Tuska was our very first multi-day festival. Sure, we dipped our toes into the madness back in 2017 at Rockmaraton, but in the end, we only stayed one day (a decision we regretted later so many times).

But let’s be honest: the scale is in a whole other league. Rockmaraton is still one of the big pillars for Hungarian metalheads, no question about it. The vibe there was family-like: small, comfy, almost like a backyard BBQ with blast beats. Tuska? It is a beast of its own. A roaring, professional, world-class festival right in the heart of the capital of heavy metal.

Fun fact: it’s ridiculously easy to get there. You can basically roll off the plane, hop on public transport, and be front row before your coffee even kicks in. Helsinki’s traffic system deserves its own round of applause. But here’s the bittersweet twist: this legendary venue won’t be around much longer. The city wants to demolish the area, so next year might be the last Tuska in this spot. If you’ve been thinking about going, don’t wait. This location is part of Tuska’s ancient soul.

Friday – Healing the inner child

Friday was a long day. We worked, battled some unpredictable weather, and still made it in time to catch the acts we’d been dreaming about.

My personal highlight? No contest. Tarja.

I was just a kid when I fell under Nightwish’s spell. I still remember begging my parents to let me go to their Budapest concert what turned out to be Tarja’s final show with the band. They said no, and I carried that disappointment for years.

This time, it felt like something in me healed. Watching Tarja live, hearing The Phantom of the Opera with Marko, that was a moment I’ll keep with me until the end of my days. Pure magic.

And let’s not forget Electric Callboys. These guys have been on my bucket list forever. Their set was an explosion of energy and humor you can’t bottle up. I swear the entire crowd was on the same wavelength, just pure joy.

Saturday – Into the heart of Tuska

Back home, I used to feel half-dead after a day at a festival: ears ringing, energy gone. But this time? No amount of rain or exhaustion could steal my mood.

Saturday was our busiest day. We had a media tour (more on that soon) and a stack of interviews you’ll see on our channels shortly. We also tried some festival food, and I’ve got to say this: service was fast as lightning. We never waited more than two minutes, and everything was fresh. Sure, prices were typical festival-level, but the portions were fair, and it was actually delicious.

But back to the real business: Powerwolf.

Yeah, I’ve seen them before. Yeah, I know a lot of people back in Hungary feel they’re “everywhere.” But when the lights hit, and the first chants started, I remembered why I fell for them in the first place. Powerwolf is about the spectacle, the visuals, the shared experience. Attila knows exactly how to pull the crowd into their world. There weren’t any big surprises, but honestly, sometimes you don’t need surprises. Sometimes you just need a good old-fashioned metal ritual.

Sunday – Last day blues

It was our “Szomorú Vasárnap”, but luckily not so dramatic as the classic song, gloomy Sunday as you probably know as.

We kicked things off with Kim Dracula, who blew us away. Their theatrical presence and genre-bending set was like nothing I’d ever seen. Consider me officially converted.

We only caught a few minutes of Apocalyptica’s Metallica set (thanks, interviews!), but even that short taste was fantastic. This was the second time I’d seen them, and there’s no mystery why they have fans all over the world.

After the interviews, we raced over to catch Battle Beast, a band that means a lot to me. My second-ever metal concert was theirs. That night, I decided to transform this blog into a full-on metal platform. So in a way, you can blame them for all this.

Watching Noora command the stage in her crystal-covered outfit: wind in her hair, voice unstoppable… I felt like I’d come full circle. Back then, she wore a simple leather jacket. Now? She looked like a battle queen leading her army into a sonic war. And we were more than happy to follow her lead.

The beating heart of Tuska

This year, we got a rare glimpse behind the scenes: a chance to step onto the legendary main stage itself, guided by the stage manager who is nothing short of a living legend, the soul of the whole festival.

Tuska has been more than a festival: it’s a place where pagan culture, underground twists, and the spirit of independence collide. Smaller companies and local brands are just as important here as the big names, and that balance gives Tuska its special vibe.

Every single VIP ticket sold out this year. The old VIP area used to be pretty cut off, you couldn’t hear the bands properly. But as audiences evolved, Tuska adapted, creating spaces where people can hang out, connect, and still feel the music thunder in their bones. There’s no VIP pedestal here: everyone stays on the same level, reflecting that ethos of equality and accessibility.

And in true Finnish style, the main sponsor was a funeral company this year. Yes, you read that right: funerals and tequila bars side by side. They’ve even got an app where you can plan your funeral and send it to your friends. The owner of the company came to the festival for the first time and admitted it was way better than he’d imagined.

The Tuska Forum was another highlight: it’s an intimate talk space filled with second-hand and recycled materials.

For now, Tuska is set to return to this legendary location next year, but after that, it’s likely they’ll have to move. The city is directly supporting the festival, which just smashed its all-time attendance record on Friday with 22,000 visitors.

Considering there are about 470 summer festivals in Finland, it’s even more remarkable that Tuska keeps thriving while many others are struggling in this fierce competition.

And that is the spirit of Tuska: a celebration of metal, community, and the glorious madness of bringing people together.

Author: Zsófia Viktória Simon
Photos: Péter Tepliczky