Finnish Hard Rock / Metal Outfit Returns to Its Heavy Roots After Decades of Musical Experience
HELSINKI, FINLAND | SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | Finnish hard rock and metal band PlusMinusZero are set to release their new full-length album, Illusions of Life , on October 16, 2026 , via Downfall Records .
Formed in Helsinki in 2025, PlusMinusZero may be a relatively new name, but the musicians behind the band bring decades of experience, a history of recording and touring together, and a lifelong connection to heavy music.
Illusions of Life features 10 tracks of melodic hard rock and metal , combining catchy songwriting with a strong musical foundation and the experience of musicians who have already spent years on stages and in recording studios across Finland.
The album follows the release of the singles “Runner’s High,” “Wasted,” and “Tears of Fire,” offering an introduction to the sound of PlusMinusZero ahead of the full album’s arrival.
FROM OLD FRIENDS TO A NEW BEGINNING
The story of PlusMinusZero begins long before the band’s formation.
In the early 2000s, the musicians were already making music together, releasing three full-length albums with a previous band and touring steadily throughout Finland. Their experience took them from small bars and clubs to some of the biggest festivals of the era, with their live activity further supported by radio airplay and television appearances.
That chapter came to an end around 2005 when the lineup disbanded.
But the desire to make music never disappeared.
Dr. Sundström and Iledelay continued playing together, exploring different musical styles and experimenting with various lineups. In 2010, they released another full-length album with a new band. The lead single from that Finnish-language album received attention on television, and the project would eventually become part of the path that led to PlusMinusZero.
Through the years, vocalists and drummers changed, musical styles evolved, and different projects came and went.
The core duo remained.
Eventually, Dr. Sundström and Iledelay began asking themselves a bigger question: why keep moving away from the music that first inspired them?
The answer was waiting where it had always been.
Metal.
BACK TO THE ROOTS
The musical direction increasingly returned to the heavy music that had made such an impact on them when they were younger.
Iron Maiden. Black Sabbath. Dio. Helloween. Scorpions.
The classic metal bands that once filled record collections and appeared across the back patches of denim jackets became the signposts for a new chapter.
As the band puts it:
“Metal was, and still is, the answer.”
In the summer of 2025, PlusMinusZero consisted of Dr. Sundström, Iledelay, and little more than a name and the desire to create something new.
Then came two important coincidences.
Pete joined as vocalist, followed by Janne on drums. Both were already familiar to the founding duo through previous projects and were available to jump into a new musical adventure.
The lineup was complete.
Since the fall of 2025, PlusMinusZero have been independently recording and mixing their upcoming material, putting their years of experience into a new collection of songs built around strong foundations, memorable melodies, and their renewed love for hard rock and metal.
ILLUSIONS OF LIFE
The result is Illusions of Life , a 10-track album that represents both a new beginning and a return to familiar territory.
The album includes the previously released “Runner’s High,” along with nine additional tracks that explore the band’s melodic hard rock and metal sound.
With Illusions of Life , PlusMinusZero aren’t trying to pretend they are newcomers discovering heavy music for the first time.
They’ve already been there.
They’ve released albums. They’ve toured Finland. They’ve played clubs and major festivals. They’ve experienced radio and television exposure. They’ve explored different musical directions and spent years developing their craft.
Now they’re bringing all of that experience together for something new.
“Expect catchy songs built on a strong foundation and years of experience — ready to deliver something new and our very best to everyone!”
Illusions of Life will be released Friday, October 16, 2026 , via Downfall Records .
For PlusMinusZero, the name may represent a new beginning.
The music represents everything that came before it.
And after all these years, the answer remains the same:
Metal is still the answer.
PLUSMINUSZERO
Album: Illusions of Life
Release Date: October 16, 2026
Label: Downfall Records
Catalog: FALLCD066
Genre: Hard Rock / Metal
Origin: Helsinki, Finland
Formed: 2025
LINEUP
Pete – Vocals
Dr. Sundström – Guitar
Iledelay – Bass
Janne – Drums
Pre order here: https://downfallrecords.bandcamp.com/album/illusion-of-life
FOLLOW PLUSMINUSZERO
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/plusminuszeromusic
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590972147464
DOWNFALL RECORDS
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/downfallrecords666
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/downfallrecords_666
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