STAM1NA‘s triumphant celebration of their latest album, “X,” transformed Helsingin Jäähalli into a colossal metal gathering on November 3rd, 2023. The night unfolded with an impressive lineup of support acts, DEAR MOTHER, CORRODED, and DIABLO, each contributing to the dynamic atmosphere.
Alternative metal act DEAR MOTHER, hailing from the Netherlands, marked their Finnish debut in style. Despite singer David Pear‘s absence, Daniël de Jongh of TEXTURES seamlessly stepped into the spotlight. The 20-30 minute set showcased the band’s energy, with tracks like opener “Fade In,” “12 Years in Exile,” and the latest release, “Unbreakable,” leaving a lasting impression. The dedication of fans, some traveling from afar, underlined the band’s growing international appeal, and the tight-knit community that is behind them.
Swedish heavy metal act CORRODED, was a name that was unfamiliar to me, but I quickly saw the appeal. Opener, “Time and Again,” sounded like an absolute banger. They offered a slightly more laidback performance than DEAR MOTHER, being a bit stationary behind their mics. Nevertheless, they did have a lot of dynamics on stage and altogether, the short 5-song set allowed us to get acquainted with their music a little better.
DIABLO, a Finnish prog favorite, took the stage with a blend of genres that kept the audience on their toes. Surprisingly, we had never seen the band before, but many Finns have been praising them and it was clear to see why. They delivered a solid set with intriguing songs, of which “The Preacher” emerged as a standout moment, featuring a thunderous “voi perkele” that ignited the crowd. The 9-song set showcased DIABLO‘s musical versatility, with fans passionately singing along and headbanging in unison.
As anticipation reached its peak, STAM1NA stormed onto the stage, greeted by a roaring sea of fans. The opening chords of the thrash metal anthem “Sirkkeli” set the tone for an energetic and unforgettable performance. The setlist, dominated by tracks from “X,” offered a sonic journey through the band’s latest masterpiece. If before the show, you hadn’t had the opportunity to listen yet to the album that was released on September 29th, 2023, the band truly showcased why you absolutely should be listening to it now!
The show’s production was really huge and the band also included a few guests. In a surprise twist, Jenni Kosonen of STONED STATUES joined STAM1NA on stage for a captivating duet of “Kannoin sinut läpi hiljaisen huoneen.” The chemistry between vocalists added a unique layer to the live experience, showcasing the camaraderie within the Finnish metal scene, especially considering STONED STATUES are label mates.
STAM1NA‘s trademark energy was palpable throughout the performance, with sweat-soaked intensity and headbanging galore. The infectious atmosphere spurred the crowd to actively participate, creating a symbiotic exchange of energy between the band and their devoted fans. In fact, the front row was singing along to the songs so loudly, that I sometimes wondered whether I’d have permanent hearing damage from just taking photos in the photo pit, despite wearing proper ear plugs. The new songs from “X” seamlessly integrated into the set, sounding even more powerful and dynamic in the live setting.
As the night came to an end, the enthusiastic shouts of metal fans filled Helsingin Jäähalli. STAM1NA‘s album release event not only highlighted their musical talent but also showed the strong unity in the metal community. It was a memorable night that left a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to be part of this significant celebration, due to the variety of bands, I’m sure many fans of STAM1NA discovered a few more bands to add to their daily rotation on streaming services!
Text and photos by Laureline Tilkin
Setlist
- Sirkkeli
- Vereen piirretty viiva
- Merestä maalle
- Sudet tulevat
- Utopia
- Narsisti
- Kuoliaaksi ruoskitut hevoset
- Blivet
- Sananen lihasta (with Kaisu Kärri)
- Taivas
- Kannoin sinut läpi hiljaisen huoneen (with Jenna Kosunen)
- Eloonjäänyt
- Muistipalatsi (Encore)
- Kaksi reittiä, yksi suunta (with Kaisu Kärri) (Encore)
- X (Encore)
- Mitä kuuluu (APULANTA cover) (Snippet) (Encore 2)
- Viisi laukausta päähän (Encore 2)
