Wolfheart have released their new single, ‘Fires of the Fallen’ taken from their new album ‘King of the North,’ which is available now through our online shop and was released via Napalm Records on September 16th, 2022. With its devastating riffs, potent instrumentals, and soul-stirring vocals, ‘Fires of the Fallen’ packs a powerful punch, showcasing Wolfheart’s exceptional talent in crafting melodic death metal. The accompanying music video captures the album’s finale’s intense and climactic energy.
For those unfamiliar with Wolfheart’s beginnings, it all starts with the mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen, a well-known figure in the world of Finnish metal who has been creating quality music since the mid-2000s. He rose to prominence with his bands Before the Dawn, Black Sun Aeon, Dawn of Solace, and RoutaSielu, all of which were commercially and critically successful.
In 2012, Saukkonen made the unexpected decision to retire from all of his metal music projects in order to focus all of his energy on his new project, Wolfheart. This decision shook the metal music community, who had come to know and appreciate Saukkonen’s dedication and commitment to creating impactful music. However, Saukkonen’s decision was final, and he said goodbye to all of his projects with a final show on February 23rd, 2013. It was a bittersweet moment for Saukkonen as he was saying farewell to projects he had worked on for many years.
Despite the surprise, Saukkonen’s decision to focus his energy on Wolfheart proved to be the right one and it also signified the beginning of a new chapter for him, one that would focus solely on Wolfheart, and has since become one of the most sought-after songwriters in the metal scene.
Saukkonen’s contribution to the metal music scene cannot be understated. In 2013, Saukkonen formed Wolfheart, and as the group’s lead singer and guitarist, Saukkonen has continued to deliver impressive music and remarkable live shows. Wolfheart’s success truly highlights Saukkonen’s outstanding talent and his monumental impact on the metal music industry.
The first Wolfheart album, ‘Winterborn’ (2013), was an incredible achievement in and of itself: Saukkonen recorded and released it entirely by himself, playing all the instruments and singing all the vocals, with only Mika Lammassaari (Eternal Tears Of Sorrow, Mors Subita) as a guest, playing guitar solos. Saukkonen was so self-assured in his new material that he self-financed the album’s release.
After bravely taking a bold leap of faith, Saukkonen’s ‘Winterborn’ was rewarded by hitting #7 on the Official Finnish Album Chart and taking the top spot on the alternative indie chart Rumban Lista (which tracks the sales of specialized record stores not eligible for the official chart). The album was also widely praised by critics, making it an even bigger success. To top off a great year, ‘Winterborn’ was even voted the best debut album of 2013 in the annual Record Store Äx customers’ poll. Such an impressive feat was a testament to Saukkonen’s hard work and creativity, and it further cemented his place as an artist to watch.
With ‘Winterborn,’ Saukkonen’s gamble had paid off and he had created something that was not just appreciated by metal fans, but also praised by critics. It was clear that the album was a testament to Saukkonen’s hard work and dedication to his craft, and it was a remarkable achievement that will go down in history. Saukkonen has created a project that will stand the test of time and be remembered for years to come.
In order to make Wolfheart a fully operational band, Saukkonen recruited solo guitarist Mika Lammassaari, drummer Joonas Kauppinen (formerly of Before the Dawn and Disease of the Nation), and bassist Lauri Silvonen (Bloodred Hourglass). Together they have made Wolfheart a fully functioning band, and since the spring of 2014, they have been touring and performing regularly. This new lineup has allowed Saukkonen to take Wolfheart to new heights and create an even larger and more dedicated fan base.
Wolfheart began taking their show on the road in the same year, playing for metal fans in various venues across the country with Shade Empire. They also graced the stage of some of the biggest European metal festivals for the first time that year, such as RockHarz Open Air and Summer Breeze Open Air. This was the beginning of a solid live reputation for Wolfheart, and since then they have performed at even more major festivals, building up a passionate fan base along the way.
Wolfheart reached unprecedented heights in 2015 with their second album ‘Shadow World.’ Recorded as a full band and released through the renowned Spinefarm Records, this album was met with critical acclaim and even made it to #6 on the Official Finnish Album Chart.
To promote the release of their album, the band filmed two music videos. The first was for the single ‘Aeon of Cold,’ taken from their live show at the packed Summer Breeze Open Air festival, and the second was for the single ‘Zero Gravity,’ shot in the breathtaking, mountainous terrain of northern Norway. However, before the album was released, Wolfheart had already gone on their first full-scale European tour with Swallow The Sun, and even traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to perform alongside Sonata Arctica and other renowned acts. The release of ‘Shadow World’ was the peak of the year for Wolfheart, as it opened new doors and allowed them to reach even greater success with their music.
After their second album took the world by storm, Wolfheart took a break in early 2016 to begin pre-production on their third album. To record their new music, they booked the iconic Petrax Studios in Finland (known for their work with Children of Bodom, HIM, Nightwish, and more) but still managed to play a few select festival shows in between sessions.
Wolfheart teamed up with Nikos Stavridakis from Vision Black in the summertime, and they have been working together ever since. The album was professionally mastered in the fall, and the lead single, ‘Boneyard,’ was released in December. This high-octane track quickly rose to popularity and cemented Wolfheart as an established name in the metal scene.
Wolfheart’s drive and commitment were clearly evident in their third album, marking a milestone in their accomplishments. The band’s partnership with Vision Black has been a major part of their success, and their new album looks to be a surefire hit within the metal community. Wolfheart is poised to make a lasting impression in the music world, and their future looks more promising than ever.
In early 2016, Wolfheart embarked on a full tour of Europe alongside Insomnium and Barren Earth. Following this endeavor, the band achieved a milestone in March of 2017 upon signing a booking deal with Continental Concerts & Management. This major step forward marked an important event for Wolfheart in their musical career.
Before their third album was released, Wolfheart showcased a more tranquil side with their single ‘The Black Light,’ which was sung with clean, acoustic vocals. This single quickly surged to the top of the Finland Viral 50 list on Spotify, proving just how popular it was with listeners.
Wolfheart began a hectic spring with an expansive headlining tour across Finland. Their journey continued with a mini-tour around Spain, and they completed a small Scandinavian tour with Insomnium before summer hit. The band then performed in a slew of metal festivals across Europe, culminating the season in the utmost success.
In early 2018, Finnish metal band Wolfheart embarked on a journey to conquer international waters. They joined the lineup of the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise and performed at the Nordic Metal Cruise. To add to the excitement, the band signed a recording deal with Napalm Records.
After their successful tour, Wolfheart returned to the studio to record their fourth album. They hit the road again in the spring and summer of 2018, performing in Finland and Canada and visiting multiple summer metal festivals in Europe. They felt the joy of playing to a passionate, enthusiastic audience and playing in beautiful, exotic locations, and this energy was reflected in their recordings. With their fiery live performances and new studio album, Wolfheart continued to expand their circle of dedicated fans.
The first single, ‘Breakwater,’ from their upcoming album ‘Constellation of the Black Light’ was released alongside a music video that showcased both Finland and Iceland. The video captured the essence of the song and the spirit of the band, combining aggression and beauty, harshness and fragility, and a close connection to nature. This is the perfect example of what Wolfheart stands for – powerful, epic metal that is also reflective and delicate. The video also captures the band’s deep-seated connection with the natural world, creating a unique and powerful experience for fans.
After months of anticipation and critical acclaim, ‘Constellation of the Black Light’ was released in the autumn of 2018 and quickly gained traction on the charts in both Finland and North America. The album peaked at #53 on the US Top New Artist Albums, #89 on the US Top Hard Artist Albums, and #38 on the Canadian Top Hard Music Albums. It was an unprecedented success, as the album resonated with fans and critics alike.
Following the release of ‘Constellation of the Black Light,’ Wolfheart embarked on an extensive European tour with Omnium Gatherum and their debut North American tour with Carach Angren. The band also completed several shows in Finland before the end of the year, rounding out an intense touring schedule that spanned multiple continents.
2018 was nothing but a warm-up, as Wolfheart kicked off 2019 with a mini tour in Japan alongside Ne Obliviscaris and an extensive North American tour with Children of Bodom and Swallow the Sun. After a brief return home, the band ventured to Russia for a few dates before conquering Latin America on a tour with Fleshgod Apocalypse. Even with their packed schedule, Wolfheart managed to make time for fans in these other countries and continents.
2019 saw a line-up change for Wolfheart, as Mika Lammassaari stepped aside and Vageliss Karzis (ex-Rotting Christ) took up the lead guitar role in time for their summer tour. Karzis brought with him a wealth of experience, which was a welcome addition to the band’s already formidable sound.
Wolfheart’s six-week-long European tour Black Light Constellation Over Europe was the seventh tour for the band in a ten-month period, and the longest tour they had ever done. The tour covered shows all around Europe and the United Kingdom, including performances at legendary festivals such as HellFest and Full Force. After 140 shows in less than a year, the band had cemented their place as a top touring band.
In 2019, Wolfheart embarked on a new adventure, taking their music to Dubai for the first time. Joining them as an official member was Vageliss, adding a new and exciting dynamic to the band’s already diverse lineup. This genre-bending group of musicians is sure to continue captivating audiences both old and new with their unique sound and style.
In January 2020, Wolfheart joined the Decibel Touring booking agency and shortly afterwards, released their debut single, ‘Ashes,’ from their fifth record, ‘Wolves of Karelia.’ Drawing inspiration from veterans of the Winter War (November 1939 – March 1940) between Russia and Finland, the album conveys the stories of their experiences and the strength it took for them to survive. Through its songs, ‘Wolves of Karelia’ tells the tale of how the brave veterans faced the toughest of conditions and endured.
The acclaimed album found success around the world, reaching #8 on the Finnish Official Chart, #3 on the Finnish Physical Album Chart, #73 on the German Official Chart, #45 on the Swiss Chart, and #48 on the iTunes Albums Italy chart. In North America, it achieved the highest positions of #16 on the US Current Hard Music Albums chart and #13 on the Canadian Hard Music Albums chart. Fans of the album have praised its success, and it has been recognized for its chart-topping performances in multiple countries worldwide.
Wolfheart had ambitious touring plans for their album, which included a North American tour as part of the Devastation of the Nation package, and a European headliner tour for 2021. However, due to the global pandemic, these plans have been put on hold. Despite this setback, the band remains hopeful that they will be able to tour and share their music with their fans soon.
Wolfheart did not hesitate to take action in spite of the uncertain times, and quickly rose to the challenge of being one of the first bands to deliver an exclusive virtual gig for their fans in April 2020. The gig was to support the release of their new album, and they even shot a music video for their song ‘Reaper’ during this unique event. This innovative approach was a great success and allowed Wolfheart to continue to connect with their fans while the world was navigating through a difficult time.
Undeterred, the band used the disruption of 2021 to finish their first EP, ‘Skull Soldiers.’ To build anticipation for the EP, Wolfheart played a virtual gig, performing their debut album, ‘Winterborn,’ in its entirety. The EP was released to critical acclaim, furthering their popularity and solidifying them as one of the most successful metal acts of the year.
Wolfheart’s EP, ‘Skull Soldiers,’ was released in March 2021, featuring two brand new songs, an acoustic rendition of ‘Aeon of Cold,’ and a live version of ‘Reaper.’ It was also the first Wolfheart release to incorporate a guest vocalist, Petro Solovey (Wolfanger), who contributed his Ukrainian lines to the title track. It was a major milestone for the band and proved to be a worthy addition to the EP, garnering praise from fans and critics alike.
A couple of Finnish shows happened in the later year, as well as a one-off show in Switzerland, giving a slight indication that the world might be slowly opening up.
Regarding Wolfheart’s ‘Fires of the Fallen’ video single, it is a powerful and emotional visual representation of the song’s themes. The video is sure to please fans of the band and fans of metal music alike. The visuals, combined with the band’s intense and powerful musical performance, creates an experience that is sure to be remembered.
