Kouvola, Finland

Choosing a name that translates as "Druid of the Stone Forest" in their native tongue, Finnish symphonic folk-metal group Kivimetsän Druidi was founded in 2002 by brothers Joni (guitar/vocals) and Antti Koskinen (synthesizers), who collaborated with numerous henchmen over the ensuing years on a handful of self-released demos and EPs, including 2004's Taival, 2006's Mustan Valtikan Aika, 2007's The New Chapter, and 2008's Taottu. This body of work eventually earned Kivimetsän Druidi a deal with Century Media, and by year's end, the Koskinens and their present bandmates, Leeni-Maria Hovila (vocals), Antti Rinkinen (guitar), Simo Lehtonen (bass), and Atte Marttinen (drums), released their first full album, Shadowheart, whose lyrics were reportedly inspired by a fantasy novel written by Joni Koskinen about the "Land of the Crystal Mountain and Stone Forest." ~ Eduardo Rivadavia