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

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 the 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.

Bloodred Hourglass

Modern metal quintet Bloodred Hourglass (BRHG) was formed in 2005 in Mikkeli. The band is currently signed to Out of Line Music and has released five full-length studio albums. They're often considered a melodic death metal group, but their fifth studio album "Your Highness" (2021) showed the fivesome moving towards a more modernised approach in their sound, bringing in elements from metalcore and alternative metal as well as the introduction of clean vocals for the first time in their history.

Hooded Menace

Formed in 2007 in the very Eastern part of Finland, in the city of Joensuu, Hooded Menace is known for death metal influenced doom. Their music takes influence from many known acts such as Candlemass, Cathedral and Paradise Lost. Their 7th full-length “The Tritonus Bell” released in 2021, brought an influence of 80’s heavy metal, which resulted in a more up-tempo album compared to the band’s previous work. In 2025, Hooded Menace returned with their 8th album, titled "Lacrymose Monuments of Obcuration".

Assemble the Chariots

Symphonic deathcore band Assemble the Chariots comes up with a distinctive blend of orchestral extreme metal and mythopoeic storytelling. Originally formed in 2008, the band has undergone numerous changes in how it combines the various elements of its musical style. Despite these evolutions, the core approach has remained consistent: a focus on epic orchestral melodies and chord progressions, paired with high-speed blast beats and intense vocal delivery. Their debut album "Unyielding Night" was released in 2024 via Seek & Strike Records.

Scorpion Milk

Scorpion Milk is the new project from Mat McNerney, known for his work on Beastmilk’s Climax and subsequent albums with Grave Pleasures. The debut album, "Slime of the Times", carries forward elements of his earlier post-punk sound in a more raw and direct form, described as 'apocalyptic post-punk. ' McNerney, also active in the black metal scene with past roles in bands like Dødheimsgard and current work with Hexvessel, blends influences from UK anarcho-punk and 1980s post-punk. Scorpion Milk may appeal to fans of Killing Joke, Crass, The Fall, and early Sisters of Mercy, as well as contemporary acts like Drab Majesty, Health, and Molchat Doma.

Luponero

Alternative rock trio Luponero draws on influences ranging from classic rock to modern punk. Fronted by Marco Luponero (formerly of Terrorwheel, Altaria and Marco Luponero & The Loud Ones), the band caught many ears with their debut single "DAD BOD ROK GOD", an "anthem celebrating the timeless allure of rocking dads". Later, Swedish label Icons Creating Evil Art signed the band and re-released the viral single as a priority release. Luponero's debut album saw the light of day in April 2025.

Amorphis

Progressive metal band Amorphis was founded by drummer Jan Rechberger and guitarists Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums, they evolved into playing other genres, including progressive metal, folk metal, and melodic death metal. Amorphis has a discography boasting 14 studio albums and is considered one of the most internationally significant Finnish metal bands, frequently touring around the world. Beside the founding trio, their line-up now consists of bassist Olli-Pekka Laine (since 1990), keyboardist Santeri Kallio (since 1998), and lead vocalist Ville Tuomi (since 2005).

Mors Principium Est

Melodic death metal group Mors Principium Est was established in Pori in 1999. MPE has gone through many line-up changes during their career, with vocalist Ville Viljanen being the sole permanent member in the band. Despite this, Mors Principium Est has been called one of the most consistent bands in the genre, mixing influences from several different metal subgenres into their stew. MPE's latest, 9th album "Darkness Invisible" was released via Reigning Phoenix in 2025.

Omnium Gatherum

Six-piece band Omnium Gatherum are known for their 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 dow the line, guitarist Markus Vanhala is now the sole original member of the band.

Royal Sorrow

Blending flavors of metal with hints of electronic, symphonic, and pop, the mysterious Royal Sorrow emerged in the Finnish music scene in 2024. Despite being officially newcomers, the band's members have played and produced music together more than half their lives music as Edge of Haze. The quartet of childhood friends have brewed a grandiose style of their own where vivid and versatile vocals meet a thunderous wall of sound, reminiscent of a heavier Muse, or a more modern Von Hertzen Brothers. In 2024, Royal Sorrow signed with Germany-based label Inside Out.

Shedfromthebody

Doomgaze/alternative metal artist Shedfromthebody’s – a solo project by multi-disciplinary artist Suvi Savikko – music paints a distorted, ethereal landscape, through which she carries her songs with her haunting vocals and a wall of crushing guitars. With her roots in doom metal, doom folk, and early 2000s alternative rock, Shedfromthebody's music varies from grim to comforting, from crushingly heavy to light and airy. Her debut album, "A Dead and Aimless Hum" (2020), has been followed by “Amare” (2023) and "Whisper and Wane" (2025). Savikko has also produced darkwave music under the name 1X4X44R and composed music for the Love Shore game.

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.

Ínkar

Ínkar is a Helsinki-based artist whose music blends elements of dark folk, doom, and progressive rock. Drawing inspiration from the shamanic aesthetics of Nordic acts such as Heilung and Wardruna, as well as the experimental approach of artists like Leprous and Chelsea Wolfe, Ínkar's sound is atmospheric and distinctive. The lyrics often reference nature and incorporate old Finnish dialects, contributing to a performance style that merges music with poetic and theatrical elements.

Sapata

Sapata is a progressive heavy doom metal band based in Tampere. Formed in 2014, the group has released two full-length albums, "Satanibator" (2017), "No Sun To Embrace" (2021), and the EP "Reflections" (2018). In 2025, the quintet returned with their 3rd album, "Veins", on Time to Decay Records.

Endless Without

endless without is a post-pandemic Helsinki-based band formed in 2022. Musically, the band creates a raw but also melodic and atmospheric space between shoegaze, nu-metal, and post-grunge. Ethereal textures collide with heavy, down-tuned riffs and melodic vocals, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-driven. Their songs wander through existential questions and inner turmoil, tracing the shadows of human darkness while catching the fleeting sparks of light within it.

Wolfheart

Masters of melancholic brutality, Wolfheart returned with their seventh studio album "Draconian Darkness" (Reigning Phoenix Music) in September 2024. The album 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.

Night After

Oulu-based Night After combines elements of modern metal with melodic guitar work, straightforward lyrics, and clean production. With their blend of intensity and accessibility, the band has steadily built a following through online platforms and live shows, performing in a variety of settings from local venues to larger festivals. Their second album, "All for Nothing," was released in September 2025.

Stoned Statues

Stoned Statues is an alternative metal band formed in 2019. Their sound mixes progressive rock, stoner metal, and grungy riffs together with pop elements and relies on catchy melodies. Lead singer Jenna Kosunen’s strong vocals and lyrics, along with Markus Hakala's (vocals, guitar) and Allu Tanskanen's (drums) playing, create a combination of metal with punk attitude. Stoned Statues released their eponymous debut album in 2022, which was nominated in three categories in the national Emma awards (the "Finnish Grammys", as people like to say). Their sophomore full-length, "Guardian", was released a year after.

Sweatmaster

Sweatmaster is a garage rock trio known for its energetic and unpolished sound. Formed in 2000, the band consists of Sasu Mykkänen (bass, vocals), Mikko Luukko (guitar), and Matti Kallio (drums). They released several 7" singles before putting out their debut album "Sharp Cut" in 2003, and finally split in 2010. The reformed Sweatmaster, set to release their first new album in over fifteen years in January 2025, hasn’t changed a bit during their time away. The raw power of their stripped-down, two-minute rock tracks comes from a combination of reckless energy, muscular delivery, and a laid-back, confident attitude.

Sunniva

Formed in Turku in 2016, Sunniva is a sludge metal band whose sound blends elements of death doom, sludge, and post-metal. Their name, derived from the Old English Sunngifu ("gift of the sun"), reflects the contrasts of light and dark present in their music. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Amenra, Neurosis, and Dark Buddha Rising, Sunniva is known for creating dense, atmospheric compositions. Their discography includes "The Holy Mountain" (2017) album and a self-titled EP (2020), contributing to their reputation for immersive and intense soundscapes.

The Rasmus

One of Finland's biggest music exports in the past decades, The Rasmus' (founded in 1994 in Helsinki) big triumph came with the international smash hit "In The Shadows" (2002) and subsequent albums "Dead Letters" (2003), "Hide from the Sun" (2005) and "Black Roses" (2007). The Rasmus has sold 5 million albums worldwide, and about 350,000 albums in Finland alone. They have won numerous awards, both domestic and international. In 2022, The Rasmus introduced a new guitarist, Emilia "Emppu" Suhonen, and competed in Finland's selection for Eurovision Song Contest. Their 10th album "Rise" came out later that year.

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". Third full-length "Forgotten Shades of Life" followed in 2022. Now signed to Frontiers Records, Shiraz Lane will come out with their fourth album in 2025.

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".

Dome Runner

Dome Runner, an industrial metal band active since 2017, combines elements of extreme metal, hardcore, and alternative with dystopian soundscapes and mechanical textures. Their second album, "World Panopticon", is set for release by Svart Records in November 2025.

Battle Beast

One of Finland's most successful hard rock bands, 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 latest, seventh full-length album, "Circus of Doom," was released in 2022.

Before the Dawn

Before The Dawn is a pioneering Finnish melodic death / gothic metal band. The group first saw the light of day in 1999 as a solo project of Tuomas Saukkonen. In January 2013, after seven album releases, Tuomas Saukkonen announced that he was putting Before the Dawn to rest. In 2021, the band was reformed, and their comeback album, "Stormbringers", was released by Stay Heavy Records in 2023.

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.

God Given Ass

Helsinki punk rockers God Given Ass started already around 2008, when singer and huge domestic rock star Otto Grundström, called it quits with his former group Tehosekoitin. In 2025, the band finally comes with their eponymous debut album, which they describe as "from no-frills to quite-a-lot-of-frills, mostly uptempo but not all the time, covering various subject matters from the very trivial to the marginally meaningful. Will be appreciated by people who know their rock’n’roll, old timers & neophytes alike."

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.

Artkills

Formed in 2020, Artkills is a Finnish modern metal band blending melodic elements with a technical sound. Influenced by artists such as HIM, The Rasmus, and Bring Me the Horizon, the band has developed a style that balances heavy instrumentation with accessible melodies. Artkills was founded by Jesse Ågrén (drums) and Lassi Luukkainen (guitar), and later joined by Jaakko Helenius (guitar, backing vocals), Johannes Kyytinen (bass), and Olli Hyvönen (vocals).

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.

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