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Finnish melodic heavy metal band Grey Sky Bleed are ready to make their mark with Only Dust You Are, arriving November 20 via Art Gates Records. Ten tracks bring together classic heavy metal roots, a wide range of influences and a call for humility in the face of nature and the universe.
Vocalist and keyboardist Jukka Ruostila recalls the band’s unexpected beginnings:
“Originally, the idea was simply to make a couple of songs with old bandmates just for fun. However, things got a bit out of hand and suddenly we had a record deal from Spain (Art Gates Records). Whoopsie-daisy!”
“We already had several songs done and around these we started to build a full length album,” adds drummer Sami Romppainen. “We thought about it quite carefully so that the musical diversity of the album would be broad enough.”
Drawing on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and echoes of the 1990s, the band keep their musical horizons open:
“Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Tarot, etc. are definitely part of it, but there are also influences that have been mixed in open-mindedly on a wide scale across genre boundaries,” explains Jukka.
About the lyrics:
“I guess the album is kinda questioning the arrogance of our species and calling out for a little humility in front of nature and the universe,” Jukka reflects.
Tracklist:
1 The Serpent With The Crown
2 Dust Thou Art (feat. Dyecrest)
3 Godspeed
4 Burden Of Dreams
5 We Share The End (feat. Liisa Paakkunainen)
6 Voices In The Dark
7 Plague Mind
8 Thoughts & Prayers (feat. Kärtsy Hatakka)
9 The Fortress
10 The Lie
The cover artwork was created by Sami Romppainen. The album was produced by Jukka Ruostila and Sami Romppainen, mixed by Jukka Ruostila, and mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde at Virtalähde Mastering.
One of the album’s most special songs is Dust Thou Art, a forthcoming single yet to be unveiled, featuring fellow Art Gates Records band Dyecrest. Heidi Aaltonen contributes lead vocals, joined by Henri Arola, Pirkka Ohlis and Matti Pasanen on backing vocals. Liisa Paakkunainen and Kärtsy Hatakka also make guest appearances on the record.
Over the past few months, Grey Sky Bleed have been building anticipation with a series of singles, the latest of which, We Share The End, is inspired by the novel The Road.
Only Dust You Are arrives November 20 via Art Gates Records. Pre-save it now and turn it up!
ONLINE
LINEUP
Jukka Ruostila - Vocals & Synths
Heikki Kokko - Guitars
Antti Heikkilä - Bass
Sami Romppainen - Drums
BIOGRAPHY/LOGO
**Grey Sky Bleed** is a Finnish melodic heavy metal band from Rautalampi, Northern Savonia, formed in the early 2020s. Combining traditional heavy metal with progressive rock influences and modern production, the quartet delivers a distinctive sound characterized by powerful melodic vocals, heavy guitar riffs, atmospheric synthesizers, and dynamic arrangements.
Although Grey Sky Bleed is a relatively new name in the Finnish metal scene, the musicians share a history stretching back to the 1990s, when they first began playing heavy metal together. Over the following decades, the members pursued different musical paths, gaining experience in genres ranging from alternative rock and death metal to electronic music. Eventually, they reunited to rediscover their shared passion for heavy metal and channel their diverse musical backgrounds into a new creative project.
Musically, Grey Sky Bleed draws inspiration from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, progressive rock, and contemporary melodic metal. Their compositions balance traditional metal foundations with sophisticated synthesizer arrangements, memorable melodies, and a modern sonic approach. Rather than limiting themselves to a single style, the band embraces experimentation while maintaining a strong connection to its heavy metal roots.
The band began introducing its music to a wider audience in January 2025 with the debut single *Voices in the Dark*. Further releases, including *The Fortress*, *Godspeed*, and *Burden of Dreams*, demonstrated the group's versatility and songwriting ambitions.
In 2026, Grey Sky Bleed continued developing its musical identity with songs such as *The Serpent with the Crown*, which incorporated influences from electronic music and modern metal, and *We Share the End*, an atmospheric power ballad featuring Liisa Paakkunainen. These releases formed part of the preparations for the band's debut full-length album through Art Gates Records.
With decades of collective musical experience, an adventurous approach to songwriting, and a strong foundation in classic heavy metal, Grey Sky Bleed represents a meeting point between traditional Finnish metal craftsmanship and contemporary melodic expression.
DISCOGRAPHY
Full-length albums:
Only Dust You Are - 2026
GENRE/COUNTRY
Melodic Heavy Metal
Finland
