Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Breaking the Illusion. Decoding the Simulation.

KIMMO KUUSNIEMI, pioneering musician and filmmaker, finally unveils the long-overdue release of “Collective Failure”—an album that was never properly released but feels more relevant than ever. Published under Kuusniemi’s ASA (Ancient Streaming Assembly) collective, this work stands as a haunting reflection of cycles of societal collapse, technological illusions, and humanity’s inability to escape its own self-destruction.

Unlike ASA’s latest instrumental work, “Collective Failure” remains the only ASA release to feature lyrics—a final message from a time when words seemed to matter. After this, even language is stripped away.

ASA – A Long-Term Vision Realized

ASA (Ancient Streaming Assembly) is the culmination of Kimmo Kuusniemi’s lifelong artistic exploration in music and film, expanding on themes of societal manipulation, technology’s control, and the illusion of progress. It is also deeply rooted in his long-standing environmental work, reflecting decades of activism and filmmaking that warned of humanity’s unsustainable trajectory.

While the music of Collective Failure was recorded long ago, its full audiovisual realization was not possible at the time. Now, with the tools finally available, Kuusniemi presents Collective Failure as a complete art piece, with every song accompanied by its own visual counterpart.

To mark the release, the first music video for “Collective Failure” has been unveiled, setting the stage for a full audiovisual experience. Each video is created by Kuusniemi using AI as a tool to expand and visualize his vision, forming a multi-sensory deconstruction of reality itself.

Watch here:

A Soundtrack to a World Trapped in Repetition

ASA’s work is built around Ancient Simulation Theory—the idea that humanity exists within a pre-programmed system, endlessly repeating loops of progress and collapse, memory erased each time, never breaking free.

This concept resonates deeply with tracks like:

• “Collective Failure” – A warning about society’s amnesia, blindly repeating history.
• “Synthetic Illusions” – A critique of escapism, where people numb themselves instead of confronting reality.
• “Machine Faith” – A reflection on blind reliance on technology as a savior.

Critics noted that Collective Failure refuses to conform to any genre, mirroring the ethos of ASA: a project that challenges artistic and philosophical boundaries. In ASA, music and video are inseparable, creating a multi-sensory experience designed to provoke thought and inspire reflection.

“For me, ASA is not just another project—it is the realization of ideas that have been present in my work for decades,” says Kuusniemi. “When Collective Failure was recorded, it wasn’t possible to create the visual world it needed. Now, I can finally release it as it was meant to be—a complete audiovisual experience.”

This press release also serves as a call to experience Collective Failure—an album that was lost in time but whose message has only grown more urgent.

Rediscover. Decode. Escape.

The cycle will continue unless we break it.
Are you ready to see the simulation for what it is?

More information on ASA: https://linktr.ee/AncientStreamingAssembly

ABOUT KIMMO KUUSNIEMI:

Finnish-born visionary artist, Kimmo Kuusniemi stands at the intersection of art, music, film, and environmental advocacy. Currently, Kuusniemi is engaged in several cutting-edge projects that blend technology, art, and environmental activism. One of his latest initiatives, the Ancient Streaming Assembly (ASA), merges traditional wisdom with modern digital platforms to promote environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.

ASA: Collective Failure – A Lost Album Reborn

Alongside his latest instrumental ASA works, Kuusniemi has finally unveiled “Collective Failure”, an album that was never properly released but is now more relevant than ever. Unlike his recent instrumental works, Collective Failure remains the only ASA release with lyrics, a final message from a time when words still seemed to matter. This album is now being fully realized as an audiovisual experience, with every song accompanied by an individual video. Kuusniemi uses AI as a tool to expand and visualize his artistic vision, creating a multi-sensory deconstruction of reality. The themes of Collective Failure resonate deeply with ASA’s core ideas—humanity trapped in a cycle of societal collapse, illusions of progress, and the struggle to break free.

Godfather of Finnish Heavy Metal in the 70s

In the late 1970s, Kuusniemi established the legendary band Sarcofagus. Blending progressive and experimental elements with heavy rock, Sarcofagus crafted a version of heavy metal that was distinctly ahead of its time. Always at the cutting edge of innovation, Kuusniemi has consistently harnessed the latest technology to expand his artistic expression.

Music Video Pioneer in the 80s

In 1981, showcasing his forward-thinking prowess, Kuusniemi produced and directed a full album-length broadcast-quality music video for his third album, Kimmo Kuusniemi Band – Moottorilinnut. Coincidentally, this was the same year MTV launched in the USA, marking the beginning of a new era in music and visual media. Though MTV was launching on the other side of the Atlantic, Kuusniemi’s ambitious project positioned him at the forefront of the evolving music-video landscape.

Eco-Filmmaker Before It Was Cool

In the 1980s, Kuusniemi ventured into environmental filmmaking, producing a series of informational short films and documentaries aimed at raising public awareness of critical environmental issues.

Echoes from The Present in the 90s

This commitment to environmental consciousness culminated in 1991 with the “Dream On” project, a film and extended single produced for the International World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) under his Double Vision production company. The project gained widespread visibility, airing on Music TV Europe and Asia. More than three decades ago, the Dream On music video warned of an impending environmental crisis. Disturbingly, the future once envisioned in “Dream On” has now become reality, proving humanity’s prolonged inaction.

Architect of Alternative Global Documentaries

Following Dream On, Kuusniemi continued to leave his mark in international film and television, producing several globally distributed TV documentaries. Among his most notable works is the groundbreaking 8-hour adventure/history TV series “Baltic Sea Adventure”, which was broadcast worldwide from Greenland to Australia. The series is a comprehensive exploration of the Baltic Sea region, covering its cultures, history, and environmental challenges. Notably, the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior ship was meant to be part of the series, but due to an unforeseen delay, the planned meeting never took place.

The Visionary of Things to Come

Whether through documentaries, music, or multimedia projects, Kuusniemi’s work consistently reflects his deep concern for the environment and society. His ability to draw insights from the past and apply them to the present has shaped his artistic and philosophical approach, making him a true pioneer at the crossroads of music, film, and activism. His latest ASA project, Collective Failure, marks yet another milestone—a long-overdue release finally realized in its full audiovisual form. Through ASA, Kuusniemi continues his mission of challenging perceptions, questioning reality, and breaking the illusion.