Playlists

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Words by Music Finland

Published 3.2.2023

The first groundbreaking Finnish rock bands paved the way for future success already back in the 1970’s, with bands like Hanoi Rocks and Wigwam inspiring numerous Finnish artists with their success.

Ever since the late 1990’s Finnish rock and heavy metal bands have been household names all over the world. From stadium sized acts like The Rasmus, Nightwish and Amorphis, to cult favorites such as Beherit and Terveet Kädet, to fresh newcomers like Blind Channel and Cyan Kicks, the list could go on endlessly. Mind you, even Barack Obama knows that Finland has the most heavy metal bands in the world per capita!

On the New rock and Metal from Finland playlist we take a look at the most exciting new releases Finland has to offer. Listen to the playlist on Apple Music or Spotify and read more about the artists below! The playlist is updated regularly.

New Rock and Metal from Finland on Apple Music

New Rock and Metal from Finland on Spotify

Wintersun

Wintersun was originally formed in 2003, as the side project of Jari Mäenpää, then-vocalist and guitarist of folk metal band Ensiferum. The band's "Extreme Melodic Majestic Metal" draws influences from different metal subgenres, such as power, folk, death, black and neo-classical metal. Two of the band's members, drummer Kai Hahto and bassist Jukka Koskinen, are also members of Nightwish, while guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari plays in Megadeth. Wintersun released their 4th album "Time II" in August 2024.

Beyond Awareness

Beyond Awareness was founded in 2019 by four metalheads from Tampere, pushed by their urge to find a metalcore sound of their own and the ambitious goal to take the Finnish metalcore scene out to the world. Beside metalcore, the band’s music applies elements from pop, rap and electronic music and their single releases have gotten a positive response in the metal scene, being added to some of Spotify’s most popular metal playlists.

Suotana

Melodic death metal band Suotana spice up their sound with influences from melodic black and power metal. Suotana was originally formed in 2005 as Ville Rautio’s solo project, and later completed with a five-piece group around him. The death metallers released their debut album "Frostrealm" in 2025, and it has been followed with two albums since: 2018's "Land of the Ending Time" and 2023's "Ounas I". Currently Suotana is signed to the Germany based Reaper Entertainment label.

Ginger Evil

“From Foo Fighters to Fleetwood Mac” is how Ginger Evil describes their sound. Born from the ashes of Moonshine Inc., the band's founding members are Tomi Julkunen and Veli Palevaara (guitars & bass) with the addiction of Toni Mustonen on drums and the powerhouse vocalist Ella Tepponen. The quartet's debut album “The Way It Burns”, due out later in 2024, is produced and mixed by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers (Rammstein, Volbeat, Sunrise Avenue, Apocalyptica).

Nightwish

Nightwish was originally formed in Kitee, Finland, in 1997 by keyboardist and songwriter Tuomas Holopainen. During their over two-decade existence, these metal giants have risen to become one of the biggest symphonic metal bands in the world. In April 2020 Nightwish released their ninth studio album "Human. :II: Nature". Its follow-up, "Yesterwynde", Nightwish's 10th album, will see the light of day on September 20th, 2024.

Swallow the Sun

One of the biggest Finnish metal exports of the past decades, Swallow the Sun was formed in 2000 in Jyväskylä, Central Finland. Their death-doom style emphasizes melody and atmosphere, and occasionally steps into gothic and black metal territory. Swallow the Sun released their eighth album "Moonflowers" on Century Media Records in 2021, and it will be followed with a long-play named "Shining" in October 2024.

Lordi

Finland’s number one monster rock band Lordi rose to global fame after the Eurovision victory in 2006, with their catchy hard rock hit ”Hard Rock Hallelujah”. Since then, the group has toured in Europe, US and Asia several times and released a steady string of albums. In 2021 the band released a massive entity of seven (!) new albums called "Lordiversity". Never eager to lay low, the monsters returned in 2023 with a new collection os songs, "Screem Writers Guild".

Parashyne

Parashyne is a project by vocalist and composer Tanja Härkönen. Parashyne’s music is melodic and catchy, with elements from rock, heavy metal and pop music. The project's debut ep "One" was made in co-operation with guitarist Samuli Federley and bassist Strutter.

Wolfheart

Masters of melancholic brutality, Wolfheart, are gearing up for the release of their seventh studio album "Draconian Darkness" due out on September 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The album's first singles showcased Wolfheart's taste for blending vicious riffing with icy atmosphere and impactful melodies. The frontman of the band, Tuomas Saukkonen, is also known from bands such as Black Sun Aeon, Before the Dawn and Dawn of Solace.

Opium Warlords

Started in 2004 by Sami "Albert Witchfinder" Hynninen (Reverend Bizarre, Spiritus Mortis), Opium Warlords takes journeys into the land of slow and heavy traditional doom metal á la Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus and occult/esoteric lyrical themes and the occasional drone metal part. Alongside Hynninen, the band consists of keyboardist Laura Länsimäki and drummer Erkki Virta, and is currently signed to Svart records.

Oranssi Pazuzu

Oranssi Pazuzu, formed in 2007, is one of the most idiosyncratic Finnish metal bands and has gained a substantial international following. With their albums such Värähtelijä (2016) and Mestarin kynsi (2020), Oranssi Pazuzu's combination of quirky progressive psychedelia, space rock and Nordic black metal has been met with praise from both fans and critics alike, and earning them nominations for Nordic Music Prize and Teosto Music Prize, as well as praise in media outlets such as Pitchfork, The Quietus, Kerrang and The Needle Drop.

I Am Your God

The Rovaniemi based melodic metal band I Am Your God combines striking melody lines with heavy riffs. The band was formed in 2018 and has been signed to Out of Line Music since 2020. Their debut album "The Resurrection" (2020) was reviewed as classical yet comprehensive and fresh entity of melodic death metal music. The debut record was followed by their sophomore album "SINister" in 2023.

Stratovarius

Power metal giants Stratovarius, originally formed in 1985, are one of the most successful Finnish metal bands. Since their formation, Stratovarius has released 15 studio albums. During its existence, the band has gone through many lineup changes, and after founding guitarist Timo Tolkki's departure in 2008, there are no founding members remaining in the line-up. Currently, the longest standing members are singer Timo Kotipelto and keyboardist Jens Johansson, who have joined in 1994 and 1995, respectively. In September 2022, Stratovarius will release their first new album after 7 years.

Endless Chain

Melodic and melancholic Endless Chain was formed in 2017 essentially as a solo project by Timo Mölsä, who recorded the debut album “Forthcoming Past” with a team of Finnish metal heavy-hitters like Mikko Heikkilä (Kaunis Kuolematon), Ville Hovi (Blackstar Halo), Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator) and Samuli Mikkonen (Korpiklaani). After the debut album, Endless Chain grew into a full band. The 2nd album “Agony” was recorded and mixed by Aleksanteri Kuosa (Before The Dawn, Wolfheart) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein, Volbeat, Hypocrisy, Ville Valo etc.). Recommended for fans of Insomnium, Swallow The Sun and Amorphis.

Cemetery Skyline

The lineup of goth rock/metal ensemble Cemetery Skyline is made up of quite well known musicians: singer Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect), guitarist Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum), keyboardist Santeri Kallio (Amorphis), bass player Victor Brandt (Dimmu Borgir, Witchery, Entombed) and drummer Vesa Ranta (Sentenced, The Abbey). The self-described "Nordic Gothic" quintet is signed to Century Media and should be recommended to anyone with i.e. Type O Negative, The Cult or Sisters of Mercy albums in their collection.

Hexvessel

Since their acclaimed debut “Dawnbearer” (2011), Hexvessel have released three albums of forest folk and bewitching psychedelia. They have played sold out headline tours in their homeland, been nominated for 2 Finnish Grammy awards, toured Europe together with bands like Sabbath Assembly and Alcest, graced the main stage at Roadburn in Holland and performed at SXSW in Texan and had their music on the charts and on many critics lists. Their 2023 album "Polar Veil" saw Hexvessel take a sudden turn towards melodic and experimental black metal.

Octoploid

Octoploid is the solo band of Olli-Pekka Laine (bass, keyboards, backing vocals, of Amorphis fame) formed in 2022. The act's debut album “Beyond The Aeons” is due to be released in July 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Combining elements from 90s death and black metal, 70s prog rock and 90s psychedelic rock, their music has its own place on the map. In one phrase, Octoploid's sound has been described as "classic death prog." Built around Laine, the core band includes four musicians: drummer Mikko Pietinen, guitarist Peter Salonen, keyboardist Kim Rantala and vocalist Mikko Kotamäki.

Beast in Black

Helsinki based melodic and atmospheric heavy metal five-piece "with an insanely catchy twist", Beast in Black was founded by Anton Kabanen soon after he had parted ways with Battle Beast in 2015. In 2021 Beast in Black released their third album "Dark Connection", which will quite probably be followed with their 4th album sometime in 2025. From their epic sci-fi, fantasy and cyberpunk stories to the wildly tuneful guitars and multi-layered synthesizers, Beast in Black is over-the-top in almost every sense!

Turmion Kätilöt

Turmion Kätilöt is an industrial metal band from Finland, formed in 2003 by MC Raaka Pee and Dj Vastapallo. They are known for their live show full of energy and dedication – as they do not hesitate to throw in scenes of self-mutilation or whatever comes into their minds.

Split Iris

Progressive metalcore band Split Iris, formed in 2020, spices their music with elements of djent, deathcore, thall and several other styles of modern metal. They rely on ambience and massive soundscapes as much as their dark and driving down-tuned riffs and big breakdowns, with soaring vocal melodies as the proverbial cherry on top. Split Iris is signed to the Seek & Strike label, who will be releasing their debut album in 2024.

Oceanhoarse

Oceanhoarse is a heavy metal group formed by former members of Amoral, For the Imperium and Mygrain in 2018. The foursome released their debut ep "Voluntary Bends" in 2019 and played shows together with Beast in Black. Their debut album, a live offering named "The Damage is Done – Live!" saw the light of day in June 2020 and was followed by studio debut "Dead Reckoning" in 2021 and 2nd long player "Heads Will Roll" in 2023.

Shiraz Lane

Melodic and 80s-leaning hard rock quintet Shiraz Lane was founded in 2011. Their debut album "For Crying Out Loud" was released in 2016 by Italian label Frontiers Music Srl. Between 2016 and 2017 the group toured across Europe with likes of Lordi and Brother Firetribe, and 2018 saw the release of their sophomore album "Carnival Days". Now signed to Ranka Kustannus, Shiraz Lane will come out with a third album in 2022.

Apocalyptica

Since they formed in 1993 as a "Metallica by four cellos" student project, Apocalyptica soon grew up to be a proper orchestral rock band, only armed with cellos instead of guitars. Apocalyptica has released nearly a dozen studio albums featuring both cello-based instrumentals along with vocal-based songs, first with featured vocalists and between 2014–15 with singer Franky Perez. Whatever styles they’ve explored – from atmospheric interludes to fast, battering rhythms – their music has been gripping, dynamic and full of melody.

Blame Me!

Blame Me! is a fresh, melodic female fronted alternative rock band blending anthemic choruses and huge walls of guitars and synths. Drawing influences equally from punk pop and melodic metal, Blame Me! first gained attention through Tuska Festival's band contest, after which the foursome started touring both locally and abroad in countries like Estonia and Russia. Blame Me!'s single releases through 2019 and 2020 have been playlisted on domestic radio stations and streaming services alike.

Memoira

The melodic metal band Memoira combines dynamic gothic metal with symphonic orchestrations and strong female vocals. Formed over 10 years ago, their music has been compared to acts like Nightwish and Kamelot. After a long hiatus, Memoira released a new album “Carnival of Creation” in 2020, a dark and atmospheric entity of symphonic gothic metal.

Black Totem

A death rock band based in Turku, Finland, Black Totem are downright lycanthropic, breaking out of their enigmatic origins and taking on a much more unadulterated form. Their catchy, raucous blues songs, with wild, untamed backing vocals and horror-soundtrack keys, give a distinctly Finnish lizard-disco hysteria to their fortified sound, coming across like a blood-bath in a moonshine distillery. Recommended if you're into Danzig, Grave Pleasures and the like!

The Grammers

Keeping the spirit of classic rock alive since 1999, The Grammers is a 7-piece group founded in the small town of Säkylä. The band’s upcoming 8th album was recorded live in Rockfield, Wales, with international top professionals such as Tim Palmer, Jens Bogren and Nick Brine. The Grammers are known as an uncompromising live act, whose sound relies on Hannu Vainionpää's classic hard rock vocals, big and catchy choruses, along with a rough and rolling band sound.

Rock-Criminals

Sleaze/glam rockers Rock-Criminals was formed in 2011 when, according to their own words, "four guys wanted to play rock'n'roll". The band got their first touch of success, when they were seen on national TV as a part of X Factor Finland in 2018. Gigging all over their homeland, they have a reputation as a great live band with vigorous attitude and punk rock spirit. Channelling the style and sound of early Hanoi Rocks, it was only natural that Rock-Criminals would end up working with Michael Monroe – which happened in their 2023 single "Get Yourself Together".

Grain of Pain

Grain of Pain is the solo project of Timo Solonen, known as the guitarist of death doomers Infirmum. On the new project, Solonen is supported by a group of musicians, including guitarist Juho Räihä and drummer Juuso Raatikainen from Swallow the Sun. Grain of Pain's debut full-length “The Moon Lights the Way” was released in May 2024 through the German label Noble Demon.

Mtvkid

Emerging into the Finnish scene in 2023, MTVkid blends elements of punk, alt, and pop rock that feels both nostalgic and new. The Helsinki-based trio features Sebastian Gregg on vocals, Leo Krechmer on guitar, and Kristian Jokilahti on drums. Their music explores a range of emotions and topics, from mental health and social anxiety to love and sexual frustration, always preserving a touch of humour. With a good handful of catchy singles, MTVkid may just prove that the music revolution will be televised.

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