Thank You For The Music 2

 Now, three years later, I decided to publish a second part for my post about music in my life. You might want to check the first one, because I will refer to that. A lot has happened since then. Again, it is that time of the year we are experiencing the Eurovision Song Contest, this time in Vienna, Austria, and that gave me an inspiration for this piece of writing. I have learnt my lesson and never trust predictions for the winner, neither I get my hopes too high. No expectations, no disappointment. If Finland should win, it has a downside too: I would feel obliged to try to get the tickets for the next year's Final, and they are expensive and sold out fast. Nevertheless, once in a lifetime opportunity, most likely. Last time it was in Helsinki in 2007, I was broke. (And it is actually more comfortable to lounge on the couch watching TV, but I'm sure the atmosphere is worth the experience!) This year I didn't even have any particular favorite. Of course I'm proud of our Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen anyway! 

 It is the 20-year anniversary of Finland's victory with Lordi, who was performing in the Final this year (Not the first time he's been seen after 2006: it was simply one of the most unforgettable acts in the history of ESC!), along with Erika Vikman, who represented us last year, and did it very well! I still think her show was the best - there was nothing extra on the stage; so many others had just too much happening there. She's got her own fanbase in Europe. (I have seen her live once.)

Voting system has been renewed, because of Israel's attempt to manipulate it for its own benefit last year. It is a pitty they are allowed to participate, unlike Russia, but I'm not going to boycott. It is The Event of the year! I'm so happy Bulgaria won! Israel came 2nd just like last year - and I thought their song was not interesting at all: it's obvious that people vote Israel for political/religious reasons, and that is a shame! (Even from Finland the public gave them full 12 points.) There is nothing "holy" about that country!

I mentioned American drag queen, Maxxy Rainbow [YouTube Channel], who is a big Eurovision fan, and after that previous post in 2023, he has been to Finlad, at our national contest for Eurovision, UMK,  in my home town, Tampere, every year now, that is three years in a row!  That has a lot to say about his dedication - gotta admire that - and also about the significance of Finland, even though we have won only once. I found his interview from 2023 in Liverpool Echo, as he was there at the Contest. 

Matthias (Hatari) in Helsinki, 2022

I can no longer count Icelandic band, Hatari, as one of my favorites, since Matthias Haraldsson left them, and David Katrinarson is trying to fill his shoes. They gave up screaming, and what's even worse, they also gave up Icelandic, and started to use English. And well, yes, Matthias was a good looking man too! Hatari's new material is not making impression on me. And maybe their image, their gimmick, is just beginning to wear off. However, last year they did publish a song, that was rather good - Fuck you look good [age-restricted video on YouTube]. There was an element of old Hatari in it. Anyway, Hatari has always been very slow to make new music, and they don't tour much - in fact, their last tour was cancelled. They seem more like a project than a proper band. 

Chris Harms, LOTL; I quite liked his plain and simple outfit!

Lord of the Lost is so much more grateful band to be a stan for. They are very productive, protean, touring all the time, and actively reaching out to their fans. Since they took part in Eurovision Song Contest three years ago, I have seen them live twice in my home town, last time was in March 2026. Some highlights to me were, first of all, The things we do for Love: what an epic song! It has so many layers. My favorite song obviously varies all the time, but this is it now. 

LOTL, The things we do for Love, live at Tavara-asema, Tampere, Finland, 2026-03-16

(Thanks to whomever recorded that!)

Another song that did the trick amazingly live, was an older one from 2016, Doomsday Disco: 

A good example of their song lyrics that have a message and take a stand, is I Hate People (feat. Wednesday 13). I can not but agree: "I hate people being told who they love is a sin; I hate people being oppressed with no freedom to think; I hate people feeling forced to collude in the spin..." [all lyrics here]. 

I Hate People, official video:

Of course they also this time performed their version of Käärijä's Cha Cha Cha, which has become desired by the audience all around. Unfortunately Käärijä was unable to attend, even though it was implied beforehand. This video I recorded myself - which I don't often like to do, as it distracts from enjoying the moment - on their previous gig in Tampere, Finland, in 2023: 

They even made collaboration with Käärijä, whose international success after Eurovision Song Contest has been remarkable, called Raveyard. Video was filmed in Helsinki last summer, by chance at the same time I was there, unaware. After it was released, it gained million views within just two weeks:

Okay, that was a lot about one band, but it's not without reason they are my number one! It's like all kinds of music I like in one single package. 

Let's move on. I mentioned Michael Monroe, whom I had never seen live before that. Well, I can proudly say I have corrected that lack: I have seen him also twice by now. He is full of energy, I must say! Last year he toured in the US, and it was delightful to see on Facebook group how excited his fans were over there! 

Michael Monroe

Michael Monroe, Million Miles Away (Hanoi Rocks), at Tavara-asema, Tampere, Finland, 2025-03-05:

(A good quality video recorded by someone else present)

Olavi Uusivirta

Another Finnish artist I mentioned and whom I like, and who is also singing in Finnish, is Olavi Uusivirta. I feel I start to repeat myself, but I hadn't seen him live, and now I have... you guessed it: twice! Last gig in my home town was just this month, and it lasted for 2,5 hours! What an energy! 

One of his older songs, Tiet etäisyyksiin ("Roads to distance"):

Last year we lost a legend, Ozzy Osbourne, and I want to include him, even though his music was not that familiar to me. Michael Monroe has named Ozzy and Black Sabbath as his influencers for becoming a rock star, when he saw them as a child. 

I only listened to Ozzy and Black Sabbath, and watched bits from final concert, as well as listened to tributes by other artitst, after the news. But I used to watch The Osbournes on MTV - a pioneer in its own right - and quite liked Ozzy's personality. I didn't even know he was supporting for LGBTQ+ causes. I tend to get absorbed in collective atmosphere, so his death raised strong emotions in me. I watched the live stream of funeral procession in Birmingham, as they stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge, and family came out to see the sea of flowers left by fans. It was devastating to see Sharon so broken; I know that feeling. 

One band I like, published a new record this year, and it caught my attention that they will perform in Tampere in July. It's not their first time in Finland, but first time I'm aware of. Because I knew I will be able to see them live, I really started to listen to them; late at work when I'm alone, I may listen to music on Spotify with headphones for two hours. I said I like them, but before this I haven't thoroughly listened to their output, there was one particular song I usually picked, but the more I listened to, the more I liked their music! They are Turkish duo, She Past Away. They also sing in Turkish, which is great!

She Past Away: Ruh (audio)

Lyrics in English

And yet another band I have known for long, but mainly listened to one of their songs, until recently I became almost obsessed. They are also duo, formed by British male and Swiss female; both sing in turn in different songs, which gives them a special characteristic. They both have a deep powerful voice. I'm talking about Lebanon Hanover. 

Lebanon Hanover: Kiss me until my lips fall off (audio/lyrics): 

Isn't that romantic, in wonderfully creepy way? And another, with female vocalist, and official video; 

The Last Thing: 

I have always said my taste of music is diverse, but also very selective. But I have realized that most music I like in particular, whether electronic, guitar-driven, or combination, easily goes under the vast umbrella of "goth". Darker shades speak to me. I'm not an expert of all subgenres, and subtle nuances of what is considered goth and what is not; I don't care about that!