Airborn: The Soaring Force of Modern Hard Rock

Airborn is a hard rock band from Helsinki, Finland, known for their high-energy anthems and melodic guitar work. The group achieved international recognition with their 2018 album Beyond the Horizon, which charted in several European countries and solidified their reputation as a consistent live act.

Early career

Formed in 2010, the band's founding members, vocalist Alex Storm and guitarist Mikko Virtanen, began writing songs while studying in the Finnish capital. Their self-released debut EP, Take Off, in 2012, caught the attention of the local rock scene with its blend of classic heavy metal and contemporary production. This led to a development deal with the independent label Nordic Sound, which helped them refine their sound for a wider audience.

Breakthrough

Airborn's breakthrough arrived in 2016 with their second studio album, Stormsurge, released via the German rock specialist label Metal Heaven Records. The album's lead single, Eyes of the Storm, received heavy rotation on European rock radio, propelling the album to number 15 on the Finnish album chart. This success established a dedicated fanbase across the continent and led to their first major festival appearances.

Key tracks

Eyes of the Storm — This single broke the band on rock radio and remains their most streamed track to date.

Chasing the Sun — A track from Beyond the Horizon noted for its anthemic chorus and frequent use in sports highlight reels.

Northern Lights — A slower, epic ballad that showcases the band's melodic depth and is a staple of their live set.

Runaway Train — Featured on the 2021 album Legends, this song highlights their collaboration with producer Peter Tägtgren.

Following Stormsurge, Airborn focused on intensive touring, supporting acts like Stratovarius across Europe, sharing a foundation in powerful Finnish melodic metal. Their 2018 album Beyond the Horizon saw them experiment with broader sonic textures while maintaining their hard rock core. The band later collaborated with Swedish singer Nils Molin on the 2020 single Valkyrie's Call, further expanding their reach within the Scandinavian rock scene. Their most recent studio effort, 2023's Iron WingsThe Night Flight Orchestra, who also master a blend of classic and modern rock aesthetics. The anthemic quality of their songwriting finds parallels in Beast In Black, another Finnish act known for energetic, synth-tinged heavy metal. Listeners drawn to Airborn's melodic guitar harmonies might also explore Brothers Of Metal, who share a similar commitment to large-scale, catchy hard rock compositions.