Playlists

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Words by Music Finland

Published 30.3.2026

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

Hokka

HOKKA brings together three well-known figures from Finland’s rock scene: former Blind Channel frontman Joel Hokka, The Rasmus' founding member and former guitarist-songwriter Pauli Rantasalmi, and drummer Jimi Aslak. Their debut single, “In the Darkness,” introduces the key elements of Hokka’s style, blending Nordic melancholy with a modern rock sound. The track draws inspiration from early-2000s Finnish rock while exploring new directions in tone and production.

Beyond Awareness

Founded in 2019 in Tampere, Beyond Awareness delivers the latest sounds of modern metalcore. The band released three singles, which garnered attention from Finnish media and ultimately led to a record deal with Ranka Kustannus in 2021. In partnership with the label, Beyond Awareness has released a slew of singles, which present the band's sound: modern metalcore paired with elements from other genres, such as electronica and pop. The debut album will be released in May 2026.

Hanging Garden

Hanging Garden was formed in 2004, playing heavy, gothic and doom-oriented metal. Over a decade, several albums and numerous line-up changes later, the band's style has evolved to a more melodic, contemporary sound. While still retaining strong roots in metal, Hanging Garden now possesses a versatile, many-layered style of playing, drawing influence and inspiration from music and art far and wide.

King Satan

Industrial metal band King Satan was formed in 2015 in Tampere. Drawing inspiration from electro-industrial rock and death metal, the band has been praised for its lively shows. King Satan released their debut full-length “King Fucking Satan” in 2017, which was followed by their sophomore effort “I Want You to Worship Satan” (2019) and "Occult Spiritual Anarchy" (2022).

Blues Bizarre

Formed in late 2021, Blues Bizarre released their self-titled debut album in 2024. The band combines elements of blues with influences from Eastern music and progressive rock, along with inspiration from the Allman Brothers and the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Their music mixes traditional aspects of the genre with a range of styles and focuses mainly on their own original songs. Their sophomore album, "Gone for Good," was released in 2026.

Turmion Kätilöt

Turmion Kätilöt is a Finnish-language industrial and electronic metal band from Savo that has been gaining more attention among metal listeners in the mid-2020s. Formed in 2003 by MC Raaka Pee and DJ Vastapallo, they have over twenty years of activity and ten studio albums released, and still continue to develop their sound. Turmion Kätilöt 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.

Cvlt of the Svn

Cvlt Ov The Svn have called their music both "black'n'roll" and "occult murder pop" – which both describe their combination of black metal and pop, supernatural themes as well as musical inspiration by bands such as Type O Negative, Marilyn Manson, Turbonegro, Ghost, Pantera, Backyard Babies, and even Roxette. The band has released music since 2018 for a steadily growing number of listeners, but have not yet played live and also have remained anonymous (a bit like their famous Swedish occult rock colleagues Ghost) – due to being "musicians of renown in Finland".

Torchia

Based in Tampere, Torchia have developed a recognizable sound built on melodic death metal with thrash influences. Over time, they have broadened their approach by incorporating darker tones and placing more focus on atmosphere and storytelling. Throughout their releases, the band has created a fictional setting populated by ancient gods, occult practices, and users of forbidden magic, combining the intensity of extreme metal with elements of gothic horror.

Krypta

Artist info coming soon!

Omnium Gatherum

Omnium Gatherum is known for its innovative combination of melodic death and progressive metal. Since their formation in 1996 in the town of Kotka, Omnium Gatherum has released eight albums – their latest, "Origin", was released by Century Media in 2021. During their long career, the band has toured widely in Europe, North America, and the Far East with, among others, Dark Tranquility, Rotting Christ, Swallow The Sun, Insomnium, and Sonata Arctica. After various line-up changes down the line, guitarist Markus Vanhala is now the sole original member of the band.

Kaunis kuolematon

Artist info coming soon!

Distant Stares

Artist info coming soon!

Lastout

Lastout (stylized as LASTOUT, with all caps) has been named "the future of Finnish metal", understandably. Still in their teens, the members of Lastout met in kindergarten and formed their first band in elementary school. Honing their skills through the years, Lastout garnered a substantial following with their melodic progressive metal and djent-inspired riffs. In 2024, they inked a deal with Ranka Recordings (home to Blind Channel, Cyan Kicks) and, after several single releases, they announced their debut album would be released in April 2026.

Dharma Guns

Self-proclaimed "dandy Punks from Helsinki", Dharma Guns play rock’n’roll infused with proto-punk and Scandinavian action rock influences: sing-along choruses, fiery guitar licks, and dirty grooves. Their singles created buzz within the scene, gaining attention from local media outlets and Vive Le Rock alike. Their debut album, "Ex-Generation Superstars" (2024), introduces a band filled with glamour and energy. Dharma Guns' members are formerly known from bands like Karoshi Lovers, Plastic Tears, Vanity Ink, and Jo Below.

Rats Will Feast

Artist info coming soon!

Megaraptor

Artist info coming soon!

Lost Society

Founded by frontman Samy Elbanna in 2010, while the band members were still teenagers, Lost Society are known for their fierce live energy. The band's first three albums “Fast Loud Death” (2013), “Terror Hungry” (2014) and "Braindead" (2016) represented a traditional thrash metal style in the vein of Testament, Anthrax, Kreator and early Metallica – with the mosh parts and all. In 2020 Lost Society returned with their 5th album "No Absolution" and a more modern metal approach.

Horizon Ignited

Bridging the gap between melodic death metal and metalcore, aggressive, melancholic and melodic are the important words when describing Horizon Ignited. Founded in 2017 by guitarists Johannes Mäkinen and Vili Vottonen in Kouvola, Horizon Ignited released their debut "After the Storm" in 2019. The self-published album was met with positive feedback and built up a good following on streaming platforms – which led them soon signing to Nuclear Blast.

Metal De Facto

Proudly flying the flag for melodic, old school power metal, four-piece Metal De Facto was formed by current and former members of bands such as Dreamtale, Kiuas, Ensiferum and Kivimetsän Druidi. With singer Aitor Arrastia's melodic high-and-loud vocal delivery, nasty guitar riffs, the occasional double kick drum beats and synth lines oozing that 1980s spirit and lyrical themes basically fit for Manowar songs, Metal De Facto seriously lives up to its name!

Pretty Affair

Artist info coming soon!

Kaleidobolt

With hints of psychedelic and progressive rock, kraut, stoner, proto-metal and even noise rock, Kaleidobolt's groovy, hypnotic and riff-heavy style basically summarises the essence of what was cool in the 1970s. The power trio, formed in 2014 in Helsinki, released their third album "Bitter" through Svart Records in 2019. Their 2nd album, "This One Simple Trick," saw the light of day in 2022, as well as a live album recorded at Sonic Whip festival in the Netherlands.

Qwälen

The members of Oulu-based quintet Qwälen have been actively involved in the underground punk scene, which can be heard in the notable crust influences in their interpretation of black metal. Lyrical content concentrates mostly on self-portrayal rather than stereotypical anti-religious themes of black metal. Signed to Italian label Time to Kill, Qwälen released their debut full-length "Unohdan sinut" ("I will forget you") in 2021, which was followed with the sophomore album "Syvä hiljaisuus" ("Deep silence") in March 2023.

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 released their debut album in 2024.

Sonata Arctica

Power metal band Sonata Arctica, formed in 1996 first with the name Tricky Beans melds sweeping, melodic compositions and meaty riffs with clean vocals. Their orchestral take on European heavy metal has gained a great audience both nationally and internationally, with hits such as "Tallulah", "Paid in Full", "Replica", "Fullmoon" and "I Have A Right" garnering dozens of millions streams on Spotify. The band has dropped albums steadily since 1999, the latest being "Acoustic Adventures volume one" in 2022 via Atomic Fire.

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. Moon Shot's first full-length, "Confession", was released in 2021, and after the pandemic, the foursome hit the road to promote the album, playing numerous shows in Germany and their home country. 2024 saw the release of their 2nd album "The Power". Before forming Moon Shot, the four members toured the world with bands such as Disco Ensemble, Children of Bodom, and Lapko.

Rioghan

Progressive metal band Rioghan is built around the poems and lyrics of singer-poet Rioghan Darcy. The gothic-flavored progressive metal group came to the attention of international metal circles with the Blackened Sky EP (2021) and debut album "Different Kinds Of Losses" (2022). The debut album was made in collaboration with Einar Solberg from Leprous and Jonas Renksen from Katatonia. The members of the band include Red Eleven's Teemu Liekkala and Leverage's Valtteri Revonkorpi.

King of Sweden

Artist info coming soon!

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.

Atlas

Labeling their sound as Northcore, the Tampere based metalcore band Atlas combines heavy hitting riffs, catchy melodies and immersive soundscapes in their music. They released their debut EP Northern Lights in 2016 and have since toured in Northern Europe with bands such as Adept, Eskimo Callboy, One Morning Left and We Butter The Bread With Butter. Atlas finds inspiration in the darkness and gloom of Finland which can be heard on their latest album "Ukko" released in 2021.

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.

Michael Monroe

The ever-energetic Hanoi Rocks frontman and songwriter has had 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. Monroe shows no signs of slowing down, indeed – after 2022's "I Live Too Fast to Die Young", the rocker is returning in 2026 with "Outerstellar", his 7th album in this decade.

Unearthly Rites

Artist info coming soon!

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