Finnish melodic metal band Unén are thrilled to announce the release of their debut album, titled “Forever Winter” and set for release on August 29th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The track “Black Heart” is available today, along with an accompanying official video.
Watch the official video for “Black Heart” below.
Vocalist Stina Girs talked about writing the new song:
“‘Black Heart’ was the first song I was given to shape with lyrics and vocal melodies, and it instantly resonated with me. The title had been echoing in my mind for a while, and the moment I heard the music, I knew – this was it. The song dives deep into the darkness of a toxic relationship, one ruled by manipulation and control at the hands of a narcissist. But at its core, the song is about reclaiming your strength. It’s the breaking point – the moment you rise, take back your power, and refuse to be broken”.
Talking about the album, the band said: “‘Forever Winter’ began to take shape in the spring of 2023, marking a real turning point for us with the arrival of our lead vocalist, Stina Girs. At the time, we had a handful of instrumental tracks in progress – including an early version of what would become ‘Black Heart’ – but when Stina started working on the material, her passion and emotional depth brought everything to life”.
“The creative energy between us took off, and with multiple composers in the band, the songs came together quickly. Musically, the album moves through driving melodic rock, cinematic progressive metal, and moments of haunting stillness – tied together by Stina’s powerful, expressive voice”, they added.
Unén continued: “Lyrically, ‘Forever Winter’ is deeply personal. Stina poured her own lived experiences into every song, transforming pain into melody and storytelling. Each track is a chapter in a journey of catharsis, resilience, and rebirth. Over the following year, we focused on shaping the sound and capturing the heart of the album – an intense but rewarding process that led to our signing with Frontiers Music, who believed in our vision from the beginning. Now, ‘Forever Winter’ is ready to meet the world, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve created”.
Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Unén are a modern melodic metal band, whose music also incorporates elements ranging from progressive to pop, blending intensity with sensitivity in its sound.
Unén was originally founded in late 2021, laying the foundation for the band’s musical style. In 2022, Unén focused on composing and refining production independently, resulting in the release of two self-published tracks. However, after a rollercoaster year, there was a need to change the lineup to accelerate production.
The word “Unén” was derived from the band’s original idea that lyrics would be based on the world of dreams. However, due to lineup changes, this concept took a different direction, but the name remained.
In the beginning of 2023, there was a shift in Unén’s lineup due to the change of lead singer, which notably accelerated all activities. The band members coming together was a series of fortunate coincidences and determined searches, including encounters with old acquaintances. The right people had found each other.
In May 2023, Unén released their first single “Made of Stone” (cover) with new lead singer Stina Girs, who rose to national attention after placing 5th in the Finnish TV show “Idols” in 2010. She later signed a solo contract with Sony Finland, releasing two Finnish language albums.
Inspired by the sound of Evanescence, the current lineup of Unén showcases their unique identity and creative direction. The band has since focused solely on original compositions, with each member contributing equally to the creative process. Bound together by their passion for music – despite having completely different day jobs – Unén stands out for its collaborative spirit and emotionally rich sound.
Pre-order & pre-save “Forever Winter” here.
Tracklist:
1. Prelude for the Wicked
2. My Love’s Broken
3. In My Bones
4. Black Heart
5. Forever Winter
6. Sky
7. Game Over
8. Ice Queen
9. Spoil Me
10. Rose
11. Disappear
Line-up:
Stina Girs – Vocals
Kimmo Pitkänen – Guitars
Petteri Sinervä – Keyboards
Harri Moilanen – Guitars
Tomi Kallava – Bass
Timo Larjo – Drums
Weblinks:
unenband.net
www.facebook.com/unenband
