On April 9th, 2025, Tampere’s Tavara-Asema became the center of a night that shifted from the melodic death metal energy of HIRAES and DARK TRANQUILLITY to the dark, immersive atmosphere of Gothic metal with MOONSPELL — a show many had been eagerly waiting for. A huge classic from the ’90s Goth scene and a major influence on countless bands today, MOONSPELL brought a wave of nostalgia and excitement, resonating with many people’s teenage years and early adulthood. Also highly anticipated by the Finnish audience was Sweden’s DARK TRANQUILLITY, who mentioned that some of their biggest successes were thanks to the support of Finland. Opening the night with fresh energy and impressive performance was Germany’s HIRAES, captivating guests who had traveled from all around to witness this special event in Tampere’s thriving metal scene.
From Osnabrück, Germany, HIRAES had the honor of playing in Finland for the first time, opening the night at Tavara Asema. Their phenomenal frontwoman, Britta Görtz, impressed the crowd with her powerful gutturals and excellent vocal technique. The band delivered a high-energy show filled with melodic guitar riffs.
After a short break, the stage welcomed the incredible MOONSPELL from Brandoa, Portugal. Well-known throughout Finland, particularly within the Goth scene, MOONSPELL has consistently maintained their classic and distinctive sound. Their charismatic vocalist and co-founder, Fernando Ribeiro, continues to lead the band with a voice that remains strong and profoundly characteristic of MOONSPELL‘s sound.
They opened with one of their biggest hits, “Opium,” from their iconic album “Irreligious.” I’ve always been amazed by this song, particularly the beautiful inclusion of the Portuguese poem “Opiário” at the end, adding a rich cultural touch. The performance immediately captured the crowd with waves of nostalgia and excitement, thanks to sharp gutturals and gripping guitar riffs.
Following up with the song “Awake,” featuring a slightly more relaxed tempo and dynamic keyboard elements, they kept the audience fully engaged. The final part of their set included some of their most beloved songs: “Breathe (Until We Are No More),” “Alma Mater,” and, to close, “Full Moon Madness.” As a full moon backdrop dropped behind the stage, Fernando Ribeiro honored the full moon, and the audience howled along during the legendary guitar solo — a truly magical moment that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
Finally, the headliners, DARK TRANQUILLITY, took the stage. Originating from across Sweden, but especially from Gothenburg, they brought mesmerizing visuals that fully immersed the audience. Large screens displayed fragments of lyrics and artwork from their albums and singles, enhancing the experience.
They opened with “Shivers and Voids,” and it was clear that many attendees had been eagerly waiting for their performance, singing along to hits like “Shivers and Voids,” “Forward Momentum,” “Atoma,” “Nothing to No One,” “Empty Me,” and their encore, “Misery’s Crown.”
Formed in 1989 by singer and guitarist Mikael Stanne, DARK TRANQUILLITY is a pioneering force in the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene. With 13 studio albums to their name, they are considered one of Sweden’s greatest melodic death metal bands, and this show was proof that they well earned their place.
Check out our photo gallery for the evening here…
Hiraes
Moonspell
Dark Tranquillity
Photos by Lola Valkyrie
