Biography
Formed in 2015 by Anton Kabanen following a decade spent as lead guitarist in Helsinki power metal classicists Battle Beast, the melodic Finnish power metal quintet Beast in Black drew influence from Judas Priest, Accept, and Manowar. The lineup was completed by singer Yannis Papadopoulos, rhythm guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen, bassist Mate Molnar, and drummer Sami Hänninen. After signing with Nuclear Blast, the group issued its debut album Berserker in 2017; the well-received set climbed to number seven in Finland, performed strongly across Europe, and helped the band gain traction within the international metal community. Early the following year, shortly before supporting fellow Finns Nightwish on tour, it was announced that Atte Palokangas would replace Hänninen, making his studio debut on the 2019 follow-up From Hell with Love. Beast in Black returned in October 2021 with Dark Connection, its third long-player, which Kabanen recorded, produced, and mixed.