ALVA SANDSTRÖM, BJÖRN JOHANNSON, MIKA PAANANEN, & MICHAEL MIKANDER (ARCTIS): “Our Goal Is To Create An Experience, Not Just A Concert”

Arctis band photo
Photo: Harri Luostarinen Photography

Up and coming Finnish Metal band Arctis are set to release their self-titled debut album on November 1st. Alva Sandström (vocals), Michael Mikander (guitar), Björn Johansson (guitar), and Mika Paananen (drums) took the time to talk with Metal Express Radio about their debut album, their cover of ‘Bimbo’ by Lambretta, their upcoming tour with Apocalyptica, and more. Check out the chat below!

Metal Express Radio: How did the formation of your band come about?

Johansson: Arctis came to life in 2018, almost by accident. We were initially working on new material for our previous band with Jimmy Westerlund, an amazing producer who has been instrumental in shaping our sound. As we delved deeper into the creative process, the music began to shift in such a new and exciting direction that we felt it deserved its own identity. That’s when we made the decision to form Arctis and start fresh. We felt like the songs we were writing had their own unique energy that needed to be explored. So we decided to give this new sound a clean slate, which led to the birth of Arctis.

What makes Arctis special is the mix of influences we bring to the table. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to push ourselves as songwriters and really embrace a modern sound that draws from multiple genres. Over the years, we’ve taken everything from metal, rock pop, and even cinematic elements to create something new. Our debut album is a great beginning of this explorative path, and now as we are working on the second album, it feels like we are finding more and more something that represents who we are as artists. We can’t wait to show you more of Arctis!

MER: Your self-titled debut will be released on November 1st, how was it writing and recording your first full album together?

Sandström: It’s a hectic and exciting time for us, but we’re ready.

Writing and recording the album was a massive rollercoaster of emotions, full of highs and lows. There were definitely moments where we felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work we took on. We ended up writing over 100 demos and constantly tweaking, revising, and polishing each one to figure out this new sound, and to see what songs felt like they represented Arctis.

Some nights in the studio were crazy—we’d be up until the early hours of the morning, and the real sessions often wouldn’t start until midnight. There were times when the creative juices would only start flowing after a few “refreshments,” if you know what I mean, haha. One of my favorite memories was when we had a long stretch of late-night recording with Jimmy Westerlund, and in our tired delirium, we started cracking jokes that had us laughing to the point of tears. The balance between hard work and fun kept us going, even through the long nights. That creative energy was infectious and kept us pushing forward.

But it wasn’t always easy. One of the more challenging aspects was when we got hyper-focused on the smallest details. There were times when we asked our mixing engineer, Stefan Glaumann, to make endless revisions of tiny fades and minute details in different tracks. Honestly, we think he probably thought we were losing it! We were so zoomed in on every little part that we couldn’t help but obsess over things that maybe no one else would notice. But after working on the album for so long, those details seemed important to us at the time. Looking back, who knows if those tweaks really made a difference, but it’s all part of the process when you’ve been that deep in the project for so long. Our attention to detail is what drove us, even if it made us question our sanity at times!

COVID also threw a wrench in our plans. We had everything ready, but when the pandemic hit, the whole live music scene shut down, and it felt like we were stuck in limbo. At first, it was frustrating because we were so eager to release the album and hit the road, but in hindsight, it gave us time to reflect and refine everything even more. We decided to really focus on building the Arctis universe—creating not just the music, but also the visual world and the characters that we embody on stage. That extra time allowed us to dive deeper into that side of things, and it’s something we’re really proud of.

All in all, the experience was intense but incredibly rewarding. We’re so excited to finally share this album with everyone, and we hope people will connect with the journey we’ve been on. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re ready to let everyone into the world of Arctis.

MER: You’ve released two songs from the album so far, how did it come about having these be the first two songs for the fans to hear? 

Mikander: The first two songs we released were ‘I’ll Give You Hell’ and ‘Bimbo’, and both of these tracks represent different aspects of Arctis. ‘I’ll Give You Hell’ was one of the first songs we wrote that felt like a great embodiment of our sound. It’s fast, energetic, and has that pop-infused metal edge that we wanted to showcase right from the start. This song has a punchy, rebellious vibe that makes it a real adrenaline rush, and we felt it captured the intensity and dynamism of our music. It was an easy choice as the first song to release because it gave people a taste of the high-energy side of Arctis—poppy, aggressive, and unapologetic.

‘Bimbo’, on the other hand, was a cover we decided to release as our second single. It’s such a fun contrast to ‘I’ll Give You Hell’ because it taps into the nostalgic side of things. ‘Bimbo’ let us bring a modern twist to a 2000s classic, and that’s something we really enjoyed doing. By releasing these two songs first, we were able to show both the fresh, original side of Arctis as well as our ability to reimagine something from the past.

MER: How did you approach covering ‘Bimbo’ by Lambretta? 

Johansson: Covering ‘Bimbo’ was both a fun and nostalgic process for us. The idea to cover the song was suggested to us, and we felt that it would be a fun challenge. ‘Bimbo’ was a huge hit in the early 2000s, especially for those of us who grew up during that time. We all remembered it vividly, and once we listened to it again, the energy and catchiness of the track stood out. It felt like a perfect song for us to put our own spin on and give it new life.

The song had this rebellious, infectious vibe that just clicked with our sound, but we knew we wanted to give it that Arctis twist—modernizing it and adding more weight with heavier guitars and drums. Our goal was to keep the original spirit of the track while injecting it with the depth and energy that defines our music. We didn’t have to stray too far from what made Bimbo such a hit, because the original sound fit seamlessly with the rest of our material already.

One of the coolest parts about this project was that our producer, Stefan Glaumann, had actually mixed the original version of ‘Bimbo’ back in the day. It was like everything came full circle. When we started working on the cover, we realized that Stefan’s connection to the original added a layer of history to the process. It felt like we were bringing something from our past into the present, but with the same person who helped shape its original sound. There was a certain magic to that.

Beyond the technical side, covering ‘Bimbo’ was just plain fun for us. It gave us a chance to rework a song that had faded a bit from the spotlight but still had that nostalgic pull. It was also a way for us to show our fans a different side of Arctis—how we can take something well-known and put our unique stamp on it. The feedback from our fans has been amazing so far, and we’re really glad we could bring this forgotten gem back for a new generation to enjoy.

MER: You’ll soon be touring with Apocalyptica, what are your expectations on the upcoming tour?

Paananen: We’re absolutely thrilled but also a bit nervous about the upcoming tour with Apocalyptica. It’s a huge opportunity for us—this is our first-ever tour, and to have the chance to kick it off with a band as legendary as Apocalyptica is beyond what we could have imagined when we started. The fact that we’re opening for a band that has not only shaped the Finnish metal scene but also made a massive global impact is pretty surreal.

There are definitely some nerves. It’s exciting, but at the same time, it’s intimidating because we’re jumping straight into playing huge stages with a band that has such a loyal fanbase. But we’ve been preparing hard—working on our live set, honing our stage presence, and making sure that we can bring the full Arctis experience to life.

We expect to learn a lot from Apocalyptica during this tour. They’re such seasoned performers, and their live shows are known for their incredible energy and precision. We’re looking forward to being able to watch them night after night and absorbing as much as we can. It’s like getting a masterclass in live performance from one of the best in the game. We’re also excited about the chance to meet their fans and share our music with new audiences.

One funny coincidence that makes this tour even more special is that we briefly met Eicca Toppinen from Apocalyptica a few years ago, purely by chance. We were out for lunch with our producer Jimmy Westerlund in Sipoo, and Eicca happened to be there. We got introduced, and he wished us luck with our music. Little did we know that a few years later, we’d be going on tour with them! It’s one of those full-circle moments that makes this opportunity feel even more surreal.

As for what we hope to get out of this tour, we’re looking forward to meeting as many fans as possible and showing them what Arctis is all about. We hope to make a strong connection with the audience—hopefully, we’ll get a warm (or cold, since we’re Arctis, haha) welcome! But really, we just want to give it our all on stage and make the most of this incredible opportunity. We’re going to bring our best energy and performance to every single show, and we’re excited to see where this tour takes us. It’s a huge step for us as a band, and we’re ready for the adventure.

MER: Who do you hope to tour with and why? 

Sandström: There are a ton of bands we’d love to tour with, but Bring Me The Horizon is definitely at the top of the list for us. They’ve been a massive influence on our sound, especially with the way they’ve evolved over the years. What’s amazing about them is how they’re not afraid to push boundaries and mix different genres—metal, pop, electronic music, you name it. They just keep reinventing themselves, and that’s something we really admire. We’re always looking to experiment and blend styles too, so we think it would be an amazing fit.

Their live shows are also just on another level. There’s so much energy and emotion packed into their performances, and that’s something we want to bring to our own shows as well. We try to create an immersive experience for the audience, where they can really step into the world of Arctis, and we feel like BMTH does that so well. Touring with them would not only be a dream come true but also a huge learning experience for us.

It would also be amazing to hit the road with another powerful female fronted band, especially Within Temptation. Their ability to combine symphonic elements with metal, and how they evolved in sounding more modern on their last two albums, is really inspiring to us. They are definitely still going strong! They create these epic, cinematic live experiences that transport you to another world, which is exactly what we aim to do with Arctis. It would be incredible to tour with them and see how our worlds collide on stage.

Honestly, we’re just excited about the idea of touring with any band that shares our vision of mixing things up and creating something more than just a typical concert. It’s not just about playing music—it’s about creating a whole experience for the fans. And if we can do that with some of the bands we look up to, that would be incredible.

MER: Where do you hope to play live and why? 

Sandström: There are so many incredible places we dream of playing, and honestly, it’s hard to choose just one! Of course, venues like Wembley are at the top of every band’s list—it’s such an iconic stage and to play there would be a dream come true. But more than just the size or prestige of the venue, it’s about the energy and the connection we feel with the audience. Whether it’s a small club or a massive arena, as long as there’s that energy exchange with the fans, we’re happy.

That being said, we definitely want to hit the big festival circuit in Europe. Playing at festivals like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest or Summer Breeze would be a surreal experience for us. The sheer scale of those festivals and the passion of the crowds make them the ultimate dream for any metal band. We’ve grown up watching bands play on those stages, and the thought of being up there ourselves someday is something we’re working toward. It’s not just about playing a set—it’s about being part of something bigger, something that brings fans and bands together for this huge celebration of music.

Beyond Europe, we’d love to eventually tour North America and hit places like New York, Los Angeles, and everything in between! The idea of taking our music across the ocean and connecting with fans on the other side of the world is both exciting and a little overwhelming, but we’re ready for it.

We’re open to playing wherever the road takes us, really. As long as there’s a crowd ready to experience Arctis, we’re down for the journey—whether it’s a small venue or a massive festival stage!

MER: How would you describe the music scene in Finland? 

Johansson: The music scene in Finland is unique and full of energy, especially when it comes to metal. Finland has long been known as one of the leading countries in the world for metal music, with bands like Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and HIM paving the way. Metal is a huge part of the culture here, and that’s something we’re proud to be part of.

While the scene can be competitive—there are so many talented bands out there trying to make their mark—we’ve been lucky that Arctis has been well-received in Finland. Even though we mix pop with metal, which isn’t always traditional in the Finnish metal scene, people have been really supportive. There’s always a risk when you combine genres, but we’ve found that a lot of fans are excited about what we’re doing. The blending of metal with pop and cinematic influences gives us a unique sound, and we’re thrilled that the Finnish audience has connected with it.

That said, we know that experimenting with genres can sometimes be met with resistance, especially in a scene as passionate as Finnish metal. But in our case, the reaction has been mostly positive, and it feels like there’s a growing appreciation for bands that push boundaries and bring something new to the table. There’s a hunger for fresh sounds, and fans here have been open to our mix of styles, which has been amazing for us.

The long, dark winters and the contrasting endless daylight of the summers definitely influence the music here, and you can hear that contrast in a lot of Finnish bands, including ours. It’s a great time to be part of the scene, and we’re excited to keep growing and evolving with it.

MER: What are your hopes for your band’s future? 

Paananen: Looking ahead, we’ve got some exciting things in mind for Arctis. First and foremost, we want to keep growing as a band, evolving our sound and exploring new creative directions. The journey we’ve been on so far has shown us that there are endless possibilities when it comes to blending different genres and pushing the boundaries of what people expect from modern metal. We’re already writing new material, and album number two is definitely going to reflect the next step in our evolution.

Beyond the music itself, we’re really excited about expanding our live shows. Our goal is to create an experience, not just a concert. We want our performances to feel like a journey into the Arctis universe, with visuals, storytelling, and an atmosphere that transports people into a different world for an hour or two. We’ve put a lot of effort into building the concept behind the band—the characters, the imagery—and we see a lot of potential to expand on that in the future. Whether that’s through bigger productions, multimedia collaborations, or even something like a live concert film, we want to make every aspect of Arctis more immersive for our fans.

One of the things we’re really looking forward to is getting more involved in the festival circuit. Touring with Apocalyptica is a dream come true, and it’s just the beginning for us. Playing major festivals, especially in Europe, is definitely on our radar. The energy of festivals is unlike anything else, and we can’t wait to see how our live set resonates with those massive audiences. Each festival is a chance to grow our fanbase and introduce Arctis to new listeners.

Looking even further down the road, it’s about staying true to who we are while continually evolving. We don’t want to become stagnant—we want to keep challenging ourselves creatively and finding new ways to express our music. We’d love to collaborate with artists outside the metal genre, as we’ve always been inspired by the idea of breaking down genre barriers. That’s part of what modern metal means to us—taking risks and being open to new ideas.

Ultimately, our hope for the future is simple: we want to keep creating, keep playing, and keep connecting with people through our music. Whatever form that takes—whether it’s playing to intimate crowds or headlining massive venues—we’re excited about the journey ahead. We know the music industry can be unpredictable, but we’re ready to face whatever comes our way, as long as we can keep doing what we love.

Author

  • Matt Zaniboni

    Matthew is an interviewer here at Metal Express Radio. He started his passion for music journalism back in his college radio days serving as the Heavy Metal Director at WKKL out of Hyannis Massachusetts. During Matt’s tenure in radio, he has had time working for commercial stations in Boston Massachusetts such as WAAF, WZLX AND 98.5 The Sports Hub before landing with Metal Express Radio. Anytime you want to talk heavy Metal, hockey, Guiness, and dad life, Matt is your guy m/

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