Rifftera

Rifftera is a Finnish metal band that started in 2010 as a passion project by guitarist Janne Hietala in Vaasa, originally aiming to release riff-driven material that had been brewing for years. The lineup grew organically with friends and former bandmates, including keyboardist Antti Pöntinen and bassist Jupe Karhu, later adding guitarist/vocalist Mikko Kuoppamaa in 2012 and drummer Ville Härkönen in 2016. They’ve carved a niche with their melodic death/thrash hybrid sound, releasing their homemade debut *Pitch Black* in 2015 (featuring Soilwork’s Björn Strid on one track) and the more polished *Across the Acheron* in 2019, followed by their 2024 EP *Coda*. Known for DIY ethics and dueling vocals, they balance harsh screams, clean vocals, and keyboards over thrashy riffs while maintaining a self-produced approach.