Skithund Records proudly presents the complete digital collection of Contrast.
We continue our mission to unearth and preserve the hidden gems of Finnish underground music. Today, May 9 2025, marks the long-awaited digital release of the full discography of Contrast, a pioneering crossover metal band from Vaasa, Finland. Originally released on cassette and CD between 1995 and 2000, all six demos and EPs have now been carefully remastered and are available on all major streaming platforms for the first time.
Remastered releases now streaming, click links to GO:
- Entertainment For Men (1995)
- Long Live The Win (1996)
- Full Flavor (1997)
- Release (1998)
- Pooka (1999)
- 2005 (2000)
Formed in 1994, Contrast emerged with a raw fusion of metal’s intensity and hip-hop’s rhythmic pulse, evolving rapidly into a boundary-breaking sound that incorporated heavy riffs, layered vocals, atmospheric synths, and even hints of disco. Their genre-defying style reached its creative peak between the Release EP and the bold 2005 album, showcasing a band unafraid to experiment.
Contrast originally consisted of Saku Holmqvist (drums), Mikko Tamminen (keyboards/vocals), Sami Halmesmäki (vocals), Kim Haglund (bass), and Ove Ritola (guitar). After the tragic loss of Kim Haglund in 1997, Nicklas Hägen joined as bassist, with Ilkka Kujansivu soon completing the lineup as a vocalist.
For many of its members, Contrast was their first “real” band—an ambitious and formative project that paved the way for future musical paths. After the band dissolved, several members went on to make significant contributions to Finnish music.
Mikko Tamminen and Ove Ritola collaborated in the band Conquistadors, releasing two albums in the late 2000s. Tamminen later rose to international acclaim as a producer and songwriter, working with leading Finnish pop and rock acts as well as prominent K-pop artists. Under the solo alias Setä Tamu, he has continued to explore genre-blending hip-hop with a distinct voice. Ritola has remained active in projects such as Graceskull and Mitä Helvettiä Nyt Taas, known for their originality and sonic depth. Meanwhile, Ilkka Kujansivu went on to found Kinkt Records, a label that became a key outlet for Finnish underground releases, including Conquistadors’ debut.
Contrast’s catalog is more than a snapshot of an era—it’s a vital piece of underground music history that still resonates today.
