Is Tampere, Finland, the Capital of Metal?

Finland is the heavy metal country, with more than 50 metal bands for every 100,000 people. That’s more metal bands per capita than anywhere else in the known universe. But which Finnish city has the most metal bands? With more than 20 public saunas, Tampere justifiably calls itself the Sauna Capital of the World. Home to both Finland’s oldest public sauna and its newest, it offers everything from traditional lakeside saunas to modern urban versions. Finnish performers, metal bands included, say nousta lauteille (climb onto the sauna bench) as slang for “going onstage.” After a sauna (or after a gig) you’re usually hellishly hungry, and Tampere is just the place to fill your belly. Traditionally the favourite local food is black blood sausage – there’s no darker nourishment in the whole world. Since Tampere is already the capital of sauna, it also wants to be the Capital of Metal – they’re both freakin’ hot!