Review GINGER EVIL “The Way it Burns”

The roots of Ginger Evil go back to 2005 when the band started as Moonshine Inc. Even though the guys were composing, the search for a singer wasn’t successful and the band was put on ice.

Fortunately, Tomi Julkunen and Veli Palevaara decided to put the songs out of their hibernation a few years later, and when they found a great singer in Ella Tepponen, the journey of Ginger Evil could finally start.

“The Way it Burns” is the title of the debut album, which contains twelve excellent rock songs, starting with the upbeat “Rainmaker”. The song sets the tone for the album as it contains the main elements of Ginger Evil. Hard rocking guitars and great vocals are two pillars for the band’s sound and “Rainmaker” unveils both in a great way. I have to say that I’m really impressed by Ella Tepponen’s vocals. She has a very powerful voice and a range from rough rock vocals to wild screams. But also the quieter moments have a special charm. “Flames” is such a track where the melodies are in the foreground, and although it is one of the more emotional songs on the album, there is still enough rock spirit in it.

The power of rock can be heard in songs like “Hands Move to Midnight” and the throbbing “Last Froniers. The latter comes more towards the end of “The Way it Burns” and shows the consistency when it comes to these twelve tracks.

Ginger Evil and their debut album are one of the surprises of 2025. “The Way it Burns” is a hard rock album that shows some edges, but also pays a lot of attention to hooks and well-crafted melodies. The mixture isn’t exactly new. In this case, however, the four-piece from Helsinki put a lot of heart and soul into the songs, which, together with the talent to write such songs, is a key element for success. This album is entertaining and a pleasure to listen to.