Rioghan Video-Interview

Finnish modern metal rising star Rioghan has released their second studio album “Kept” on February 14th, 2025 via Inverse Records. “Kept” revolves lyrically within the name’s theme, every song tells a different story and perspective of being kept in, by, or from something. Imprisonment, mentally or physically, in different moments of life or within someone’s presence.
To celebrate the album, the band played a live stream show the day before the release, and it was a success. Now the band is ready to do as many live shows as possible and introduce their music to all fans of modern and progressive metal.
Our reporter Cristina had the chance to sit down with frontwoman Rioghan Darcy and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi and find out more about their latest album, music videos, tour and much more.

https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy

Rioghan release the second studio album ‘Kept’ – new video ‘Motion’ also available

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan released their second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. Also an official live video of ‘Motion’ can be seen HERE.

LISTEN to the album: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-kept

Rioghan comments:

About the song ‘Motion’:
“In my opinion, ‘Motion’ entwines everything I love in this band and song making process, a wide variety of vocal range, ominous seriousness with playful twists, catchy chorus and a bag full of surprises all in all! For the whole process of this album’s making, ‘Motion’ has stayed my favorite song of all. Keyboards for this song are played by Vikram Shankar, Teemu Liekkala, and the end solo is performed by our newest addition to the band, keyboardist Aleks Toppari.”

About the album:
” ‘Kept’ revolves lyrically within the name’s theme, every song tells a different story and perspective of being kept in, by, or from something. Imprisonment, mentally or physically, in different moments of life or within someone’s presence. Instrumentally, ‘Kept’ goes to way more deeper ends than it’s predecessor ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’. As expected, we couldn’t decide whether to soar or to dive, so we did both and visited all kinds of levels in between. I feel like we reached new lengths in working together as a band and our bond has grown so much stronger, giving a lot of space to more free creativity.”

About the live shows:
“It feels SO good to get back to live shows and meeting all the lovely people who have carried this forward to this point and also welcoming all the new faces in the crowd! Yesterday’s pre-listen party and livestream show was an unforgettable experience, so much love for everyone involved!”

The music video of first single ‘Edge’ can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4

The music video of second single ‘Hands’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-4BO6FTB8

The music video of third single ‘Distance’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFfafeR93nY

BIOGRAPHY
The rising star of modern Finnish metal Rioghan has made an unforgettable expression to the metal scene with their multi-layered musical expression full of surprises. Strikingly beautiful yet violent imagery hand in hand with the music creates an otherworldly experience, easy to fall in love with.

Rioghan’s music is modern metal with progressive twist – ranging from melodic death metal moments to floating dark pop elements, while ethereal gothic darkness walks right beside you all the way.

Based in 2019 around singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band has gained international attention from their very first EP Blackened Sky. Positive remarks grew even heavier with their debut album Different Kinds Of Losses, made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Einar Solberg (Leprous).

The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarist Teemu Liekkala (Red Eleven), guitarist Tero Luukkonen (Red Eleven), bassist Antti Varjanne (Joviac, Time Primer), and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi (Leverage).

Rioghan’s live production consists of hardcore professionals, and every moment is thought through from lights to stage presence. Dedicatedly practiced show was presented to fans in autumn 2024, when Rioghan toured Finland with Wheel in Olympia, Tampere; Sawohouse UG, Kuopio; On The Rocks, Helsinki; Lutakko, Jyväskylä; Finlandia-klubi, Lahti and 45Special, Oulu.

The crowd’s warm welcome with the successful tour ensured Rioghan their place among the future exports to be reckoned with.

Rioghan – Kept (Album 2025)

Track list:
01. Dreams
02. Hands
03. Skin
04. Edge
05. Distance
06. Hopes
07. Motion
08. Here
09. Red
10. Grief

Cover photo: Mikko Parkkonen / Aarni Visuals

Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Produced & mixed by Teemu Liekkala
Mastered by Miro Kiiski / Miro Mastering

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar & keys
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

Links: 
https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy

Rioghan to release album ‘Kept’ on Friday 14th – Special live stream show on February 13th

One of the most anticipated prog metal releases of the year will be released this Friday, when Rioghan‘s second album ‘Kept’ will see the light of day. Rioghan, who attracted widespread international attention with their debut, is now diving into deeper musical extremes with ‘Kept’. The band, which operates in the world of modern metal, has a strong gothic and progressive element in their music. The new album also features electronic sounds, organic soundscapes and dark pop elements.

Rioghan will present their album ‘Kept’ with a special live stream show on Thursday 13th. During the live stream broadcast from Alimus in Kallio, Rioghan will play their entire upcoming album from start to finish.
Tickets on sale here.

Rioghan – Kept (Album 2025)

Track list:
01. Dreams
02. Hands
03. Skin
04. Edge
05. Distance
06. Hopes
07. Motion
08. Here
09. Red
10. Grief

Cover photo: Mikko Parkkonen / Aarni Visuals

Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Produced & mixed by Teemu Liekkala
Mastered by Miro Kiiski / Miro Mastering

About Rioghan:

The rising star of modern Finnish metal Rioghan has made an unforgettable expression to the metal scene with their multi-layered musical expression full of surprises. Strikingly beautiful yet violent imagery hand in hand with the music creates an otherworldly experience, easy to fall in love with.

Rioghan’s music is modern metal with progressive twist – ranging from melodic death metal moments to floating dark pop elements, while ethereal gothic darkness walks right beside you all the way.

Based in 2019 around singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band has gained international attention from their very first EP Blackened Sky. Positive remarks grew even heavier with their debut album Different Kinds Of Losses, made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Einar Solberg (Leprous).

The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarist Teemu Liekkala (Red Eleven), guitarist Tero Luukkonen (Red Eleven), bassist Antti Varjanne (Joviac, Time Primer), and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi (Leverage).

Rioghan’s live production consists of hardcore professionals, and every moment is thought through from lights to stage presence. Dedicatedly practiced show was presented to fans in autumn 2024, when Rioghan toured Finland with Wheel in Olympia, Tampere; Sawohouse UG, Kuopio; On The Rocks, Helsinki; Lutakko, Jyväskylä; Finlandia-klubi, Lahti and 45Special, Oulu.

The crowd’s warm welcome with the successful tour ensured Rioghan their place among the future exports to be reckoned with.

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar & keys
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

Links: 
https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy

 

Rioghan released the last single ‘Skin’, taken from the upcoming second studio album Kept

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan is set to release the second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. The fourth single ‘Skin’ was released yesterday and it’s available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-skin

Rioghan comments:

About the single:
‘Skin’ is a story of a very still and short moment in time, which yet holds a life altering experience. It tells about the art of keeping up a mask and a façade, while feeling incredibly shattered and tumultuous inside. Our goal was to also capture this story to the music, keeping it very bare and fragile until the veil lifts for a moment, and gets tied back in the very end.

About the upcoming album release & tour
This last single before the album release brings up all kinds of excitement, getting the finishing touches to all materials and trying to figure out what I might’ve forgot.. And also a very strict training season for the live shows to come! It’s been a handful to get all the new songs in order for the live set, but of course so much fun!”

The music video of first single ‘Edge’ can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4

The music video of second single ‘Hands’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-4BO6FTB8

The music video of third single ‘Distance’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFfafeR93nY

BIOGRAPHY
The rising star of modern Finnish metal Rioghan has made an unforgettable expression to the metal scene with their multi-layered musical expression full of surprises. Strikingly beautiful yet violent imagery hand in hand with the music creates an otherworldly experience, easy to fall in love with.

Rioghan’s music is modern metal with progressive twist – ranging from melodic death metal moments to floating dark pop elements, while ethereal gothic darkness walks right beside you all the way.

Based in 2019 around singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band has gained international attention from their very first EP Blackened Sky. Positive remarks grew even heavier with their debut album Different Kinds Of Losses, made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Einar Solberg (Leprous).

The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarist Teemu Liekkala (Red Eleven), guitarist Tero Luukkonen (Red Eleven), bassist Antti Varjanne (Joviac, Time Primer), and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi (Leverage).

Rioghan’s live production consists of hardcore professionals, and every moment is thought through from lights to stage presence. Dedicatedly practiced show was presented to fans in autumn 2024, when Rioghan toured Finland with Wheel in Olympia, Tampere; Sawohouse UG, Kuopio; On The Rocks, Helsinki; Lutakko, Jyväskylä; Finlandia-klubi, Lahti and 45Special, Oulu.

The crowd’s warm welcome with the successful tour ensured Rioghan their place among the future exports to be reckoned with.

Rioghan’s second full length album Kept will be released February 14th 2025.

Finnish progressive metal sensation Rioghan to release second album in 2025 – First single ‘Edge’ featuring Vikram Shankar on keys

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan is set to release the second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. The first single ‘Edge’ was unleashed on October 10th and the stunning music video shot and edited by Aarni Visuals can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4

Rioghan comments Edge -single:
” ’Edge’ sets the directions to the new album’s scenery, describing the harsh duality of deeply cut adoration and sickening disappointment, through the eyes of a wounded muse seeking for her revenge. Instrumentally the song is a quite unexpected take. We really pondered if it should be the first single at all, but after thorough thought we understood no other song would fit better for the first taste. This is our “shovel to the face” -opening act!”

Finnish Tour with Wheel:
31.10.2024 Tampere, Olympia
01.11.2024 Kuopio, Sawohouse Underground
02.11.2024 Helsinki, On The Rocks
07.11.2024 Jyväskylä, Lutakko
08.11.2024 Lahti, Finlandia-Klubi
09.11.2024 Oulu, 45 Special

LISTEN to Edge single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-edge

BIOGRAPHY
Rioghan is a fresh breeze to progressive metal scene from Finland. The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, multi-instrumentalist Teemu Liekkala, guitarist Tero Luukkonen, bassist Antti Varjanne and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi.

Their debut album ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’ was made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Einar Solberg (Leprous) and Teemu Koskela (ex-Celesty), and it was rolled out during 2022 sparking interest widely. The singles got airtime in Finland and also internationally, and after the album release in December, Rioghan’s monthly listeners on Spotify peaked at 40 000. The songs also got into multiple Spotify editorial playlists.

Live line-up was put into action in 2023, and this autumn Rioghan will return to stages supporting Wheel on their Charismatic Leaders -tour, bringing their stellar show to Tampere, Kuopio, Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Lahti, and Oulu.

With new full-length album well on the way, the first single ‘Edge’ opens up a completely new portal to Rioghan’s mindset with more straight forward and even aggressive approach. Astonishing range of Rioghan Darcy’s vocals, rowdy djenty guitars and guest performer Vikram Shankar’s flowing keyboards will keep you on the edge of your seat for the whole song.

Rioghan started out as a solo project by singer and poetess Rioghan Darcy, based in Lapua, Finland. After years of writing poetry and lyrics, Rioghan was founded in 2019 with an intention to fleshen up some of her words with music. After a while, it grew into a trio with Teemu Liekkala (guitars, bass, keys, production) and Valtteri Revonkorpi (drums) added as permanent stars for the band, and in 2024 guitarist Tero Luukkonen and bassist Antti Varjanne also officially joined the band from live line-up. Rooted deeply in both gothic and progressive metal scenes, they sure should bring something interesting on the table.

­Rioghan – Edge (Single 2024)

Composed by Teemu Liekkala & Jenni PerämäkiLyrics by Jenni Perämäki
Arranged by Tero Luukkonen, Antti Varjanne, Valtteri Revonkorpi, Vikram Shankar
ISRC: FI3FC2550104
Cover photo: Aarni VisualsCover
layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy