The Rasmus

The Finnish band’s history began well before its international breakthrough. Earlier releases led towards the more focused sound of Into in 2001, where the writing moved closer to the melodic rock identity many listeners would come to recognise. “F-F-F-Falling” showed how easily the group could join a restless verse to a bright, direct chorus without abandoning its own slightly odd character.

Dead Letters followed in 2003. “In the Shadows” brought the band to a much wider audience with its clipped guitar figure, insistent rhythm and unmistakable vocal refrain. Other songs revealed different shades of the same approach: “First Day of My Life” was urgent, “In My Life” more confrontational, and “Funeral Song” gave the record a quieter emotional depth. The album had a stronger internal identity than a single hit could explain.

Hide from the Sun in 2005 kept the guitars prominent and the choruses concise. “No Fear” and “Sail Away” placed confidence and vulnerability close together, while Black Roses later adopted a more expansive production style. Across those changes, Ylönen’s delivery remained the connecting element. His voice could make an uncomplicated melodic phrase feel slightly haunted, which was often more useful than adding another layer of instrumentation.

The most rewarding way into The Rasmus is to hear the songs beyond their visual setting. The dramatic image helped define an era, but the records rely on carefully managed contrasts between rhythmic drive, an exposed verse and a chorus that opens out. At their strongest, they make melancholy feel active rather than inert: something you can move with, not simply sit inside.