The Finnish metal scene’s breadth, depth and vibrancy means it can be difficult to stick out from the crowd. Blind Channel have found a path and have been making their way successfully for a decade, and are currently on a European Tour. They have just released a fan-favorite live song, their modified version of Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” to mark the dates.
Blind Channel take their music seriously but are willing to do what it takes, reputation-wise, to succeed. They had a successful Eurovision Song Contest, which is often reserved for Europop but is very willing to accept a dose of Finnish monster metal. When detractors suggested that they were too clean-cut and like a boy band to make the cut on the metal scene, they leaned into it with a boy-band classic.
The band brings the heft and low notes of a proper metal sound, but the vocals of a tight boy band. They have even cleaned it up a little bit. They do not describe themselves as “sexual,” but “miserable,” albeit that is belied by the joy that they are showing in creating the work! The accompanying video is a glorious celebration of the joys that striking a healthy balance between craft and self-importance brings. They are not embarrassed or distressed by bringing happiness to their fans, even if those fans enjoy a doom-laden tune. This one is well set up to be included in any new Halloween zombie movie featuring undead boy bands, which could become a genre now that one has been made!
