PRESS RELEASE – January 23, 2026
For immediate release

Formed in Helsinki in 2011, progressive heavy rock band 3rd Trip will release their second full-length album on February 27. From the long and meticulously crafted record, the album’s title track “Mosaic” has been chosen as the first and only single.

“We’ve been working on this album with great dedication since 2020. We even had to record it twice to reach the result we were aiming for. This song really brings together all the new elements we’ve introduced into our music,” says drummer Joona Mikkonen-Pakkala.

“Mosaic deals with the evolution of humanity and our home planet, our place in the universe, and the constant state of change that defines all existence,” explains bassist and vocalist Jouni Leppikangas, describing the album’s core themes.

3rd Trip released their debut album Scale of Confusion in 2017 via the Greek label Sound-Effect Records. Originally formed as a trio, the band later expanded into a four-piece with the addition of synthesist Eero Puhakka. Releases have appeared sparingly over the years, but according to the band, quality has always taken priority over quantity.

Throughout their career, 3rd Trip have toured extensively across Finland and performed multiple times in Sweden and Estonia. The pandemic years and changes in the members’ family lives brought active touring to a halt, and during the lockdown period the band focused fully on writing and recording the upcoming album. During these years, the band’s sound and identity truly came into focus.

“We haven’t set any artificial genre boundaries for ourselves. We no longer see ourselves as a stoner, doom, or any other pigeonholed ‘fuzz’ band, even though those genres were important influences and more clearly present on our debut album. After a long period of searching, it feels like we’ve finally found our own thing,” says guitarist Marko Puhakka.

Generic stoner riffing and slow-burning grooves have given way to a more progressive and experimental sound. The band cites influences such as Tool, Porcupine Tree, and Ozric Tentacles, while also acknowledging the lasting impact of Kingston Wall.

The single “Mosaic” is available on Bandcamp:
http://3rdtrip.bandcamp.com/track/mosaic-single
The track is also released on all major streaming platforms.

 As spring arrives, 3rd Trip will return to the stage to present their new material live. The first show in support of the upcoming Mosaic album will take place on April 4 at Bar Base in Helsinki, with more dates to be announced via the band’s social media channels.

Line-up:
Marko Puhakka – guitars, synthesizers, backing vocals
Eero Puhakka – synthesizers, acoustic guitar
Jouni Leppikangas – bass, vocals
Joona Mikkonen-Pakkala – drums, percussion

Discography:
Mosaic (2026)
10-Year Trip – 10th Anniversary Compilation (2021)
Live @ Copperfields, Stockholm (2019)
Scale of Confusion (2017)
Split Single w/ Craneium (2013)
3rd Trip EP (2012)

Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3rd_trip_band/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3rdTrip/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5n8vZPVuho5EyZAvERRMv9