Wind Rose took to the stage at Tuska with their usual gusto, but Francesco admitted they weren’t sure what to expect.

 “It was like a gamble for us… but today I saw the love for our project really grow. At some point, I got a lot of emotion.”

Though it was only their third time playing in Finland, the reception felt like a homecoming. A packed field in front of the stage, loud cheers, and Viking-level enthusiasm showed just how deeply the band’s dwarf-powered metal had resonated with Nordic fans.

As a vocalist who admits to being an anxious traveler, Francesco shared his preference for the festival lifestyle over traditional touring.

 “Tours are stressful. Festivals feel like a holiday — you get a hotel, maybe a swimming pool, and everyone just wants to have fun.”

With major festival slots lined up — including Hellfest, Alcatraz, and Wacken — the band is in the thick of what Francesco calls a “long holiday,” though he quickly adds: “More or less.”

Francesco looked back on Wind Rose’s early days, when they were just five guys in a small room dreaming big.

 “We started in 2009, and I always said, ‘I want to be here.’ Now that I am, I want to give 100% of myself in this business.”

Their recent Hellfest performance was a defining moment: a tent packed with 15,000 people, and just as many stuck outside watching the video of their show on the screens. “It was mad,” he laughed. “That show made us realize we have people all over the world who love us.”

It’s impossible to talk about Wind Rose without mentioning “Diggy Diggy Hole” the song that catapulted them to meme fame and helped them reach millions of listeners.

Surprisingly, the track was originally meant to be a Japanese bonus song until their manager saw its potential and insisted it become a lead single. Francesco has no regrets, but he’s clear that the band is much more than one viral hit.

 “If you think we’re just a meme band, that’s okay. But I’m sorry for you — because we have so much more to say.”

What truly stood out in the interview was Francesco’s love for the fans and his pride in the Wind Rose community.

 “Our fans are from all walks of life. Gamers, metalheads, families, kids with parents… Everyone is welcome.”

In a metal world that can sometimes be too focused on genre purity or “scene” boundaries, Wind Rose is refreshingly open. For them, metal is a party and all are invited.

 “When you go to a concert, you want to stop thinking about your life, your problems. That’s what you pay for, and that’s what you deserve.”

As Wind Rose continues to grow both in audience and ambition, Francesco remains grounded, passionate, and fiercely devoted to their mission: making music that entertains, unites, and even heals.

 “I want people to find something valuable in what we give them. Whether it’s fun or something deeper, I want it to mean something.”

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