Ever had an album slap you across the face and then gently cradle your bruised soul like a soft blanket? No? Well, let me introduce you to “DEATHMATCH” by LUNA KILLS—a genre-blending rollercoaster that comes at you with nu-metal punches, electronic sprinkles, poppy choruses, and just the right amount of early 2000s nostalgia. The album is being released on April 4th, 2025, via Sharptone Records and marks the label’s first release from Finland.
Our history with LUNA KILLS goes back to the band’s very start, and we’ve had the privilege of watching them grow into the powerhouse they are today. Now, the rest of the world is finally catching on, and we couldn’t be more excited for everyone to experience “DEATHMATCH.” Buckle up—it’s a wild ride.
Picture this: you’re at a show, the lights go down, the anticipation is real… and then the band doesn’t play the song you were dying to hear. Yeah, we’ve been there with “love u.” Having caught it live a few times ever since December 2023, we were always hyped when it made the setlist—and mildly devastated when it didn’t. Yet, even without having recorded a single video of the song during the shows, the chorus somehow lodged itself so firmly in my brain that when I finally heard the full album, it felt like reuniting with an old friend.
As an opener, “love u” doesn’t waste a second, launching headfirst into a high-energy whirlwind of jazzy cleans, razor-sharp fry screams, and a chorus so dangerously catchy that you might catch yourself yelling “La-la-la-love u” at strangers. On top of the earworm melodies, the lyrics pack an undeniable charm, because lines like “I wanna love you like we’re in a movie” are metaphors anyone can picture instantly. It’s that kind of universal appeal that makes this track impossible to ignore. In general, with lyrics that feel like they were pulled straight from your own thoughts, relatability is, in fact, one of the album’s strongest suits.
Previously released as a single, “LEECH” is what happens when nu-metal and a video game soundtrack have a rebellious baby. Lotta Ruutiainen’s vocals are *chef’s kiss*—delicate and emotional in the verses, then absolutely tearing it up when she screams. Mental health themes run deep here, and the result is both cathartic and headbang-worthy. “SADIST,” on the other hand, is a mid-tempo track that throws in some tasty electronic beats during the bridge. Somehow, this electronic soundscape in the bridge builds up nicely to the big chorus as well, and it also intertwines beautifully with a tasteful bass melody.
“sugar rush” is for sure the poppiest track on the album, it carries bittersweet melodies and a guitar solo that is slightly reminiscent of POLYPHIA. Knowing the band’s affinity for gaming, at the same time, it also feels a little like it could have been absolutely dope as a Chiptune—can anyone maybe try and make an 8-bit version of this song—asking for a friend?
As someone who has screamed along to “slay ur enemies” live more times than I care to admit, I can confirm: this track really is peak fun. The song was released about half a year ago as the first single of this album, and it’s still a frequent track on our playlists. Lotta’s dynamic vocal range makes this an absolute standout, and the chorus definitely is a certified crowd-pleaser.
“hallucinate” was one of the few tracks I hadn’t heard before during one of their live shows, and it immediately pulled me into its eerie, hypnotic world. The blend of early 2000s alternative rock and nu-metal, with some nods to DEFTONES, gives the song an edge, while the layered vocals in the chorus create an almost ghostly effect. For me, this is another definite highlight on the album.
Either I’ve heard “WAVES” at a live show before, or it just taps into some universal frequency of déjà vu. The song has a bit of SILENT PLANET in it. The electronic elements set it apart, in general, while these elements aren’t always front and center in their songs, they’re a nicely added detail that adds depth when needed. For instance, in “WAVES,” they totally enhance the song. Plus, they come in handy during their live shows, where the band clearly pays attention to how their set flows from one song to the next—turning the entire performance into a seamless, immersive experience rather than just a collection of tracks.
“get mad” kicks up the pace again, but for a brief moment, it got me confused for a tiny bit. Despite living in Finland for over a decade, I had a hard time trying to decipher the lyrics as Lotta sings a few lines in Finnish—mostly because I don’t think I ever heard her sing in Finnish before: “Joo suutu jos sä haluat / Come on now, jos sä haluat / Yeah, siis suutu jos sä haluat” [“Yeah, get mad if you want / Come on now, if you want / Yeah, get mad if you want”] The mix of English with a few lines of Finnish may have caught me off guard, but once my brain rebooted, I realized one thing for sure: regardless of the linguistic curveball, this track absolutely slaps. It starts off surprisingly… happy, but then turns into a heavy-ass song. It’s perhaps their quirkiest song to date. And then there’s the guitar solo, Samuli throws in some seriously slick guitar chops that really show off his skills. It’s one of those moments that make you stop and appreciate the sheer talent on display.
As the album winds down, “burn the world with me” takes its place as the dramatic, penultimate track—and honestly, given the title, would you expect anything less? It’s got a flair for the cinematic, with a chorus that’s both catchy and ominous, and a gorgeous soundscape towards the end that feels straight out of a dystopian movie—think DAFT PUNK’s Tron Legacy soundtrack, but with more impending doom. Then there’s the breakdown. Wow. This is going to be insane live. And speaking of insanity, this is one of the tracks where drummer Jimi really steps up and makes his presence known. The band may have cycled through a few drummers before landing on him, but what a perfect fit.
“fever dream” is the ballad I didn’t know I needed. Normally, ballads can be a bit of a gamble for me—either they hit hard or fall flat. Usually it’s the latter. But this one? Lotta has the kind of voice that makes you believe every word she’s singing and makes you feel it—not unlike what Nick Cave can do with his voice. Maybe it’s her background as a singer, or maybe it’s the fact that she’s written these words from her life’s experiences, but whatever it is, I believe every word. It’s the kind of song that gives you shivers, the sort that feels like it belongs in the credits of a James Bond movie.
In conclusion, “DEATHMATCH” is the kind of record that proves that LUNA KILLS have fully settled into their own sound. They’ve managed to carve out a niche in alternative metal by mixing nu-metal, metalcore, and electronic elements with an unmistakable early 2000s alternative rock flavor. The album offers an excellent mix of certified mosh-pit anthems and moments where you can pretend you’re in a music video while in the backseat of a car when it rains. Overall, there’s something in there for everyone. LUNA KILLS have already made a name for themselves in the Finnish music scene as a killer live band, the kind that turns first-time listeners into lifelong fans by the end of a set. If you want to experience that firsthand, now’s your chance—the band is gearing up for their first European headlining tour. So, if you haven’t hopped on the LUNA KILLS train yet, consider this your official boarding call. 10/10, would blast at full volume.
Tracklist
1. love u
2. LEECH
3. SADIST
4. sugar rush
5. slay ur enemies
6. hallucinate
7. WAVES
8. get mad
9. burn the world with me
10. fever dream
Lineup
Lotta Ruutiainen – vocals
Samuli Paasineva – guitar
Lassi Peltonen – bass
Jimi Kinnunen – drums
Label
Sharptone Records
