Top 10 Best Metal Bands from Finland

Finland isn't just about saunas, snow, and suspiciously enthusiastic ice swimmers. It's also a breeding ground for some of the most brutal, beautiful, and downright bizarre metal on the planet. There's something in the water up there. Or maybe it's just decades of dark winters and national melancholia being turned into riffs.

From symphonic soundscapes that could score a Viking funeral to melodic death metal that punches you in the soul, Finland's got range. The bands on this list didn't get here by accident. They earned their spots through relentless touring, studio wizardry, and songs that keep you headbanging through heartbreak, rage, and existential crises.

This list is for you to weigh in. Vote for the ones that shred hardest in your playlist. Maybe you like your vocals growled from a snow-covered mountaintop. Maybe you prefer soaring clean singing over blast beats. Whatever your flavor, it's time to throw up the horns and cast your votes.

The Top Ten

  1. 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. The band was known for its blend of melodic elements with extreme metal, and disbanded in 2019 following... read more

    Amazing band! Alexi rules! One of the greatest metal guitarists ever. And their 2019 album is awesome.

    Greatest band Finland has produced. Would love to see them live one day.

    Damn shame I really only discovered them after Alexi died. Incredible guitar and so many good tunes.

  2. Nightwish

    Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. It was formed in 1996 by Tuomas Holopainen, Emppu Vuorinen, and Tarja Turunen. The current lineup includes Holopainen, Vuorinen, Floor Jansen, Troy Donockley, and Kai Hahto, who is temporarily replacing drummer Jukka Nevalainen.

    Nightwish is great. I've been following them for 17 years now, have three tattoos dedicated to them, saw their last ever gig with Tarja, and was lucky enough to see them record their live DVD in Finland in 2015.

    The nature of Finland is a great setting for listening to Nightwish, and luckily I now get to do that daily with my awesome Finnish son. I prefer the old stuff over the new stuff.

    I can't believe Stam1na is not on this list!

    Awesome band! Great songs!

    Music - the power of the lyrics - a fairy tale, the voices - lovely.

    Tuomas - God, Marco - a brutal man, fire, Erno - northern elf, Tarja - goddess, Anette - Sun, Jukka - a great drummer. They're all great!

  3. Insomnium

    Insomnium is a Finnish melodic death metal band from Joensuu, Finland. The sound and lyrical themes of their music portray darkness, sorrow, loss, pain, and nature. They have earned acclaim for blending melodic guitar work with doom and progressive elements in their compositions.

    Insomnium is such a fine band with beautiful melancholy in its spirit, making it one of the best.

    Melodic death metal at its finest! True melancholy and beautiful brutality from Finland!

    Insomnium should be in the top 5 best metal bands in Finland.

  4. Ensiferum

    Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band based in Helsinki. The group blends traditional folk melodies with melodic heavy metal. They self-describe as a "melodic folk metal" band and are known for integrating Finnish folk influences into their music.

    Love Jari and of course, love Wintersun. I'm from Canada, another land of snow and sorrow.

  5. Kalmah

    Kalmah is a melodic death metal band that formed in 1998 in Oulu, Finland. Within less than a year after its formation, the band was signed by Spinefarm Records. Kalmah has since become known for its melodic approach to death metal music.

    One of the best bands in Finnish metal and the whole world. They are epic for their signature tone and pattern. Their riffs are more melodious than COB's. Of course, their leads are too awesome. Love Love Love.

  6. Amorphis

    Amorphis is a Finnish metal band that was formed in 1990. The group began as a death metal act but later expanded their sound to include elements of folk metal and progressive metal. Their musical evolution has earned them recognition both within and beyond the metal community.

    I've been into Amorphis since I was 15 (which was back in '95), and I haven't been disappointed yet.

    The album "Under the Red Cloud" is an absolute masterpiece, and I think the band is totally awesome.

  7. Sonata Arctica

    Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi. Originally formed in 1995 as a hard rock band called Tricky Beans, they changed their name to Tricky Means before adopting the name Sonata Arctica in 1999 when their musical direction shifted toward power metal. Their debut album, Ecliptica... read more

    This is the first metal band I have ever heard, and it exceeded my expectations completely. Wow, they have many great songs, and I like many of them. Tony Kakko's voice is fantastic, and their melodies and the structures of the pieces are unique! They really are great musicians, all of them.

    Sonata Arctica manages to incorporate many emotions in their lyrics while painting a vivid image in their listeners' heads. Not to mention, the music itself just owns.

    Tony Kakko is one of the best male vocalists of all time!

  8. Stratovarius

    Stratovarius is a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation, they have released sixteen studio albums, four DVDs, and three live albums. Stratovarius is recognized as one of the pioneers of the European power metal scene and is known for their melodic and symphonic sound.

    Timo Tolkki is a genius of music. The songs are filled with deep meaning, masterpieces, sophisticated technical techniques, emotional choruses, etc.

    Stratovarius should be ranked higher than they are now because the voice is very awesome.

    Episode and Visions are pure classics, in a league with Rainbow Rising, Machine Head, Piece of Mind, Keeper of the Seven Keys, and Marching Out. All other bands on this list - especially the overrated Sonata Arctica - are miles behind the mighty Stratovarius.

  9. Wintersun

    Wintersun is a metal band from Helsinki, Finland, created by Jari Mäenpää as a side project while he was lead singer and guitarist for the folk metal band Ensiferum. Mäenpää serves as the guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, songwriter, and vocalist for Wintersun. The project eventually became his primary... read more

  10. Moonsorrow

    Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. The band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal into their sound, creating long, epic compositions. They are known for their lyrical themes inspired by Finnish mythology and history.

    Moonsorrow isn't only the most talented band from Finland. They might be the most talented group of musicians ever. Their songwriting and musicianship are unbelievable.

    How is this awesome band sitting at number 9 behind Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Sonata Arctica? Oh yeah, they are not "commercial" enough to appeal to most metal fans.

    I've spent more time listening to the first track of the Havitetty album than I care to admit. Best Finnish metal band by far, and one of my top five bands of all time from anywhere.

    11. The Newcomers
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    Demilich

    Demilich is a death metal band from Finland that formed in the early 1990s. The lineup included vocalist and guitarist Antti Boman, guitarist Aki Hytönen, bassist Ville Koistinen, and drummer Mikko Virnes. They are best known for their 1993 album Nespithe, which has gained cult status in the death metal... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. Norther

    One song, Frozen Angel. If there were more like that, they would be no. 1.

  14. Swallow the Sun

    Swallow the Sun is a Finnish melodic death and doom metal band. They are known for combining melodic and atmospheric elements with the heaviness of doom metal. The band's sound features emotional intensity, slow tempos, and dark lyrical themes.

  15. 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 disbanded in 1993 before reforming in 1995 with Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström. The group achieved international... read more

    They have opened doors for all bands from Finland. If it wasn't for them, Finnish bands wouldn't reach so far. They went gold in the U.S. first, and because of that, I think they deserve to be no. 1 without any doubt.

    HIM is a great band! I always find myself into their lyrics. The song that most fits me is "I Love You." Oh, it reminds me of lots of things.

    Their music hits you in the heart!

  16. Korpiklaani

    Korpiklaani is a Finnish folk metal band that originally formed under the name Shaman. They changed their name to Korpiklaani around 2003 to reflect their evolving musical style. The band is known for blending traditional Finnish folk melodies and instruments with heavy metal elements, earning them... read more

  17. Lost Society

    Lost Society is a thrash metal band from Finland, formed in 2010. The band released its debut album, Fast Loud Death, in 2013 when the members were teenagers aged 17, 18, and 19. Over time, Lost Society evolved their sound and began incorporating more groove metal elements into their music.

    Come on, guys. They deserve to be in the top 10. They are one of the best thrash metal bands of the modern era. Listen to their recent album Braindead, it's great.

    Their debut album was one of the best thrash metal debut albums, and they were teens when they recorded it.

  18. Finntroll

    Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They are known for blending elements of black metal with Finnish polka, traditional folk melodies, and lyrics sung mostly in Swedish. The band formed in 1997 and stands out for its unique style and theatrical performances.

    Some of the best serious folk metal.

  19. Lordi

    Lordi is a Finnish hard rock and heavy metal band formed in 1992 by lead singer, songwriter, and costume designer Mr. Lordi. The band is known for its elaborate monster-themed costumes and theatrical stage performances. Lordi gained international fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006... read more

    Lordi is awesome! Their masks are so realistic, and they have a very theatrical live show! They are world-famous for being the only metal band to win Eurovision, a pop song contest!

    They're the reason I love Finland so much.

  20. Sentenced

    Simply one of the best metal bands. Listen especially to the older production. Very good.

    Just listen, you will understand!

  21. Amberian Dawn

    I am a fan of both Nightwish and Xandria, but with Amberian Dawn, I have truly found a new favorite band! Ladyhawk is totally electrifying! This band now has my total respect and attention.

  22. Impaled Nazarene

    Fast and wicked, they do no wrong!

  23. Turisas

    Turisas is a Finnish metal band from Hämeenlinna. They were founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström and named after an ancient Finnish god of war. Turisas is known for their theatrical live performances and their use of folk instruments, contributing to their distinct battle metal style... read more

  24. 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, along with drummer Mikko Sirén. Known for blending classical music with metal, they first gained recognition with their... read more

  25. Omnium Gatherum

  26. Teräsbetoni

    Teräsbetoni is a Finnish power metal band formed in 2002. They gained their first recording contract through a fan-led petition submitted to multiple record labels. In 2008, they represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Missä miehet ratsastaa."... read more

  27. Zero Nine

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