The Finland-based atmospheric progressive metal band Alase has released a new single, ‘The Essence.’ The track, which features Scottish vocalist and audio engineer Matt Norriss, became available on digital streaming platforms on September 12, 2025. It is the group’s first new material since the release of a four-song EP, ‘Beyond Our Imagination,’ in early 2024.

The single was released by the Finnish label Inverse Records, which has handled the distribution for the band’s entire studio discography. The release of ‘The Essence’ is a standalone project, and it was not accompanied by an announcement of a new album, a pre-order campaign, or any concert tour dates.

The New Single,‘The Essence’

The new track continues to explore sounds consistent with the band’s established musical identity while representing a significant evolution in its production methodology.

‘The Essence’ is performed instrumentally by the band’s core lineup: Janne Lunnas on guitars, Ari Miettinen on bass, and Ville Aatsinki on drums. The song is categorized as atmospheric progressive metal, a genre characterized by complex arrangements and technical musicianship.

The composition, however, also incorporates a straightforward structure that blends progressive elements with accessible melodic components. Its sound has been factually compared to that of contemporary metal bands such as Architects and Tesseract, which are recognized for combining rhythmically intricate instrumentation with prominent melodic vocal lines.

The lyrics, written by long-term collaborator Ninni Swan, explore a narrative centered on a protracted struggle with personal health issues, thematically described as a “balancing act between hope and despair.”

A notable development for this release is the consolidation of all technical production roles under guitarist Janne Lunnas, who has more than two decades of experience in various metal subgenres. He composed the music and handled the entirety of the song’s production, mixing, and mastering at his personal studio, Hidden River Audio, in Turenki, Finland. This in-house approach marks a departure from the band’s 2023 album, ‘A Matter of Time,’ for which post-production was credited to an external engineer.

The track was recorded as a remote international session. While instrumental parts were recorded in Finland, Matt Norriss recorded his vocal tracks at his own facility, Piraxa Studios, in Scotland. The six-hour vocal session was produced remotely by Lunnas from his studio in Turenki.

A cinematic music video for ‘The Essence’ was released simultaneously with the single. The video was produced by Aarni Visuals, a creative service operated by Mikko Parkkonen, who also designed the single’s artwork. The screenplay was written by the song’s lyricist, Ninni Swan, creating a direct narrative link between the track’s themes and its visual interpretation.

The video features a martial arts performance choreographed by Hanna Härkönen and performed by Härkönen and Rioghan Darcy, a vocalist who previously collaborated with Alase on their 2024 EP.

Alase Biography and History

Alase was formed in Finland around 2015 as a project band with a unique operational model. From its inception, the group was built around a core of instrumentalists who would collaborate with a rotating cast of guest vocalists, allowing for significant sonic versatility from one release to the next.

The founding lineup included guitarist and principal songwriter Janne Lunnas, guitarist Mikko Häkälä, bassist Ari Miettinen, and drummer Juuso Backman. The band’s creative process was established early on as a remote, do-it-yourself endeavor, with members collaborating from different parts of Finland. A key, consistent member of the creative team since the beginning has been lyricist Ninni Swan, who has penned the words for the majority of the band’s catalog.

The band’s initial output consisted of a series of standalone singles released as they were completed, a strategy that highlighted their flexible structure. Early tracks like ‘Erehdykseni’ (2015) and ‘Kidukset’ (2016) featured a variety of notable vocalists from the Finnish metal scene, including Mikko Kotamäki of Swallow the Sun, establishing their signature collaborative approach.

After several years of releasing singles, Alase signed with Finnish label Inverse Records and released their debut full-length album, ‘Vastaus’ (translated as ‘Answer’), on June 7, 2019. The album compiled their work to date and was praised as a well-rounded and impressive debut, effectively blending melody with heaviness and showcasing the band’s atmospheric sound.

Following their debut, Alase continued to refine their sound, which evolved to become more progressive and incorporate a wider range of electronic sounds and dynamic shifts. By this time, Ville Aatsinki had become the band’s session drummer.

This musical development culminated in their second full-length album, ‘A Matter of Time,’ released on April 14, 2023. The nine-track album marked a significant point in their musical development and was noted as being more versatile and progressive than their 2019 debut, ‘Vastaus.’

It expanded the band’s sonic palette with a wider dynamic range, from very soft atmospheric sections to technically demanding and heavy passages. The album continued the band’s collaborative vocal model, with Juha Tretjakov of the bands Pressure Points and Vansidian providing the majority of the clean vocals.

Markus Hirvonen was featured on the track ‘Fate’s Intervention,’ which represented the darker and heavier side of the album, while guitarist Janne Lunnas contributed screaming vocals on several tracks. The album’s musical style has been compared to that of established international acts such as Katatonia, A Perfect Circle, Haken, and VOLA.

In February 2024, Alase released the ‘Beyond Our Imagination’ EP, a four-song collection that fully embraced their foundational idea of using different singers for each track. The EP featured performances from Omar Zouiter (Antivalent), Rioghan Darcy, a returning Juha Tretjakov, and a vocal contribution from Janne Lunnas himself.

The EP was described by the band as containing some of their most progressive material to date, from the Gojira-inspired heavier parts of ‘Broken Pendulum’ to the cinematic and melodic scope of ‘A Night to Remember.’ This release solidified Alase’s identity as a prolific and adaptable force in Finland’s globally recognized metal scene, defined by a focus on melody, atmosphere, and collaborative creativity.

Inverse Records, The Finnish Label

Founded in 2011 and based in the city of Jyväskylä, Inverse Records operates as both a traditional record label and a dedicated release agency, providing promotion, distribution, and marketing for its artists.

Specializing in heavy music genres, the label has become a cornerstone of Finland’s internationally recognized metal scene. Its function as a crucial platform for a substantial roster of domestic talent allows Inverse Records to play a significant role in cultivating and exporting Finnish metal.

The partnership with Alase is an example of this role; the band has entrusted Inverse Records with the release of their entire studio catalog, from their 2019 debut album ‘Vastaus’ to their latest work.

The label’s roster includes other acts that explore similar atmospheric and progressive territories, such as the progressive metal group Pressure Points, whose vocalist Juha Tretjakov has been a recurring collaborator with Alase, and the melodic doom, death metal band Shadecrown, which also emphasizes melancholic atmospheres in their music.

This consistent, long-term collaboration with Alase, alongside a roster of stylistically related bands, highlights the label’s commitment to supporting its artists throughout their creative journey.

Conclusion

The release of ‘The Essence’ marks another deliberate step forward for Alase, showcasing their commitment to musical evolution while staying true to their atmospheric roots.

Consolidating production under the direction of Janne Lunnas and continuing their model of international collaboration with vocalist Matt Norriss, the band has delivered a track that is both sonically refined and thematically resonant.

This single, supported by a cinematic music video and their ongoing partnership with Inverse Records, reinforces Alase’s position as a dynamic and thoughtful presence within the Finnish progressive metal scene.