Our last gig of the year was Stam1na and Stoned Statues at Tavara-Asema in Tampere. The venue was packed and the mood was sparking with anticipation – welcome warm from the biting frost outside. Stoned Statues earned their place and were a magnificent opening act for Stam1na. Jenna even came on stage and joined Antti on vocals for one song during Stam1na’s set.
It had been a while since I’ve seen Stam1na and the aesthetic of their newest album “X” was a lot more profound and visible in their live show than I expected. In their background animation and shirts but also in their presence and sound. It definitely felt different for them in a really quintessential way, even more honed in and focused than previous albums and live shows. It was an honor to be there when Sakara Records presented them with their platinum albums for “X” and Tuomo Saikkonen (Mokoma/founding member of Sakara Records) joined them on stage for a few songs!
I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end the 2023 gig year. On to the next!
Our core staff of 2023 has chosen their top 10 album releases of this year, although there are a few overlaps, it seems our favorites hit almost every corner of the heavy, dark and alternative music world!
Samuli’s Top 10
Marduk – Memento Mori
Arkona – Kob’
Primordial – How it Ends
And Oceans – As In Gardens, So In Tombs
Azaghal – Alttarimme on luista tehty
Twin Temple – God Is Dead
Kanonenfieber – U-Bootsmann (EP)
Russkaja – Turbo Polka Party
Stoned Statues – Guardian
Aara – Triade III:Nyx
Carina’s Top 10
In Flames – Foregone
Insomnium – Anno 1696
Soen – Memorial
VV – Neon Noir
Metallica – 72 Seasons
Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags
Sylosis – A Sign Of Things To Come
Obituary – Dying Of Everything
Katatonia – Sky Void Of Stars
Within Temptation – Bleed Out
Serena’sTop 10
Saturnus – The Storm Within
Tenhi – Valkama
Before the Dawn – Stormbringers
Arkona – Kob’
Grave Pleasures – Plagueboys
Katatonia – Sky Void of Stars
Mephorash – Krystl-Ah
Marianas Rest – Auer
And Oceans – As In Gardens, So In Tombs
Osi and the Jupiter – Cedar & Sage (Riders of the Gallows Vol.1)
November 29th, Icelandic post/pagan metallers Sólstafir graced Tavara-Asema in Tampere with an epic performance along with Finnish supergroup The Abbey and Danish fuzz rockers Timechild. Although all three bands distinctly represent different genres of music, their sound blended flawlessly with one another creating a beautifully cohesive musical evening. And even though it was a Wednesday, the venue was pretty packed! That proves it was a solid and desirable lineup. Timechild started the evening out on a higher note, a bit more upbeat and even psychedelic aesthetic and sound. Despite the crowd still trickling in during their set, they tried their hardest to hype those who were already inside the venue, and it worked. Definitely a solid warm up act for the two following bands. The Abbey took a bit of the groove from Timechild and blended it with the more familiar melancholy if Finnish music. With haunting yet beautiful vocals, music ranging from groovy prog to melancholic doom, and an almost classical aesthetic, they were the perfect band to tie the evening together. Sólstafir, as always, was the highlight of the evening. Always the spectacle, never a dull moment. Visually and auditorily stunning, the lights, the individual yet cohesive aesthetic of all the members and their presences. How fully they all seem to get into the music as well as how intimately their vocalist interacts with the audience no matter the size always makes for one of the most unique and heartfelt performances I have ever experienced.
Mors Subita and Marianas Rest played a short but energy packed show to start off the weekend on Thursday, September 16th at Tullikamari’s Klubi in Tampere. A perfect balance of melancholy for these dark autumn days provided by Marianas Rest and enough energy to power the whole town and get the weekend vibe going with Mors Subita.
October 30, 2023 Swedish Industrial Metal masters Deathstars made an appearance in Tampere, Finland along with Priest and King Satan. Although it was a Monday, the venue was packed (some people even in costume for Halloween, beyond the normal dress code of latex and chains). A hometown gig for King Satan as a proper send off for their European tour with Gothminister, the audience was filled with friends and fans from the beginning. Priest was an incredibly pleasant surprise, with no expectation, they hit hyperdrive on the dark party atmosphere and you would have never guessed it was a Monday night! The vocalist even sauntered through the audience as he sang, blessing (cursing? exorcising?) random audience members. Although it seemed to take a few songs for Deathstars to get into the mood (specially after the incredibly entertaining and energetic Priest), about a third of the way through the gig, it was a visible metamorphosis as one by one they slipped into the vibe of the night. Tantalizing, hypnotizing and teasing the audience. One twitch, and Andreas Bergh went from seeming a bit tired and unsure to dominating the venue. Shushing the audience on command, then simply yelling “Hands!” or “Scream”as desired. It was a perfection for the season.
It started with one show, then another, than another. . Poisonblack decided to revive the ghost to celebrate their well known ‘Escapextacy’ album’s 20 year anniversary including both vocalists JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala as well as the original lineup of the band. Not only did they keep adding dates onto this revival, they decided to do a second round and even so, all dates have been sold out, with many fanatics coming from abroad to soak up as much as the nostalgia as they can. I attended and shot their gig at Olympia in Tampere, Finland but was also at their second Helsinki gig in On The Rocks a few days later.
To start off, I never thought I’d get to see this band live. Specially performing this album which had a consistent appearance in my (and probably many other’s) teenage soundtrack. The first times I experienced hearing JP Leppäluoto and Ville Laihiala sing live in other projects (not so long ago) was mind blowing on its own, but to be able to witness them performing music I was very familiar with was unimaginable (since I had also been unfortunate to miss out on seeing their earlier bands such as Sentenced and Charon live). Although I was not officially on duty at the second show I attended, I cannot help but compare the two gigs. Tampere was on point, the band was professional and didn’t miss a beat. Their charisma with each other seemed as if they had never stopped playing together, and their charisma with the audience was just as magical. I have seen a few sold out shows at Olympia, but the audience at this one made it seem like the venue was packed ten times more than other sold out shows. So much anticipation and an almost urgent feel. People pushing to get up front and the impatience for the gig to begin almost palpable. The Helsinki gig had a different vibe. The venue itself was smaller, making it much more intimate to begin with. I cant remember the last time I experience such a perfect club gig atmosphere! The audience was excited and eager (the fact that it was a Sunday night not dampening the energy one bit) but that urgency from the Tampere gig wasnt as present. It was more chill, it felt the audience had a bit of a lighter mood. The band did too… they seemed much more relaxed and loose, whatever the cause. They seemed to be letting go just a bit more, enjoying themselves a bit more, joking more (with eachother and the audience) and getting into the music more. JP licking Ville’s guitar, Ville’s stage presence seeming to slip back into Sentenced days juussttt a little. At least from what I’ve seen on video. Both shows were more than one could ask for, and I personally am satiated and incredibly grateful to have been able to see this music brought back from the dead.
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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