“Facing the realization I’ve been frozen and in that moment deciding to melt, and with the first teardrop fighting its way through ice, I will, though hesitantly, invite love to my heart and see how the sky opens for my light. To unfurl my wings, breaking free from being Kept”

Rioghan, known for its multifaceted brand of modern metal, opened a new chapter last month by releasing “Chapter I: Frozen”, the first single from the band’s upcoming EP. The story, which began with a cover of Madonna’s track, unfolds further today with the release of the next single “Chapter II: Moment” showcases Rioghan’s original material, building from piano-led ambience and electronic pulse toward a cathartic, emotional eruption.

“Moment continues EP’s storyline at the point where the ice begins to crack. The track describes the moment when the thaw begins – a delicate but decisive movement towards change. It’s the instant you realize that things aren’t as they should be, and change is necessary,” Rioghan Darcy explains.

“Chapter II: Moment” arrives accompanied by a music video once again crafted in collaboration with Aarni Visuals. True to form, the result is a visually striking, multilayered, and meticulously constructed piece. The previously released Chapter I: Frozen, also paired with a music video, dropped in October and quickly drew attention among metal and alternative audiences as well as media and radio both in Finland and abroad.

This year has been a significant one for Rioghan. The band’s second album ‘Kept‘ was released in February, debuting at #6 on the physical album chart and earning glowing reviews internationally. In addition to the release tour, the band performed with alternative pioneer SARA at Ääniwalli in Helsinki and made their first festival appearance at Nummirock.

The momentum has carried into the end of the year. On Halloween, Rioghan appeared at the H-18 Halloween event at Science Center Heureka, and this Friday (28 November) the band will take the stage at John Smith Frozen in Jyväskylä. Both of these shows are special acoustic performances, offering a chance to experience Rioghan’s sonic world from a new perspective – unique, thrilling, and enchanting.

Rioghan is:
Vocals – Rioghan Darcy
Guitar – Teemu Liekkala
Guitar – Tero Luukkonen
Bass – Antti Varjanne
Keyboards – Aleks Toppari
Drums – Valtteri Revonkorpi

For more information: RIOGHAN | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

Photo and cover art by Aarni Visuals

One of the most intriguing rising names in Finnish metal, Rioghan, begins a new cycle with the release of “Chapter I: Frozen“, the first single from their upcoming ‘Frozen EP’. Known for their blend of modern metal, gothic melancholy, and cinematic atmosphere, Rioghan transforms Madonna’s 1998 hit into a darkly ethereal experience that bridges fragility and crushing heaviness.

The song serves as the first chapter of a story that will continue through the band’s upcoming original material. The ‘Frozen EP’, set for release next spring, will feature five tracks – each accompanied by its own music video. Rioghan worked again with their long-time collaborator Aarni Visuals, and like always, the results are breathtaking.

“We’ve continued our usual way of releasing a new EP after an album. However, this time there’s only one cover song. We were planning a fourth cover EP and wanted to include our own version of Madonna’s ‘Frozen’. But as we began working on it, Valtteri and Teemu started developing a broader narrative idea based on the song – something that could extend into a full EP”, vocalist Rioghan Darcy comments.

“So, we decided to abandon the idea of cover EP entirely, and dive into this alternative path that we could shape into something truly our own. ‘Chapter I: Frozen’ lays the foundation for a heart-melting story rooted in the theme of the ‘Kept’ album.”

This year has been an eventful one for Rioghan. Their sophomore album ‘Kept‘, released in February, debuted at #6 on the Finnish physical album chart and received glowing reviews internationally. Following the release tour, Rioghan joined Finnish alternative pioneers SARA for a show at Helsinki’s Ääniwalli and marked their first-ever festival appearance at the legendary Nummirock.

The momentum continues through the end of the year. On October 31st, Rioghan will perform at the H-18 Halloween event at Science Center Heureka, followed by a show at John Smith Frozen Festival in Jyväskylä (November 28th). Both performances will be special acoustic shows, offering audiences a new perspective on Rioghan’s world – intimate, mesmerizing, and emotionally powerful.

Rioghan is:
Vocs – Rioghan Darcy
Guitar  – Teemu Liekkala
Guitar – Tero Luukkonen
Bass – Antti Varjanne
Keys – Aleks Toppari
Drums – Valtteri Revonkorpi

More information: RIOGHAN | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan released earlier this year their second studio album ‘Kept‘. The band performed the entire album live at Alakulttuuritila Alimus one day before its release, and the performance was streamed online. A new three-track maxi single, ‘Live from Alimus’, recorded that evening, is released today and is available here: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-live-from-alimus 

Rioghan has emerged as one of Finland’s most promising modern metal exports, making a strong impression with their dynamic and genre-blending sound. Their music seamlessly fuses modern metal with progressive structures and electronic elements, creating a sonic landscape full of contrasts — from crushingly heavy moments to dreamlike atmospheric passages. Combined with a raw yet beautifully crafted visual aesthetic, Rioghan’s world is one that’s easy to fall in love with.

The band has gained international attention since the release of their debut EP Blackened Sky. Their upward trajectory continued with the critically acclaimed debut album Different Kinds of Losses, featuring Einar Solberg (Leprous) and Jonas Renkse (Katatonia).

Their second album Kept (released Feb. 14th) debuted at #6 on the Finnish Physical Album Charts. The album received glowing reviews not only in Finland but also across Europe, the U.K., and the U.S. Kept also featured guest composer Vikram Shankar (Within Temptation, Pain of Salvation, Silent Skies, Lux Terminus).

To mark the conclusion of the Kept album cycle, Rioghan has released a live maxi single, Live From Alimus, featuring three live renditions from the record. These performances were captured during a professionally produced livestream concert, where Rioghan performed Kept in its entirety. The full video is now available on Bandcamp.

Currently, the band is focusing on live shows and recording a new EP, set for release in the upcoming winter.

Rioghan – Live from Alimus Track list:

1. Red
2. Hands
3. Here

Cover photo by Marika Saikkonen, edited by Aarni Visuals

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar & keys
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums
Aleks Toppari – keyboards

https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghanband
https://www.instagram.com/rioghanband
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com

Photo by Aarni Visuals

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan released their second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. Also an official live video of ‘Motion’ can be seen HERE. 

LISTEN to the album: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-kept 

Rioghan comments:

About the song ‘Motion’:
“In my opinion, ‘Motion’ entwines everything I love in this band and song making process, a wide variety of vocal range, ominous seriousness with playful twists, catchy chorus and a bag full of surprises all in all! For the whole process of this album’s making, ‘Motion’ has stayed my favorite song of all. Keyboards for this song are played by Vikram Shankar, Teemu Liekkala, and the end solo is performed by our newest addition to the band, keyboardist Aleks Toppari.”

About the album:
” ‘Kept’ revolves lyrically within the name’s theme, every song tells a different story and perspective of being kept in, by, or from something. Imprisonment, mentally or physically, in different moments of life or within someone’s presence. Instrumentally, ‘Kept’ goes to way more deeper ends than it’s predecessor ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’. As expected, we couldn’t decide whether to soar or to dive, so we did both and visited all kinds of levels in between. I feel like we reached new lengths in working together as a band and our bond has grown so much stronger, giving a lot of space to more free creativity.”

About the live shows:
“It feels SO good to get back to live shows and meeting all the lovely people who have carried this forward to this point and also welcoming all the new faces in the crowd! Yesterday’s pre-listen party and livestream show was an unforgettable experience, so much love for everyone involved!”

The music video of

• first single ‘Edge’ can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4
• second single ‘Hands’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-4BO6FTB8
• third single ‘Distance’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFfafeR93nY

Track list:

1. Dreams
2. Hands
3. Skin
4. Edge
5. Distance
6. Hopes
7. Motion
8. Here
9. Red
10. Grief

Cover photo: Mikko Parkkonen / Aarni Visuals
Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola
Produced & mixed by Teemu Liekkala
Mastered by Miro Kiiski / Miro Mastering

The rising star of modern Finnish metal Rioghan has made an unforgettable expression to the metal scene with their multi-layered musical expression full of surprises. Strikingly beautiful yet violent imagery hand in hand with the music creates an otherworldly experience, easy to fall in love with.

Rioghan’s music is modern metal with progressive twist – ranging from melodic death metal moments to floating dark pop elements, while ethereal gothic darkness walks right beside you all the way.

Based in 2019 around singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band has gained international attention from their very first EP Blackened Sky. Positive remarks grew even heavier with their debut album Different Kinds Of Losses, made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Einar Solberg (Leprous).

The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarist Teemu Liekkala (Red Eleven), guitarist Tero Luukkonen (Red Eleven), bassist Antti Varjanne (Joviac, Time Primer), and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi (Leverage).

Rioghan’s live production consists of hardcore professionals, and every moment is thought through from lights to stage presence. Dedicatedly practiced show was presented to fans in autumn 2024, when Rioghan toured Finland with Wheel in Olympia, Tampere; Sawohouse UG, Kuopio; On The Rocks, Helsinki; Lutakko, Jyväskylä; Finlandia-klubi, Lahti and 45Special, Oulu.

The crowd’s warm welcome with the successful tour ensured Rioghan their place among the future exports to be reckoned with.

Rioghan’s second full length album Kept was released February 14th 2025. 

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar & keys
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy

Photo by Aarni Visuals

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan is set to release the second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. The fourth single ‘Skin’ is released today and it’s available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-skin 

• Composed by Jenni Perämäki & Teemu Liekkala
• Lyrics by Jenni Perämäki
• Arranged by Tero Luukkonen, Antti Varjanne, Valtteri Revonkorpi
• ISRC: FI3FC2550103
• Cover photo: Aarni Visuals
• Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Rioghan comments:

About the single:
‘Skin’ is a story of a very still and short moment in time, which yet holds a life altering experience. It tells about the art of keeping up a mask and a façade, while feeling incredibly shattered and tumultuous inside. Our goal was to also capture this story to the music, keeping it very bare and fragile until the veil lifts for a moment, and gets tied back in the very end.

About the upcoming album release & tour
This last single before the album release brings up all kinds of excitement, getting the finishing touches to all materials and trying to figure out what I might’ve forgot.. And also a very strict training season for the live shows to come! It’s been a handful to get all the new songs in order for the live set, but of course so much fun!”

• The music video of first single ‘Edge’ can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4
• The music video of second single ‘Hands’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-4BO6FTB8
• The music video of third single ‘Distance’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFfafeR93nY

Kept Track list:

1. Dreams
2. Hands
3. Skin
4. Edge
5. Distance
6. Hopes
7. Motion
8. Here
9. Red
10. Grief

Cover photo: Mikko Parkkonen / Aarni Visuals
Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Produced & mixed by Teemu Liekkala
Mastered by Miro Kiiski / Miro Mastering

BIOGRAPHY
The rising star of modern Finnish metal Rioghan has made an unforgettable expression to the metal scene with their multi-layered musical expression full of surprises. Strikingly beautiful yet violent imagery hand in hand with the music creates an otherworldly experience, easy to fall in love with.

Rioghan’s music is modern metal with progressive twist – ranging from melodic death metal moments to floating dark pop elements, while ethereal gothic darkness walks right beside you all the way.

Based in 2019 around singer-poetess Rioghan Darcy, the band has gained international attention from their very first EP Blackened Sky. Positive remarks grew even heavier with their debut album Different Kinds Of Losses, made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia) and Einar Solberg (Leprous).

The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarist Teemu Liekkala (Red Eleven), guitarist Tero Luukkonen (Red Eleven), bassist Antti Varjanne (Joviac, Time Primer), and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi (Leverage).

Rioghan’s live production consists of hardcore professionals, and every moment is thought through from lights to stage presence. Dedicatedly practiced show was presented to fans in autumn 2024, when Rioghan toured Finland with Wheel in Olympia, Tampere; Sawohouse UG, Kuopio; On The Rocks, Helsinki; Lutakko, Jyväskylä; Finlandia-klubi, Lahti and 45Special, Oulu.

The crowd’s warm welcome with the successful tour ensured Rioghan their place among the future exports to be reckoned with.

Rioghan’s second full length album Kept will be released February 14th 2025. 

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar & keys
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy
https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy

Band + Cover photo by Aarni Visuals – Cover layout: Sakari Tuokkola

Finnish progressive metal band Rioghan is set to release the second studio album ‘Kept’ on February 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. The third single ‘Distance’ is released today and it’s available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/rioghan-distance

Rioghan comments: 

” ‘Distance’ paints a soul wrenching story of misplaced trust. You are invited to enter a dream, where eventually things are not what they seem and it ominously turns into a nightmare. Music-wise this song was written with Vikram Shankar, where we experimented with dark pop elements and huge contrasts, and made the softness turn seamlessly to a destructive force. 

• Composed by Vikram Shankar & Jenni Perämäki
• Lyrics by Jenni Perämäki
• Arranged by Teemu Liekkala,Tero Luukkonen, Antti Varjanne, Valtteri Revonkorpi
• ISRC: FI3FC2550105

About the Wheel-tour:
Now when the tour is over, we were left with yearning back to the stages. The shows really were the highlight of this year, and also the people from Wheel were so friendly and welcoming toward us – like their fans too! We couldn’t have had a better crew to try out our first tour. Hope there’ll be much more to come!”

• The music video of first single ‘Edge’ can be seen here: https://youtu.be/SYz0locEGn4
• The music video of second single ‘Hands’ available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_-4BO6FTB8

Rioghan is a fresh breeze to progressive metal scene from Finland. The band consists of singer Rioghan Darcy, guitarists Teemu Liekkala and Tero Luukkonen, bassist Antti Varjanne and drummer Valtteri Revonkorpi.
 

Their debut album ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’ was made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Einar Solberg (Leprous) and Teemu Koskela (ex-Celesty), and it was rolled out during 2022 sparking interest widely. The singles got airtime in Finland and also internationally, and after the album release in December, Rioghan’s monthly listeners on Spotify peaked at 40 000. The songs also got into multiple Spotify editorial playlists.

Live line-up was put into action in 2023, and this autumn Rioghan returned to stages supporting Wheel on their Charismatic Leaders -tour, bringing their stellar show to Tampere, Kuopio, Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Lahti, and Oulu. Fans’ welcome was spectacular, and their energetic show brought a lot of new fans too.

Rioghan started out as a solo project by singer and poetess Rioghan Darcy, based in Lapua, Finland. After years of writing poetry and lyrics, Rioghan was founded in 2019 with an intention to fleshen up some of her words with music. After a while, it grew into a trio with Teemu Liekkala (guitars, bass, keys, production) and Valtteri Revonkorpi (drums) added as permanent stars for the band, and in 2024 guitarist Tero Luukkonen and bassist Antti Varjanne also officially joined the band from live line-up. Rooted deeply in both gothic and progressive metal scenes, they sure should bring something interesting on the table.

Line-up:
Rioghan Darcy – vocals
Teemu Liekkala – guitar
Tero Luukkonen – guitar
Antti Varjanne – bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums

https://www.facebook.com/rioghandarcy
https://www.instagram.com/rioghandarcy
https://rioghan.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/36nTHP7
https://www.rakkausrunot.fi/runoilijat/emma-rioghan-darcy