By Carlos Ramirez |
|

6.8.2026

Finland’s Ecotage first appeared on No Echo in 2024, just as they were set to release their debut EP, Devastation. True to the legacy of bands like Earth Crisis, Day of Suffering, and All Out War, Ecotage has spent the time since pushing their sound and message forward.

Their new EP, Redemption, builds on their metallic hardcore roots, adding sharper melodies and drawing from a wider set of influences.

Redemption keeps its core in animal liberation and environmental activism, but Ecotage now looks further, tackling hierarchy, freedom, direct action, and how people relate to the natural world. The track “The Beast Within” draws directly from Finland’s ongoing wolf persecution, a subject vocalist Ulla explores below.

I spoke with vocalist Ulla and guitarist Olli about the new EP, the band’s growth, their plans for the road, and why hope still drives Ecotage’s message.

Catch us up—what’s been going on with the band since we last featured you on No Echo in 2024?

(Olli, guitars): Since then, our debut EP, Devastation, was released in June 2024. We played a lot of shows around Finland and visited Sweden on a couple of occasions, too.

Looking back, what’s changed the most about the band since those early days?

(Olli): In the early days, the lineup was still taking shape. The first EP was made almost entirely as a three-piece (Olli, Tomi, and Ulla). Niko had been with us ever since the live shows started in 2022, but the lineup kept changing a bit during the early years.

In April 2024, the lineup solidified as Kari joined on bass. And now, in early 2026, we faced another lineup change when we parted ways with Tomi on drums. Besides lead guitar, Niko handled the drums for our new EP.

Redemption by Ecotage

Your newer material feels like a step forward. What were you trying to push or refine this time?

(Olli): Thank you! Good to see you noticed.

The first EP was composed in a relatively short time, with the aim of creating Arkangel-style vegan mosh music. After a few sessions, we had enough songs and went on to record. All the instruments were recorded by me and Tomi.

With the new material, we took our time to get it just right. I tried to understand what Ecotage is all about. I kept the original formula of chugga-chugga riffs and double-bass drumming, but experimented with melodic parts to keep the songs more interesting. We also emphasize making the breakdowns hit harder than the first time around.

After playing the first EP’s songs live, it became clear that with two guitars it made sense to introduce more harmonies and leads. Some songs from the first EP, “Decline” and “Into Dust,” already had some of those ideas, and now we took everything to the next level. The addition of Niko as lead guitarist helps, as I think the leads add a lot of layers.

(Ulla, vocals): With this record, we wanted to refine and deepen our expression. Before the actual writing process, I spent some time researching and reflecting on the themes behind the songs in order to better understand what I wanted to communicate through the lyrics.

In addition, Olli and I had discussions about the atmosphere of the songs and the thematic continuity of the record. We also put more emphasis on the vocal production and spent more time refining the details together.

(Olli): “The Beast Within” is the final song on the EP and is quite unique for us. That’s why we wanted to highlight the song by releasing it as a lyric video.

Once the theme of the song was set around wolves, I wanted the riffs to reflect wilderness and melancholy. So it became quite epic and Gothenburg death metal-influenced. The ending was inspired by death metal bands like Vital Remains and Torture Killer, who always know how to combine aggressive music with melancholic melodies.

This makes it obvious that our musical influences are getting wider while still staying true to the original Ecotage sound.


Photo: Aslak Junttu

Talk to me a bit about Finland’s ongoing wolf persecution. I have to admit that I had never heard of this issue before.

(Ulla): The wolf is classified as an endangered species in Finland. Despite this, at the beginning of 2026 a decision was made that enabled the quota-based hunting of one hundred wolves. In addition to this quota, wolves are also killed under various derogation permits as well as through illegal poaching. By the end of January, a large proportion of the 100 wolves permitted under the quota had already been killed.

The preparation of this legislative change and the justifications provided for it were questionable, and the decision-making process was politically motivated. Expert recommendations were not sufficiently taken into account, while the Finnish Hunters’ Association, a lobbying organization representing the interests of hunters rather than providing scientific expertise, was given a concerning degree of influence.

Wolves belong in Finland’s natural environment, and large predators are an essential part of ecosystems. It is also important to remember that wolves have intrinsic value and a right to exist, just as human beings do.

The killing of wolves enabled by this legislative change is irresponsible and short-sighted. Although some politicians and organizations promote a different narrative, the wolf population in Finland remains highly endangered. The primary reason for the wolf’s endangered status is hunting—humans killing wolves.

What newer hardcore bands have been catching your attention lately, live or on record?

(Olli): From new Finnish bands, I’ve been listening mostly to xVeritex and Fools Die. From Sweden, xSerenityx sounded really great, and I’m looking forward to catching them live.

While not new bands, I’ve been enjoying the latest releases from Domain, Times of Desperation, and Blackest Dawn. Other than that, I’ve mostly been listening to brutal death metal such as Emaciate and Ablation.

READ MORE: 12 Newer Hardcore Bands to Check Out in 2026

What should people expect next from you in the coming months?

(Olli): Redemption has been out since May 22. It’s an international collaboration between many great labels. Genet, Bound By Modern Age, and Bitter Melody handle the vinyl, BBMA and Life Sentence released the CD, and we have cassette editions coming from BBMA and Unvanquished x Strange Horizon in Europe and Life Sentence in the U.S.

Distribution is wide, so be sure to grab a copy in Europe or the U.S.

Then in June we start our “Redemption Over Europe” tour. We are going to play mainland Europe, the Baltics, and Scandinavia. We’re also playing Ieperfest, which is awesome. It’s the best European hardcore festival, with all-vegan food and catering, plus a More Than Music tent featuring activist organizations spreading information.


Photo: Jetro Stavén / @hcphotosbyjetro

What else would you like to share with No Echo’s readership about Redemption, the band, or anything else?

(Ulla): The central theme of our new EP is hope that emerges through action. In a time like this, when it can feel like everything good in the world is crumbling and fading away, it is more important than ever to rise in resistance and stand up for the things we hold dear.

Instead of giving in to hatred, we must nurture love—compassion is a choice. We must challenge prevailing norms and authorities because resistance carries the promise of change.

Redemption is dedicated to everyone fighting for animal liberation, human liberation, and environmental justice. Hope is not something to wait for—it is something we create through action.

Choose compassion.

***

Redemption is out now via the following record labels:

Genet Records (BE) – Vinyl/CD
Bound By Modern Age (DE) – Vinyl/CD/CS/Merch
Bitter Melody (US) – Vinyl
Life Sentence Records (US) – CD/CS

Ecotage on social media: Instagram

European tour dates:
06/27 – Örebro, SE, Tegelbruket
06/28 – Gothenburg, SE, Symbiont Culture
06/29 – Copenhagen, DK, Jagtvej 65
06/30 – Hamburg, DE, Quarterpipe
07/01 – Giessen, DE, AK44
07/02 – Hengelo, NL, Innocent
07/05 – Ypres, BE, Ieperfest
07/06 – Berlin, DE, Neue Zukunft
07/07 – Dresden, DE, Ostpol
07/08 – Szczecin, PL, Wake Park
07/09 – HELP NEEDED, PL
07/10 – Vilnius, LT, XI20
07/11 – Riga, LV, Ādminu 4
07/12 – Tallinn, EE, Kotka Kultuurimaja

Tagged: ecotage

About the Author

Carlos Ramirez

Owner of No Echo, Carlos Ramirez has played in the bands Black Army Jacket, Hope Collapse, and Deny the Cross. Born and raised in Queens, NY, Carlos resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids.