The Rasmus are a Finnish rock band formed in Helsinki in 1994 while its members were still attending school. The group was founded by vocalist and songwriter Lauri Ylönen, bassist Eero Heinonen, guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi, and drummer Jarno Lahti. Over the years, the lineup evolved, with drummer Aki Hakala joining in 1999 and guitarist Emilia "Emppu" Suhonen replacing longtime member Pauli Rantasalmi in 2022. Across more than three decades of activity, The Rasmus has become one of Finland's most successful rock bands, achieving widespread international recognition.
The band began its career under the name Rasmus, releasing the albums Peep, Playboys, and Hell of a Tester during the late 1990s, all of which found success in Finland. Before releasing their fourth studio album, Into, in 2001, they adopted the name The Rasmus to avoid confusion with another artist. Into marked the band's international breakthrough, driven by successful singles such as “F-F-F-Falling” and “Chill,” which introduced their music to audiences across Europe.
Global success followed in 2003 with the release of Dead Letters. The album became a worldwide hit, while its lead single, “In the Shadows,” emerged as one of the defining rock songs of the decade, reaching the top of charts in numerous countries. Additional singles including “First Day of My Life,” “Guilty,” and “Funeral Song” further expanded the band's international audience. The success of Dead Letters led to extensive world tours throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. To date, The Rasmus has sold more than six million albums worldwide and earned numerous Finnish and international music awards.
Subsequent albums including Hide from the Sun, Black Roses, The Rasmus, Dark Matters, and Rise demonstrated the band's continued artistic evolution while maintaining their signature blend of alternative rock, pop rock, and melodic songwriting. In 2022, they represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Jezebel,” introducing the band to a new generation of listeners. In 2025, they released their eleventh studio album, Weirdo, continuing a career defined by longevity and creative growth.
Renowned for Lauri Ylönen's distinctive voice, emotionally driven songwriting, and powerful live performances, The Rasmus remains one of Finland's most influential rock bands and one of the country's most successful musical exports, continuing to inspire audiences around the world.
