// musicxtra.net

14 - 15 June 2008

Vantaa, Finland

Background

Situated on the outskirts of the rock capital of Europe; Helsinki, Finland, Myötätuulirock returns for a fourth year at Hakunila Sports Centre, Vantaa. An intimate festival, holding only a small amount fans of fast and furious music, this festival has come leaps and bounds since first headliners The 69 Eyes - who return this summer - took to the one and only stage in 2004.

Now holding two stages with top class names on each, it is held the weekend before notorious Midsummer - when the sun is shining and the drinks are flowing. For the first time, non-Finnish bands are added to the festival to create a more rounded line-up of alternative styles – from glam to goth to rock’n’roll. With a good location, great organization and a fantastic line-up – one that rivals the bigger festivals in the country – it will certainly be enjoyable for all.

Written using information from Myötätuulirock .

Keep checking the official site for more information.

Line Up

2008

SATURDAY - 14 JUNE

iRonica

Charon

Stam1na

Turisas

Hardcore Superstar

Teräsbetoni

The 69 Eyes

SUNDAY - 15 JUNE

Ensiferum

Malice in Wonderland

Uniklubi

Ari Koivunen

Negative

Yö

Sturm und Drang

Graham Bonnet & Joe Lynn Turner

Photos

None as yet

Reviews

Summer in Finland means one thing – madness. Often this includes two fundamental hobbies: music and alcohol. So to say they get into the spirit of festival season is an understatement – there are hundreds of festivals spanning from June to August. A personal favourite of mine is the close-knit and intimate Myötätuulirock Festival in Vantaa, neighbouring city to the capital Helsinki. It is quite small – figures usually around the 5000 capacity mark - but with its cheap prices, simple transport links and stellar organization it always make for an interesting weekend out.

SATURDAY

Thanks to a late flight in, I miss first band Ironica but considering classical-meets-gothic, female-fronted rock doesn’t really cut it for me, I can’t say this is a problem. The first thing I see is much more exciting, interesting and unusual: 12 year old three-piece Ra who are the youngest band to be signed in Finland. And aren’t the Finns clever for taking a chance on such young talent, because these boys have an incredible future awaiting them. I saw them earlier this year in a school hall and fell in love with the blonde-haired, pint-sized trio, and on this huge stage in front of so many people the atmosphere is substantially improved. Their ballsy attempt at Nordic metal is intricate, tuneful and enticing, and their vocalist ticks all the right boxes when it comes to being a good front man (confidence, charisma, talent). Same applies to their crazy little drummer who’s certainly going to be a heartbreaker when he turns 18. But the most praise should be kept for their lead guitarist who is unbelievably cool despite his gear looking far too big for him and shredding like some of the greats in metal. Ra are amazing, and put bands like Teräsbetoni and Finntroll to shame with their stage presence and charm. Surely set to follow in the footsteps of Sturm und Drang as the littlest rockstars of the North.

More than three times their age is, next, natives Charon who hail from Raahe, Finland and provide the ever-growing crowd with some dynamite gothic metal. This genre fits the Finnish climate so well – I suppose that is why the likes of Sentenced and Eternal Tears of Sorrow hail from here – but few bands do it as convincingly as these men do. With a voice like sickly sweet dark chocolate, vocalist Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto doesn’t sing the notes of their melancholic sound; he purrs them, growls them, roars them with a seduction that most other singers cannot rival. Mixed eloquently with heavy basslines, gritty riffs and a hint of femininity, this creates a sexy, sultry tone that is easily listenable and unforgettably melodic. Listen to popular tracks like Colder, Sister Misery and If to understand what I mean.

Easily the most underrated band in Finland, this is why reviewing them is so frustrating because I expect many readers to have no idea who this band are, despite them making solidly wonderful albums for over a decade. If only they toured more, if only they released more material, if only if only if only. Charon will only get the recognition they so rightly deserve if they pull their finger out and force the metal scene to notice them. And I hope to God this happens because it would be a dear shame for their talent to go to waste.

Going in a completely different direction now are battle metallers Turisas who are quietly taking over this scene after a number of high-profile gigs in Europe, primarily in the UK. There has never been a better time to douse yourself in red war paint, dress yourself in fur and scream about the battles of Holmgard (or, in Turisas’ case, the drinking on the way to Holmgard). The crowd is awash with energy and colour – some carrying swords and all carrying beers – ready to dance and sing and party. This is a true festival band, one that has the crowd involved from the front row to the exit. A special mention must be made to new accordion player Netta Skog - only seventeen and rocking out like she was born that way. When their previous accordion player curiously disappeared last year they had little time to find a replacement but what a surrogate they have found. A complete show stealer, who will only improve with age.

The next band certainly should have been headlining. They certainly should be better known that they are, they certainly should be playing arenas by now and they are without a doubt the best live band I’ve ever seen. If you think any of those comments are too gratifying then you obviously have never been to a Hardcore Superstar gig. These guys are born and bred sleaze’n’roll. They look like rockstars, they act like rockstars, but more importantly they sound like rockstars. No-shit-taking, dripping-with-sex-appeal hard rock from Gothenburg, Sweden – if this is the headquarters of this sound, then front man Jocke Berg is in charge. And he knows it, swaggering and snarling with all the seduction and charisma of an A+ leader to classic sing-a-long tracks like Bag on Your Head, Wild Boys and last summer’s hit We Don’t Celebrate Sundays. Adding in some new tracks from recently released Dreamin’ in a Casket and rarely played EP track Bastards, we were in for a treat and just like always I wanted to be on stage playing Vic Zino’s guitar or Adde’s drums. They are the only band I want to be in. Because why would you want to be in a second-rate band when you could be in the best?!

A poignant moment was allowed for old favourite Standing on the Verge– the first time they have played this since new guitarist Zino joined the band in January – and it sounded just as striking and moving as ever. Which gives them yet another plus point -they aren’t just about sex, booze and rock’n’roll (though that’s a major part of it, of course) - they can show their softer side too. The rain that now begins to fall on Hakunila, Vantaa only adds to the moment.

No band should ever agree to playing after Hardcore. So Teräsbetoni had a difficult feat ahead of them when taking to the stage. The dwindling crowd were attempting to seek cover from the rain and with that, along with their rather sluggish approach to the pagan-warrior genre, they unfortunately didn’t impress me very much (except for their Eurovision single, which was cheesy in a wonderful way). Which is a shame, considering Jarkko Ahola is a fine vocalist whose talent surpasses that of his band mates. I really hope to see them again in an atmosphere that better suits their sound, because they are a fantastic band that deserve respect.

The headliners of the night, again not to harp on about this but this couldn’t be more incorrect, were Helsinki-vintage rockers The 69 Eyes – vintage because, of course, didn’t you know that they are 800 year old vampires? Their 80s goth get-up is getting a little old for me, I’m afraid, and five years after the first time I saw them I see exactly the same thing. That is not to say that it’s bad – older tracks like Dance D’Amour, Framed in Blood and Feel Berlin still get my feet tapping – but with Hollywood’s big spenders tapping into their niche, recent release Angels just doesn’t hold that same energy for me. I find it all a little over the top and contrite.

However; the crowd enjoy it, despite the rain, and for any fans of their newer work the set would be naturally appreciated. A pleasant inclusion was The Doors’ LA Woman– tongue-in-cheek tacky but the Eyes are wonderful at that and one thing I respect about them is that they refuse to take themselves too seriously. Catch them now before America pinch them for good.

SUNDAY

Sunday starts, thankfully, with blue skies and sunshine. Ensiferum – side project of Petri Lindroos of Norther – take to the stage in nationalistic kilts and bare chests. Not a pretty sight, but thankfully the music is much more flattering on the ear. Nordic metal at its finest – this is definitely my preferred use of Petri’s talents. Considering this is fast-paced and frisky, some people might want to pigeonhole their style in that of Turisas’ battle metal, but I personally think it’s far more versatile and as a front man he is so much more engaging than Mathias Nygard. But I feel that’s probably a whole other argument…

Nearing dark clouds concern me that today will be another wash out, though nowhere near as apprehensive I am towards Norwegian glam rockers Malice in Wonderland’s set. After a less than lackluster performance last year in their hometown of Bergen, I had little expectation that they would take my breath away, which is such a shame because vocalist Chris Wicked has a remarkably stunning voice and their records are always immense.

Thankfully, someone must have told Wicked that to be a front man you have to engage the crowd because what I see onstage here is nothing like the lazy, lethargic band of last winter. They are on form with their sound, their look… their whole attitude has changed. Everything about them is full-frontal rock’n’roll and the throng of girls wishing to be just that little bit closer to their eyelinered idols all sigh in unison when he pouts and twirls in a rather camp fashion, fluttering his eyelashes and flicking his hair. Only including two released tracks – Lucifer’s Town and Devil Dance– could have been a mistake, but it looks like Malice are attempting to join the ranks of the Backyard Babies and the Hardcore Superstars with their new tracks sounding extraordinarily grander.

Everything about their set is totally believable, and finally I can breathe a sigh – of relief, not lust – that this band have finally got their act together and are producing music onstage as well as they can do in the studio. Watch out because I believe these Norwegians will be giving the Swedes a run for their money. They just need to book themselves a few more gigs outside of Bergen. Get on it boys!

Getting back to the Finnish theme – Tampere boys Uniklubi. The young girls (and boys, you can’t always tell with this lot) await them patiently and when the dry ice fills the stage they are bouncier than usual. F*** it, I won’t lie, I am too because this is one pop band that I love to see live. Their energy is infectious, not to mention they are some of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Front man Jussi Selo is growing out his rock’n’roll Mohawk to a tidier affair – a brown side parted mop that is reminiscent of a certain WWII dictator (I say no more) – and I’m confused momentarily that this is the same band as before. But, of course, the others still scrub up half-decently to look like rockstars and as they kick into Kiini Jaan I decide it’s probably safer to listen to this band rather than to watch them.

Great pop tracks like Rakkautta ja Piikkilankaa and Kaikki Mitä Mä Annoin are received well, despite the sound not being at its best and it’s an enjoyable set… however, that is really all I can say. I have seen them much better and their best performances have always been in intimate closed spaces, unlike the vast outdoors of today’s festival. Fantastic live tracks like hit ballad Huomenna and personal favourite Kiveen are dropped from the set. Plus, the honest truth, Selo is just not a front man. Sure, his voice is pure like warm milk, and on track that’s all you need, but he lacks the confidence to make his stage persona seem believable. It’s a shame because I think if he actually believed in himself a little more, this band would easily break through markets outside of Finland – even with the language barrier in place (look at Rammstein for example). I only hope they can stop for long enough to realise this themselves.

Chants of “Hevi Ari” fill the air as Pop Idol Finland winner Ari Koivunen sets up his elaborate stage for his hour long set of commercial metal tracks. Despite the atmospheric energy that is always on stage with Ari, I sometimes find it a little difficult to take him seriously, considering he looks about twelve and weighs less than I do. Nevertheless, the fans truly enjoy it and this is the first band on Sunday that has got everybody moving. His voice is powerful, passionate and totally too big for his frail little figure but the point is: he works it. And he knows how to speak to his fans, and he knows how to interact with his band, and he is a rockstar. Only in Finland could a talent like Ari be found on a reality TV show, but that’s the beauty of the North – they eat heavy metal for breakfast.

How ironic (and possibly hilarious, depending how you look at it) that this crowd of mini-metallers can happily head bang along with Ari and squeal and shriek like 13 year old girls now to Negative – Uniklubi’s close friends from Tampere who take the “Manse-trend” to a whole new level with their bright colours, outlandish performance and excessively camp behaviour. There is not a streak of black in sight, which is a pleasant change, as front man Jonne Aaron emerges all in cream and gold – not without tassels and glitter, of course. A perfect front man who commands the crowd. What I touched on earlier in regards to my frustration for Jussi Selo is highlighted again with Negative. By no means are Negative as talented as Uniklubi but they are so much more successful because they have that untouchable ego that makes it all the more convincing.

Negative are the peacocks of rock’n’roll – awash with vibrate and colour, incredible fun to watch and just generally beautiful to look at. They know it too; prancing around the stage and playing up to the mass of girls who almost faint at the sight of Aaron gyrating and gesturing seductively to his band mates.

Replacement guitarist to beloved Sir Christus, who was removed from the band earlier this year, Gary looks onto the crowd with a mixture of confusion and bemusement. It’s very sweet to see, though I can bet that with time he’ll get used to the dynamic this band attract and will grow to love it like everyone else.

Speaking of which, the other members seem to love him and treat him like a new toy they aren’t bored of playing with yet. The energy on stage is back and you can clearly see how much they’re enjoying it – despite their raging hangovers from too much partying at Provinssirock the night before. Energy like this has been missed from their sets for so long and I haven’t enjoyed a Negative set this much in a number of years. Despite a poor start that had everyone out of tune and Aaron’s microphone not working, by third track My My (Hey Hey) the sound is much improved and things are starting to come together. New album Karma Killer still has to grow on me but after hearing some new tracks live – particularly Motherf****er Just Like Me– I’m beginning to understand their groove and it's ballsier, louder and rockier than ever before. Buy it and see for yourselves.

Bizarrely the largest crowd of the weekend is for Finnish band Yö – a rather old band that play folk-style metal. I don’t pretend to get it – this is definitely just a Finnish thing – and the crowd really enjoys it but I found myself quite bored rather quickly.

The same, however, can not be said for the next band. I am going to be slightly controversial and decline to review closing band Joe Lynn Turner & Graham Bonnett, because for me the penultimate band were the stars of the show. Finn-Swede metallers Sturm und Drang – only fifteen and already world famous for their dominance in the metal world. Covers from the likes of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and the mighty Dio show you right away that these guys are not messing around. The boys of Ra are watching from the crowd – certainly the main contenders for the mini-metal crowd – and I’m delighted to see yet another young talent blow me away.

There are pyrotechnics and fireworks galore in an action-packed set that takes everyones breath away. They are so bouncy and full of energy that it’s infectious and that their record Learning to Rock has already gone platinum should surely show the doubters that despite their small status, these guys know how to write a good metal track. I don’t know who to gush about first – from headbanging keyboardist Jesper Welroos to calm and composed bassist Henrik Kurkiala, they are all passionate about their music and damn fine at their instruments.

Much could be said about drummer Calle Fahllund who is a typically mad drummer and who can’t keep still, and likewise for guitarist Alexander Ivars who, with time, might be as cool as the greats in rock. Even I have trouble comparing a fifteen year old to the likes of Slash, but my god the kid is rock’n’roll. When he’s eighteen, I want to party with this guy. But saving the best for last – guitarist and vocalist Andre Linman – an epic front man with bundles of stage presence and assurance. I believe everything that he says, and he shreds like the best. Nothing more needs to be added, because I honestly couldn’t find a word of criticism for him or his band mates.

Everybody should go out and buy their records now, or better yet, catch them on tour in Finland this summer or at Wacken Open Air in August.

What a band. And what a festival. Myötätuulirock proves, once again, just how rock’n’roll Finland is. Roll on next year.