HOKKA to release cinematic debut Via Miseria IV on 24 April

HOKKA announced in a press release that it will release its debut album, Via Miseria IV, on Friday 24 April through global heavy rock label Nuclear Blast and premiered an official music video for the title track. The album will be issued digitally, on CD and on vinyl.

The group formed around two well-known figures in Finnish rock: vocalist Joel Hokka, formerly of internationally successful nu metal band Blind Channel, and guitarist‑songwriter Pauli Rantasalmi, best known for nearly three decades with The Rasmus. Guitarist Sampo Sundström and drummer Jimi Aslak complete the lineup; Aslak brings fresh intensity to the band's cinematic, emotionally charged sound.

Via Miseria IV explores dark human themes — revenge, love, grief and the fragile beauty born of pain — combining swelling melodies with heavy riffs across ten tracks, including "Death By Cupid’s Arrow," "Via Miseria" and a closing cover, "Kiss From A Rose." The title video is available now on the band's official channels.

"From the depths of hell toward a new beginning: our debut Via Miseria IV is finally here," Joel Hokka said. "We put our hearts into this. From trauma to heartbreak, from the highest peaks to the deepest lows. Welcome to Via Miseria — here you never walk alone."

HOKKA will support the album with live dates, starting with a club show at Tavastia in Helsinki on 7 May and a summer festival run that includes Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Helsinki, Ruisrock in Turku and Tuhdimmat Tahdit in Tampere on 4 July. The album will be available on streaming platforms, and the band is active on social media.