About

Tiina Teal is a Finnish-American vocalist, multimedia artist, and marketing/media branding strategist who has carved out a distinctive path in the music, digital, and visual arts worlds. She currently fronts DÉTENTE, a pioneering thrash metal band that holds a significant place in heavy metal history.

DÉTENTE's 1986 debut album, "Recognize No Authority," was released on Roadrunner Records/Metal Blade Records. Their early lineup included trailblazing singer Dawn Crosby (Fear of God) and guitarist Ross Robinson, who later became known as “the godfather of nu-metal” for his work with Korn, Deftones, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit. After Crosby's era with the band and subsequent passing in 1996, DÉTENTE's influence continued to grow, with "Recognize No Authority" being re-released in 2007 to a new generation of fans. The band reunited in 2009 and with Teal joining as lead vocalist, recorded and released the album "Decline" in 2010, produced by legendary Metal Blade producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, Corrosion of Conformity, D.R.I.). The band's legacy was further cemented when The Gauntlet listed them among their Top 10 Female Fronted Metal bands.

With DÉTENTE, Teal has toured throughout Europe and the United States. The band gained mainstream, national attention when their song was played on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, stirring controversy and stoking political hot topics with their track "Kill Rush."

Before joining DÉTENTE, Teal established herself in the Los Angeles metal scene by founding the (mostly) all-female, politically charged heavy metal band Burn The Empire. The band gained national television exposure when they were featured on an episode of TLC network's "A Makeover Story.” Her vocal prowess, honed under the guidance of world-renowned vocal coach Melissa Cross (whose clientele includes Slipknot, Lamb Of God, Machine Gun Kelly, Spiritbox, Disturbed, and many more iconic artists), evolved from her multifaceted musical background as both a drummer and guitarist.

Tiina’s collaborative spirit extends across various musical projects. In 2024, her guest vocals on Canadian band Triskelyon's "Eternal Conflict," released through American label Moribund Records, showcased her continued relevance in modern metal, with the AI-informed music video generating significant press coverage upon release. She also featured in Tortured Souls' "I Feel Strange Love," a Depeche Mode medley that garnered multiple accolades from its inclusion in the short film “Malea Beloved”, including Best Song and Best Video at the First Glance Film Festival and California International Shorts Festival. 

As a multimedia artist, Teal was an integral member of the Los Angeles-based artist collective Omnific Society, where she not only created the collective's logo but also contributed multimedia pieces to their thrice yearly gallery exhibitions throughout the city. Her personal artistic journey began in childhood, where she developed her skills as a visual artist, creating everything from animal portraits and pet commissions to nude model charcoals and landscapes. Her commercial art portfolio includes corporate designs for Safeco Insurance and cover artwork for a book of poetry.

Her artistic reach also extends into film, where she co-produced the short documentary "Dig Comics!," winning the Best Documentary award at San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival which garnered press from the L.A. Times, and screened at Cannes Film Festival. As an actor, she took on her dream role playing a heart-eating zombie in the horror-comedy "Zombies vs Strippers” released by Full Moon Features.

Residing in Los Angeles, Teal has spent over two decades working both in front and behind the scenes in music and cinema. Her business acumen has helped numerous major stars, independent artists, content creators, and filmmakers achieve success. As members of/volunteers for Women In Music and ChangemakeHERS, she continues to advocate for and support those who identify as women in the entertainment industries. She is currently booked for a headlining European tour and metal festival with DÉTENTE in the fall of 2025.