It’s been freezing cold here in Helsinki lately, and what better occasion than this to bring together two strikingly different bands, each embodying, in their own way, how winter and Finnishness can serve as rich sources of inspiration? Folk/black metal one-woman project VERMILIA and doom/death veterans SWALLOW THE SUN joined forces for a pair of gigs, one of which took place at Tavastia, Helsinki, on February 6th, 2026.
Admittedly, it was the umpteenth time I’d seen SWALLOW THE SUN, but my very first VERMILIA performance, even though she’s been active for quite some time. Expectations were high for both, to be honest. As far as I know, VERMILIA’s live lineup is a well-kept secret: bassist, guitarist, and drummer performed with their faces partially covered, adding a mysterious aura to the whole set. They took the stage at 20:30 to the opening notes of “Alkusointu” in the background, and started playing “Veresi,” where the frontwoman joined in: shamanic drum in hand and a drinking horn fastened to her belt. The contrast between her clean and extreme vocals really impressed me, not only due to the ritualistic vibe attached to it, but also her ability to drag bystanders into her world so effortlessly. She set the drum aside, greeted us warmly between songs, and urged the crowd to lift their hands and sway to the rhythm of “Karsikko,” the next song, and the title track from her latest album, released about a year ago. The song pulsed with mysticism, ancient Finnish mythology, and a reverence for nature so profound that it felt almost sacred. Her movements had a ritualistic grace: every gesture, every flick of her hand seemed to summon something elemental. Carried by her powerful yet tender voice, the performance was deeply affecting.
“Vakat” came next, a fervent act of devotion to Ukko, the god of thunder in Finnish mythology. Musically, the song leaned more toward black metal, carrying a powerful and unmistakable BATHORY-like aftertaste. The crowd clearly felt it too, responding with visible excitement to every crashing note. She took a sip of water, thanked the crowd, and announced the final song, “Marras,” from her second album, “Ruska.”
It was an intense 30-minute set, and the four songs they played left me genuinely intrigued, as I realized I wouldn’t want to miss their future shows. Before leaving the stage, the band snapped a photo with the audience behind them, a fitting memento of the night. They exited to the closing notes of “Kaipaus,” and then we had about half an hour to prepare ourselves for a rather dramatic shift in mood.
“Gloom, Beauty and Despair” served as a fitting intro, upon which SWALLOW THE SUN took the stage in complete darkness. The title track from their third full-length, “Hope,” was a deliberate choice to open such a demanding show, one that, with its sweeping contrasts and emotional depth, clearly required careful thought in crafting the setlist. “Deadly Nightshade” came next, a song that, as far as I can recall, hadn’t appeared in their Finnish setlists for quite some time. Its crushing, searing energy hit instantly, mirrored back by the crowd in a jubilant mix of screams and headbanging, the kind of raw communion you’d expect at any truly memorable metal show. Guitarist Juha Raivio’s iconic silhouette and commanding onstage presence didn’t go unnoticed, nor did bassist Matti Honkonen’s infectious enthusiasm. Both sang along with genuine passion, seemingly never tired of being in the spotlight and bringing those songs to life. “Out of This Gloomy Light,” also from their outstanding debut album and, interestingly, following “Deadly Nightshade” there as well, came next. I couldn’t help but wonder if this sequence was intentional, a deliberate nod to how seamlessly the two tracks connect on the record. I have to say once again, there’s something about their older material that just hits differently, even though SWALLOW THE SUN have never once disappointed their fanbase, if you ask me. Mikko Kotamäki’s otherworldly range and flawless mastery of extreme vocals were, as always, impeccable: his ability to channel such raw emotion still feels both familiar and thrilling. Juho Räihä’s soaring guitar solos cut through the gloom with haunting precision, while Juuso Raatikainen’s steady yet dynamic drumming anchored it all, shaping the track’s melancholy into something almost transcendent.
As in many of their recent shows, a female voice echoed in the background, reciting verses that introduced the next song, “Under the Moon & Sun,” taken from their latest release, “Shining.” The contrast with the previous two tracks was striking, highlighting how SWALLOW THE SUN have evolved over the years while keeping their unmistakable core sound as strong as ever. At one point, I clearly heard someone in the crowd shout “Kyllä!”; a clear sign of just how energizing their music can be, even while wrapped in its deeply melancholic aura. Mikko announced “Don’t Fall Asleep (Horror, Part 2)” as the next song — a title that always makes me smile, since it keeps me wide awake every single time. Despite its measured pace, especially in the first half, the piece commands attention through its impeccable, skillful guitar work, which intertwines beautifully with Mikko’s distinct growls.
“MelancHoly” followed, one of the standout tracks on the new album, if you ask me. I’d even dare to call it an instant classic, the kind of song we’ll still be talking about 10 years from now. The audience was on fire, genuinely wondering whether the setlist could possibly get any better. A few seconds of complete darkness passed before Juha appeared, surrounded by a blue and violet light, seated on a stool with an acoustic guitar in his hands. The first notes of “The Heart of a Cold White Land” drifted through the venue, soon joined by Mikko’s gentle, soothing clean vocals. The rest of the band joined in, turning the song into a heartfelt tribute to their cold yet beautiful homeland, much like “Pray for the Winds to Come,” which followed. Its lyrics remain deeply poignant, reflecting how being born and raised in a specific place can quietly shape one’s identity and inner world in unexpected ways.
Mikko thanked the audience, Juha picked up his electric guitar, and “Empires of Loneliness” began, moving at a heavy, almost ceremonial pace. The song balanced weight and vulnerability, shifting between crushing riffs and subtle melodic passages. Juho and Matti added depth and texture through rich guitar layers and driving bass lines, while Juuso’s impeccable drumming anchored the atmosphere with terrific intensity. Together, they shaped a somber yet strangely soothing moment that resonated deeply with the crowd. A guy next to me shouted “Perkele!” right after that. It felt oddly fun and perfectly in tune with the mood of the evening. The sound of wind began to sweep through the speakers, introducing the next song, “The Giant,” from their second full-length, “Ghosts of Loss,” whose multilayered atmosphere matched completely with the lighting design.
Fast forward to the present day, “Innocence Was Long Forgotten,” from their latest record, came next, proving once again how SWALLOW THE SUN have continued to evolve while staying true to their trademark sound. Juha blew a kiss to the audience and placed a hand over his heart, a simple, genuine gesture of respect and gratitude. Everyone clapped to the beat and sang along to the catchy chorus, and that’s when I realized there were probably only a couple of songs left. “Descending Winters” felt a bit heavier than usual when placed next to the previous song, but that only speaks to the band’s ability to craft such an unpredictable and engaging setlist, one that made the audience feel as if we were stepping on and off a time machine, moving smoothly between eras of their sound.
Mikko thanked the crowd once more and announced that only one song remained, adding that “the singer from RAPTURE” was handling the merch table, a casual, almost mundane detail that, in contrast with the surrounding solemn atmosphere, felt oddly funny yet genuinely endearing. The closing track was, as usual, “Swallow (Horror, Part 1),” a return to their debut album that never fails to electrify the audience, to the point where the guy next to me was shouting in pure excitement. I could hardly blame him… The band left the stage to the nostalgic notes of “Varjojen Yö,” by the legendary Finnish singer Topi Sorsakoski, whose influence on SWALLOW THE SUN‘s music remains undeniable.
As a longtime fan, I must admit they’ve never failed to make each concert memorable, but this time they truly outdid themselves. By drawing from their early releases and weaving them seamlessly with newer material, they created a sense of timelessness, as if we were traveling through their musical history alongside them.
Written by Licia Mapelli
Photos by Mirko L.
Tracklist
- Hope
- Deadly Nightshade
- Out of this Gloomy Light
- Under the Moon & Sun
- Don’t Fall Asleep (Horror, Part 2)
- MelancHoly
- The Heart of a Cold White Land
- Pray for the Winds to Come
- Empires of Loneliness
- The Giant
- Innocence was Long Forgotten
- Descending Winters
- Swallow (Horror, Part 1)
