28.04.2026 | Maria Gribanova
no music no life | music blog: rock and metal

Every musician is unique because they create their own special world, where they can truly be themselves, show honesty, and share their deepest feelings.

Of course, it was very painful for me when Joel Hokka left Blind Channel. But when he came back with a new band, I slowly realized that it was the best decision. Here, he became who he was meant to be — a songwriter and performer of his own music, a hero for broken people, and the creator of his own universe. And most importantly — be happy.

It’s scary to imagine that Joel could have quit music completely — he was so burned out in spring 2025. However, deep and honest conversations with Pauli Rantasalmi (ex-The Rasmus), who had gone through a similar experience, and an amazing live show by Ghost in Helsinki brought his inspiration back. These meetings turned into songwriting sessions and later into a unique project with a very cinematic and beautiful world. From the very first singles, we were drawn into melancholy, darkness, and the Nordic atmosphere, as well as the feeling of cult movies from the 2000s. The sound of the songs brings us back to the golden era of Finnish rock, with elements of modern alternative rock and metal.

On April 24, 2026, one year after leaving Blind Channel, Joel released his debut album Via Miseria IV with his new project HOKKA. Via Miseria is not just a “path of suffering”, but a state of mind of the main character, where he goes through pain, loss, and personal struggles. The number IV in the title is a reference to Star Wars, as the band would like to create a trilogy of albums inspired by famous films.

As for the album cover, I think it’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. It was painted by Joel himself on canvas using acrylic. In the artwork, he shows himself as a warrior in a red cape, going through many struggles and hardships in his life. He uses the same image in music videos and on stage. The microphone made from a real katana looks very powerful, as well as the flowing red cape. The scar on his face reminds us that this journey was not easy.

According to Joel, the album is very personal. And this is very important when a musician is honest with their followers. When I listen to Via Miseria IV, I can really feel it. The album includes 10 amazing tracks that instantly bring you into a cinematic world of the 2000s. Scenes appear in my head by themselves, which almost never happens to me. This is because the music perfectly delivers everything Joel wanted to say.

When we hear songs for the first time, we usually notice the sound first and then the lyrics. I’m sure everyone will find melodies in this album that will touch their heart. Thanks to powerful guitar riffs by Pauli and drum parts by Jimi Aslak, the album creates an atmosphere where everyone can feel at home and understand that they’re not alone.

Now I would like to say a few words about each song, because I discovered a lot and even learned something new.

The riff of the first track Blackbird caught my attention immediately — it’s a very powerful opening that sets the mood for the whole album. The meaning of the song is quite deep. I feel it as motivation to keep going — even at your lowest point, you can stand up and move forward. For yourself, first of all, because no one else will come to save you. When I understood this, I felt better.

The second track In the Darkness became the introduction to the HOKKA project. It happened very suddenly, and I’ll never forget the emotions of that day. The song also shows the main idea of the project — the darkness inside the main character has become a part of him. He’s not afraid of it. It’s his home.

Death by Cupid’s Arrow is Joel’s personal love story — but not a happy one. It shows the painful side of love. I have never experienced something like this, but the way he describes his feelings is so real that I can still feel them. For people who go through the same thing, this song can be the support they need — you will never walk this path alone.

The title track Via Miseria tells about the same state Joel went through a year ago. I was especially impressed by the line “Crucified in minor keys”, which shows that

the whole album is about accepting your feelings and turning pain into music. But the most important thing is to keep moving forward, even if it’s a path of suffering. Because it leads you back home, to your true self.

Heart Said No was the song that made me cry the moment I heard the snippet. Here Joel shows the darkest parts of his soul and who he really is inside. The line “I found a beauty in the pain” connects the whole album. It helped me understand that even when everything is falling apart, there is always something worth living for — something that makes you happy, instead of thoughts that only destroy you from inside.

When I saw the tracklist of the album, the title Bon Appetit caught my attention right away. I was curious about its meaning. It turned out to be deeper than I expected. Here revenge is presented like a main dish. I think it’s a negative feeling, but everyone experiences it at some point. In my opinion, the song is not about revenge against another person, but maybe against your own weakness and burnout. And this album is proof of overcoming it.

When I first heard the snippet of Murder Ballad (Dying Flame), I didn’t want it to end — it’s beautiful from the very first second. The track takes me to a dark place where the only light is a huge flame. I’m impressed not only by the sound and emotions, but also by the lyrics. It describes such a strong feeling of love that it almost feels overwhelming. I sometimes feel the same about certain songs — they are so amazing that I want to disappear inside them forever. And this is not an exaggeration. This track is one of them.