Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Dart (Finland)
Dart (Speed Metal Punk // Finland)
Dart is a five-piece speed metal/punk/hardcore band from Oulu, Finland, featuring members of Trypanon, Riviera, Häpeä, Terveet Kädet, Bonehunter, Konari & more.
Dart’s debut full-length album »Speed Days« was released on April 4th, 2025 via Agipunk Records (Europe) and SPHC Records (USA). Recorded and mixed by Otto Joki at Tukikohta. Mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering. Artwork by @rainovfire. Layout by @zerominded.
With their catchy and tasteful “later era Poison Idea covering a metalpunk song” style of hardcore, Dart was turning heads around the world with their excellent 2022 demo. High-octane riffs and stumbling rock’and’roll swagger, nothing but hits.
And like most great bands, Dart takes a few steps forward with their vinyl debut, adding a couple drops of Motörhead to the sound and leaning into their heavy metal aesthetic to bring their style to new heights. Blazing guitar solos, wild and expressive vocals, and Samppa’s drumming has never sounded better. The organs in »Sick Game«, the epic melodic bridge in »Blood«, Dart has crafted a monster album for barreling down the highway or smashing beer cans against your fuckin head. Pure fuckin adrenaline and attitude.
Heavy metal enough that the LPs come with an embroidered patch for your battle jacket.
Is Oulu now Finland’s premier punk city????
Discography:
• »Demo« (2022)
• »Speed Days« LP (Agipunk Records / SPHC Records, 2025)
Dart is:
Emppu – Vocals
Joki – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tuoppa – Lead Guitar, Organ
Hiski – Bass
Samppa – Drums
FFO: Motörhead, Spermbirds, Zeke, Dustsucker, Poison Idea, Gang Green, Minor Threat, Jingo de Lunch, Attitude, Bonehunter
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well