Finnish rockers Shiraz Lane have never been a band to shy away from evolution, but with In Vertigo, their upcoming album set for release on October 24, 2025, they don’t just evolve—they explode into an entirely new dimension. Released via Frontiers Music Srl, and available on CD, digital, white vinyl, and a limited edition gold vinyl, In Vertigo is a slick, high-voltage blend of pop-metal hooks, fearless genre experimentation, and unapologetic rock ’n’ roll swagger.
From the very first blast of “Stone Cold Lover”, In Vertigo grabs you by the collar. Guitarists Jani Laine and Miki Kalske unleash a tightly wound, twin-axe attack that balances modern punch with classic flair, while Hannes Kett commands the mic with his signature mix of melodic finesse and theatrical fire. There’s a real sense of urgency in this opener—an invitation to dive headfirst into a sonic whirlwind.
The previously released singles give a clear window into the album’s strengths. “Dangerous” is an arena-sized monster, a stomping anthem that feels tailor-made for festival stages. The band lock in like clockwork, thanks in no small part to Joel Alex’s driving bass lines and the always on-point percussion of Ana Vilkkumaa, whose drumming elevates every chorus drop and rhythmic twist.
The album’s midsection builds a bridge between those extremes. “The Ray of Light” is perhaps the band’s most ambitious track to date—layered, progressive, and melodically intricate without ever losing its punch. “Live A Little More” carries a powerful message of self-empowerment with a playful rhythm and a tongue-in-cheek wink. It’s the kind of song that would make a killer road trip soundtrack, built for long stretches of highway and windows-down freedom.
“Babylon” turns the mood a touch darker, leaning into heavier riffage and lyrics that hint at social decay and inner turmoil. Yet even here, Shiraz Lane find melody and motion. Then there’s “Sayonara Love”, a heartfelt breakup ballad dressed up in thunderous drums and sharp-edged guitar—the emotional counterpoint to the anthemic energy of “Bullsh!t”, a defiant, no-holds-barred rocker that refuses to be ignored. Kett’s vocal versatility really shines here as he flips between fury, fun, and finesse.
“Plastic Heart” with its emotional depth. It’s a slower burn, but that doesn’t make it any less gripping. Hannes Kett delivers a vulnerable performance here, his voice pulling at the frayed edges of heartbreak without ever losing control. This track shows Shiraz Lane’s growth—not only in sound, but in lyrical substance. There’s pain, beauty, and acceptance wrapped into a polished production that never dulls the raw nerve underneath.
If “Plastic Heart” is the cry in the night, “Come Alive” is the sunrise after the storm. A perfect summer banger, as the band describes it, “Come Alive” is euphoric from the first riff. Laine’s guitar work is particularly standout here—bright, expressive, and bursting with a celebratory energy that lifts the song from a rock jam into a spiritual call to arms. “It’s the ultimate soundtrack for letting loose and living in the heat of the moment,” the band claims, and they’re absolutely right. With this track, they don’t just ask you to come alive—they make you.
The closing duo of “Come Alive” and “Brand New Day” form a triumphant one-two punch to end the album. The latter is a true highlight: optimistic, invigorating, and full of light, it wraps the album in a sense of hope without sounding forced. It’s a fitting finale to an album that thrives on contrasts—between wildness and structure, heartbreak and healing, the past and a wide-open future.
The production—helmed once again by longtime collaborator Per Aldeheim (Def Leppard, H.E.A.T, Pain)—deserves praise in its own right. Aldeheim strikes the perfect balance between gloss and grit, allowing each instrument to shine without overcrowding the mix. His ability to amplify the band’s already towering sound gives In Vertigo a cinematic feel—an album that sounds just as massive through headphones as it would blaring from a festival PA.
What sets In Vertigo apart is its refusal to settle. Rather than rehashing past glories, Shiraz Lane lean into bold experimentation and honest emotion. Tracks like “Dangerous” and “Bullsh!t” hit hard, while others like “Plastic Heart” and “Sayonara Love” add depth and soul. All the while, the band stays rooted in the melodic hard rock tradition that first won them fans across the globe.
Since their early days, Shiraz Lane have opened for legends like KISS and Deep Purple, played on the Monsters of Rock cruise, and built a dedicated fanbase from Europe to South America to Japan. With In Vertigo, they’ve not only justified that international buzz—they’ve surpassed it.
This is a band unafraid of taking risks and unashamedly embracing big choruses, complex emotions, and larger-than-life riffs. With In Vertigo, Shiraz Lane prove they’re not just one of Finland’s finest exports—they’re at the forefront of the next wave of modern melodic rock.
Verdict: 9/10 — In Vertigo is a wild ride of hooks, heart, and high-octane ambition. Shiraz Lane aren’t following the genre—they’re rewriting it.
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