Doomed Confessionary: Riku, Matti, Konsta, Miikka & Maria (Vainoa)
Photos by Adán Mendoza
Vainoa is a five-piece band formed in 2016 in Helsinki (Finland), blending fast and fierce hardcore with elements of extreme metal and occasional slower, oppressive atmospheres.
The band just released their new EP »Pimennys« on April 5th, 2024 via Suicide Records. »Pimennys« is a thematic continuation of the previous EP, »Pelon Varjo«. The lyrical themes revolve around the frustration and disillusionment with the cyclical injustices in our society and the gradual descent of humanity towards dystopia and complete indifference.
Vainoa are Riku (guitar, vocals), Miikka (guitar), Matti (guitar), Maria (bass) and Konsta (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are a five-piece band playing blackened hardcore mixed with other subgenres of metal and punk music.
Lyrically our music is about the frustration and disillusionment with societal injustices and indifference in the face of violence and suffering, with a glimmer of hope for the future.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
The biggest challenge was scheduling the release and frustration about little hold ups postponing the release more and more. But now it is finally out so we can have a sigh of relief and look forward to the next step!
What can you be most proud of so far?
That we are still together with the original lineup and evolving as a group! The most important thing is that we can communicate and have fun, even if there are understandably bad days, personal struggles, and frustration sometimes.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Riku: For me the best gig was when we were playing in my old hometown Savonlinna in 2018. I really enjoy playing outside of the bigger cities and bringing our music and events to smaller places. There aren’t that many events going on in smaller cities, so once something new is going on, people will gather to watch. It is unfortunate that the main focus in touring is mostly in the bigger cities. The Haunted Mansion of Vesivehmaa was also a great experience during that tour.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The rise of new skramz and OSDM bands is huge in Finland with a lot of promising acts popping up in the last few years. Shoutout to our friends in Surut, Svarta Havet, Sunniva, Askel, Qwälen, Soul Gutter, and Vvorse and countless others for making the scene flourish!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Riku: My personal taste varies a lot depending on the season and my state of mind. Currently I have been listening to bands like Wayfarer, Crippling Alcoholism, Portrayal of Guilt, HEALTH, Deftones, and Frail Body on repeat to name a few.
Matti: I’ve been on a death metal kick lately. The new Tomb Mold and Spectral Voice albums are on heavy rotation as well as most of the old Bolt Thrower discography. I want to also mention the fresh Finnish industrial sludge band LOKA, as they’re doing something new and fresh in the scene of heavy music here.
Konsta: I’ve been revisiting my all-time favorite The Mars Volta lately after not listening to them in a long while. Other than that I’ve been listening to a ton of screamo as always, e.g. Lord Snow and Nuvolascura, and enjoying the new Adrianne Lenker album.
Miikka: I’m currently listening to a lot of Teitanblood, Deiphage, Invultation, Daeva, and Wormwitch. Certainly a big emphasis on black metal influenced death and thrash metal. Small while back I did have a real binge where I almost exclusively listened to Urfaust, especially Der freiwillige Bettler. A way to cope with their end of existence I suppose.
Maria: I’ve been listening to a ton of Meryl Streek, Frail Body, and the old classic album »Mend, Move On« by Trophy Eyes.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Helsinki / Finland?
As mentioned, OSDM and skramz have been trending overall in Finland. Generally, there is a lively scene with a lot of variation and wonderful people that is not only limited to Helsinki, since other cities and their bands are all connected to the scene and each other (Finland is very small after all).
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Our next gigs are coming up next fall as we are mostly focusing on new material for our full-length album. Keep your eyes on our socials for announcements and book us if you possibly can!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
As mentioned previously, we are currently hard at work on our full-length album. We aim to mostly take the DIY route, as we recently invested on some proper recording equipment for our practice space, so we (or mostly Matti to be completely fair) have also been learning the ropes of recording, mixing, and all that.
How can people best support your band?
By coming to see us live, buying our merch, following our socials, and by booking us.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Fight fascism and injustice, gather your friends and unionize, and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well