Wintersun

Formed in 2003 in Helsinki, Finland, Wintersun are a prominent heavy metal band known for mixing symphonic grandeur with a melodic edge. Founded by former Ensiferum vocalist and guitarist Jari Mäenpää, the original project was conceived as a vehicle for his songwriting before Kai Hahto was brought in to play the drums. A self-titled debut album followed in 2004 and other band members were subsequently recruited to flesh out the sound for live performances, including bassist Jukka Koskinen and Teemu Mäntysaari on guitar on backing vocals. However, owing to various delays, their second album would not end up seeing the light until 2012. However, the concept-driven epic Time I assured their place at the top table of symphonic metal overlords nonetheless. Released in 2017, The Forest Seasons marked the band's next full-length entry with the follow-up to Time I, Time II, trailing many years after the first. Time II arrived in 2024 on Nuclear Blast and received critical acclaim.