GINGER EVIL began as MOONSHINE INC. in 2005, in a rehearsal room in Helsinki, Finland. After a couple of years of rehearsal and composing, a fruitless search for a singer meant the songs were put on ice. Meanwhile, guitarist Tomi Julkunen and bassist Veli Palevaara continued gigging in Finland with THE MILESTONES, including arena shows with Deep Purple and Whitesnake. In the aftermath of their fifth album, those Moonshine Inc. songs from a decade back emerged from hibernation, so the search began again for a vocalist. For the recording of their debut album, ‘The Way It Burn’”, Ella brought in Teemu Aalto (Insomnium) as a producer, who also handled the final mixes with final mastering by Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers (Rammstein, Volbeat, Sunrise Avenue, Apocalyptica).

Taking out some sample songs I do get a mixed verdict.

• ‘Shame Old’ – Opens with a bluesy swagger and a dragging rhythm that sets a smoky tone. Think bar room grit with a slow burn.
• ‘Rainmaker’ – One of the singles and album opener that hits hard. Powerful and punchy, it’s the kind of track that makes you sit up and say, “Okay, they mean business.”
• ‘Better Get in Line’ – A dark, sludgy power blues number with democratic defiance in its lyrics. The slow, melodic middle section adds depth and contrast. Uncompromising and moody.
• ‘Dead on Arrival’ – Starts slow, then erupts into crunchy rock passages. It’s heavier than most on the album, alternating between melodic stretches and raw energy. Killer guitar solo and a chorus that sticks.
• ‘Whispers’ – Obligatory slow track? Maybe. But Ella proves she can sing. Harmonious chorus, a bit too poppy for metalheads, but could shine live.
• ‘Not Your Fool’ – Mid-tempo magic. This one’s a sleeper hit—my personal pick for hidden gem. Great dynamics, great delivery. Don’t skip it.
• ‘Flames’ – Another slow, ballad-like entry. Emotional, but perhaps too restrained for those craving edge.
• ‘Hands Move to Midnight’ – Starts fast, rocks hard, and plays with tempo. It’s fun, but lacks that knockout punch. Still solid.

Let’s get one thing straight: Ginger Evil’s ‘The Way It Burns’ isn’t a real metal record. But don’t let that fool you—this rock album packs enough grit, groove, and guts to earn its place in our pages. It’s polished, yes. Radio-friendly? Absolutely. But beneath the sheen lies a band with bite, range, and a voice that demands attention.

GINGER EVIL’s debut is a stylistic buffet: blues, pop-rock, ballads, and gritty rock all coexist here. The vocals are the standout—versatile, expressive, and textured. The production is slick, maybe too slick. Unfortunately, you won’t find jagged edges or raw chaos, but you will find craftsmanship and ambition. Still, some edges would add a lot of character. Taken the producer list into account, this all fits together and you get what you can expect.

Line Up: 
Ella Tepponen – vocals
Tomi Julkunen – guitars
Veli Palevaara – bass
Toni Mustonen – drums

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