Top 10 Best Finnish Bands

Finland's music scene is a true hidden gem, packed with bands that defy expectations and push creative boundaries. From the raw energy of heavy metal to the captivating melodies of symphonic rock, these Finnish artists have a signature sound that sets them apart from the crowd.

You probably know some of the big hitters, but there's a whole world of amazing Finnish bands waiting to be discovered.
The Top Ten
1 HIM HIM was a Finnish gothic rock band from Helsinki, Finland. Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen under the name His Infernal Majesty, the band broke up in 1993, before being reformed in 1995 by Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström.

HIM are just amazing. The lyrics are like poetry and could stand on their own without the music. The songs are well composed, and a lot of love has clearly been put into every song by every member. They are way better than The Rasmus! Simply because they have Ville Valo as their singer. They're one of the few bands these days who just create honest music. They play the music they want when they want to, and the new album is going to be incredible!

I've loved them for about 5 years now, but I wish that I could've loved them for longer. Ville's voice is unlike any other, and his lyrics are simple but powerful. Linde, Burton, Migé, and Gas are amazing musicians. Each song seeps into your soul, captures your heart, and makes you want to fall in love.

They founded their own genre and were the first Finnish band to reach gold status in America. Sure, I love other Finnish bands like The Rasmus, 69 Eyes, Nightwish, Apocalyptica, and a few others, but HIM will always be number one in my book. HIM is the best. There just isn't a need for comparison.

2 Nightwish Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. It's currently formed by Tuomas, Emppu, lead vocalist Floor Jansen, bassist and vocalist Marco Hietala,... read more

The best band I've ever heard. Tuomas's songs are awe-inspiring, and his lyrics are out-of-this-world. Never once has a Nightwish song been shallow. They all have some kind of deeper meaning. I've been listening to Nightwish since I was six years old, and my loyalty to them has never once wavered. They are the reason I got hooked on metal.

The first song I ever heard was Storytime, and though my father didn't like the band at first, he got me all the songs. He listened to The Poet and the Pendulum and was completely swept away by the Nightwish tide. I've begun learning piano because of them and writing my own song lyrics, somewhat similar to Tuomas's. Nightwish should be number 1 now and forever.

3 The Rasmus The Rasmus are a Finnish rock band that formed in 1994 in Helsinki while the band members were still in upper comprehensive school.

As well as having a perfectly polished, high-quality, and versatile discography, The Rasmus are also highly professional performers live. Yet, they still interact with their fans on stage and are humble, lovable guys. I've had the most fun at both Rasmus gigs I've been to (London and Bristol this year) than I've ever had seeing any other band, including massive, stadium bands like The Killers.

Their music ranges from hard rock (Immortal, Heart Of Misery, Lucifer's Angel) to soft ballads (Live Forever, Sail Away, Last Waltz) and everything in between, including techno (Mysteria). The Rasmus never disappoint me.

4 Children of Bodom Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg.

Children of Bodom is the best band in the world. No band could beat this magnificent Melodic Death Metal band. C.O.B. definitely deserves the number one spot. It is a lot better and much more famous than Nightwish, HIM, or The Rasmus. Now, who the hell heard about that band? It definitely does not deserve to be in the top 10. But there are a lot of people in this world who are some fake metal heads.

I am from Nepal, and I am a great fan of melodic metal. COB is the best melodic metal band in the world. How can it not be on the top of the list of Finnish bands? I totally disagree with the list. Now, who the hell are HIM and The Rasmus? I have heard about Nightwish, but it is not even comparable to COB. How on earth can this happen? Come on, guys, let's make COB the number 1.

5 Apocalyptica Apocalyptica is a Finnish metal band from Helsinki, Finland formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén.

The very first Finnish band I ever fell in love with. Now, I have expanded my horizons to seek out more talent from Finland. I confess, I prefer their songs with lyrics and vocalizations, as opposed to simply instrumental. I like several other bands on this list, but Apocalyptica takes #1. Those guys can rock cellos.

I love HIM, The Rasmus, and Children of Bodom, but Apocalyptica is just the best. I usually have to have something to sing along to, but I just love listening to their instrumental tracks. I've heard they're beyond amazing live, too.

6 Santa Cruz

The three albums are all really great, especially the last two. A heavy and awesome band.

Like a modern-day Skid Row. Catchy lyrics and tons of attitude. Love 'em!

7 The 69 Eyes

Awesome band that definitely doesn't get nearly enough credit. They started off as a glam rock band but eventually turned into a gothic rock band. All of their albums are amazing. Check them out.

I love The 69 Eyes. They are the best, and even their style of clothes. I just love their songs too. It makes my day perfect and it makes sense to me. I have all their albums, and they do rock and put as my best ever.

Best voice! Much more people should hear them.

8 Poets of the Fall Poets of the Fall is a Finnish rock band from Helsinki. The group consists of Marko Saaresto, Olli Tukiainen, Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen, Jani Snellman, Jaska Mäkinen, and Jari Salminen.

Poets of the Fall is such an underrated indie band. They are versatile, they write their own songs, and on top of that, soundtracks for games, songs for other musicians, and they've done remixes of their own songs. The songs they wrote at the beginning of their career still sound as fresh as they did back in 2005. All their albums have a distinct Poets of the Fall style, but every time they release new material, they manage to reinvent themselves and show us something different and amazing. I wish all the best for them. May they keep rocking for another decade at least!

9 Amorphis Amorphis is a Finnish metal band formed in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they have evolved into playing other genres, such as folk metal and progressive metal.

Amorphis is definitively top 10, probably top 5. Amorphis is a better band than The Rasmus, but I don't say that individual songs are better.

GREAT band, top 5. Sure, songs are not better than the other top 5 bands currently there, but the BAND is...

Amorphis is the best band of all time. They can play everything and have never done a bad job. Tomi is just amazing.

10 Finntroll Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal.
The Contenders
11 Sonata Arctica Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, Finland. Created as a hard rock band named Tricky Beans, they later changed to Tricky Means and finally to Sonata Arctica, when they shifted to power metal.

I've spent a few summers and winters in Finland and got to like all things Finnish. I got into Sonata Arctica purely by chance when I heard a song called "Broken." Since then, I've got everything they have ever written. The music is epic. Melodic and harmonic, very cleverly written and played, they deserve great fame. As a Brit, they are not well known here, but should be. They are as cool as Kemi on a February morning. All the best, David Rees, Sarratt, England.

They should easily be in first place. They tell about life and how it is, and don't sing about love and love lost (like HIM does - all of their songs are about love, or a woman. Not good). They write stories into their songs, and Tony uses his voice to sing/tell them in such a way that you just can't help but listen to more and more of their songs.

12 Lordi Lordi are a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1992 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume maker, Mr Lordi.

Lordi is just pure awesomeness... The most underrated band in the world.

For me... They were... They are... And they forever will be the BEST!

13 Stam1na

Stam1na is the greatest Finnish language metal band of all-time and one of the hardest-working bands I know. Their every studio album sounds different and new, and their genre is really hard to define. Hyrde's lyrics are genius and cover pretty much anything. Also, Stam1na's live shows are considered to be one of the best from Finland, and the band has been given many awards. If you haven't heard of these guys, check them out!

14 Stratovarius Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation, they have released 16 studio albums, 4 DVD and 3 live albums.

I'm from Finland, and I think that Stratovarius is one of the best bands that come from here. I also like Sonata Arctica, HIM, and Nightwish, for example, but Stratovarius should be ranked higher than it is now. Such an energetic band.

In terms of overall quality of musicianship and classic rock in the pure class category, this band is one of the greatest and deserves to be much bigger than they are. Quality in abundance.

Stratovarius should be ranked higher than now because the music is awesome.

15 Sunrise Avenue

Sunrise Avenue is my favorite Finnish band by far! I mean, just listen to Samu Haber's voice, and you will understand!

16 Hanoi Rocks

It's sad that they never got really big! I myself am 17 years old from Finland, and I just learned about them. Their songs are masterpieces. I especially like "Don't You Ever Leave Me" and "Tragedy"... They would have deserved the success they never got.

Someone else has previously said it, the best-kept secret in rock n roll. Quite simply, they are legends and so influential, but not many people know about them. One of my all-time favourite bands, and I beg for anyone who reads this to start listening to them! Such a great band that never got the recognition they deserved.

17 Leevi and the Leavings

You have to understand Finnish language really well to get all out of this band. You have to understand the tone and pressure, how he pronounces. Else, you may well think they are trash. Plenty of good music, but how many bands can really get in and specify a nation's soul? At some point of life, every Finn will play these songs.

Best Finnish band in my opinion. If their lyrics were in English, the world would discover a hidden gem.

If they would have sung in English, they would be #1 on this list.

18 Kotiteollisuus
19 Swallow the Sun Swallow the Sun is a Finnish melodic death/doom metal band. They have a melodic, atmospheric doom metal sound.
20 Apulanta
21 Ensiferum Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "melodic folk metal."

Why is this not in the top 10? They are so melodic yet so heavy, and their music is just beautiful. I never listened to extreme metal before, but Ensiferum introduced me to it in the best way possible.

Melodic tunes that are really engaging and addicting. Ensiferum rules!

Ensiferum rules! It should be in the top 10.

22 Don Johnson Big Band
23 Korpiklaani

Korpiklaani is definitely one of the greatest folk metal bands ever. Also, their lyrics are often in Finnish, so if you like bands that don't use just English, it's a great choice.

I'm from the UK, and I love Korpiklaani. Even though I don't understand most of the lyrics, they are seriously fun to listen to!

24 Sentenced

Why is nobody voting for Sentenced?! Just because they are not mainstream but true metal? I listen to them every day. They make me stand up every single morning! They are simply mind-blowing, unique, special, great, fantastic... So sad that they stopped playing, but they're still in my heart. Start voting.

Legendary band that was never truly appreciated.

Got into these guys while stationed in Germany. I'm at age 61, rocking with them. Noose is my favorite.

25 Eternal Tears of Sorrow

Just listen to The Seventh Eclipse. It will blow you away, and you will vote this band up to 3 behind COB and Nightwish.

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