Aikakone is a Finnish pop and Eurodance group from Finland. Formed in 1995, the original quartet consisted of Saija Aartela, Alex Ojasti, Marko Kolehmainen and Heidi Puurula. The ensemble released its debut studio album, Tähtikaaren taa, in 1995. The record reached Number 1 on the Finnish charts and was certified triple platinum for sales of more than 134,900 copies. The title track, “Tähtikaaren taa”, reached number 10 on the singles chart. In 1995, the group received the Emma Award for Newcomer of the Year. Their second album, Toiseen maailmaan (1996), also reached Number 1 and achieved double-platinum status. This was followed by the album Maa in 1998, which reached number 7 and was certified platinum. In 2001, the band began performing under the name Aika and shifted to recording in English. The group released the album Hear Me Now in 2001, which reached number 15 and earned a gold certification. The title track, “Hear Me Now”, reached number 9 on the singles chart. The ensemble disbanded in 2003 following a farewell tour and the release of the compilation Pophitit 1995–2003. In 2008, the band resumed activity and issued the compilation Greatest Hits. They later released the studio albums Vuosisadan rakkaustarina (2010), which was certified gold, and 2.0 (2015). Kolehmainen, the group's primary composer, died in 2024.
