me being on stage is the best part of doing music.” – Anni Kokkonen