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.
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
Melancholy Mass 2022: Red Moon Architect, Kaunis Kuolematon, Marianas Rest, October Tide and Swallow the Sun at Olympia in Tampere, FI
What better way to welcome the beautiful gloom of Autumn than with the masters of melancholy and doom? Friday, September 23, 2022 was the Autumnal Equinox and Melancholy Mass hit the stage in Tampere, Finland.
Marianas Rest opened the mini festival with their usual presence that is almost viscerally tragic. Melancholic with a touch of extreme.
Red Moon Architect continued with their huge sound and amazing stage presence, probably the heaviest sound of the night balanced with the delicate vocals of Anni Viljanen.
The night continued with Kaunis Kuolematon endulging the audience in their own brand of melancholic metal. The contrast between Olli and Mikko’s vocals never ceases to bring chills and a unique feeling of strength and powerlessness.
October Tide blew me away. They were the only band on the bill that I had not seen before and I truly hope they make their way back soon. They added a raw heavy twist to the mix, still doom as hell but some got under your skin in a deeper and dirtier way than the other bands. Love their stage presence too, Alexander has a snarky dgaf attitude that keeps things light but heavy at the same time, i.e. (to the audience) “Are you happy?” -audience cheers- “why are you happy? We’re trying to make you sad.”
And the highlight of the evening, Swallow the Sun. I can never praise this band enough. They are always a pleasure to watch and shoot, even when their performance is a little off, it makes it all the more of a unique experience, as each show of theirs is.
Photo Report: Nummirock 22-25.6.2022 in Kauhajoki, Finland Photography by Serena Solomon
Ah, to be back on the shores of Nummijärvi! Back at our midsummer home! How liberating and comforting it was to be back to normal, back to Nummirock, no restrictions, just festival life as we know it (plus a few extra bottles of hand sanitizer). I have to say though, the atmosphere was a bit more chill than I remembered, whether it was the two years break taking its toll or the simple fact that we were all two years older. Mostly, the crowd and camp grounds were back to their normal crazy selves, but maybe it was the stamina that was tuned down a few notches, or the fact that there seemed to be significantly less attendees than in past years. Either way, it had no affect on the quality of the festival! The weather stayed on the better side of “typical Finnish midsummer weather”, even a bit too much at times. The first time in my memory that the main stage crowd had to be sprayed down by security to keep cool! The festival staff took good care of the artists, attendees, media and staff.
Wednesday provided an extended “pre-party”. As previous years usually kept to the Klubi stage with a few bands, this year the Inferno stage was also open, and included a special performance from the future of music, a local band camp. Highlights from Wednesday included Rytmihäiriö setting the crowd off into their four day spin, mosh pits during Vorna, and the first Estonian band to perform at Nummi in 30 years, Metsätöll, closing out the evening!
WEDNSDAY 22.6: Rytmihäiriö, Memoremains, Ember Falls, Vorna and Metsätöll
Thursday kicked off with Kaunis Kuolematon on a more melancholic note, but maybe a good decision for those of us who celebrated being back at Nummi extra hard the night before. But not to stay somber for too long! Inferno and Main stages were opened by legends! Kiuas and Korpiklaani filled up the 18+ areas as if prohibition just ended. Other highlights from Thursday included Rotting Christ blasting the Inferno stage during a firey sunset, Alien Weaponry giving one of the most memorable Main stage performances I have ever witnessed, and Chamber of Unlight closing the evening with a noteworthy night cap of modern black metal at its finest.
THURSDAY 23.6: Kaunis Kuolematon, Kiuas, Korpiklaani, Carach Angren, At the Gates, Rotting Christ, Crimson Sun, Alien Weaponry, Mimorium and Chamber of Unlight
Friday’s lineup was back to back “can’t miss that” bands. Fear of Domination opened the day with their undeniable dance party that took the conga lines all the way to the main stage for Ensiferum. Dawn of Solace gave us a mid-day cool down, but not for long before Borknagar played a highly anticipated set. Other highlights were Mgła, probably the most anticipated gig of the entire festival for me personally, which went beyond expectation, even more so with the imagery of their blacked out faces against the deep orange of the sunset. Gorgoroth and their spectacle of pure black metal aesthetics. That was really cool to see on the main stage. And last but not least And Oceans closing the evening against a dramatic evening sky.
FRIDAY 24.6: Fear of Domination, Where’s My Bible, Dawn of Solace, Borknagar, Diablo, Mgła, Gorgoroth and And Oceans
Saturday brought the tiny humans back to the festival grounds, mini-metal heads in the making came with their families to see the world famous Hevisaurus, enjoy balloons, rides, and cotton candy, joining in conga lines and flexing their little devil horns! There was a bit of a scheduling fuckup as Sepultura had travel issues, so the beauties from Tampere Burlesque went on earlier than expected to fill the space. Unfortunately many didn’t get the memo in time and missed their first set. Otherwise, highlights from Saturday included a hefty helping of folk metal from Brother of Metal, legends Sepultura and Hammerfall saturating the main stage with all the international music we’ve missed out on these past few years, Turmion Kätilöt giving us some comfort food and a proper closing of the Inferno stage and Apocalyptica as the grand finale. They never fail to impress and seemed as if they also did not want to end the show and would have continued playing all through the night!
SATURDAY 25.6: Hevisaurus, Brothers of Metal, Sepultura, Hammerfall, Turmion Kätilöt and Apocalyptica
As impressive as the lineup for this years Nummirock was, with headlining bands that don’t come to Finland often, the Main stage crowds seemed to be much smaller than previous years. I hope with all my heart this is only due to people being hesitant to commit to attending a festival after so many canceled and postponed gigs, and the next few years will bring things back up to the speed it was going before the world collapsed. Until next year!
Swallow the Sun played at Pakkahuone in Tampere on 27th of May. It was the second date of their Finnish tour promoting their new album Moonflowers which was released last year. Kaunis Kuolematon and Edge of Haze were the opening acts (for only two of the seven dates in Finland). It was a solid lineup. Edge of Haze opened with energy and heaviness, and Kaunis Kuolematon brought it down to a more melancholy yet powerful level. Then, Swallow the Sun hit all of the above, including songs from their first few albums that they haven’t played live in a while. From the more melodic “Stone Wings” to one of my personal favorites, and heaviest song off the new album “This House Has No Home”. So heavy in fact, that a mosh pit broke out! I don’t think I have ever seen a pit during a Swallow the Sun gig! It was great to see all three bands at a bigger venue. I don’t believe this gig was sold out but it was pretty well attended. I, like many others, cannot get enough of Moonflowers and it is just magic to see live. I wish I could say more, but this band always leaves me speechless. Let the photos speak for themselves…
Finnish Melodic Doom act, KAUNIS KUOLEMATON, unleashed their brand new album via Noble Demon. Not afraid to cross musical borders to expand Doom Metal’s stereotypes, “Syttyköön Toinen Aurinko” is the heavy yet intense dreamlike journey of top notch metal melancholy their fans have been waiting for. 9 tracks of melodic darkness, apocalyptic and destructive, melodies as uplifting as they are depressive – In support of their brand new and third studio album, the band from Hamina, Finland, shared a video clip for the track “Hyvästi”, streaming right here:
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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