Viikate has its roots in the doom metal scene; In the 1990s, brothers Kaarle and Simeoni Viikate formed a band ostensibly to fill a void in the scene following the second breakup of Lijiykomppania. The band’s success came in early 2000 with the addition of Arvo and Ervo Viikate on guitar and bass, respectively. Although the band hails from the Finnish ultra-heavy metal scene, their lyrical content draws heavily from Finnish arthouse films of the 1950s and from folkier, more national artists like Reino Helismaa. Over the years, the band has undergone lineup changes and additions, but they have always remained true to their trademark sound.
Last November, the band released their 15th album, “Hiljainen,” which is a bit more subdued than their previous works. In support of the album, the band toured Finland on a theater tour. 2026 will mark Viikate’s 30th anniversary, and they’re planning something special to mark the occasion.
We had the chance to meet Kaarle before their show at Porispere and learn more about their latest album, the songwriting process, the lineup changes, and much more.
Category: Interviews
The Vantages Video Interview
The Vantages is a Helsinki-based rock band formed in early 2020. Since then, they’ve firmly established themselves in the Finnish underground rock scene, performing at the renowned Tuska Festival, Ruisrock Festival, and Helldone Festival.
Their sound and lyrics combine contrasting elements, between raw and delicate, in what can best be described as decadent love songs. Following their debut EP released in November 2023, they will release their second EP, “The Vantages II,” this September. To celebrate the new EP, the band will play an intimate show at On The Rocks in Helsinki on September 5th. Tickets are on sale here.
We had the opportunity to meet Tim and Anton before their show at Tuska Festival and learn more about the band and their music.
Noiduin Video Interview
Hailing from the west coast of Finland, Noiduin is a vocal and instrumental ensemble that weaves Finnish folklore and mythology into their music, played on traditional self-made instruments. After two EPs, the band released their debut album, “Loivi,” last May. Rooted in ancient Finnish tradition, Lovi refers to an otherworldly state or space, a rift between worlds. It is a place of crossing where the veil between the living and the dead thins.
One of their songs was recently featured in the trailer for “Call of Duty: Warzone & Black Ops 6 Season 4.”
We had the opportunity to meet Jemina and Henri before their shoeat Tuska Festival and learn more about the band, their music, and their future projects.
Wind Rose Video Interview
Italian power/folk metallers Wind Rose, founded in 2009, released their sixth album, “Trollslayer,” last October. The band has toured extensively with similar acts, their audience is growing, and parties are already in full swing at some venues. We had the opportunity to chat with frontman Francesco Cavalieri after their show at Tuska Festival and learn about their career highlights, the process of creating their latest album, their music videos, and much more.
windroseofficial.com/
Wind Rose Phostos at Tuska Festival, Helsinki (Finland) 27-28-29/06/2025
Cemetery Skyline Video Interview
When touring musicians have a brilliant idea after a few drinks at a karaoke bar, a supergroup is born. Cemetery Skyline is a gothic rock band featuring musicians well-known from Amorphis, Sentenced, Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, and Dimmu Borgir. The band released their debut album, “Nordic Gothic,” last October, to great acclaim in both the metal and non-metal scenes. After a sold-out tour in Finland, the band is ready to hit the US and Latin America.
We had the opportunity to interview Cemetery Skyline’s Markus Vanhala and Santeri Kallio before their show at Tuska Festival in Helsinki and talk about the band’s origins, the album “Nordic Gothic,” live performances, and much more.
https://www.instagram.com/cemeteryskyline
https://www.facebook.com/cemeteryskylineofficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FVIkWmqjcUbtIgS86bnab?si=u4pd5unWQL64pjv3QL156g
Cemetery Skyline photos from Tuska Festival: Tuska Festival, Helsinki (Finland) 27-28-29/06/2025
Royal Sorrow Video Interview
Royal Sorrow is a rising star in the progressive rock scene, releasing their debut album this fall and embarking on a European tour with Leprous.
Royal Sorrow signed an international recording contract with InsideOutMusic, part of Sony Music’s label family, last year, and the band is heading towards international stages together with the British gig sales company Atonal Music Agency.
At Tuska, the band performed on stage for the first time; we had the opportunity to meet them before the concert and learn more about the band and their music.
https://www.instagram.com/RoyalSorrow
https://www.facebook.com/RoyalSorrow
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HadlhyA8MupHSseNEvpLK?si=XmFzxaURTTeYRLDxA9sU7A
The photos from their show at Tuska are available here: Tuska Festival, Helsinki (Finland) 27-28-29/06/2025
Blood Command Video Interview
Blood Command is a Norwegian band known for their energetic and unconventional music, fusing elements of punk rock, hardcore, and pop into what they call deathpop. Their latest album, “World Domination,” was released in 2023 to widespread acclaim. In April, the band released a new single, “All I Ever Hate About You Is,” and is currently working on new music for future releases.
After an energetic show at the Tuska Festival in Helsinki, Finland, we had the opportunity to sit down with Nikki Brumen and Yngve Andersen to talk about their music, gigs, future plans, and much more.
For the photos of their show at Tuska: Tuska Festival, Helsinki (Finland) 27-28-29/06/2025
Omnivortex Video Interview
Finnish technical/blackened death metallers Omnivortex present their music in a frenetically twisted and ever-changing way. Whether it be from clean melodic passages to raw and dissonant chugs with endless blasting and slapping bass, Omnivortex always have new ideas to offer to the listener. From thrash death metal to dissonant black metal, they deliver unforgettable soundscapes. The band has so far released two albums, “Diagrams of Consciousness” in 2020 and “Circulate” in 2023; the new single “Visitant” was released on May 15th and more songs will be released in the near future. Before their show at meara Klubi in Pori, we had the chance to meet frontman Severi Saarioja and bassist Mikael Reinikka and find out more about the band and their music.
https://www.omnivortexofficial.com/
Terromania Video Interview
Terromania is a Finnish Alternative Metal band that is making its way onto the scene with raw power and emotion. Mixing influences from Ghost, Lordi, Gojira, Spiritbox and even the wild energy of Van Halen and Devin Townsend, they push themselves even further by fusing their Heavy Metal base with synthwave, 80s hair metal, pop and hard rock into an unforgettable sound. Signed to Californian record label Ripple Music, Terromania released their debut album “Nyctophobic” in 2023 and several singles, the latest of which, “Reawakened” was released on June 18th.
The band is planning to release one more single before committing to their second full-length album.
We had the chance to meet frontman Julius Silvennoinen and guitarist Antti Saarinen and find out more about their latest single releases, future plans, their shows and much more.
Vanguardian Video Interview
Vanguardian, which rose from the ashes of Inkvisitor in 2019, set its starting point on the idea that the members do everything as a collective, combining into a seamlessly functioning machine. The studio built in collaboration with Jami Honkala and Ville Mikkola gave the band the freedom to work on the upcoming full-length album exactly as it was envisioned – without compromising on schedules and artistic freedoms.
The band, which cherishes its independent production, has developed its constantly refined output year after year towards a more threatening and raw essence, both musically and visually. The seamless groove and sharp ensemble playing have also convinced the audience on the live stage, and the career worked with reverence is taking Vanguardian towards international stages.
We had the chance to chat with the band before their show at Meara Klubi in Pori and find out more about their upcoming album, gigs, music video and much more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.