Concert review – H.E.A.T (Tavastia-klubi, Helsinki, FIN, 02/18/2025)

An electrifying night of hard rock mastery, where Sweden meets Finland in a fiery performance that left the audience breathless.

OPENING ACT: Temple Balls

Swedish hard rock powerhouse H.E.A.T made a triumphant return to Finland at the iconic Tavastia delivering an electrifying performance that left fans exhilarated. With their new album, Welcome to the Future, set to drop in April, the band proved once again why they are one of the most celebrated acts in the modern hard rock scene. Before the main act, Finnish rockers Temple Balls warmed up the crowd with their high-energy sound. Hailing from Oulu, the band has been making waves by opening for industry legends such as Sonata Arctica and Bruce Dickinson. Promoting their latest album, Avalanche (2023), they set the tone for an unforgettable night.

From the moment the band took the stage, it was clear they were on a mission to captivate the audience. Their setlist was a well-balanced mix of fan favorites: songs like “Lonely Stranger” and “Dead Weight” showcased their signature anthemic choruses and driving guitar work, while “Trap” and “Bad Bad Bad” got the audience singing along. Closing with “Thunder From the North”, Temple Balls left no doubt that they are more than ready to conquer bigger stages everywhere.

Setlist
Strike Like a Cobra
Lonely Stranger
Hell and Feelin’ Fine
Dead Weight
Let’s Get It On
Prisoner in Time
Trap
Bad Bad Bad
Thunder From the North

Band members
Arde Teronen – vocals
Jiri Paavonaho – guitar
Niko Vuorela – guitar
Jimi Välikangas – bass
Antti Hissa – drums

H.E.A.T
The anticipation in Tavastia was palpable as the lights dimmed and Glenn Frey’s “The Heat Is On” played through the speakers. The Swedish rockers hit the stage with “Disaster”, one of the two brand-new songs from their upcoming album, instantly igniting the crowd. Vocalist Kenny Leckremo commanded the stage with his amazing vocals and infectious energy, while Dave Dalone’s fiery guitar solos kept the adrenaline pumping. The setlist was a well-curated journey through their discography, featuring powerful renditions of “Emergency”, “Dangerous Ground”, and “Hollywood”.

One of the standout moments came during “Beg Beg Beg”, where the band seamlessly incorporated a snippet of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” – a nod to rock legends of the past. Midway through the show, the anthem “Living on the Run” had fans singing at the top of their lungs. The band couldn’t hide the joy of being there, specially Kenny who said a few times how they like to play in Finland and how excited they were to show the new songs, introducing the yet-to-be-released “Bad Time for Love”. Always with high energy, the band made the fans incredibly happy with classics such as “1000 Miles” and “One by One”, before the grand finale with “Tearing Down the Walls”. H.E.A.T’s performance was a masterclass in modern hard rock: passionate, explosive, and engaging from start to finish. With Welcome to the Future on the horizon, this show served as a powerful reminder that the band remains at the forefront of the genre. The very next day, Finnish fans were surprised by the announcement that H.E.A.T will play at Rockfest in Turku this summer. And if they bring their tour to your city, don’t miss out the opportunity to have the best of times with their high-voltage performance!

Setlist
Intro: The Heat Is On (Glenn Frey song)
Disaster
Emergency
Dangerous Ground
Hollywood
Rise
Nationwide
Harder to Breathe
In and Out of Trouble
Beg Beg Beg (included snippet from Black Sabbaths War Pigs)
Cry
Back to the Rhythm
Living on the Run
Bad Time for Love
1000 Miles
One by One
Tearing Down the Walls
Outro: Sister Christian (Night Ranger song)

Band members
Kenny Leckremo – vocals
Dave Dalone – guitar
Jimy Jay – bass
Jona Tee – keyboards
Don Crash – drums

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

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.

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

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

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