Waltari is a Finnish experimental metal band from Helsinki, active since 1986, founded by vocalist/bassist Kärtsy Hatakka, guitarist Jariot Lehtinen and drummer Sale Suomalainen. Named after the celebrated Finnish novelist Mika Waltari, the band built its identity on radical genre-mixing - heavy metal, hip-hop, techno, funk and classical music all coexist in their catalogue. Their 1995 album Big Bang broke them internationally and reached #7 on the Finnish charts; the band has since released over a dozen studio albums and collaborated with symphony orchestras and the Finnish National Ballet. Several musicians who passed through Waltari's ranks later became internationally known, among them Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator) and Roope Latvala (Children of Bodom).
Waltari announced the '30 Years of Big Bang' anniversary tour for September 2025, reuniting the original Big Bang-era lineup.
Waltari released the album Nations' Neurosis in 2025, addressing themes of global anxiety.
Waltari performed at Mennecy Metal Fest 2025 in France (September 6) and Feast of the Damned in Rüsselsheim (September 5).
A 30th anniversary vinyl edition of So Fine! (1994) was released in 2024, limited to 750 individually numbered copies on orange vinyl.
Waltari performed at the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise in January 2024, their first appearance at the event.
Finnish metal band Waltari brings their "The Nations' Neurosis Tour" to Nuremberg's Z-Bau venue.
Finnish metal band Waltari brings their "The Nations' Neurosis Tour" to Osnabrück.
