Finnish Metal Expo 2008
Turisas, Soilwork, and More Kick Off 2008 European Metal Festivals
Turisas, Soilwork, Municipal Waste and Finnish Metal Awards featured at Finnish Metal Expo metal festival at Kaapelitehdas in Helsinki on February 15th and 16th, 2008.
The Finnish Metal Expo metal festival runs from 1700 - 0200 on Friday, February 15th, and from 1400 - 0200 on Saturday, February 16th.
Friday: Turisas, Municipal Waste, More Bands and Finnish Metal Awards
Friday night headliners are the Finnish masters of viking metal, Turisas. Turisas released their second album, The Varangian Way, last year on Century Media Records. Dressed in their trademark loin cloths, fur, and battle painted faces, Turisas will be sure to take no prisoners with the Finnish crowd. Turisas start a headlining European tour in March, before joining Ensiferum on the North American Paganfest in April.
The main support act for Friday night is Richmond, Virginia crossover thrashers, Municipal Waste. Municipal Waste are the current undisputed leaders of the thrash metal revival. Their third album, The Art of Partying, was released last June on Earache Records.
Other bands confirmed for Friday are Mustasch, Sotajumala, and Discard. Fusion grindcore duo Cause For Effect will be playing several sets over both days.
Also taking place on Friday night will be the 2007 Finnish Metal Awards ceremony. Awards will be handed out for Best Album, Best Artist, Best Newcomer, Best Cover Art, Best Player of a Musical Instrument, and Best Singer.
Saturday: Soilwork, Stam1na, Korpiklaani, Norther and More Bands
Headliners for Saturday night are Swedish melodic death metal band Soilwork. Soilwork released their seventh studio album, Sworn to a Great Divide, last October on Nuclear Blast records. It was their first album with new guitarist Daniel Antonsson. Antonsson replaced Peter Wichers, who co-founded the band in late 1995.
Stam1na, who are known for singing their songs in Finnish, are the main support on Saturday night, along with Finnish folk metallers Korpiklaani and Finnish melodic death metal band Norther.
Other bands confirmed for Saturday are The Scourger, Ari Koivunen, The Sorrow, Kiuas, and Amberian Dawn.
Helsinki Hosts International Metal Meeting, Plus Metal Merchandise and Music Clinics at Festival
The Finnish Metal Expo is more than just a metal festival. Besides all of the bands already mentioned and the Finnish Metal Awards ceremony on Friday night, there are also more than 50 exhibitors showing off their latest merchandise and services in the exhibition area and music clinics where the top metal musicians give tips and pointers.
On Thursday, February 14th, the Finnish Metal Expo hosts the International Metal Meeting at Helsinki's Tavastia Club. The International Metal Meeting allows profesionals involved in the metal industry to discuss the important issues facing the industry today.
The Finnish Metal Expo takes place at Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory) in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki, Finland on February 15th and 16th. Friday tickets are priced at 22 euros and Saturday tickets cost 24 euros. Information on how to order tickets is available from the Finnish Metal Expo website.
Read about more metal festivals featured on Suite101 at Thrash Assault 2 Festival.
