Someone has to kick off the festival, and Horizon Ignited have the honour of opening Hellsinki Metal Festival. That’s no small responsibility, but if there’s one thing the Finnish melodic death metal outfit has proven over the last few years, it’s that they know how to bring energy from the very first note.

Their modern take on melodic death metal balances huge choruses with crushing riffs and enough aggression to wake up everyone still sipping their first festival beer. An opening slot often means people are still arriving, but we’d honestly recommend getting through those gates early. Festivals always have a special atmosphere during those first moments, and Horizon Ignited have everything needed to ensure the weekend starts exactly as it should: loud.

There’s something captivating about the way Wormwood approach black metal. Instead of relying purely on relentless speed and aggression, the Swedes build vast, melancholic soundscapes inspired by Scandinavian nature, folklore and the inevitable passage of time.

Their music constantly shifts between beauty and devastation, drawing listeners in before unleashing crushing walls of sound. It’s the kind of performance that demands your full attention rather than simply providing background noise between bigger names. And with new music out and on the way, we’re curious to see if we’ll maybe get a taste of what is to come already live…

If you’re looking for a set that completely immerses you in atmosphere, Wormwood should be high on your list.

Some festival sets are simply too unique to miss, and this is undoubtedly one of them. Earlier this year, Finnish band Ikinä turned heads far beyond their home country with a collaboration that brought together an impressive lineup of female vocalists from across the Finnish rock and metal scene. Despite the song being performed entirely in Finnish, it resonated with audiences worldwide and even caught the attention of international media.

Now that collaboration comes to the stage at Hellsinki Metal Festival, with Choir of Hekate helping to create what promises to be one of Friday’s most memorable performances. Beyond the music itself, there’s something genuinely inspiring about seeing so many outstanding women from Finland’s heavy music community sharing the spotlight. It’s a celebration of the scene as much as it is a concert, and exactly the kind of special, one-off experience that makes festivals unforgettable.

Few artists have made such an impact on atmospheric black metal in such a short space of time as Blackbraid. The project combines blistering black metal with melodies and themes inspired by Indigenous American history and nature, creating music that feels deeply personal while remaining ferociously intense.

Live, Blackbraid balances aggression and atmosphere with remarkable ease. One moment you’re caught in a whirlwind of blast beats and icy riffs, the next you’re completely absorbed by haunting melodies that linger long after the song ends. A couple of years ago we saw them at Hellsinki Metal and they blew us away. If atmospheric black metal is your thing—or if you’re simply curious to see one of the genre’s most talked-about newer names in action—this is a set that deserves a place on your Friday schedule.

One of the biggest joys of festivals is discovering bands that bring something completely different to the table, and that’s exactly where Mawiza come in.

The Chilean band proudly weave their Mapuche heritage into groove-heavy modern metal, creating a sound that feels both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably contemporary. Traditional instruments, indigenous language and powerful riffs blend into something that’s far more than a gimmick—it feels authentic because it is. Quite a few songs made us think of a blend of Gojira and Alien Weaponry almost. In a sense not too big of a surprise that Joe Duplantier of Gojira is actually doing guest vocals on one of the tracks of their latest album…

We’ve always believed festivals should broaden your musical horizons, and Mawiza are a perfect example of why stepping outside your comfort zone can be incredibly rewarding. This is probably one of our most anticipated shows of the weekend and we highly recommend you joining us there!