It had been quite some time since Norwegian progressive metal outfit LEPROUS last headlined a show in Helsinki, so we were delighted when they announced a stop at Vanha Ylioppilastalo on February 13th, 2026. The tour came in support of their album “Melodies of Atonement,” originally released in 2024, and the evening promised to be a special one.
The excitement grew even more when UK progsters IHLO were announced as special guests. We first encountered the band at Euroblast 2025, where they stepped in as a last-minute replacement for HAKEN. Despite a set that was unfortunately plagued by a few technical issues, they still left a very strong impression—and their album “Legacy” went on to become one of our favorite releases of 2025. This Helsinki show therefore felt like the perfect opportunity for a proper redo. This time around things ran much more smoothly, with the only small hiccup being a moment during one song when singer Andy Robison seemed to briefly lose count—but honestly, we’ll gladly take that over technical problems any day.
Opening the evening was Norwegian newcomer CRYSTAL HORIZON, a band we hadn’t encountered before. Their sound carried some clear progressive influences and even hinted at shades of LEPROUS at times, making them a fitting addition to the lineup and a promising act to keep an eye on.
All-in-all, the night offered a strong showcase of modern progressive metal and made it well worth the wait for LEPROUS’ return to Finland. Both LEPROUS and IHLO are returning this summer as part of the new Ankea Festival.
Check out our photo gallery from the night here…
Crystal Horizon
Ihlo
Leprous
Photos by Laureline Tilkin
