WARMEN, the renowned Finnish melodic death metal band, recently marked their comeback with the release of their album “Here For None.” Following this resurgence, they took the stage in Finland on November 17th in Tampere, in a sold-out show in Helsinki on November 18th, and a subsequent performance at On The Rocks on November 19th. We decided to attend Helsinki’s second show, on November 19th, 2023.
VANSIDIAN, a relatively new addition to the metal scene, had the responsibility of warming up the crowd before WARMEN‘s performance. Despite the challenges faced by vocalist Juha Tretjakov, who we heard was sick recently and had a hectic performing schedule, and thus naturally struggled a little at times during the show, the band delivered a captivating set. Their choice of material, including a JUDAS PRIEST cover, showcased their versatility. Noteworthy was the inclusion of both a drum and an extended guitar solo, a rarity for opening acts, demonstrating the band’s skill and enthusiasm. The music selection successfully bridged the gap between WARMEN and melodeath fans, setting an energetic tone for the evening.
WARMEN burst onto the stage with the infectious energy of their opening track, “Warmen Are Here For None.” Despite the venue not being completely sold out, the atmosphere was electric – although we heard fans were a little less energetic than Saturday’s show, but it was also Sunday and earlier showtime – and fans were treated to an immersive experience.
The setlist featured a substantial number of tracks from their latest album, including the standout “Night Terrors,” which left a lasting impression. Additionally, WARMEN paid tribute to CHILDREN OF BODOM with covers like “Everytime I Die” and “Sixpounder.” Petri Lindroos, playing and singing the irreplaceable Alexi Laiho‘s parts, handled the task with immense respect and skill, earning praise from the audience. There is no soul on this planet who could do a job better than Lindroos, you could sense the vocalist/guitarist cared and many people who were present more than once said they got absolute goosebumps because of him.
The venue resonated with the joyous energy of keyboardist Janne Wirman, who seemed to relish being back on stage. His lively performance, coupled with humorous banter between songs, added a personal touch to the evening. Janne‘s announcement of the last song, “The Cold Unknown,” came with a comical twist, promising an encore if the audience behaved. A playful moment occurred when bassist Jyri Helko made a mistake during the performance when he switched places with guitarist Antti Wirman and changed to the wrong setting on his pedal, who then subtly tried to get his attention to switch it back, highlighting the band’s camaraderie and ability to navigate unexpected situations seamlessly.
The band obviously came back for an encore after some enthusiastic applause, and the first encore song, “In Your Face,” had a picture of WARMEN with Alexi Laiho from years ago, which was dedicated to Laiho. Janne came a little late on stage, adding a spontaneous element to the proceedings. Before the last song, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” a fan gave a drawing of Janne to Janne, and he showed it to the audience. Janne dedicated the song to Aleksi and told a story about how they got to do the cover song and how Alexi got to sing on it. A humorous moment ensued when Janne realized he had skipped thanking the support act, VANSIDIAN, and jokingly said, “God Damn, I suck, why do I have a microphone?” The band, in good spirits, launched into the final song, complete with a caution about the loud intro, which indeed lived up to its warning. The performance of “Somebody’s Watching Me” showcased not only the band’s musical prowess but also their ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. The song featured a standout funky bass line by Jyri Helko, highlighting his remarkable skill on the bass.
Altogether, the evening was a flawless exhibition of WARMEN‘s capabilities, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in the melodic death metal genre. The combination of electrifying performances, heartfelt tributes, and moments of genuine connection with the audience made it a perfect showcase of the band’s resurgence. As the final notes echoed through the venue, it became clear that WARMEN had not only returned but was poised to conquer stages worldwide, the question is whether you’re ready for them.
Text and photos by Laureline Tilkin
Setlist
- Warmen Are Here for None
- The Driving Force
- A World of Pain
- Too Much, Too Late
- Night Terrors
- The End of the Line
- Suck My Attitude
- Sixpounder (Children of Bodom cover)
- Everytime I Die (Children of Bodom cover)
- Death’s on Its Way
- The Cold Unknown
- In Your Face (Children of Bodom cover) (Encore)
- Hell on Four Wheels (Encore)
- Somebody’s Watching Me (Rockwell cover) (Encore)
