On the Rocks in Helsinki witnessed a dynamic performance by WITHOUT WARNING and FEAR OF DOMINATION, followed by a DJ-led after-show party on November 25th, 2023.
WITHOUT WARNING emerged as a completely new name for me, but their stage presence and a couple of familiar songs quickly turned heads. Their music, a blend of soft melodic and dark electronic elements, created an intense yet inviting atmosphere, leaving an impressive launch for the night.
FEAR OF DOMINATION, with a history dating back to their 2009 debut album “Call of Schizophrenia,” delivered a powerful performance. During the show, I also witnessed some of the most engaged audiences of the year at On the Rocks. It was really refreshing to see such chaos, especially considering that most of the shows I’ve seen at On the Rocks have featured a more traditional Finnish audience; just standing and staying far from the stage.
Vocalist Saku Solin is a familiar face to many, known for TURMION KÄTILÖT and STEREO TERROR DJs. This time, the band introduced a completely new face (or a masked figure) to me as they had added a female singer to the group. I wondered if I simply didn’t remember seeing her before, but it turns out Jessica Salmi joined the group a couple of years ago already. After seeing the show, it’s now hard to imagine their performance without her, as she played a significant role in the amazing show.
After the live shows, DJs NoiZu and OPPRESSOR took control, under the moniker DARKEST HOURS. The DJ-led after-show party transformed the venue into a pulsating dance floor, ensuring the energy lingered long into the night.
Without Warning
Fear of Domination
Darkest Hours
Photos by Richard Forsman
