Tuska has a tendency to pick some headliners that are not necessarily bands that are often booked as such, and has in the past shown to be able to predict which bands might become major players in the nearby future. And this year they didn’t fail us on this yet again. The Friday, they’ve put the Swedish melodeath legends In Flames up on a pedestal, deservingly so looking at the massive arena shows they’ve been doing in Finland the past years. On Saturday, the German power metallers of Powerwolf will set up shop, to which we can attest is a great choice, looking at the epic show they brought to Alcatraz a couple of years ago as one of the headliners! And then on Sunday, we close down with some proper extreme stuff. When Lorna Shore played Tuska in 2023, it turned into something absolutely special, and the amount of people gathered in front of the main stage in the middle of the afternoon while it was raining, was impressive to say the least. And they continued their tour de force by playing some huge shows in Finland later that year, including a sold out Ice Hall in Helsinki. The organisation noticed, and now they’re bringing them back for a headline show that will be one for the history books!

It’s quite well-known that Finland has very fertile grounds considering rock and metal music. And overall, Finnish festivals seem to have a rule that they give a lot of attention to the talent they have in their own neighborhood. So going to a festival like Tuska means that you’ll be able to enjoy many Finnish bands, both absolute legends and bands that you otherwise rarely would see outside of their country. And this year has a pretty stacked bill again on that level with popular bands and acts like Tarja Turunen, Marko Hietala, Tyrantti, Mokoma, Insomnium, Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus (celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of their albums), Arion, Apocalyptica (plays Metallica by Cello vol. 2), Turmion Kätilöt, Battle Beast, and Korpiklaani besides up-and-coming, smaller, lesser known or underground bands like Horizon Ignited, Enemies Everywhere, Intrepid, Vähäkyrö Drive-By, Dol, Call From Abyss, Falling From Grace, Jarkko Martikainen, Royal Sorrow, Sepulchral Curse, Countless Goodbyes, Sorretun Voima, Bisa, Distant Stares, Nameles, Havukruunu, Octoploid, Cryptic Hatred, The Vantages, Noiduin, Ashes In The Fall and Lights To Remain!

Tuska has always room and an eye for up-and-coming talents and future greats, which is no different this edition. Besides up-and-comers from own country like Horizon Ignited, Enemies Everywhere, Intrepid, Royal Sorrow, Sepulchral Curse, Cyan Kicks, Havukruunu, Octoploid, Cryptic Hatred, and The Vantages, you won’t want to miss bands like Electric Callboy (finally on the main stage on Friday, ensuring an early party time), Knocked Loose (blew up recently with their track featuring Poppy hitting Jimmy Kimmel Live), Imminence (Swedish metalcore outfit that has Finland as a second home and recently released a killer album), Blood Command (masters of live chaos that are a blast every single time on stage), Bokassa (not really new anymore, but so promising that they were openers for the Metallica Europe tour some years ago), Slaughter to Prevail (one of the big names in the modern deathcore scene that make their first proper appearance in Finland, that at the same time is the only European show this festival summer), Orbit Culture (these Swedes love Finland and finally get to take over the main stage well deserved), Wind Rose (Italian dwarf metal, do we need to say more?), thrown (another killer new Swedish band that does things differently), Motionless In White (only the third time in Finland and second time at Tuska, we’re hoping for a taste of their theatrical show) and Polaris (Australian metalcore, after last year’s killer shows by countrymates Make Them Suffer and Parkway Drive)!

While Tuska this year has put a lot of their money on bringing in modern acts with a bright eye on the future, they did not forget about the classics and old school stuff from the heavy music scene. From Finnish soil, we got the legendary Tarja Turunen, Marko Hietala and Apocalyptica coming to the Tuska stages, while you can get a shot of old school goth metal and rock through the new supergroup Cemetery Skyline, extreme metal icons Cradle of Filth, Swedish melodeath legends In Flames and longstanding power metal virtuosos Dragonforce!

Tuska comes with something surprising every year, and this year they really are bringing in some cool acts, going from Irish Eurovision participant Bambie Thug with her “OUIJA POP”, true crime industrialists SKYND, electro-goth metal/djentcore Japanese kei style band Jiluka, “Viking war trance” folk duo Eihwar, local pagan folk collective Noiduin and experimentalist Kim Dracula!

For a couple editions now, Tuska has the popular concept to give a platform to lesser known and underground bands to play at a bigger festival and hopefully get discovered by a bunch of people roaming around the festival grounds. Tuska KVLT brings a fine selection of up-and-coming and established underground names, in combination with starting bands that get a spot on the bill by the band members taking part in the KVLT arrangement where they offer their volunteering services some time during the weekend.

This time we get a selection of really solid and established names within their scene like Octoploid, Cryptic Hatred, The Vantages, Noiduin, Royal Sorrow, Sepulchral Curse, Countless Goodbyes, Sorretun Voima, Tyrantti, Enemies Everywhere, Intrepid and Vähäkyrö Drive-By, with this time non-Finnish bands like Bokassa the Friday, and Eihwar the Saturday, filled out with bands who earned their spot by participating in last year’s activities that kept the festival running with Ashes In The Fall, Lights To Remain, Nameles, Distant Stares, Bisa, Falling From Grace, Call From Abyss and Dol.

If at any time during the weekend you’re looking for anything that is a touch more extreme and underground, or fresh and new, make sure you check out what is next on the Tuska KVLT stage. You might end up discovering the next big thing really early on in their career!

Since a couple of editions of Tuska ago, they have brought the Tuska Expo to the festival grounds. Tuska Expo has stands and vendors with things that speak to many of the alternative people and metalheads that visit the event. In the past we’ve seen a barber, body art/modification stand, Metalheads Against Bullying, black metal inspired vegan soaps, jewelry and so on. It’s always a bit looking forward to seeing what new things are coming to the expo for us to discover!

Since they moved the Expo to a bigger location on the festival grounds, which made space for more stands and vendors than ever before, but also workshops on corpse paint, palm reading, jewelry making, and many other things to discover whenever you don’t feel the need to get blasted by some heavy music! This was a massive success, so they are working with the same collaborators again to curate an even more interesting edition this year! Check out what you can find this year right here:

• ART BY ELVYREN: You can find beauty in the darkness. Unique dark naïve art, art prints and clothing. Inspired by northern nature and mythologies, as well as mental health themes.
• BARD & JESTER: Bard & Jester brings their collection of unique leather goods, armor, bags, and other one-of-a-kind designs. You will also find various accessories and curiosities – from telescopes and top hats to pocket watches, and even to other dimensions!
• BEARD PARK: is once again here to serve the bearded festival crowd. Come get your hair and beard styled for the event! Accessories and related products also available.
• CINCIN JA NANA S: Cincin is a Helsinki-based jewelry company specializing in its own Nana S design silver jewelry. The designs are original, the stones always come from the same lapidary, and the same workshop has been crafting the pieces for 18 years. Unique and beautiful jewelry.
• COCO LIFESTYLE: At Cocolifestyle’s stand, you’ll find a wide selection of hats for both men and women – from caps and wide-brimmed hats to fun animal hats… plus sunglasses, jewelry, and t-shirts. Welcome!
• DARK MODE: Unique clothes, unconventional cuts, original prints. Hand-printed and sewn in a small workshop, in the only right color.
• EEVA NIKUNEN FANTASY ART: Eeva Nikunen Fantasy Art offers enchanting paper products, art and merchandise inspired by cats, magic and mythology.
• EITRI JEWELRY: Beautifully crafted jewellery and accessories with a focus on history, myth and legend. Whether it’s a unique graphic t-shirt or a statement ring with a story, we’ve got you covered! We value high quality materials and durability, so come check us out.
• EVIANNA ESTER: Evianna Ester Art‘s whimsical clay figures, botanical illustrations and colorful stickers are inspired by nature and the magic of everyday life. These products are like talismans, intended to empower and bring joy to those who own them!
• GLIMMERING DEEP DESIGN: Festival season’s raucous jewelry can be found at Glimmering Deep Design’s booth. Selection ranges all the way from viking and medieval to goth, steampunk and even some pin-up and fifties. Not to mention all the new pieces yet to be published! All by us, all by hand.
• GRUMPY GEEKS: Unique, hand-printed t-shirts and accessories for geeks, tabletop gamers and fans of fantasy & horror dark mode Unique clothes, unconventional cuts, original prints. Hand-printed and sewn in a small workshop, in the only right color.
• HERAINIART: Herainiart is an artist’s business offering original artwork where literature and mythology are prominently featured. At their booth, you will find paper goods and accessories inspired by witchcraft and mythical creatures.
• ICEBREAKERS FOR VIKINGS: The legendary drinking game returns to TuskaExpo! Grab the original Icebreakers for Vikings or unleash MEAD & MAYHEM—our wild new deck. Play solo or mix them for true Norse chaos
• IIKKA LEHTINEN: Iikka Lehtinen presents his expressionist and urban mystical art – offering art prints, t-shirts, and unique original art.
• KAAMOS CO: Kaamos Co. is a small Finnish company designing and make metal culture inspired sauna and bathroom goods. From our table you will find handmade Corpse Paint Soaps, Corpse Paint rubber ducks and Spatanic Corpse Paint sheet masks and other skincare and spa products.
• KERBERYS: Kerberys is a one man art- and tattoo business, whose booth is loved by both mature and teen audiences. My catalogue includes but is not limited to slow fashion apparel and tote bags, jewelry, pins and art posters, all made with my own works and illustrations.
• KOHMA: KOHMA offers lovingly handcrafted jewelry and bronze items, with nature and its raw beauty as the playground. It is filled with the power of nature, its forms, mysticism, timelessness, and durability.
• MYKORU: Mykoru is a Finnish jewelry brand that creates timeless silver and gold pieces handcrafted in Finland. With high-quality materials and clean design, the jewelry is made to last and carry meaning for both everyday wear and special occasions.
• NORTHERN TRIBE: High-quality, long-lasting clothing and jewelry with unique designs from Finland. Our collections are inspired by the past, combined with the modern craftmanship. They all have an ancient northern tale to tell, rooted so deep no cold can reach.
• NULLOOMNIA: Nulloomnia is an artist brand by Serena Morina, combining paintings and creepy-cute creatures with reflective eyes. Find handcrafted clothing, jewelry, artprints and handmade in Italy creations.
• PHOENICIAN GOODS: I turn vintage watch parts into timeless, unique and drop dead gorgeous jewellery and accessories. I love making bees, moths, spiders and some pagan elements. Each piece is uniquely beautiful.
• POPJOY: Popjoy is a company specializing in unique designs of corset tops and hair accessories. Based in Helsinki, we handcraft every item and ensure each piece is both sustainable and one of a kind. Our reversible corset tops can be custom-made.
• REVIVER: Reviver creates unique art prints on handmade paper crafted from old books donated by Helsinki’s libraries. Each piece carries a story, giving new life to forgotten words.
• SEBASTIAN’S CREATIONS: Unique designs for uncommon creatures.
• SOMA SHOP: Soma Shop offers a collection of treasures from local designers. We have jewellery, clothes and accessories with a unique touch. Each item is handmade in Finland. Our permanent shop is in Forum mall in Helsinki.
• SIRROI & ATHANATON: We offer unique jewellery and peculiar books with decades of experience.
• STUDIO H&N: Skulls, skulls, skulls – Studio H&N brings Memento Mori paintings to Tuska! Original artworks and high-quality limited edition prints at festival prices. Take one home or order for delivery!
• SUOMEN NOITAOPISTO: The Finnish Witch School is a remote witch school that teaches witchcraft as a worldview and trains for the profession of a witch.
• TALKING TO MYSELF: Handmade jewelry and accessories from Hämeenlinna, Finland. Antler-headbands, necklaces, earrings and all kinds of fun stuff!
• THE SATANIC TEMPLE FINLAND: The only official The Satanic Temple congregation in Finland is selling their own merchandise and offers the opportunity for interesting discussions about atheistic satanism, and how TST represents it.
• TONTTU PRKL & STUDIO WALHALLA: Tonttuprkl handcrafts slightly rougher house gnomes whose purpose is to watch over the home and ensure its happiness and prosperity. Also available: other rugged home decor items and accessories!
• TOTENTANZ: Totentanz brings stylish black to men and women in a variety of styles.
• ULOTTUVUUSMATKAT OY: Your favourite Corpse Paint team conquers Tuska once again! Designed to withstand both moshpit and Finnish festival weather, come and get your makeup easily done!
• VALPURI KERTTULA: Valpuri Kerttula is an illustrator and artist from Lahti. She sells wooden jewellery, cards, art prints, home textiles, mugs, vinyl stickers and relief prints.
• VANADIS COUTURE: Vanadis Couture is a one-woman business that makes handmade domestic lingerie.
• VUORENPEIKON PAJA: Vuorenpeikon Paja crafts belts, jewelry, and rings by hand. Each piece is one of a kind.

And on top of that, you’ll find a “ritual stage” bringing different kinds of rituals throughout every festival day, a hair suspension act, contortionist, interviews and so much more, a full-on “body art area” with tattoo artists and piercers to get your new body modifications figured out, Baba Yaga’s Hut, and more to discover… Find more info like the schedules here.

Tuska doesn’t only put in a lot of effort in selecting the bands they bring in, or even the vendors for Tuska Expo, but always makes sure that we have a very diverse selection of foods we could pick something from. Conveniently, they’ve gathered most of those food providers in the festival “food court”, so you have a good overlook on what your choices are. And they seem to be repeating last year’s diverse line-up with some really really interesting newcomers besides the typical festival grub (like burgers, kebab, makkaraperunat,…). Check out what you can expect right here:

3 Kaverin Jäätelöbiili: Welcome to taste 3 Kaveria’s new ice cream flavors and old favorites! The ice cream & coffee combo won’t disappoint either!

Ape Gelato: Ape Gelato has brought authentic Italian Ape ice cream trucks to Helsinki, serving high-quality
gelato and espresso since 2017. Our gelato is handcrafted in Finland using an original Italian recipe.
We focus on bold flavors, fresh ingredients – and of course, our gelato is always served with a
smile. You’ll also find delicious vegan options in our selection. And you can always pair the gelato
with an espresso for a true taste of Italy!

Backyard BBQ: Old school street food

Burger King: Founded in 1954, BURGER KING® is the world’s second-largest hamburger fast food chain. The chain includes over 16,000 restaurants in around 100 countries worldwide. Our restaurants are known for offering high-quality, tasty, and affordable food. BURGER KING® is the original HOME OF THE WHOPPER®, with premium ingredients, our own unique recipes, and flame-grilled burgers that have been our hallmark for 70 successful years.

Bun x 2 = 16€: The name says it all – all sorts of Bun’s. Or puns.

Döner Haus: Kebab for everyone. Also for vegetarians.

Haapasalon Hatsapuri: Haapasalo’s Hatsapuri – our cheese bread is a Georgian masterpiece from Puumala!
At Haapasalo’s Hatsapuri, we handcraft all our hatsapuris in our own bakery in Puumala, using domestic Suluguni cheese and honoring Georgian traditions. Our selection includes traditional cheese hatsapuris filled with rich Suluguni cheese, flavorful cheese-and-meat and vegetarian versions, as well as a delicious gluten-free option. Hatsapuri is the perfect choice for a big appetite or for sharing with a friend. Hatsapuri is not just bread—it’s a culinary journey carrying thousands of years of tradition straight from the heart of Georgia. Take this experience—it will sweep you off your feet!!

Katmando: Katmando is a vibrant street food stall inspired by the bustling flavors of Kathmandu and the warmth of Finnish comfort food. We specialize in Nepali–Finnish fusion, bringing together bold spices, fresh local ingredients, and traditional cooking with a modern twist. Our signature dish is the street-style momo—juicy dumplings filled with rich flavors and served with our unique dipping sauces. Whether you’re craving something adventurous or nostalgic, Katmando offers a one-of-a-kind culinary journey where East meets North.

Levant: The fresh flavors of the Levant, crispy falafels, and chicken wraps bring a breeze of Middle Eastern tastes. Also available are the halloumi fries, which became a favorite last year! A festival crowd favorite for 10 years—and for good reason.

LOADED: LOADED is quality in every step. Fries made from high-quality potatoes grown in Ostrobothnia, professionally cooked to achieve a crispy exterior while staying soft inside—bringing out the authentic taste of the potato. Only the finest toppings go on top: real pulled oats, beef brisket, grilled chicken breast, fresh herbs, premium sauces, all served in specially designed biodegradable containers. BOOM!

Loi Loi Rooftop: Loi Loi Rooftop creates New World Asian Cuisine with a casual and fun sensibility. The menu is inspired by a playful interpretation of Asian tastes with loads of fresh flavour capturing the vibe of summer. After winning awards and making waves at Flow Festival the last few years, we’re here this year with tasty nourishing plates, and positive energy to fuel you all festival long.

Nothing But The Dog: World’s best Hot Dogs.

Patisserie Teemu Aura: Patisserie Teemu Aura – Give In to Dark Temptations Patisserie Teemu Aura’s Pullabiili is a pink café truck filled with fresh artisan bakery and patisserie treats. During the summer, this popular truck rolls through the Helsinki area. We take pride in craftsmanship, creativity, and professional skill. Every bun, cake, pastry and treat is made with care – and just a hint of darkness.

Pizzanpaistajat: At Tuska, find Pizzanpaistajat’s pizza stand offering four different Snäkkipizzas®: Three Pepper Salami Pizza, Ham-Pineapple 2.0, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Pesto Feta Pizza, and a Vegan Pizza. The pizza masters at Pizzanpaistajat have carefully crafted every detail of the Snäkkipizza® to suit the Finnish palate. The recipes reflect the familiar Pizzanpaistajat style: tasty and traditional flavors with a modern twist. The toppings mainly consist of products developed in-house by Pizzanpaistajat. Best of all, Snäkkipizzas® are made at their own pizza factory in Vantaa!

Seksico: Seksico Tacos is well-known for their popular restaurants in Helsinki and Espoo, but also for their Seksico® Chili Sauces that have already become classics.

Smash Taco: Smash Taco brings to Tuska the ultimate festival feast — a smash patty made from premium beef pressed into a tortilla, topped with melted cheddar, Big Mac sauce, and fresh toppings! There’s also a veggie and gluten-free version available. On the side, enjoy perfectly spicy chili-honey fries with miso mayo and our homemade lemonade. It doesn’t get better than this at Tuska — see you at the counter!

Thai Papaya: Thai Papaya’s philosophy is to serve authentic Thai flavor experiences, made from the finest ingredients and prepared by a professional chef specializing in Thai cuisine. Quality and taste come first.

Toppa: Toppa Global flavours. Local flair. Bold creativity. From Sichuanese Tofu to Italian truffle arancini our menu brings together bold, unexpected dishes from around the world. Whether you’re here for comfort or craving something new, there’s something for everyone. Flavour first. Rules later.

Every edition of Tuska, proves us even more right that this is one of the nicest metal and rock festivals you can go to in Finland. The improvements they make every year to the festival area cause a better flow and overall, an improved atmosphere, enabling us to focus on some great music and having good old fun. People from all walks of life are to be found at the festival grounds, and we haven’t seen any conflicts at all. It’s basically like a big family coming together, and even at its most busy, it never felt like the space was being overcrowded. And if you don’t feel like music all the time, there are plenty of other things to discover like competitions to win something, selfie opportunities, the pieces of artwork commissioned by the festival from a local artist,…

The people behind Tuska are a pretty amazing bunch. Every year they try to improve things to make the festival the best possible experience for every visitor and really listen to the feedback given to them. Even when their plans don’t turn out as great as they expected, it wouldn’t be the first time they start changing things overnight in the middle of the festival weekend when they receive complaints about something. Talk about dedication…

They have a dedicated “harassment officer” you can message with in case of inappropriate behavior, during and even after the festival, and have a pretty decent app that will notify you whenever the show of one of your favorite bands is about to happen. They really make it a weekend of fun, friends and music that you can keep as relaxed or as wild as you’d want to.