Midsummer celebrations at Nummirock - Report from fiery Thursday

It's that time of the year again when all the metalheads from Finland — and some from abroad — gather to celebrate the Finnish Midsummer at Nummijärvi, more specifically at Nummirock. This year’s lineup featured acts such as Fit For An Autopsy, Alestorm, Paleface Swiss, Marduk, and Humanity's Last Breath, not to mention Finnish staples like Mokoma, Korpiklaani, Turmion Kätilöt, and Stratovarius.

The celebrations had already started on Wednesday with bands such as Assemble The Chariots, Havukruunu, and Arion, but unfortunately, we arrived at the site on Thursday. The first band for us was Paleface Swiss. We were only familiar with the name but had never heard their music, so it was something we were definitely looking forward to. Friends had told us they’re worth checking out, and considering they're on the bill for most major European festivals this summer, they must be one of the most exciting new acts out there.

Their show kicked off with high energy, and those screams really hit hard. Their brand of deathcore immediately made an impact. The audience wasn’t exactly warm at first, but by the midway point, people were getting into it. It’s also worth mentioning that Thursday didn't have a huge crowd overall — but that’s expected as the main festival days were still ahead. Paleface Swiss left a strong impression, and frontman Marc Zellweger repeatedly expressed how much he loved the festival’s natural setting. And really, who wouldn’t love a metal festival surrounded by forests and lakes?

Toward the end of the set, they played a ballad-ish track that felt a bit out of place compared to the heavy-hitting songs surrounding it. While it's understandable to slow things down occasionally, this one didn’t quite fit. Still, it was probably one of their better-known songs. Overall, it was a great show and a solid start to the festival for us — we’ve had the band on repeat ever since, so they definitely earned a fan.

Next up was Aquer, a band from Chile delivering aggressive black/thrash metal. Formed in 1999, they seemed to know their craft well. Musically, not quite our style, but they had a small crowd and gave their all.

After Aquer, it was time for Humanity's Last Breath. These Swedes came to melt faces with their brutal deathcore, and they absolutely did. A slightly bigger crowd had gathered, and their mosh-inducing heaviness did not disappoint. Given how many legendary heavy bands come from Sweden, it was no surprise to learn where they’re based. Intense and tight — maybe just a bit too brutal for our taste, but undeniably powerful.

Then came Anal Vomit — and things got even heavier. The blast beats crushed the Kaaos Stage, and the crowd was packed. Clearly, this was a highly anticipated act. Circle pits erupted, and clouds of dust filled the air. A highlight for some, no doubt. Full respect to the band — from their name to their sound, they’re committed to going all in.

Bloodred Hourglass, every Finn's favorite modern metal newcomers, were next up on the main stage. Fans were already screaming in the front row before the band had even appeared. With their three-guitar powerhouse lineup, the wall of sound was massive. Having seen them a couple of times before, it’s easy to see why they’ve become a summer festival staple. Tight playing and total professionalism — they’re clearly filling a space that’s been missing in Finnish metal for a while.

After Bloodred Hourglass, we returned to the Kaaos Stage for Shereign, though we didn’t stay long enough to comment in depth on their performance. Meanwhile, Kanonenfieber was about to begin on the Inferno Stage. The German blackened death metal act had drawn a lot of buzz. Anonymous members in black hoods and military props like barbed wire gave their set a chilling aesthetic. A quick dive into their background revealed that their lyrics center on World War I, which made the visuals even more meaningful. Though the band has only been around for about five years, their strong identity ensures they’ll be remembered.

Luna Kills took the stage after Kanonenfieber. Having seen them numerous times — both before and after their name change — it’s been exciting to watch their steady rise. Fresh off their own headlining EU tour and support dates with Northlane, it’s clear they’re a band to watch. Their energy and professional hunger are palpable. With their debut album under the new name recently released and a fresh deal with Sharptone Records, they’re firmly on the map. Can’t wait to see what their second album brings.

Meanwhile, the main stage was being prepped for the final act of the night: Stratovarius. Quickly brought in to replace Cattle Decapitation, they may not have been a perfect genre match, but given the short notice, they were likely the best choice. Stratovarius is a long-time festival favorite among Finnish fans. Their last appearances at Nummirock were in 2023 and 2016, so it had been a while, and the return felt special. The front row was clearly enjoying themselves, and their pyro show warmed up the chilly Midsummer night. A professional, hit-filled performance — solid all around.

The night turned darker and colder, both literally and musically, with Moonlight Sorcery delivering a chilling set of modern black metal. Hailing from the shadowy forests of Tampere, the band delivered a tight, atmospheric performance that fit perfectly with the mood of the night. Their set stood out thanks to both timing and execution. A great booking by Nummirock.

Finally, the day ended with a surprise performance. Throughout Thursday, speculation ran wild about the secret act — names like Turisas, Fröbelin Palikat, and Pikakassa were tossed around. But when the time came, we were greeted by none other than the comedic duo Bat & Ryyd. Whether they matched the hype or not is up for debate, but judging by the packed Kaaos Stage and all the smiling faces on the way back to camp, it was a fun way to close out the first full day of Nummirock.