Amfisound, 2009

A country once known for its snow, many lakes, beautiful nature, has in the recent years became the most prominent proponent of heavy metal, music we all love and dig so much.

Red-haired Vikings are still walking on the streets while there are even some heavy-metal evangelic churches?! In other words; Finland (Suomi) is the only country in the world where metal music is mainstream.

Kimmo Kuusniemi (Sarcofagus) is one of the pioneers of Finnish metal scene. After living in UK he returns to his fatherland to see the present state of metal there. This film in other words follows in his steps. With its running time of app. 90 minutes this film is one of the very best metal documentaries ever made.
Apart from this film where all prominent Finnish metallers, gig organizers and radio hosts have been interviewed, this package also includes a so-called ‘Extras’ featuring interviews with all major Finnish acts; from Lordi to Nightwish, from Tarot to Sonata Arctica. While watching this DVD one gets the feeling of knowing Finland and Helsinki for years as you get the very introduction to all the famous places, bars and metal clubs in the capital city of metal – Helsinki.

Booklet is something that I’ve never seen before and it contains an usual introduction to the Finnish scene, its beginning, the words of producer and film director and the worlds of Tanja Katinka Karttunen where she gives you a ‘Guide Book on Finland; Who? How? Where? and When?’. It is really amazing to see how this team thought of every single detail showing how diverse and vibrant the metal scene is in this Northeast European nation.

I would end this short review by quoting the words of President of Finland, Madame – Tarja Halonen: ‘By the way, why it’s metal? Perhaps it’s something in our hearts, and we are very passionate people, we really are passionate also when concerning our hobbies.’

I guess this sentence explains everything I’ve ever trying to say about Finnish scene; it is the people who are shaping the scene and not the scene shaping the people. Finnish metal scene and this DVD is a strong statement and an example of how things can be changed and how metal can become the force to be recognized in a society.
This DVD is a must see for anybody interested in music, as it is entartaining, informative and personal! For additional info on this quite interesting historic document visit www.promisedlandofmetal.com