Playlists

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Words by Music Finland

Published 4.1.2019

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 HIM, Nightwish and Children of Bodom, to cult favorites such as Beherit and Terveet Kädet, 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 Spotify or Apple Music and read more about the artists below! The playlist is updated regularly.

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Blind Channel

This Helsinki based sextet spices their melodic hard rock and nu-metal with electronic pop influences. Since their formation in 2014, Blind Channel has played hundreds of shows and toured in Europe with bands like Simple Plan, Amaranthe and Enter Shikari and the Spotify plays on their biggest songs count in millions. Blind Channel’s third album "Violent Pop" (named after the genre tag by which the band likes to label their music) was be released in March 2020.

Wheel

The Helsinki-based foursome is as much inspired by Radiohead’s art rock as they are with heavy metal. This results in “an expansive and mind-melting collage of progressive rock, grunge and film score that twists and turns in ways no band have ever done before”, as Wheel describes themselves. Besides having a knack for time-defying grooves, heavyweight orchestration and dark surrealism, Wheel has also established themselves as a group unafraid to speak out, with songs touching subjects like the Syrian refugee crisis or dystopic visions on media censorship.

Stam1na

Melodic metal phenomenon Stam1na have achieved almost everything a rock band can achieve in Finland. Each of their six albums have sold gold and the band has played hundreds of kick-ass mostly sold out shows all over the country. Outside of their home country, Stam1na have played in Japan, Germany and the Baltics.

One Morning Left

Founded in 2008 in Vaasa, Finland, One Morning Left is well known for their unique blend of electro, hardcore and metalcore influences as well as their entertaining and energetic live shows where absolutely anything can happen. The band has so far released four albums: "Panda Loves Penguin" (2009), "The Bree-TeenZ" (2011), "Our Sceneration" (2013) and "Metalcore Superstars" (2016).

Black Totem

Black Totem is a death rock band based in Turku, Finland. Now with their new album “Shapeshifting” – out in January 2021, 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.

Arion

Metal quintet Arion was formed in 2011, while the members were still in high school. Two years later the band was already signed to Ranka Recordings and performing on Finnish television’s UMK song competition, to be a Eurovision finalist. That Arion did not become, but instead their symphonic power metal quickly found fans in Japan and Finland, where the band has toured relentlessly. Arion’s second album “Life Is Not Beautiful” was released in late 2018.

Korpiklaani

Since they formed in 2003, Korpiklaani has become one of the most acclaimed groups in the genre of folk metal, with instruments like fiddles, accordions and hurdy-gurdy in the mix. After their 2018 album "Kulkija", the band has released nearly a dozen versions of their malty anthem "Beer Beer" in different languages, along other drinking songs such as "Jägermeister" and "Land of a Thousand Drinks".

Misterer

Misterer is the perfect example of The New Wave of Finnish Thrash Metal (NWOFTM). The band was founded by a drumming lead singer Mikko Herranen after realizing he wanted to focus his creative talent and force on old school Thrash Metal with the melodic and aggressive sounds of the 21st century thrown into the mix.

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.

Cyan Kicks

Helsinki based alternative rock foursome Cyan Kicks sparked interest with their singles such as Gasoline, Satellite as well as their rocking cover of Clean Bandit’s Rockabye. Fronted by singer Susanna Aleksandra the band combines electronic sounds and pop hooks with a modern hard rock sound. Their debut album "I Don't Love You" was released in August 2019, with 13 songs about “chaos, lies, self-destruction, determination, fearlessness and the passion to follow your dreams”, as the band states.

Waltari

Waltari is a rock band playing crossover music that combines the punk rock attitude with some craziness from the progressive rock and new wave scene. In a musical adventure that began already in 1986 and has taken the band across Europe, Waltari has found a place in the hearts of crossover metal lovers everywhere.

Michael Monroe

The ever-energetic Hanoi Rocks frontman and songwriter has made a long and successful solo career since his legendary sleaze rock band finally called it quits in 2009. Monroe’s last releases have been critical and commercial successes, with 2011's "Sensory Overdrive" winning Classic Rock magazine’s ‘Album Of The Year’ award. His four-piece band includes ex-Hanoi Sam Yaffa and former New York Doll Steve Conte.

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.

Pharaoh Overlord

Pharaoh Overlord is an experimental rock group which features members of Circle. On their latest album "Zero", released in November 2020, the band is joined by HJ Irmler from Faust on keyboards and Antti Boman (Demilich) on guttural death metal growls. The Quietus gave "Zero" unrestrained praise, saying "boldly unearthing the missing link between disco and death metal, Pharaoh Overlord deserve to be taken seriously".

Steve 'n' Seagulls

Steve 'n' Seagulls made their name by carrying out simply impressive bluegrass covers of famous heavy metal songs, which has even taken them to the number one spot on Billboard Bluegrass albums chart. To date the group has covered tracks such as "Thunderstruck", "Aces High" and "Cemetery Gates" to name a few, but the band's fourth album "Another Miracle" (2020) was their first one to boast a track listing with more original songs than covers!

Moon Shot

The self-proclaimed "true 21st century rock band" with an anthemic stadium rock sound, Moon Shot released their debut single in November 2020 and are planning to release their first full-length in 2021. Prior to forming Moon Shot, the four members have toured the world as members of Disco Ensemble, Children of Bodom and Lapko.

Erja Lyytinen

Back in 2003, guitarist Erja Lyytinen was the first woman to graduate from the prestigious Sibelius Academy majoring in electric guitar. These days Lyytinen has a 7 album strong catalogue and she has toured around the world with the likes of Walter Trout and gained several international accolades – such as the European Blues Award – for her music. Lyytinen’s 2019 album “Another World” sees her breaking through the boundaries of the blues genre.

Awake Again

Awake Again is a four piece alternative metal outfit from Turku. In 2018, they won the international Wacken Metal Battle band competition. Later that year performed at Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany and signed an international record deal with Spinefarm Records. Their music is a mixture of metal, post-hardcore and pop. Awake Again has made a steady rise in the Finnish metal scene with their catchy songs and energetic live performances.

Onsègen Ensemble

Onsègen Ensemble is a unique prog-oddity from the far north of Finland. The band calls their 3rd album FEAR "a mesmerising mystical trip, with excursions into wonderfully cinematic and flamboyant landscapes". The band’s music has been called "a rich temple to instrumental soundtracks that weave widescreen stories of extravagant imagery". The constantly evolving Onsègen Ensemble was born in 2004. Their debut album “Awalaï” was released in 2016 and the sophomore effort “Duel” in 2018.

Niki's Project

Niki's Project is a band formed between Barbe-Q-Barbies vocalist Niki and her husband, who started to make music along with starting a family. Between changing diapers, they manage to sit down, jam and write songs – aiming to release a new single every one or two months.

The 69 Cats

The 69 Cats is a dark rockabilly band formed by The 69 Eyes head honcho Jyrki 69. Their sound blends elements of goth and hard rock along with the vintage rockabilly rhythm and twang. The supergroup also features members of Headcat, The Cramps, The Damned and Nekromantix.

Ember Falls

Ember Falls’ music is a mixture of aggressive electronics, pop and modern metal. Their new album Welcome to Ember Falls was released by Spinefarm Records.

Playlists

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.

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Blind Channel

Wheel

Stam1na

One Morning Left

Black Totem

Arion

Korpiklaani

Misterer

Blame Me!

Cyan Kicks

Waltari

Michael Monroe

Oceanhoarse

Pharaoh Overlord

Steve 'n' Seagulls

Moon Shot

Erja Lyytinen

Awake Again

Onsègen Ensemble

Niki's Project

The 69 Cats

Ember Falls

100 Finnish songs you should hear

New Experimental Music from Finland

New World and Folk Music from Finland