Marko Annala

Marko Annala
Marko Annala performing at Myötätuulirock in June 2011.
Marko Annala performing at Myötätuulirock in June 2011.
Background information
Born (1972-01-01) January 1, 1972
Joutseno, Finland
GenresThrash metal
OccupationsMusician, author
InstrumentsVocals, electric guitar
LabelSakara Records

Marko Kristian Annala (born 1972 in Joutseno) is a Finnish musician and author. He is the founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the metal band Mokoma.[1][2] Annala is known for his distinct vocal style, which combines elements of death metal growling and clear Finnish-language rock singing.[3]

During the early days of Mokoma (formed in 1996), Annala played guitar in addition to singing. He has also played guitar in the bands Slumgudgeon and Pronssinen Pokaali, and appeared as a guest on the Kotiteollisuus albums Aamen (1998) and Eevan perintö (1999). In several interviews, he has compared himself as a lyricist to Jarkko Martikainen. In 2008, Annala was voted Vocalist of the Year at the Finnish Metal Awards.[4] He has also written songs for other artists, including the track "Kuule minua" by Haloo Helsinki!.[5]

Annala has published the novels Värityskirja (2017), Paasto (2018), and Kuutio (2020).[6] His debut novel, the autobiographical Värityskirja, won the Tiiliskivi Award.[7] Annala ran as a candidate for parliament in the 1991 Finnish parliamentary election for the Pensioners' and Green Joint Responsibility Party in the Kymi constituency, receiving 99 votes.[8]

In 2026, Annala launched a solo career under the name Alter Annala.[9] His debut solo album, Alert!, was released on 21 August 2026.[10][11] According to Annala, the solo project began in 2024 out of musical ideas that did not fit the framework of Mokoma. The album blends influences from post-punk, hip hop, and electronic music.[12]

Personal life

Annala's spouse is Muay Thai fighter and author Inga Magga.[13][14] They have three children and live in Tampere.[15] Annala has been a teetotaler since 1992.[16] He was previously a vegetarian,[16] but returned to an omnivorous diet after finding it difficult to eat properly while touring.[17] Annala is an Eastern Orthodox Christian.[18]

Discography

Kotiteollisuus

  • Aamen (1998, arrangements on "Routa ei lopu" and "Päällekirjoitus")
  • Eevan perintö (1999, guitar on "Saattoväki")

Pronssinen Pokaali

  • Pronssinen Pokaali (1996, guitar)
  • Kuvia (1998, guitar)

Slumgudgeon

  • Durga EP (1992, guitar)
  • ...And On What Grounds? (1993, guitar)
  • Factoraped (1995, guitar)

Alter Annala

  • Alert! (2026)

Novels

  • Värityskirja. Helsinki: Like. 2017. ISBN 978-952-01-1605-7.
  • Paasto. Helsinki: Like. 2018. ISBN 978-952-01-1810-5.
  • Kuutio. Helsinki: Like. 2020. ISBN 978-951-1-36693-5.

References

  1. ↑ "Jäsenet ja historia" (in Finnish). Mokoma. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Tekijähaku" (in Finnish). Fono.fi. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  3. ↑ Alanko, Tero; Silas, Petri (2006). Neljäs sukupolvi – Suomalainen rock nyt. Johnny Kniga. pp. 65–74.
  4. ↑ "Festariraportti: Finnish Metal Expo 2008" (in Finnish). Imperiumi.net. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Kuule minua" (in Finnish). Fono.fi. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "Marko Annala" (in Finnish). Like Kustannus. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  7. ↑ "Marko Annalan Värityskirja voitti Tiiliskivi -palkinnon". Turun Sanomat (in Finnish). 11 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  8. ↑ "Eduskuntavaalitutkimus 1991" (PDF) (in Finnish).
  9. ↑ "Marko Annala on nyt myös sooloartisti – Mokoma-soundia odottavilla voi mennä kahvit väärään kurkkuun esikoissinglen parissa". Soundi (in Finnish). 3 August 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Auri Vaino (21 August 2026). "Alter Annalan odotettu Alert! on viimein julkaistu – rohkea uusi aluevaltaus Marko Annalalta". Uutiset 24.
  11. ↑ Vesa Siltanen (21 August 2026). ""Alert! on albumi, joka haastaa minut tekijänä. Se tulee varmasti haastamaan myös kuulijat" – Mokoman Marko Annala julkaisi soolodebyyttinsä". Soundi.
  12. ↑ "Haastattelu: Marko Annala löysi uuden tavan tehdä musiikkia – "Jännittäminen on mittari siitä, että tekemiset vielä kiinnostavat"". Uutiset 24 (in Finnish). 17 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "inga__magga". Instagram. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "marski72". Instagram. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Iita-tytär ei nuorempana tajunnut, miten rajuja Marko Annalan masennuskaudet olivat – "Isä makoili lattialla, kun tulin koulusta"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). 21 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  16. 1 2 Flinkkilä, Janne (21 January 2005). "Rock, rauha ja raittius". Nyt.fi (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 24 November 2005. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  17. ↑ Seppänen, Mika (30 June 2012). "Suomalaislaulaja kyllästyi olemaan vegaani: "Minulla oli aina nälkä"". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  18. ↑ Haikala, Topias (12 October 2018). "Jumala ei ole Marko Annalan näköinen ukko vaan ääni sisällä". Kirkko ja kaupunki (in Finnish). Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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