ROCKFEST FINLAND EXPLODES AS SHIELD OF PAIN 2025 TOUR KICKS OFF!
“What a Great Way to Start the Firestorm!”
TAMPERE, FINLAND – June 28, 2025. Lightning cracked across the sky, but not even a Nordic thunderstorm could drown the roar of 80,000 screaming fans as the Shield of Pain 2025 Tour launched in explosive fashion at Rockfest Finland. The opening salvo of what promises to be one of the most aggressive, emotional, and unrelenting heavy metal tours in recent memory lived up to every expectation—and then some.
Headlined by the fearsome foursome known as Shield of Pain—a supergroup forged in fire from members of Judas Priest, Slayer, Lamb of God, and Sabaton—the band wasted no time igniting the festival with a relentless setlist that stretched nearly two hours.
“Finland… you are the chosen beginning!” roared lead vocalist Dante Raze, the gravel-throated frontman formerly of Deathclaw, as pyrotechnics exploded behind him and a wall of sound erupted.
THE RETURN OF METAL’S NEW TITANS
The Shield of Pain formed in late 2023 as a studio-only collaboration between guitarist K.K. Downing (ex-Judas Priest), drummer Dave Lombardo (ex-Slayer), bassist Johanna Sköld (ex-Sabaton), and vocalist Dante Raze. But after the overwhelming success of their debut album Blood Crown, the band caved to fan pressure and assembled for a world tour in 2025.
Their arrival in Finland marks not only their live debut, but also the unleashing of a touring spectacle unlike anything the metal world has seen since the days of Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere Back in Time.”
Opening Night Setlist:
- Crimson Howl
- Ashes Over Europe
- Battlepriest
- March of the Broken Kings
- Sinner’s Cathedral
- Doomsteel
- Epitaph in Fire
- Shield of Pain
- Immortal’s Debt (encore)
- Blades of Eternity (encore)
Each track was delivered with feral precision. The stage was dressed like a gothic battlefield—complete with smoke-belching gargoyle statues, 20-foot flame columns, and a giant rotating shield emblazoned with the band’s crimson emblem.
DATES ANNOUNCED – THE TOUR STORMS THE WORLD
With Finland conquered, Shield of Pain unveiled their full 2025 tour schedule, and it’s a metalhead’s dream. From intimate underground venues in Tokyo to arena mayhem in Berlin and a triple-night finale at L.A.’s legendary Forum, this is no ordinary world tour—it’s a pilgrimage.
⚔️ SHIELD OF PAIN 2025 – GLOBAL TOUR DATES ⚔️
EUROPE LEG
- June 28 – Tampere, Finland – Rockfest Finland (Opening Night)
- July 1 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum Arena
- July 3 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
- July 5 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
- July 8 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
- July 10 – Krakow, Poland – Tauron Arena
- July 13 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Universum
- July 16 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
- July 18 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum
- July 21 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
- July 24 – London, UK – O2 Arena
- July 26 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
ASIA LEG
- August 3 – Dubai, UAE – Coca-Cola Arena
- August 6 – Mumbai, India – D.Y. Patil Stadium
- August 10 – Osaka, Japan – Intex Hall
- August 12 – Tokyo, Japan – Nippon Budokan
- August 15 – Seoul, South Korea – KSPO Dome
OCEANIA LEG
- August 20 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
- August 23 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
- August 26 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
NORTH AMERICA LEG
- September 5 – Toronto, Canada – Scotiabank Arena
- September 7 – Montreal, Canada – Bell Centre
- September 10 – New York City, USA – Madison Square Garden
- September 13 – Chicago, USA – United Center
- September 15 – Denver, USA – Ball Arena
- September 18 – Dallas, USA – American Airlines Center
- September 21 – Phoenix, USA – Footprint Center
- September 24–26 – Los Angeles, USA – The Forum (3-Night Grand Finale)
METAL FAMILY GROWS: SURPRISE COLLABS, GUESTS
The opening night in Finland wasn’t without its surprises. Midway through Battlepriest, none other than Rob Halford emerged in full leather and spikes, joining K.K. Downing for a blazing guitar/vocal showdown that left fans breathless.
Also spotted in the wings: members of Ghost, Nightwish, and even James Hetfield of Metallica, watching the spectacle unfold from the VIP section.
“This isn’t just a tour,” Halford said. “It’s a declaration. Metal never died—it just sharpened its blade.”
CRITICAL ACCLAIM: REVIEWS POUR IN
Within hours of the show’s end, social media was ablaze and critics were quick to weigh in.
- Metal Hammer UK: “A volcanic eruption of modern metal mythology. March to this Shield—or be crushed by it.”
- Rolling Stone: “Combining theater, fury, and soul, Shield of Pain could be the most important heavy metal tour of the decade.”
- Blabbermouth.net: “Every solo. Every scream. Every riff. Pure punishment. Pure poetry.”
FAN REACTIONS
Outside Rockfest gates, fans covered in face paint, armor, and tears summed up the moment:
“That wasn’t a concert—it was a war hymn,” said Katja L., a 34-year-old fan from Helsinki.
“I flew from Brazil for this,” added Marco S. “I’ll follow the Shield until the last show. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted from metal.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
With Shield of Pain off to an earth-shaking start, anticipation is sky-high for what’s to come. Rumors swirl of a live album, an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary, and even talks of a Shield of Pain: The Metal Opera to be adapted for stage or screen.
But for now, the world tour barrels forward—country to country, city to city, stage to stage.
And the message is clear:
“The Shield is raised. The Pain begins. Long live metal.”
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