photo by Natalie Pastakeda / https://www.instagram.com/pastakeda/
11th of November 2025 Joel Hokka (ex-Blind Channel) suddenly came back with his new band and the first song In the Darkness. When I listened to it for the first time, everything was very unusual: sound, voice, visuals, style. But I wanted to listen and watch the video again and again, diving deeper into the story and emotions. Now I can tell that In the Darkness is one of the best songs in 2025!
I’m so happy that Joel came back to music and is sharing his feelings with us again. I wish the biggest success to this project and want to thank Joel, Pauli and Jimi so much for their music!
On the 31st of December, HOKKA performed for the first time in the New Year show in Oulu. I saw a different Joel; he was more confident, without pain and fatigue in his eyes. There was a special light in them now. The performance was amazing and fiery! The band performed two songs: In the Darkness and the new one, Death by Cupid’s Arrow.
Death by Cupid’s Arrow was released on the 1st of January and I truly loved it immediately! I think that the lyrics are genius, and the song is a masterpiece. I especially love HOKKA’s style and the story that Joel tells us. I think that the new songs and the album will really surprise me!
My thoughts and emotions about Heart Said No are in this article
19.02.2026 | The third single by Finnish rock band HOKKA out now
On March 20, Blackbird was released, the forth and last single before drop the album. I really liked the amazing guitar riff and emotions of the track. The most powerful and best beginning of the album!
On April 24, Via Miseria IV released. I wrote the article where described my thoughts and emotions about the album.