Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Finnish guitarist Jarmo Puolakanaho, best known as the founding member of Eternal Tears of Sorrow, has returned to the metal scene with an entirely new project. His new band, Nebula Arcana, merges melodic death metal with symphonic and progressive elements, creating a cinematic soundscape that explores humanity’s final moments.
The group’s upcoming debut concept album, due in 2026, tells the story of the last twelve months before the end of the world. Each song introduces a different character, capturing their fears, hopes, and unique way of facing inevitable extinction. The idea is not only to deliver music, but also to provide listeners with space to reflect on the upheavals of recent years.
Nebula Arcana features an impressive line-up of Finnish metal musicians:
With two distinctive vocalists, the band’s sound promises to be richly layered, dynamic and emotionally diverse.
Speaking about the formation of Nebula Arcana, Puolakanaho explained:
“When Eternal Tears of Sorrow went on hiatus in autumn 2023, I began thinking about what kind of band I’d form if I started from a clean slate. After a year of writing and reflecting, I knew I wanted a real, touring band. Then everything started to fall into place, one piece at a time. Talented people joined both the band and its team, and the ideas grew larger than I ever expected. Why leave things halfway, when you can do them as well as possible?”
Puolakanaho remains the main songwriter, while each member contributes ideas and arrangements. The lyrical storytelling is handled primarily by the two vocalists, with input from the wider creative circle surrounding the band. Together they are developing the narrative and characters for the album, titled The Last Ember.
Nebula Arcana is also focusing on the visual and narrative side of their concept. Promo photos by Vesa Ranta, outfits by Nina Korento, and hair & make-up by Aino Mäkelä emphasize the band’s striking artistic identity. The album’s logo was designed by Petri Lampela, and future live shows are planned to integrate imagery, storytelling and atmosphere into a unified experience.
The group is currently seeking collaboration partners, from record labels to booking and management, while their extended production team has been growing steadily for more than a year. International touring is already on the horizon.
The first audio previews of Nebula Arcana will arrive in spring 2026, with the full-length debut following later that year. Fans can expect a blend of heaviness, melancholy and grandeur — a sound that is both apocalyptic and hopeful.
Follow the band on social media:
