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PHOTO REPORT: Nummirock 2025

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Nummirock 2025 took place June 18-21 with about 17,000 attendees during those four days! Despite a few last minute cancellations due to personal and travel reasons, replacements were found and all went smoothly (Cattle Decapitation was replaced by Stratovarius and Signs of the Swarm were replaced by Endstand)!
Here is a daily photo report of the festival.

Wednesday 18.6
For a second year in a row, the campers took it upon themselves to have an unofficial ceremony to celebrate the start of the festival and honor Seppo the forest spirit.
Other personal highlights of the first night included Noiduin, who’s pagan sound and aesthetic was perfect to get the midsummer madness started and Havukruunu who’s performance was full force as always and brought the rain to add to the epicness of the first evening of midnight black metal.


Assemble the Chariots, Arion, Noiduin and Havukruunu

Festival Life

Thursday 19.6
Thursday started on a melancholic note with The Man-Eating Tree opening the main stage. After that, phallic objects were flying at Cumbeast and could then on be spotted at every show until the end of the festival.
Paleface Swiss brought a breath of foreign energy to the stage which continued with a proper show from Kanonenfieber. They were one of my personal highlights of the day, bringing something unique with their theatrics, pyros (which were few and far between this year), props and costume changes. It seems with Cattle Decapitation‘s cancellation, Kanonenfieber might have been the most anticipated foreign band this year. Shereign killed the Kaaos Stage (though I heard the surprise performer which turned out to be Bat & Ryd was also a huge success). Stratovarius closed out the main stage, stepping in to replace Cattle Decapitation. Although it was probably the farthest from Cattle Decapitation while still being metal, it was still admirable the organizers were able to find such a big band as a replacement so soon before the festival. The highlight of possibly the entire festival for me (and a few others) was Thursday’s midnight black metal – Moonlight Sorcery. Some festival goers even came to Nummirock from abroad specifically for this! Their unparalleled sound and energy was magnified by the atmosphere of the Inferno stage, making it possibly one of the most memorable gigs on that stage in my ten years of attending the festival.

The Man-Eating Tree, Cumbeast, Paleface Swiss, Bloodred Hourglass, Shereign, Kanonenfieber, Stratovarius and Moonlight Sorcery

Festival Life

Friday 21.6
Before the Dawn warmed up the main stage with their flawless energy and sound. Wacken Metal Battle also took place including Emperage, Misaligned, God Disease and Numento. Numento came out on top, which was much deserved, although God Disease was my personal favorite, not to mention the only doom band in the lineup this year!
Decapitated was another highlight for me and many others. They personally blew me away at Saarihelvetti a few years ago and I was looking forward to see them with homegrown Eemeli Bodde as the new lead vocalist. They did not disappoint! It was a double duty day for Pyry Hanski and Tuomas Saukkonen playing both in Before the Dawn and Dawn of Solace who gave us a much needed dose of daily melancholy. Another personal highlight of the day was Cvlt ov the Svn. Despite it being a simple live duo, their sound and energy simply resonate a groovy dark vibe that gathered an unexpectedly large and enthusiastic crowd at the Kaaos Klubi stage. I really hope to see them again sometime soon! Midnight black metal band of the evening Oranssi Pazuzu was also a memorable experience with their extremely unique sound and performance.

Before the Dawn, Emperage, Decapitated, God Disease, Patriarkh, Dawn of Solace, Marduk, Cvlt ov the Svn, Mokoma and Oranssi Pazuzu

Festival Life

Saturday 21.6
Saturday brought the kiddies once again to the festival grounds. Whenever Hevisaurus is around, Nummirock opens its doors to the tiny metal heads in training including other special activities and attractions for them to enjoy. My day started with a most epic Cemetary Skyline in the rain. The rain might deter others from heading to the stage but not the dark hearted! It only added to their sombre gloomy atmosphere. I tried to catch both Tampere Burlesque sets but they had massive scheduling issues, even though they had the stage ready for the following band before burlesque started, they cut the first set short one act, and started the second set earlier than scheduled (which was pretty disappointing on the side of the organizer). I hope they get a bit more effort and recognition on the organizers part next year! Anyway, Alestorm was on the main stage this year, and brought their genuinely epic party tricks to the fesitval! The party mode continued from there straight until the end with King Satan, Korpiklaani, Turmion Kätilöt and Stereo Terror DJs. I have to say I was thoroughly, unexpectedly impressed by the vibe at the Korpiklaani gig. Their set design and lighting was stunning and the gig itself was perfection on the Inferno stage in the sunset. Turmion Kätilöt, once again, was a perfect ending to another amazing year.

Next year is Nummirock’s 40 year anniversary! I cannot wait to see what they have up their sleeve. Do not miss it!

Cemetery Skyline, Alestorm, King Satan, Korpiklaani and Turmion Kätilöt

Tampere Burlesque

Festival Life

Photos by Serena Solomon

concert photos, featured, Live Report, photo report

PHOTO REPORT: Behemoth, Satyricon and Rotting Christ

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The Unholy Trinity Tour with Rotting Christ, Satyricon and Behemoth headlining hit Helsingin Jäähalli on Tuesday, April 22nd 2025. Although it felt like the entire metal scene of Finland was at the gig, it was surprisingly not sold out. Despite that, the anticipation of those who were there made up for the empty space. Three bands who never fail to play a flawless, powerful show.

My own personal experience has mostly seen these bands play at festivals, so the slightly more intimate atmosphere of the black box mode of the ice hall brought a new and more concentrated experience. The energy echoed louder and the pyros and light shows hotter and brighter. It felt somehow easier to really appreciate the bands visually and audially. Rotting Christ was full force from the start, maybe a bit more reserved than I have seen at the festivals but it worked in that atmosphere. Satyricon‘s production was way more than I expected, although the band itself kept a more mellow, cool steady stage presence. None the less epic and authentic. Behemoth hit all expectations in the best way possible. Tangible power and raw energy, epic stage setup and pyros, and a perfect setlist. All three bands played their hits, older gems and newer songs. It was interesting to hear Behemoth‘s fresh new singles being played live and see how the crowd reacted, which was mostly just as enthusiastic as when they play the classics. The only thing left lacking was possibly the length of the shows. Such a big production, albeit on a Tuesday, felt like it should have lasted longer (at least longer than festival shows). However, seeing as most of us at the gig are no longer in our youth, maybe it was more appreciated for the semi short but bitter play time.

Rotting Christ

Satyricon

Behemoth

photos by Serena Solomon

concert photos, featured, Live Report, photo report

PHOTO REPORT: Dark Tranquility, Moonspell & Hiraes

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Dark Tranquility (Sweden), Moonspell (Portugal) and Hiraes (Germany) hit Tavara-Asema in Tampere, Finland on the second date of their European tour. Although the venue wasn’t sold out, I don’t think any smaller venue in Tampere would have been able to accommodate such a high energy, high quality show! Hiraes hit the stage at full force, not only with an incredibly epic sound and presence but also seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. They fully engaged with the audience and brought the venue to their feet. Although Dark Tranquility was the headliner and the main course for most people, Moonspell was my personal highlight of the evening. They completely blew me away! Although I had seen them at numerous festivals in recent years, this club gig gave an incredibly different experience. In a way, it reintroduced me to their music. The sound and overall energy of the band and audience just clicked and somehow rejuvenated their music, reminding me just how good they are in ways that seemed to have gotten lost in the festival atmosphere. The moodiness and richness of their music really came through, aspects of their music and presence that the festival atmosphere seemed to dampened and distracted from . An unexpectedly (in the best way possible) memorable show!
Dark Tranquility, of course, were spot on. A true spectacle. They hit all the points one would hope to be hit from such professional pioneers of melodic death metal from the sound and stage presence to the epic lighting setup. They also were surprisingly good in a new way. It seemed they had done a little tinkering to some of the musical arrangements which added a bit of freshness to their set. It was also unexpected but welcome that they threw in a lot of older songs, some of which they only started playing live recently, despite it being the promotional tour for their new album Endtime Signals Also major props to Mikael Stanne as he admitted had injured (broken?) his rib(s?) only a few days prior to the tour. Watching him on stage, you wouldn’t have known. It didn’t hold him back from headbanging or dominating the stage with his signature energy and charisma. Hoping a swift recovery!

All three bands fit well together, and had their own strengths and unique sounds. If the tour is coming near you, don’t miss it!

Hiraes

Moonspell

Dark Tranquility

Photography by Serena Solomon

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PHOTO REPORT: Cemetery Skyline and The Eternal

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Cemetery Skyline played a sold out Olympia in Tampere March 20, 2025. Although it was their first ever tour, they sold out all of the dates along side The Eternal (and Red Eleven on one date). Even though the venue was packed with warm excited bodies, it was somehow refreshing to be there and see it filled to the brim (on a Thursday no less!). The crowd was on its toes, hands in the air from the beginning of The Eternal’s set to the very end of Cemetery Skyline.

There couldn’t have been a better opening act than The Eternal. Their stage presence was spot on to set the mood for the evening and their music and setlist were perfect. It was an even mix of heavy rock, groovey melodies and melancholy to create an energetic yet cool atmosphere to lay for the gothiness Cemetery Skyline have cloaked themselves in.

The audience went crazy for Cemetery Skyline. And of course, these well seasoned musicians knew just how to play to the audience in this new context far from the music they are more known for. They played a “purely old school- from the first album” set as Mikael Stanne joked. They also included their newest release, a cover of Cyndi Lauper‘s “I Drove All night” which pushed the crowd even farther over the edge! There was another unexpected and very special moment for fans of Sentenced when they played a cover of the instrumental song “Konevitsan Kirkonkellot”. Overall, the stage presence and hype from the packed audience provided a wholesome and pure yet authentic rock show vibe with enough heavier and more melancholic moments to satiate all.

The Eternal

Cemetery Skyline

photos by Serena Solomon

century media, concert photos, featured, Live Report, photo report

PHOTO REPORT: SWALLOW THE SUN and ENSIFERUM

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Swallow the Sun and Ensiferum played Pakkahuone in Tampere, Finland December 12, 2024. A short but sweet way to wrap up the gig year. Both bands celebrated the recent release of new albums (Swallow the Sun’s Shining and Ensiferum’s Winter Storm), gracing Finnish (and many foreign) fans with the live world premier of new songs and revival of some old as well. Although both bands come from very different sides of the metal spectrum, together they drew in a respectable sized crowd. Many of the shows on the tour were sold out! Although it might have seemed more of the crowds were there for Ensiferum, the intense passion and genuine love of the Swallow the Sun fans could have filled three times the space. Ensiferum provided a perfect blend of new and old that kept the audience moving from start to finish. The energy of the band themselves never wavered and, as always, amazing interaction with each other and the crowd. Swallow the Sun also played a beautifully diverse set, with highlights from their new album as well as some older classics and songs that haven’t been played in a while (some fan favorites that were unforgettable to see live!). Their sound and presence over all has seemed to embody a similar transformation as their music. Mikko’s vocals were notably on point, and the whole bands energy felt more vibrant yet more intense and honed down. Always perfection.

Both bands will be starting the year with some extensive touring so don’t miss them if they’re coming near you!

SWALLOW THE SUN:

ENSIFERUM:

photos by Serena Solomon

concert photos, featured, festivals, Live Report, photo report

PHOTO REPORT: MELANCHOLY MASS 2024

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Melancholy Mass 2024 at Olympia, Tampere November 23, 2024

Omnivortex began the night with an intensely energetic but not so melancholic show. Vermilia brought the mood down a few notches to a suitable level for a dark November evening. Their mysterious aesthetic and haunting but powerful vocals ran through the audience and filled the venue with a beautiful darkness. Kauan was a personal highlight, it was an unforgettable experience to see them for the first time and it seemed many felt the same. Although their set only included three songs, they filled their slot and the souls of the audience to the brim with an entrancing performance. I really hope they do some headlining gigs soon! Møl seemed to be an audience favorite, though their energy was a bit much after two more low key and sombre performances. Although they might have been better suited as the final act, they still were a perfect edition to this nights lineup. Kaunis Kuolematon continued the beautiful gloom of Finnish melancholic metal and ended the night on a sombre yet powerful note.

photos by Serena Solomon