Another Great Metal Band Returning To The Scene |

Oratorio Is Back

Many of you may not remember Oratorio, or perhaps you’ve never even heard of them. As is often the case, it’s also possible that some of you—who are always going over the same things—may have missed them, though that’s certainly not our case. In fact, revisiting Oratorio reminds me of the good old days of our radio show between 2001 and 2007, when the Finnish band had a spot on the playlist with tracks from their album “The Reality of Existence”—an excellent album that cemented their status as a cult band.
The good news is that Oratorio is back. After a hiatus of several years, the band has reunited, and man, it seems like better late than never!
But as with everything, there’s a story behind the name and the band. A story that began in 1998 and, over the course of those years, resulted in two EPs (“Huuto” and “Vähän” in 1999), as well as the excellent “The Reality Of Existence” from 2003 and “Redemption” from 2006.

“Oratorio was active from 1998 until 2011”, recalls Thomas Mata, the band’s longtime guitarist, who also explains the reasons behind Oratorio’s extended hiatus: “after that the band simply reached a point where it was time to step away. Life moved on and everyone had other things going on, so what initially became a break eventually turned into a much longer hiatus than we probably expected”, he acknowledges.
But nothing lasts forever—not even long hiatuses—especially when Metal seems to be an engine pumping blood through our veins. “In 2026, the timing finally felt right to bring Oratorio back”, Thomas told us. “There was still a strong connection to the band and its music, and most importantly, there was a real desire to create new material again. We didn’t want to come back just for nostalgia. We wanted Oratorio to have a future as well as a past”, and elaborating on the idea, Thomas told us that “There is another important side to it as well. Over the years, we’ve all gained a lot more life experience, and our Christian faith has been part of that journey through both the good times and the difficult ones. Those experiences have given us new perspectives and more to say through our music. In a way, the desire to express those things has only grown stronger with time. So the new songs aren’t simply about picking up where we left off musically. They also reflect who we are today and what we’ve experienced along the way.”
The new songs Thomas Mata is referring to are “On Full Throttle” and “Seconds To May”, recently released as a sort of preview that, on the one hand, celebrates Oratorio’s return to the scene, and on the other, offers a fresh take on their melodic Heavy Metal style. “People can expect melodic Heavy Metal with heavy guitar riffs, strong melodies and memorable choruses, while still sounding recognizably like Oratorio”, the band’s longtime guitarist told us.

In the first track, “On Full Throttle”, the sound is somewhat reminiscent of their debut album and early days; with plenty of riffs and guitars taking center stage, as expected, Oratorio demonstrates its commitment to traditional Heavy Metal. In the case of “Seconds To May”, Oratorio ventures into something much more symphonic, with a somewhat modern edge to its sound—and even some growling vocals here and there—in a sort of slow-paced ballad that still stays within the bounds of Metal.
The song revolves around the finite nature of time and how easy it is to let opportunities slip away if we wait too long to seize them. “Every wasted second is a missed opportunity. “Seconds to May” is about not always waiting for a better moment to act. After such a long break, the idea also fits very well with where Oratorio is today. We are really looking forward to playing the new songs live, as they bring a whole new energy to our shows”, the band said regarding their latest release.
Both “On Full Throttle” and “Seconds to May” suggest that a new album for Oratorio might be on the horizon. Their last album release was “Redemption” 20 years ago. Regarding this, Thomas Mata told us the following: “The singles are not meant to be isolated releases. “On Full Throttle” and “Seconds to May” are the beginning of this new chapter for Oratorio, and we’re continuing to work on new material”, he said, but he also clarified that “At this point, we don’t want to reveal too much about a future album or set anything in stone before we’re ready. Right now the focus is on writing new songs and seeing where that process takes us. But there is certainly more new Oratorio music on the way”.

Oratorio captured its unique personality on its only two albums, in a sort of blend of traditional and melodic Heavy Metal with the occasional influence of Power Metal, but above all, it always made it clear that it was part of the Metal legacy. The question is whether, after so many years, Oratorio would continue down the same path it set out on in its early days, and Thomas Mata is the one who, once again, clears up our doubts: “The old Oratorio is definitely still there”, he said, “…and I think you can hear that in the melodies, guitar work and some of the songwriting. We haven’t tried to leave our past behind or reinvent the band completely. At the same time, I feel the new material takes a step towards a somewhat heavier and more energetic direction”, and he adds to that, “There’s definitely more intensity in what we’re doing now. Maybe our comeback single says it best: “On Full Throttle”. That’s pretty much the attitude we have at the moment. We’re moving forward at full speed and enjoying the energy that comes with it”.
The differences and similarities between the old and new Oratorio aren’t limited to the musical aspect. In this regard, the band maintains its essence rooted in traditional Heavy Metal, but with a sound that’s perhaps more modern. The lyrical aspect is the other side of the coin, and since Oratorio is a band known for its Christian and faith-based lyrics, there’s also been some evolution there to a certain extent. Thomas Mata told us about this: “Another difference is probably the way we’re approaching the lyrics. Our Christian faith and message are still very much the foundation of Oratorio, but at least in the songs we’ve written so far, we’re approaching those themes from a more down-to-earth and personal perspective”, he acknowledges, but immediately clarifies the point: “…for us, it’s a little like meeting someone on the street. Rather than immediately telling that person what they should believe, you might first simply ask, “Hey, how are you? Is there anything I can do to help?” That’s also how we want the lyrics to connect with people. We want to start from real life, from experiences, struggles, choices and things that people can recognize in their own lives”.
Expanding on the concept behind the lyrics of Oratorio’s new songs—or at least the way they approach different themes or stories—Thomas Mata commented that “…underneath those stories, there is still the same foundation of faith. We can share something we’ve experienced ourselves, something that helped us through a difficult situation or changed the way we look at life. And behind that experience, even if we’re not spelling it out in every line, there is ultimately our belief in God’s presence and help. I would say the old Oratorio DNA is still clearly there, but the new version is heavier, more energetic and perhaps more direct. Lyrically, we’re also trying to communicate our faith through real-life experiences in a way that people can relate to, regardless of where they are coming from”.

The truth is that Oratorio is back in full swing, “at full throttle”, as one of their latest songs puts it. Unlike many projects currently in vogue, Oratorio continues to operate as a traditional Heavy Metal band, currently consisting of Joel Hekkala on vocals, Thomas Mata on guitar, Jarmo Happonen on the other guitar, Ilpo Istolainen on bass, and Janne Hietakangas on drums. This new lineup of Oratorio promises a devastating sound and a clear showcase of traditional Metal on their return, which isn’t limited to simply releasing singles on digital platforms. Oratorio has dates and shows scheduled, including November 21 at the “Gatorade Center” in Turku, Finland, and February 13, 2027, at “Valkearock” in Seinäjoki, also in Finland. The band promises an energetic and devastating live sound.
“Once the new songs started taking shape, it became obvious that this was something worth pursuing again. In a way, we’ve come full circle”, concludes Thomas Mata. “Oratorio was originally formed in Finland, Nurmijärvi in 1998, and now we’ve returned to our roots there with new music, a renewed lineup and a lot of fresh energy”.
Time passes; we’re getting older and more mature, but Heavy Metal is still very much alive. Oratorio is back, and that’s no small matter. Below, we’ve included the two singles the band has released this year, as well as their social media links, so you can support the band, follow them, and stay up to date on all their latest news.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576494391877

https://www.instagram.com/oratorio_band