ACTIVE: 1986-
Waltari is a Finnish experimental rock/metal band that’s been around for quite some time. The first time I heard them was in 1994.
It was on Metalliliitto, a radio show focused on heavy metal. Waltari had just released So Fine!, an album created together with the joik group Angelit. I think the song I heard was the title track. At that point, I wasn’t too impressed, although I did realize they were definitely onto something. But to me, they hit the jackpot the next year when they released Big Bang. It had techno elements combined with death metal sections and a more regular rock ’n’ roll approach. It’s hard to describe their exact genre, and that’s why I think they’re so interesting.
Now, over 30 years later, I more or less listen to the three albums they released between 1995–1997: Big Bang, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!, and Space Avenue. Out of these three, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was really something no one had done before: operatic singing combined with death metal and electronic/techno elements.
I think that without being introduced to this kind of mixture at such an early point, I might never have checked out The Project Hate MCMXCIX a few years later. They more or less combine similar elements, too — although way better, heavier, and with more satanic vibes. On Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!, Waltari got the best Finnish growler, Tomi Koivusaari from Amorphis, to perform on it. Similar to The Project Hate, who got the best Swedish growler, Jörgen Sandström, in their band. OK, that’s an understatement — Mr. Sandström is pretty much the best death metal growler there is. But back to Waltari…
I’ve done a few Waltari graffiti pieces in the nineties (no other photos than the presented here, sorry!). And in 2015, when I was creating my exhibition for the Art Goes Kapakka festival, I did a Waltari-inspired canvas/painting among other band names. So, naturally, a picture of the painting with related sketch are included here.
I’m happy to say that the painting eventually found it’s way to Waltari’s rehearsal room, thanks to my well-connected crew mate Soved.
WALTARI x 2 | pencil & fineliner on paper | 2025
WALTARI | acrylics on a NeverTear -sheet | 2015
WALTARI | fineliner on paper | 2015
WALTARI | spray paint on concrete | 1996