INTERVIEW: Debut album from Dr. M.

Hailing from Turku in Finland, Dr. M. has been building his own unique creative identity on complete artistic independence and an eagerness to venture into unexplored musical spheres. A songwriter, producer and multi-faceted musician, Dr. M. first introduced that vision back in 2019 with the debut single “The Climate Song (Before It’s Too Late),” before stepping away for a period of creative reflection.

Now, returning with a new creative spark, the Finnish artist unveils the debut full-length album titled Follow Me, a record that introduces the intriguing new concept of Adult Metal, an original blend of Adult Contemporary songwriting and the power of Heavy Metal. By not treating those two seemingly distant worlds as opposites, Dr. M. brings them together in spectacular fashion. In his sound, warmth and melodic appeal meet the impact, intensity and dramatic scope of metal, creating a sound that feels fiercely original and utterly enthralling.

It’s an ambitious concept that reflects an artist determined to build a musical world that’s fully immersive and unlike any other. His independent mindset extends far beyond the songwriting itself; Dr. M. oversees almost every stage of the creative process, composing all of the music alongside the vast majority of the lyrics, programming the drums and additional instrumentation and handling the album’s mixing personally. This level of involvement ensures that every aspect of Follow Me reflects an uncompromising artistic vision shaped entirely according to the creator’s own expression.

While Dr. M. remains the architect behind the project, collaboration also plays an important role in bringing the songs to life. Throughout the album, every vocal performance is delivered by Maria Moon, whose expressive voice provides the emotional centre of the record via performances that offer a stark contrast to the heavier musical backdrop. Supported by several additional accomplished musicians, the album expands beyond a solo endeavour into something that feels at once carefully constructed and highly collaborative.

The nine-song release opens with the title track “Follow Me,” which glides straight into a delightful scene of bright instrumental tones and steady percussive punch. With Maria’s alluring voice entering above a delicate piano backing, the casts a dreamy pop-tinged sound that flows with dazzling melodies and stunning pop rock aesthetic which soars with slick lead guitar flourishes and instantly memorable melodies. “Blinded by Love” lands with uplifting piano notes and tapped drums before slipping into a grooving pop rock sound brimming with charming hooks and colourful instrumentation.

“It’s All Music” arrives with the uptempo plucks of flickering tones and bouncy drum patterns to craft a joyous jam packed full of captivating vocal layers and intricate instrumental flutters. “(Anyone Can Be A) Hero” forms an 80-inflected pop rock anthem where gliding guitar leads hover above a building arrangement that progresses with pattering percussion, chiming piano plinks and Maria’s compelling vocal performance spinning infectious leads throughout.

Songs like “On the Foggy Way Back Home” lean into a more downtempo, reflective scene, crafting an intimate soundscape of acoustic guitar strums and tender vocals, rising with the crunch of electric guitar chords and punching drums to create a rousing slice of emotive rock music. “Welcome to Babylon” sets up an absorbing, Eastern atmosphere through airy flute, plucked tones and sparse percussive march before launching into a metal-driven sound of charging guitars and driving rhythm capped by commanding vocal performance.

“Song of the Sun” rolls with the steady stomp of drums and gritty guitars as Maria’s spectacular vocals deliver enchanting melodies above while “Rock & Roll Fantasy” presents an energising outing full of memorable vocal leads and invigorating instrumentation. Closing the album with “Shanghai Night,” the album concludes with an epic eight-minute finale that puts the scale of Dr. M.’s incredible musical vision on full display.

We caught up with Dr. M. to find out more about his musical journey so far, his debut record Follow Me and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Dr. M. below.

Hey Dr. M., how’s things?

End of summer! This is a time of revolutions, happening mainly in politics, but in other areas too. It is interesting to follow all the “happenings”!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I was 16 years old when I composed Follow Me. It was my first serious song, and I’m extremely happy it’s on the album and gave it a name!

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Elton John has been the most important. But I really like lots of different music.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Well, I try to listen as much as possible, all kinds of music! It’s never too late to learn something.

What do you love about the Finnish music scene?

The metal scene. We have Nightwish – opera metal. H.I.M. had love metal. Could adult metal be the next subgenre of metal?

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Hmm, an interesting question! Maybe close to the night. These songs are heavy, so when one’s energetic, maybe that’s the best timing!

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

This is a very interesting question and I have thought about it a lot. I noticed that first, my songs were much longer than later. Later I used to build tighter packages and I started to use a special standard structure for most songs.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I don’t know! I would like to work on a Christmas music album with someone with a warm, tender and Christmassy voice like Barry Manilow.

How did you find making your debut album ‘Follow Me’?

Well, in fact the mixes only started sound good maybe two or three years ago. I really didn’t believe in myself as a producer. I always wanted someone else to take care of that. But in the end I was the happiest only with my own productions, so I ended up taking that role too.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

We should care about our Earth! We have only one planet, and if we lose it, then we won’t have one. Simple as that.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Well, I listen to lots of stuff simultaneously, but maybe I should say Running Wild. It’s a German pirate metal band with incredible sing-along choruses and riffs that any heavy metal composer should dream of.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I want to awake their emotions! Music is incredible because it can trigger so many reactions. Is a song that makes you happy better than a song that makes you sad? Impossible to say, I think.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I think Queen + Adam Lambert was stunning in Helsinki several years ago. Brian May and Roger Taylor are phenomenal musicians and Lambert is of course great.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival?

Elton John could be joined with Bernie Taupin, as Bernie is also a great singer and now also composes. They could sing and play autobiographical songs from their two albums and maybe do some additional ones for a live-only album release. And the third artist would be late John Denver – his lovely country/folk sprit. He was awesome – hated war, destruction of the environment and so on. Some of the most beautiful melodies ever have been created by him.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Take risks, and forget the rules! If you want a didgeridoo in a metal song, and then someone says that “no, that’s not metal”, don’t listen to him. You can do anything you like in music and if someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem, not yours. You will find your audience if you believe in what you do.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

The next album The World Of Heroes is planned to be released on 21st of December 2026. You can try the game – Heroes of Might & Magic III, it’s a fantasy turn-based strategy game, and the songs will be based on stories I’ve written around the game’s themes. It is a wonderful game! Paul Romero is the genius who has written the original game soundtracks for all the games of the series!

Listen to Follow Me below