Nuclear Blast Records [Release date 24.04.26]
There is a lot of good stuff coming out of Finland at the moment, always underpinned by the Nordic/Scandi talent for melody (and a fair helping of darkness).
Lovers of The Rasmus are going to find a lot to like about Hokka, not least the fact that their guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi was a long-serving member of one of Finland’s finest and most enduring rock bands.
There is the same blend of rousing choruses, pounding riffage, electronica, that characterise The Rasmus and with a great vocal from Joel Hokka (ex-Blind Channel).
There is no filler, just relentless greatness throughout. Just when you thought things would let up after the opening salvos of ‘Blackbird’ and ‘In The Darkness’ we get ‘Death By Cupid’s Arrow’ – a wonderful dark but melodious confection – ‘Via Miseria’ and the ear-popping ‘Heart Said No’.
It’s not all same-paced though, with ‘Murder Ballad’ providing a power ballad contrast, whilst ‘Angels Fall’ and ‘Serpent’s Song’ return to that irresistible riffage.
The album rounds off with a super confident cover of the Seal classic ‘Kiss From A Rose’.
This debut album is like turning the clocks back 20 years to the golden era of nu-metal but given a contemporary kick up the backside. Absolutely marvellous and a shoo-in soundtrack to early summer sorties. *****
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 13 April 2026
DOGMA Fate Unblinds (MNRK Heavy)
SEVENDUST Threshold (Napalm Records)
SAGE Deep End (The Artery Foundation)
OH HIROSHIMA Broken Sunlight (Pelagic Records)
HARSH Back To Life (Fireflash Records)
KING KRAKEN Call To War (indie)
HIGHWAY QUEEN Bring Me Home Tonight (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 13 April 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
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