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