Playlists

New Rock and Metal from Finland

Words by Music Finland

Published 3.2.2025

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

Battle Beast

Battle Beast takes all the classical elements of 1980s melodic, traditional heavy metal – crunching riffs, high screams, blistering solos and huge choruses – without being afraid of adding its own flavor to their "party power metal" recipe. The sextet is signed to Nuclear Blast and their seventh full-length album "Circus of Doom" was released in early 2022.

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 they 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.

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.

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.

Slow Fall

Slow Fall, founded in 2016 in Oulu, combines elements of aggression and atmosphere, creating a sound that blends heavy and lighter elements. Their music moves between aggressive passages and quieter acoustic moments, featuring both harsh and clean vocals. Influenced by bands such as Opeth, Children of Bodom, Sentenced, Swallow the Sun, and Amorphis, Slow Fall has developed a distinctive style that balances tradition with innovation. The band has released two full-length albums: "Beneath the Endless Rains" (2020) and "Obsidian Waves" (2023), with a 3rd album, "Blood Eclipse", set for release in May 2025.

Laurenne/Louhimo

In November 2020, metal vocalists Netta Laurenne (Smackbound) and Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast) announced their new project Laurenne/Louhimo, which had been incubating in their heads for a couple of years, but finally came to fruition with all the free time caused by the pandemic. They released their first single "Bitch Fire" in 2021, and a debut album later the same year. In 2025, dynamic duo returned with a new full-length.

Waltari

Waltari is a rock band playing crossover music that combines punk rock attitude with elements from funk metal, thrash, pop, alternative rock – and basically anything but the kitchen sink. In a musical adventure that began already in 1986 and has taken the band across Europe, Waltari and its leading figure Kärtsy Hatakka have found a place in the hearts of crossover metal lovers everywhere. The band's vast discography inludes 15 studio albums, along with various collaborations and compilations.

The Vantages

The Vantages is a six-piece from Helsinki, led by vocalist Tim Mikkola along with Henri Schröter (dr), Aleksi Larkovuo (bass), Mikko Janatuinen (guitar) and Anton Froloff (gtr/keys). Formed in 2020, the group is now working towards their debut album. Inspired by Tim’s infatuation with guitar bands of the 60’s and british indie rock, their shared love of 70’s rock acts and early 00’s goth nostalgia, their sound and lyrics combine contrasting elements of crude and delicate in what are best described as decadent love songs.

Mtvkid

Emerging into the Finnish scene in 2023, MTVkid blends elements of punk, alternative, 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.

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 seven album strong catalogue. 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.

Luna Kills

Alternative rock foursome Luna Kills spices up their unique mix with metal and modern electronic sounds, as well as 00s aesthetics and game music vibes. Their frontwoman, Lotta Ruutiainen is known for her strong vocal performance, ranging from smoother pop singing to metalcore-type fry screams. With a great number of gigs under their belt from clubs to festivals, Luna Kills has also toured Russia and Sweden, sharing stages with acts like Thundermother (SWE). Luna Kills' 2nd album ”not to be bitter, but it helps” (2021) has been followed with a handful of singles throughout 2022–2023 and the band is currently preparing their 3rd album, to be released in 2024.

Balance Breach

Mikkeli based quintet Balance Breach combines the elements of metalcore, post-hardcore and modern rock – along with the Nordic melancholy inherited in their DNA. Since 2019 the band has been signed to a German label Out of Line Music. On their 2nd album "ABYZMAL" , released in May 2023, Balance Breach addresses themes such as mental health problems, loneliness and death as well as violence between family members and intimate partners.

The Blanko

The Blanko is a three-piece alternative rock group formed in 2006. The band has released three albums and played showcases in Europe and Japan, and warmed up for bands such as Apocalyptica, Danko Jones and 3 Doors Down.

Tarja

Tarja Turunen is one of the best-known voices in the international symphonic rock scene. Soprano, composer and songwriter, she reached international fame co-founding and being for nine years the voice and image of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. After her Nightwish years Tarja has so far released a total of seven solo albums, along with live recordings and holiday albums.

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, modern power metal quickly found fans in Japan and Finland, where the band has toured relentlessly. Arion’s came back with the sophomore album “Life Is Not Beautiful” in 2018 and their 3rd full-length "Vultures Die Alone" saw daylight in 2021.

Memoremains

Memoremains fronted by singer Johanna Ahonen, throws in a combination of catchy pop hooks, hard metal riffs, groovy uptempo beats and symphonic elements. After releasing over a dozen singles and the ep "Louder" between 2017 and 2019, the quintet came out with their full-length debut "The Cost Of Greatness" in 2020. Despite having just a few years of service, Memoremains has already toured around Europe, as well as their home country.

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.

Shereign

In the world of Shereign, melodic alternative metal meets a narrative that dives into the depths of the human psyche. On their sophomore album, "Black Halo," Shereign invites listeners to tales of cosmic escape, deepening despair, and the eventual discovery of hope amidst the darkness. Shereign is Sara Strömmer (vocals), Joonas Pulkkinen (guitar), Timo Pönni (guitar), Jani Rissanen (bass) and Miika Kunttu (drums).

Havukruunu

Bridging the gap between black and folk metal, the pitch-dark and mournful foursome Havukruunu (fka Talvikuu) was formed in the small town of Hausjärvi in 2013. After three albums for the Naturmacht Productions label, Havukruunu signed with Svart Records in 2024, to release their 4th full-length "Tavastland" the following year.

...And Oceans

Symphonic black metal band ...And Oceans was founded in 1995 in Pietarsaari. They released four acclaimed albums between 1998–2002 and eventually morphed into the industrial-leaning bands Havoc Unit and Festerday. In 2019 ...And Oceans returned for live shows after a 17-year break and came back with a new album "Cosmic World Mother" in 2020.

East Electric

Formed in 2022, East Electric features singer Jocke Levälampi, guitarist Toni Kajasti, bassist Matti Vähätalo and drummer Tuukka Ilmakari. They have varying backgrounds from different bands and genres, which they now bring together in their blend of 1970s blues rock and modern, alternative sound. East Electric released their self-titled debut EP in 2023.

Rabbit Cult

The duo Rabbit Cult (fka Saruru) calls their music "bunnymetal" – which is quite a timely pigeonhole for their electronic pop metal. On top of it all, Rabbit Cult entwines the roots of Finnish folk epic Kalevala’s mythological matriarchy, and the striking tone of the traditional folk instrument kantele. Conducted by Salla-Marja (vocals, kanteles) and multi-instrumentalist Marianne (drums, percussions, guitar, bass, synth, vocals), Rabbit Cult writes and produces their music together.

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.

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.

Playlists

100 Finnish songs you should hear

In honor of Finland’s 100th anniversary we compiled a playlist of 100 Finnish songs that have...

Music Finland, 26.1.2022

Playlists

New Ambient and Experimental Music from Finland

Get yourself acquainted with the Finnish ambient and experimental music scene!

Music Finland, 3.2.2023

Playlists

New Folk and Global Music from Finland

Get to know the most exciting new folk and global music from Finland!

Music Finland, 26.1.2022