The yearly free & DIY metal festival Puska did a major leap this year, as the traditional venue of Taivaskallio in Käpylä, Helsinki, had grown too small for the needs and safety of the growing event. The organizers decided to move the festival to the old airport in Malmi, Helsinki, where space is abundant. It was a point of excitement, though, if the old Puska-goers would find their way to the more distant and less central spot. The Festival took place on Saturday, July 11th, 2026. The sunny weather and hot temperature, combined with a few spots of shade at the old airport, were a challenge, but it proved to be nothing that metal enthusiasts couldn’t overcome. Some water in a bottle, a load of sunscreen, and people were good to go.
The lineup was again interesting: Puska has had a way of throwing in some nice surprises mixed with known underground favorites. This year, the acts ranged from hardcore and death metal all the way to action rock and elevator doom (as LA MURGA self-proclaims their music). So when the clock struck 15:00 with people pouring into the area across the huge lawns of the airport, everything was going well for the new spot of the festival.
The day was opened by the hugely energetic hardcore act JÄSTINFEKTION. They were a great act to open a summer night of metal and rock, with more than a touch of smile in their doings, a captivating lead figure, and some sing-alongs too.
Next up, the action rock group ROKETS took the stage. The band is well known to all those searching for interesting music in the underground rock caves of the Helsinki area, as they have been making a name for themselves for some years now. They again delivered an ask-no-give-no-mercy rock act of killer riffs and melodies that stuck to your ears for weeks to come.
Next up was AEDES, who turned the summery vibes of the event’s starters into something darker with their death metal act.
The fourth band to take the stage was probably the most surprising one. LA MURGA calls their musical style elevator doom. The band took the stage armed with three saxophones, an acoustic bass, and five people playing different percussion instruments. And it was a joy to hear what they did: kind of like a jazz big band playing SEPULTURA as instrumental versions. By the end of the show, they were also joined by a vocalist delivering some screaming and growling lyrics.
By now, the schedule of the day had run somewhat late, and the next act, SAPATA, started over half an hour late. While there were some dark clouds gathering in the sky, SAPATA delivered some atmospheric, melodic doom tunes, lulling the audience into peaceful swinging.
Sadly, when it finally came time for the second-to-last act, DOME RUNNER, to take the stage, a thunderstorm was rapidly developing, and the organizers could only give them time to do one song while the designated last act, ST.HOOD was cancelled altogether. Safety comes first, of course, and on an open field like the airport, it’s understandable that no risks should be taken with the lightning.
Thus, Puska came to an abrupt end, but by then it had proved that a nice event could be arranged at the old airport site, even though there will likely be many an old timer Puska goer reminiscing about the old Taivaskallio spot for years to come.
Jästinfektion
Rokets
Aedes
La Murga
Sapata
Dome Runner
