Finland has given the metal world some of its most unforgettable melancholic sounds, from HIM to Sentenced. But what about the next generation? Hailing from Äänekoski, Scars of Solitude are bringing that unmistakable Finnish darkness into the present day, combining haunting melodies, introspective lyrics and a modern metal edge. In an interview with Voice of Noir, vocalist and guitarist Tuomo Laulainen talks about the band’s journey, unforgettable live experiences and their upcoming album.

Formed in 2015, Scars of Solitude have spent the past decade developing their own interpretation of Finnish gothic metal. Their 2024 album “Under Disheartening Skies” received encouraging reviews and marked an important milestone in establishing the band’s identity.

For listeners who grew up with the melancholic atmosphere of early 2000s Finnish metal, Scars of Solitude offer something familiar without simply recreating the past.

“We’ve been compared to HIM and Sentenced a lot,” Laulainen tells Voice of Noir, acknowledging the musical heritage that continues to influence the band.

From teenage dreams to sharing stages with their influences

One of Laulainen’s most memorable experiences came in January 2020, when Scars of Solitude performed at Lutakko in Jyväskylä, a venue he had dreamed of playing since his teenage years.

The concert, alongside Finnish metal band Leverage, became unforgettable for another reason: during the final song, the band’s bassist accidentally hit him in the head with his instrument. Fortunately, the show continued without serious consequences.

Since then, Scars of Solitude have performed alongside acts including Beast in Black, Before the Dawn and For My Pain…. Their show with Beast in Black attracted more than 500 people, the band’s largest audience so far.

On October 24, Scars of Solitude will share the stage with For My Pain… again at On The Rocks in Helsinki.

For Laulainen, performing alongside musicians who helped shape the genre is both an honour and an opportunity to reach new listeners.

A new album is on the way

Following “Under Disheartening Skies“, Scars of Solitude are already preparing their next studio album, tentatively expected in 2027.

Songwriting began in 2023, but the recording process faced an unexpected setback when Laulainen broke his leg, delaying the band’s plans.

Most of the new material has since been recorded, with drums tracked at Electric Fox in Jyväskylä and much of the remaining production handled independently in Laulainen’s home studio.

The vocalist believes the band have taken another step forward in both songwriting and production, with the possibility of incorporating traditional Finnish kantele into the arrangements.

However, the band are still searching for a record label to help bring the album to a wider audience.

“The album is going to come out whether we have a label or not,” Laulainen says, explaining that although independent releases offer creative freedom, professional support could make a significant difference in promotion and visibility.

For Scars of Solitude, the challenge is no longer simply creating music they believe in, but making sure it reaches the people who might connect with it.

With a new album approaching and opportunities to perform alongside some of Finland’s established metal names, Scars of Solitude are a band worth discovering, especially for anyone who believes Finnish gothic metal still has plenty of stories left to tell.