February proved to be a good moment to warm up the stage at one of Helsinki’s most metal-friendly bars, right in the middle of the city’s frozen heart.

From Sweden, Goodnight Greatness and Tryin’ Within arrived at On The Rocks to quite literally break the ice. Both bands crossed the sea to reach Helsinki and introduce Finnish audiences to a taste of what modern metalcore currently sounds like in Sweden.

Spoiler: the quality of their sound delivered, and both bands’ stage presence connected organically with a crowd that, despite it being a Thursday night, didn’t miss the chance to discover promising new acts.

Opening the night were local band Sees from Tampere, who are preparing to release their debut full-length album. Their atmospheric set carried that unmistakable Finnish melancholy that always resonates well with demanding ears.

Next came Goodnight Greatness, who premiered their new single Polluted that same evening — a track that says a lot about the band’s identity. It’s hard to believe they started as a group of strangers, judging by the chemistry they display on stage.

Goodnight Greatness explore themes such as mental health, environmental awareness, identity and social responsibility, all while delivering crushing breakdowns and female vocals that embrace you just as much as they tear you apart.

Closing the night were fellow Swedes Tryin’ Within, offering an intriguing take on the genre. The contrast between male and female vocals moves from raw to soft in every direction and at every necessary speed, pulling you into the right mood if you’re ready to feel things deeply and cathartically.

Tryin’ Within aim to sound different — and it shows. Their music feels heavy, emotional and refined: metalcore, made in Sweden.

Watch our interviews with the bands on our YouTube channel and check out the photo galleries below:

Tryin’ Within

Goodnight Greatness

Sees