Finland sends old acquaintances to the Eurovision Song Contest: The Rasmus, who scored an international hit with “In the shadows”

The Rasmus has been around since the mid 90s. They started as a group of teenage friends, who made music together in high school. Guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi left the group in early 2022. Since then, The Rasmus has featured a woman: singer and guitarist Emilia “Emppu” Suhonen.

After international success in Scandinavia in the early 2000s, they broke through in various European countries – including Belgium – with their fifth album “Dead Letters”. The first single from it “In the shadows” becomes a big hit all over Scandinavia and Western Europe. The penetrating and hoarse voice of frontman Lauri Ylönen stands out in particular.

The group also has success in the UK and tries in the US, but can never quite match the success of that one hit. But for a large part of the European audience, The Rasmus will sound familiar. And recognisability and stage experience can both be an advantage in a major song contest such as the Eurovision Song Contest.

Finland will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in the second semifinal, on Thursday 12 May, just like our Jérémie Makiese. The Belgian candidate was chosen by the RTBF this year. The number with which he will represent our country is not yet known.

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