Viikate is releasing Meillä on siivet on Friday, October 9 as part of its 30th-anniversary celebration V30V. The single will be available on seven-inch vinyl and streaming services. Singer K describes it as a love song about the passage of time, with guitars reminiscent of a frosty morning’s crisp crackle and diamonds sparkling in a wintry hourglass.
The accompanying music video was produced in collaboration with the city of Kouvola and the local university of applied sciences Xamk. Director Tuomas Petsalo from Medialouhos lets pink balloons guide the story through the hometown’s settings, including locations seen in the band’s earlier videos. He says the intention was to make something more colorful and brighter than usual, while retaining the melancholy, black humor, and the band’s twisted outlook on life.
The city’s head of communications and marketing, Charissa McCarron, emphasizes that the group has kept its roots visible on Finland’s music map for decades. She welcomes the hometown’s involvement in the anniversary project, describing culture as a means to build community and a positive sense of place.
Planned concerts:
The band was founded in 1996 by guitarist and singer Kaarle Viikate and drummer Simeoni Viikate. The classic lineup took shape when guitarist Arvo Viikate and bassist Ervo Viikate later joined. The group’s own term “rautalankametal” describes music that combines heavy, melodic riffs with the Finnish schlager tradition. Death, loss, and the darkness of everyday life are recurring themes in their lyrics.
The group’s catalog includes 15 studio albums, nine EPs, 21 singles, and three compilation albums, as well as 18 music videos and two feature-length DVD releases. The band has performed over 700 shows.
Six releases have been certified gold: the albums Marraskuun lauluja I, Marraskuun Lauluja II, Kuu kaakon yllä, and Petäjäveräjät, the compilation album Kuutamo, kaiho ja katkeruus, and the DVD Leimu.