Amorphis & Insomnium in Chicago

Amorphis are a Finnish metal band formed in Helsinki in 1990. Their early death-metal and death-doom sound expanded to include progressive structures and themes drawn from Finnish folklore. The album Tales from the Thousand Lakes and its song “Black Winter Day” became central works in their catalogue, followed by records including Elegy, Skyforger and Under the Red Cloud. Performances recorded in 2009 at Club Teatria in Oulu and Summer Breeze Open Air formed the live release Forging the Land of Thousand Lakes. More than a decade later, they co-headlined a European tour with Eluveitie in 2022, supported by Dark Tranquillity and Nailed to Obscurity. The full-band concert setup is built around twin guitars and keyboards, while clean singing and death-metal growls are both delivered by Tomi Joutsen.

Insomnium are a Finnish melodic death-metal band formed in Joensuu in 1997. They are known for albums including Above the Weeping World, Shadows of the Dying Sun and Winter’s Gate, as well as songs such as “While We Sleep” and “Heart Like a Grave.” On the Winter’s Gate tour, Insomnium performed the album-length composition in full before drawing on the rest of their catalog. In 2023 they co-headlined a North American tour with Enslaved, supported by Black Anvil; a 2024 headline run through the same market paired them with Omnium Gatherum and Wilderun. Insomnium have repeatedly toured Germany and the United States on headline and package runs. Their festival history also includes Wacken Open Air and Tuska in Helsinki.