Speed Metal Party 2025 - Part I
- Jay
- Sep 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Few weeks ago thrash metal maniacs descended upon my hometown of *Tampere, Finland, again. Speed Metal Party first roared to life back in the late 80s, and it’s still pretty much the same crew keeping the tradition alive - chiefly the fellas of the local bands Prestige and Dethrone. This year, though, things are a little different - the usual stomping ground of Tullikamari is under renovation so we’ve got a brand-new venue to thrash in at Tavara-asema. A whopping 100 paces across the yard so even the pre-loaded fans found their way in
In this Part I, we're looking into Kovaa Rasvaa, Methane, and Dethrone. In Part II, we'll check Prestige, Tankard, and the after shows from Radux and Hidden Intent.
It’s never easy being the opening act. The crowd is still trickling in, beers are being poured, merch tables are browsed, and old friends are reunited. It’s the same old story. But, it’s also a chance to do more than just spark a fire; you can ignite a memorable blaze.
With bursts of white-knuckled intensity and hardcore pedigree, Kovaa Rasvaa started cookin'!
At first, the venue felt anything but ready. The lights were either blinding at full blast or plunged into fridge-like darkness. It kind of carried a whiff of amateur hour. You were afraid that the brief songs would end during the blackout - that would've been plain crappy for everyone. Fortunately, the venue got their act together, and Kovaa Rasvaa responded!
Hardcore is exactly what it says on the tin - hard to the core. Thrash may draw from the same well, but hardcore’s straight-to-the-point nose-twisting is a different kind of fisticuffs. It can catch you off guard. While the music isn't exactly my cup of tea, I loved seeing women on stage delivering raw energy (there was a fella, too, faaaar behind the drums), especially when talking about thrash metal.
The music itself comes at you with white-knuckled intensity, yet the experience didn’t fully match that force. With their hardcore pedigree, they clearly had the tools, but the performance came across rather jerkily. Things came to a full stop after each of the one-minute-plus songs. Now, maybe it’s just the old fart in me that craves a bit of buildup, intrigue, and drama instead of a straight punch to the jaw. I need to be wooed, I guess. I feel Kovaa Rasvaa could be more assertive and commanding, but I guess it’s the punk spirit to let loose between the songs.
The contrast couldn’t be starker as the Swedes of Methane come crashing in, roping you up with chains and tying a neat little bow around your head. Their riffs are lumbering behemoths, heavy and deliberate. Each chug bulges with the greasy weight of an oil-soaked sack of potatoes being slammed onto the floor.
It's thrash metal that wears its looseness proudly. They don't shy away from memes, nods, and winks that keep the mood from straying too far into the serious. Then there's the I fuck for a beer going on, and you know you'll meet the fellas later on by the bar. By now, the DIY spirit of the Speed Metal Party was clear to everyone attending the festivities.
Methane took a big step from their debut 'The Devil's Own' (2017) with their 2023 sophomore effort 'Kill It With Fire'. I think the fellas were even better live. On their records, the sound is surprisingly tense given that they're so laid back with whatever they're raving about. Interested to see where they go with their sound.
Dethrone opened the stage as the first local act of the evening. As one of the veteran forces behind the whole party, they carry tradition and history into the evening. The larger crowd had appeared by the time the fellas climbed to the stage, so heads were banging and fists were up in the air.
They've always been something that I've been aware of, but nothing really caught on. I can appreciate the crazy sound they had on their album 'The Decay of Man' back in '92. Hugely inspired by the lighter skateboard bands going about in the US, they made a super massive departure from their debut 'Let The Day Begin', which is more traditional thrash.
On stage, they're slightly too static for my liking, but what the hey, folks remember tracks like Powermad and had a great time. I think it's great they're still around and playing stuff, but I must've said in my previous rambling from last year that packing Dethrone and Prestige back-to-back kind of feels stuffy. It drains some of the energy away because, let's face it: most of us at the event - on stage and off it - aren't exactly young anymore.
This realization punches me with the fact that thrash metal isn't exactly music for the young'uns. On the other hand, it makes chewing the fat with almost anyone super easy. We're more or less from the same generation and experienced things similarly, listening to the same bands. Our beloved genre isn't living a similar renaissance that, for example, death metal seems to be experiencing here in Finland. There's a load of super young bands who adore the '90s sound, and that's fracking great!
The Future of Thrash Metal
As we look ahead, the future of thrash metal seems to be in a state of transition. While many of the veterans continue to hold the fort, new blood is emerging. This new generation brings fresh ideas and influences, which could breathe new life into the genre. The blend of classic thrash with modern elements could create a unique sound that resonates with both old and new fans alike.
Conclusion
The Speed Metal Party continues to be a celebration of thrash metal culture. It brings together fans and bands, old and new. As we anticipate Part II, featuring Prestige and Tankard, the excitement is palpable. The community thrives on these gatherings, and the spirit of thrash metal lives on.
PS. I have some work-related stuff going on and I've been traveling extensively, so I've been quiet. Fortunately, I've been listening to music as usual, so I have lots to write about and might get back to that weekly review routine.
