Why Blind Channel Took a Break in 2025 & Analyzing Evolved Sound on "Painstream" Album

When Joel Hokka and Blind Channel parted ways in 2025 (on respectable terms), the band was left with a decision to make, and taking a break was the best way to make that decision. No the decision was not about if the band should stay together or not, that was never a question. The decision to make was where does the band go from here musically now with one of the longstanding members now gone from the band? Well the break was just what they needed. Deadlines for new music were no longer present, they had the time and they had the ability to work on their music in a brand new way. They had a chance to not just sit in a musical style that they are comfortable with and write the style of songs they know how to write, they had a chance to find their identity again, and find their creative itch once again. Niko from the Finnish violent pop band Blind Channel rejoins the Chord Progression Podcast for the 3rd time, with the band’s brand new album “Painstream” releasing on October 30th. Join us for the return of Blind Channel as we talk about: \- Why Blind Channel went on a break following their split with Joel Hokka, doing it for musical reasons in order to write music like it was an adventure again, and not just sitting in their comfort zone over and over again. \- Writing “Painstream” without the stress of deadlines, making it an album that sounds like a conglomeration of the sounds and styles all 5 members love and represent. \- The non-singles on “Painstream” that we need to highlight, while building up the album as a wholistic experience for us listeners. It is always a great time when Blind Channel comes to the podcast and this is no different. Tap the subscribe button to follow along with us ever Tuesday and Thursday. Find Blind Channel Online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlindChannelBand Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlindChannelFIN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindchannel/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blindchannel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx61MSkRHBn4N2eAovTxvGA Website: https://www.blindchannelofficial.com Merch: https://www.blindchannelofficial.com/shop?page=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3L58J6a7f0jyy2p6f3MSAs?si=Cg3Ahfk6S1y2O5glbY7J7A Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blind-channel/844843839 Check out our sponsor: DarkFusion Systems! Use code "CPPOD" for $100 off of your computer build! https://darkfusionsystems.com Follow us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chordprogressionpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/cppodofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chordprogressionpodcast/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCqRKZCDMcFHIYbJaLQMfDbQ Chord Progression Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/53XWPGrIUvgavKF5Fm6SLk Chord Progression Podcast (Apple Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chord-progression-podcast-the-gateway-to-new-rock-and-metal-music/id1454876657 Chord Progression Podcast (Amazon): https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b8dad803-444c-4a73-8aa5-67b4fc43f4ba Chord Progression Podcast (iHeart Radio): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-chord-progression-70632531/ Podcast Webpage: https://mysongoftheday.com/my-song-of-the-day-rock-2000-today/chord-progression-podcast/ Welcome: (0:00) 3rd Time with Blind Channel: (1:34) Positivity of Taking a Break: (3:12) Writing “Painstream”: (6:47) Writing Music is Not a Competition of Speed: (14:20) Non-Singles to Highlight: (16:16) What’s Up in 2027?: (22:46) New Artist Suggestions: (24:41) Kevin’s Final Thought; Taking a Step Back Might Be the Right Move: (28:49)