A Finnish city of Lappeenranta — which has quietly become one of the most fertile grounds for Finnish thrash metal — delivers yet another storm warning. MADRED has shifted into a new gear together with Miitri Aaltonen, known for his work with acts such as Mokoma and Stam1na, and the result is nothing short of impressive. Released, the single “Grind It Down“ also serves as the first taste of the upcoming studio album “Running Out Of Problems”, due out in August.
MADRED has been refining its signature Thrash ‘n’ Roll style since 2015, when the band released its debut EP. Combining the raw aggression of thrash metal with the irresistible groove of rock’n’roll, the band has carved out a sound that is distinctly their own:
“One of the coolest things about MADRED is our own sound — we’re really proud of it” says bassist Aapo Peuhkuri.
“’Grind It Down’ is a fast-paced crossover track in classic MADRED style. The song is built on sharp riffs and a tight groove, while a melodic chorus balances the raw energy. Lyrically, it paints a picture of confronting the struggles and chaos of modern life with a ‘bring it on’ attitude,” continues vocalist-guitarist Oskari Hurskainen, recalling how the chorus was born in a Prisma parking lot while waiting for his better half walking the dog — a wait well spent.
Working in the studio with Emma aka Finnish Grammy -nominated producer Aaltonen proved both fruitful and positively challenging, helping the band capture the right kind of energy.
“As with the overall sound of the album, the guitar distortion was dialed down significantly compared to previous recordings, which meant we really had to put power into the playing and be extremely precise — the sound didn’t forgive anything,” Oskari adds.
The band’s debut album Overtime was released in 2021, and over the years MADRED has built a reputation as a relentless live act. Their journey so far has included three European tours as well as performances at venues like legendary Helsinki club Tavastia, where they have shared the stage with the aforementioned Lappeenranta heavyweights.
MADRED is:
Oskari Hurskainen – Vocals, Guitar
Aapo Peuhkuri – Bass, Vocals
Harri Tikka – Lead Guitar
Arttu Kiianen – Drums