Biography:

Kimmo Sakari Blom (31 January 1970 – August 2022) was a Finnish singer and stage artist, known for his work in several rock and metal bands such as Urban Tale, Boys of the Band, and Heartplay. From 2004, he performed in the Finnish Christmas metal project Raskasta Joulua and from 2018, he was the lead vocalist of melodic metal band Leverage.^[1] He has also provided backing vocals for metal bands such as Stratovarius, Thunderstone, Kiuas, Ari Koivunen, Timo Tolkki’s Avalon, and Twilight Guardians.

Career

In 2010, Kimmo and his band Boys of the Band applied to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song “America (I Think I Love You)”, but weren’t successful in qualifying for the final. Five years later, and under the pseudonym of Angelo De Nile, he performed in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2015, the national final for Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, with the song “All For Victory”, and came in 5th place.^[2] A year later, this time together with Annica Milán, he again tried his luck to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song “Good Enough”, which again finished in 5th place.^[3]

Personal life and death

Kimmo Blom died of cancer in August 2022, at the age of 52.^[4] His partner, singer Annica Milán, confirmed Blom was diagnosed with a rare conjunctival melanoma in 2015.^[5]

Credits: