The metal band Garden of Stone from Tampere has released their new single, 'Obsession', as a preview for the highly anticipated second album 'For the World of the Obsolete'. The album will be released on December 11, 2026 via the renowned Finnish label Inverse Records, marking another important step in the band's development within the metal scene.
'Obsession' boasts Garden of Stone’s innovative songwriting and ability to push genre boundaries. The track was created collaboratively by Jere Mäntysalo, Jesse Salo, Kalle Hänninen, Tapio Haverinen, and Ville Penkari, and merges groove-based riffs, expressive solos, and an emotional vocal performance by Jesse Salo. The band skillfully weaves influences from melodic death metal, black metal, and progressive metal while maintaining cohesion and a unique band sound.
The single’s soundscape was mixed and mastered by Joona Muistola at HAW Studios to achieve a powerful and nuanced result reflecting the band’s ambitions. The single artwork, designed by guitarist Ville Penkari, visually captures the same intensity and atmosphere as heard in the music. 'Obsession' is now available for streaming via various digital platforms.
Garden of Stone are known for their uncompromising approach to genre-crossing music and, despite being practically classified as death metal, also draw inspiration from rock, shoegaze, and many metal styles. The band’s unpredictability and creative fusion of influences have earned them a loyal following, with each song offering new surprises – from heavy riffs and evocative melodies to groove-laden sections and extreme drumming. This further solidifies the band's reputation as innovative composers in contemporary metal.
'Obsession' is one of several tracks on the forthcoming 'For the World of the Obsolete' album. The album’s tracklist is varied and includes the following songs:
- Silence Falters
- Create, Doctrinate, Incinerate
- Nightcrawler
- Red Giraffe
- Obsession
- Road Without A Path
- Butterfly of Wasted Prayers
- Satumaa-tango
The album’s sound has been shaped by Joona Muistola’s mixing and mastering, while Matias Stenman is behind the striking cover artwork. The lineup for this release consists of Jere Mäntysalo and Ville Penkari (guitars), Jesse Salo (vocals), Kalle Hänninen (bass), and Tapio Haverinen (drums) – a tight and dynamic quintet ready to make a strong impression.
Garden of Stone’s new chapter follows their debut 'Tides of Decay' from February 2024 as well as the full-length 'The Grave Mistake' released in February 2025. With each release, the band continues to cement its position in both Finnish and European metal. The latest single 'Obsession' not only sets the bar for the upcoming album but also underscores Garden of Stone's desire to push the boundaries of modern metal.
