Last night in Helsinki, The Vantages celebrated the release of their new EP The Vantages II with a short show that felt perfectly tailored for those of us who filled On The Rocks.

The night kicked off with Lilith & the Wildflowers, who set the mood with their blend of sensual guitars and the delicate yet steady voice of their young vocalist — the perfect atmosphere for what was to come.

From EP to Stage

The Vantages’ setlist went through the EP in its entirety. The brand-new “Automata” and “Vanishing Point” sounded vibrant, while “Darker” and “Danger” were among the most anticipated and celebrated by the crowd. In a short time, the band has built a community of fans who not only sing along but also share the excitement of seeing them evolve.

My all-time favorites, “Alone” and “You”, felt more powerful than ever, while “Love/Loss” once again proved to be one of the band’s most personal songs: in a symbolic gesture, Tim Mikkola quite literally “gave his heart” to the audience, placing a bleeding heart prop into the hands of a fan in the front row — a moment that felt as theatrical as it was genuine.

Tonight I realized I like “Dramatique” more than I thought. The song’s ending was a true emotional build-up, with Anton Froloff’s guitar taking the intensity to its highest point, Aleksi Larkovuo’s bass and Henri Schröter’s drums holding the crescendo with impeccable precision, and of course, Tim Mikkola’s voice delivering every word with a power that sent chills down my spine.

There was also room for surprises: their cover of “Move” by Taemin — which had been a challenge in front of a more mixed crowd at Tuska — was received here as a long-awaited gift by their legion of fans. And in the spirit of breaking «metal» stereotypes, a circle pit erupted during “Leather Jacket”, a rather slow song that suddenly turned into an explosion of collective energy.

It was a short but intense concert that not only presented an EP but reaffirmed that The Vantages are building something beyond music: a shared experience, a space where every song and every gesture on stage strengthens the bond with those who follow them.

I walked out of On The Rocks with the feeling that The Vantages II makes even more sense when it’s heard — and felt — live.