This past week, Nine Inch Nails launched their highly anticipatedPeel It Back Tour 2025 with the first three shows of the 41-date global run taking place in Dublin, Manchester, and London. The tour introduces one of the band’s most ambitious productions to date: a four-act experience rooted in classic NIN style but reimagined through cutting-edge design.
Since the beginning of their career, Nine Inch Nails have been known for their incredible live show and inspired visuals. For this tour, Reznor worked alongside creative director Todd Tourso and MTLA.studio. Joining them is long time NIN lighting designer, Paul “Arlo” Guthrie.. The show features raw, handheld cinematography and immersive visuals projected onto translucent fabric—foregoing traditional LED panels and video screens in favor of a 3D, multi-layered environment unlike anything fans have seen before.
Swedish goth/horror metallers Tribulation returned to Finland with a two date headlining tour in Jyväskylä and Helsinki along side Finnish black/crust band Mørket. Although Tribulation have come to Finland numerous times (not often enough) this was their first time headlining here. I hope the turn out has convinced them to come back soon! Again, an almost full venue on a Thursday night. Mørket definitely warmed the place up with their crazy unhinged energy! The vocalist didn’t even stay on the stage for most of the show, balancing on the railing or bouncing around in the audience! And although there wasn’t much room on the stage, the other members managed to give off the same energy, seemingly in non stop motion the whole gig. Although their music wasn’t exactly to my taste, and maybe some others in the audience, I think we felt much respect for them after their over the top and energetic set. I would love to see them at a festival!
I absolutely loved the fact that although Tribulation only played three shows on his leg of the tour (two in Finland and one in Oslo) which were smaller clubs, they still put effort into their stage decor and presentation. Not only the large backdrop and custom drums but unique details through out the rest of the setup as well. Beautiful backlit side panels reminiscent of church windows adorned with shapes of bats and skulls. Each member having their own light in front of them so they were lit from below. Large decorative incense holders for both sides of the stage complete with incense (also love that extra sensory level during live gigs!). All of those details plus their stage clothes, makeup and overall vibe fit flawlessly with their sound, tying it all together with that common horror element that has been part of their sound and aesthetic since the early years. Pure gothic/horror ambiance with a death metal core. The fact that it was (finally) a headlining tour gave them the opportunity to play a longer set than they have previously played in Finland (which personally still felt too short!). Their set included a perfect mix of new and old despite it being the promotional tour for their latest album Sub Rosa In Æternum. Their energy felt as if it had shifted a bit, more suitable to the newer sound. A bit more chill and maybe even more polished than the last time I had seen them (opening for Ghost in 2019). Still no less unique, powerful and moody (in a good way) than before. The vibe coming from the band and the music could be felt through the entire audience. An unforgettable and much anticipated evening!
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.
Swedish metal band Sabaton’s “The Tour To End All Tours” concert film aired in theatres in Europe, the UK and Australia on October 11, 2024. As a huge Sabaton fan, I visited my local UK cinema to check out this heavy metal concert experience.
I was fortunate enough to attend the London date of “The Tour To End All Tours” last year on April 15, 2023. It was a spectacle, especially since it was my first time seeing Sabaton. It was a memorable and fantastic show with fire, guns and dramatic theatrics. It is one of my favourite shows so far, so I was excited to relive that experience in this cinematic experience.
BloodstockFestival –LIVE REVIEW by Carina Lawrence
Bloodstock festival continues to grow each year, with 2024’s event being their biggest yet. This was evident by selling out weekend tickets and Saturday day tickets, a mighty achievement that was well deserved and expected considering the magnitude of the line-up.
Nummirock 2024 was a hit! So much so that the festival asked for compliance in keeping campsites no larger than necessary to accommodate a high attendance expectation. Although the lineup itself was a bit underwhelming for Nummirock standards, it felt like the festival was attended better than it had been in the past few years and possibly even pre-covid years. Last year, I noticed the camp grounds being almost full by Tuesday and even with lake side camping being almost doubled in size this year, it felt already on Monday there were more people than last year (yes, me and my camp arrive earlier and earlier each year now). Of course, I wondered how the festival would top the beyond epic finale Behemoth gave us last year and unfortunately this years finale did not come close though Kerry King and the others on stage did provide a pretty amazing and memorable show . However, the festival seemed to focus more on improving in other ways. The festival organizers really listen to the feedback of the attendees and provided more showers and toilets to the camping areas, a larger area to sit and recharge in the festival area, more efficiency at the gates to reduce ques, plus more variety in food including an improved cafeteria style setup in the relamo area with daily menu’s including breakfast. There were also brand new (or not regular) additions to the festival such as a book truck and mini market, bungee jumping, helicopter rides, a mölkky (Finnish yard game) competition in addition to the regular frisbee golf competition and many others like corpse paint workshop and book signing/interviews as well as meet and greets. Some regular favorites included the lovely Tampere Burlesque, stand up comedy acts, bingo, rock yoga and Stereo Terror DJs who always end the festival on a memorable note.
When it came to the music, Body Count , Thy Art is Murder and Blackbraid seemed to be the most anticipated bands amongst festival goers. Martti Servo & Napander, Tarot and Warmen were also up there. One of my personal highlights, Kallomäki were also highly talked about. Many people weren’t familiar with them before, but were blown away by their performance including dancing dark fusion duo MorteDohlen. Not only was their music perfect for kicking off a midsummer insanity, their show ranged from pure mosh pit inducing metal to folk ballads included pagan rituals such as an on stage “sacrifice” and the audience getting individually marked with blood by one of the band members. The crowd was 110% enthralled and put everyone in the mood for the weekend to come. I had been waiting years for Kallomäki to make their way to Nummirock and was so amazed and excited for them and how the crowd responded to them. If I’m not mistaken, their music was also played during an unofficial event that happened in the camping area by one of the most recognized camps. It was an epic ritual type event organized by the camp (invitations by word of mouth), that happened on the forest side before the festival began. It included a sombre speech made by the host, and though it was a bit difficult to hear, attendees (maybe between 20-30 people including the camp members) kneeled as the host gave his speech and offered everyone a chance to pay respects to the giant totem the camp had built called Seppo and make their sacrifices at the alter for a good midsummer/Nummirock (photos in Festival Life).
Other highlights were Deathchain, although not my typical style of music, their show blew me (and many others) away. The new lineup works flawlessly and they simply had a raw and genuine energy that no other band could touch. The Halo Effect was also a perfect edition to the Thursday lineup. I think they should have been a headliner. They just fit so well on that main stage, and have such a great connection with the audience and each other. It was also bittersweet to see Warmen on that main stage, playing Children of Bodom songs where I had seen CoB headline the entire festival multiple times. Although Warmen is still reclaiming their status, I think they could have also easily been a headliner. They were definitely a crowd favorite and with no questions why. It was really interesting to see so many bands this year that have been reformed or newly formed with well recognized members of other bands. To see what these talented musicians can do other than what we are familiar with. Petri Lindroos gave us a triple shot in three very different bands including Warmen, Satanic North and Ensiferum (who surprised me with their show, like somehow out of nowhere the life had been breathed back into them). Crownshift also still in their debut stages showcasing members who are well known for their other bands playing fresh new music in a completely new context. And also a first time for me seeing Tarot and Marco Hietala in his element. They were also an unexpected highlight for me. Similiar to The Halo Effect, just perfect music and energy and a perfect edition to the days lineup. Marianas Rest should have been on the Inferno stage in my opinion, with a later time slot and a MUCH LONGER set. Specially with their style of doom and moody tunes, thirty minutes was just a teaser. But either way, the short but bittersweet show as a definite highlight for me. And Blackbraid, probably my most anticipated act since I had never seen them and was incredibly curious how this unique mix of Native American aesthetics and black metal would work live (not to mention I really dig their sound). They did not disappoint! They will also be at Hellsinki Metal Festival later in the summer but I would love to catch them on a club gig and really hope they come back to Finland outside of festival season. I have to also mention how I love this growing tradition of midnight black metal on the Inferno stage. In general I thought this year had a pretty decent mix of genres spread evenly through out the four days. Bit of something for everyone which not every metal festival is capable of achieving.
Saturday also brought my two favorite non band acts – Tampere Burlesque and Stereo Terror DJs. I think during a four day camping festival, including acts such as these are an essential part of the festival experience to switch things up and give festival goers a chance to experience something different as well as let the stage be taken over by other forms of music entertainment. I hope all of these extra curricular acts and activities stay part of the Nummirock experience in years to come, it definitely adds to the uniqueness of the festival. Cant wait to see what they have in store for next year!
DAY 1: Suotana, Anima Hereticae, Kaunis Kuolematon, Mister Misery and Kallomäki & MorteDohlen
DAY 2: Thrown, Swansong, Deathchain, The Halo Effect, Ingested, Body Count and Horna
DAY 3: Shade Empire, Party Cannon, Warmen, Marianas Rest, Blackbraid, Thy Art Is Murder, Kyy, Shadow of Intent, Eluveitie and Satanic North
DAY 4: Martti Servo & Napander, Wikirock, Horizon Ignited, Tarot, De La Rocka, Corwnshift, Isomnium, Ensiferum and Kerry King
TAMPERE BURLESQUE: Honey Rocket, Koko Da Voom, Wendy Flow, Velvet Wonder and Miss Jenny Sparkly
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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