Metal Music Interviews

GMA Interview Interrogation: Whispered (Finland)

12/4/2016

It's not uncommon for a metal band to fall into a sub-genre that is totally unique, not only in terms of lyrical content or sound, but by the sub-genre name itself. So when Finland's Whispered announced details for their forthcoming album "Metsutan - Songs Of The Void", the slight-head turn became imminent after the first word. Why is a Finnish Metal band using a Japanese word in their album title? Turns out they're a 'Samurai Metal' band, well musically they're Melodic Death / Power Metal tinged with Eastern 'Oriental' Folk music influences, but we prefer the new genre tag as a way to describe them.

They might be fashioning blades, experts at martial arts, or masters at kanji calligraphy, but they're not resistant to our interrogation methods. Sadly no sake came between us or the band....

Vocalist / guitarist Jouni Valjakka and guitarist Mikko Mattila entered the interrogation chamber.

"I can't really say what defines "Samurai Metal". Maybe just the lyrics? I dunno. Since our new stage wardrobe, we should maybe be called Kabuki Kombat Metal!"

Whispered has been going now for 12 years, what challenges have you had to overcome and how does it feel to be releasing album #3 'Metsutan - Songs of the Void'?

Jouni:
          "Well thinking of the history of us (the band), we've had the usual. Finding a committed line-up, making the best out of our thematics, getting enough cash to go on etc., Particularly with this album we run into some minor technical problems, some choir sessions were really hard to compile, and I had the pleasure and pain of programming most of the orchestrations and Japanese instruments for the first time. Among the usual, programming a huge orchestra and making the ethnic instruments sound as organic as possible besides the band was quite a challenge for me."

Mikko:

          "Hey! It feels really awesome to be finally releasing our new album. It's been in the making for so long and finally we can get "rid of it". There's been a lot of challenges even with this album. You just don't make this kind of music by going to the studio, hit record and bang away a few tunes. Although we sometimes wish we could do that."

Could you please explain your choice of lyric topic, namely why and how did you come around to singing about Samurai's, Bushido and Japanese Legends? Do you hope your designed sub-genre 'Samurai Metal' will catch on?

Jouni:

          "Well I have been into Japanese culture and especially aesthetics for a really long time. When I was young I really felt the urge to create something unique and this kind of style felt really natural choice for me. Japanese culture has an endless inspiration for me and for a time now, the lyrics have had a bit more personal touch in them too. Meaning that thinking about struggles, opportunities and values of life, the way of the warrior can and should be represented in those too.

         I don't care much for genres and at the beginning when we were called "Samurai Metal" I wasn't too excited, but nowadays when I'm not so angsty-teenager-elitist anymore I think it's a really cool sounding genre. I can't really say what defines "Samurai Metal". Maybe just the lyrics? I dunno. Since our new stage wardrobe, we should maybe be called Kabuki Kombat Metal!"

Because Metal music has endless ways it can transform, do you think that bands could create any style of metal they want, or are there limitations? Should it be a natural process rather than looking for new styles to do, just because they don't exist?

Jouni:

          "There are no limits and there never should be. When you're creating something you just gotta let everything go and not restrain yourself in any way. Of course someone might not like your modern-fusion-rap-progressive-extreme-swedish-folk-influenced-nomad-metal, but that's their problem. Not yours."

Mikko:

          "I think there's really no limitations whatsoever. If you come up with something unique that sounds really cool then just go for it. It's always good to search for a new angle on things musically, but it definitely shouldn't be forced. If it's forced it's bound to sound fake. For example Folk Metal is still a rather new style and when it got popular many new bands started to copy the originators. So now there's like a million Korpiklaani / Ensiferum etc. copies around. In a way we are doing it ourselves too, but you should always draw influences from many different sources and try to blend them to a unique mix of your own."

What instruments do you use to incorporate the Eastern Folk (Oriental) influences? Do you think this is a relatively new concept?

Jouni:

          "Well we use mostly the most common Japanese folk instruments like koto, shamisen and shakuhachi and some Chinese folk instruments too. Most of them are programmed, but we've used some real woodwinds earlier and now we have real shamisen played on the CD. Using these kind of instruments in rock music is not in anyway a new idea, but using them with rather fast, brutal and melodic metal is something quite fresh I think. At least I can proudly say that no-one in Finland has never done this before!"

Regarding your new album 'Metsutan - Songs of the Void', what song is your favourite and could you give us a short but concise explanation behind the song titles?

Jouni:

          "I can't say what's my favourite yet but I really like the song "Tsukiakari". It''s mostly a bit slower than the others and I think we really got a nice atmosphere in it. "Tsukiakari" means moonlight and it tells of a servant who kills himself in order to change his powerful master's evil ways. I read a story about the concept years ago and the idea really stuck with me."

Mikko:

          "I think my favourite song of all Whispered tracks is "Bloodred Shores of Enoshima". It is an epic journey, the most symphonic track we've ever done and the story can be realized as a kabuki play with 5 acts. It's also a very challenging track to play and in that regard just how I like it!"

Surely if and when you tour Japan (unless you have already?), they will admire you for this choice of metal? Do you have any fans out in Japan? Will you release your album out there?

Jouni:

          "Our gig in Japan had a really nice reception and we had extremely fun to interact with the fans there. I hope we have a chance to release Metsutan in Japan too!"

Mikko:

          "We played one showcase gig in Japan in 2013 and yes, it seems we have fans there. We were really not sure if they would think that we're too weird coming from Finland wearing hakamas and kumadori face-paint. But the audience response was unbelievable when we played in Tokyo, although a bit surprised at the beginning of the show. "Shogunate Macabre" was later released there and hopefully Metsutan too at some point. I'm actually very much looking forward to getting to record some bonus tracks for a possible future Japan release. It's always great fun to make some game music covers or something along the lines."

As 'Metsutan - Songs of the Void' is out in a months time, will there be a tour across the EU, possibly the UK, or just across Finland? Where have you toured before?

Mikko:

          "We get asked this a lot and unfortunately the answer is still the same: we are very open to opportunities to play anywhere outside Finland, but at the moment there's nothing concrete in the planning. Organizers, promoters, really anybody that can help us change the situation please contact us ASAP or be devoured by Gozuryu!"

Jouni:

"What he said".

Because Eurovision is taking place in May, have you ever considered entering the competition? What was your reaction when Lordi won Eurovision? Surely this has to be monumental not only for Finland, but for the Finnish Metal scene (as well as metal generally)?

Jouni:

          "Eurovision would be fun to attend, since I think I'd get some sick pleasure making as "pop" song as possible. Then we'd of course need clean vocals too, since the masses aren't ready for a full-blown samurai mayhem! Or are they? I was sooo happy when Lordi won! For a one night the whole Finland was celebrating the return of Hard Rock and Metal! Of course tomorrow we all went back to work and to listening to some more Kanye West."

Mikko:

          "I remember being in a bar, watching Lordi win Eurovision and thinking how can this be.. is this real life? Of course it was awesome and I'm so happy they won with a song that wasn't directly composed as a "Eurovision song". You know like the pop format "demands" or so it seems they think. Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät should have won too last year!"

Finally have you got any hello's or thank you's you wish to send out?

Jouni:

          "Thank you for the good questions! Keep your blades up high and be sure to get the new album to your hands 20.05.2016 ! Hail Gojira!"

Mikko:

          "Thank you for the interview! Kanpai and hail Gozuryu!"

Whispered Facebook

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Interview Interrogation: Amberian Dawn (Finland)

12/2/2016

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Our latest interrogation focuses on the Neo-Classical Power Metal outfit from Finland, Amberian Dawn. Having released their latest music video 'Fame & Gloria' (featured above), it was about time we caught up with the quintet as they celebrate their tenth anniversary this year (happy birthday guys!)

We talk about Eurovision and their thoughts about it, insinuating a possible future participation - if they could win it for Finland like Lordi did, then lightning would have struck twice. Their latest album "Innuendo" also receives a cooking as we find out what simmers underneath the latest effort, we ask how the change of vocal duties have affected the band as a whole and how they cope with the stress of touring.

Tuomas Seppälä (below second from right) gave us the lowdown.

Amberian Dawn formed way back in 2006 and since then the band has gone from strength to strength, with very few low points to reflect upon Tuomas shed light on what the positives have been:
"One of the biggest one was our first European tour in 2008. It was really awesome to get a chance to tour with Epica just after releasing our debut album. As a young band we were just learning how to do it all. We learned a lot during this tour from Epica."

Taking notes from such a well and truly respected metal band such as Epica has helped Amberian Dawn clamber up the ladder to reach heights they might well not have imagined back in their early years. Their latest chapter in the band's career came in form of their latest album "Innuendo", in fact at the back end of 2015 they toured in support of said album along with Delain and The Gentle Storm. However they don't plan to stop there not by a long shot, with Tuomas admitting that they're "planning to tour again this year, (so) let's see when it's going to happen. It takes some time to organize a tour". Time does appear to fly by and as 2015 came to a close and 2016 came into our lives, this inevitably started a new chapter for Amberian Dawn, a period of down time and time spent away from band activities except for some Summer festival appearances of which Amberian Dawn will need to rest and recharge themselves for.

For Tuomas taking a break from the band means he is able to enjoy doing "sports of all kinds. In the summer I like to jog. In the winter I like to do indoor cycling for example", it is always important for musicians to take a break once in a while and spend time with their loved ones or indeed on their own life and maintain their well-being. Tuomas admits that most of the time touring has it's best and worst parts, right at the top of the best parts is performing and that "If we wouldn't enjoy it so much, we wouldn't do it all", yet hovering in the background of every good moment is elements of bad moments waiting to strike, "of course there have also been some bad moments on tours and usually those are somehow related to technical matters". With all the concerns and worries, bouts of excitement and happiness, time does have a knock on effect on all musicians, sometimes taking things slow can be for the best.

On the continuing theme of time, 2012 became a turning point for Amberian Dawn and in specific their departing vocalist Heidi Parviainen who was soon to be replaced by incumbent vocalist Päivi "Capri" Virkkunen. Naturally with the change in vocal duties there was a subtle reason behind this, Tuomas explains the decision behind this change:

"Capri has a totally different approach to singing than Heidi does. Capri is able to do both rock vocals and operatic vocals. At the moment I prefer her rock vocals and it gives me new possibilities with the songwriting process. Heidi's departure from Amberian Dawn was as amicable as is humanly possible. Heidi and I decided in early 2012 that we're going to part ways after recording ”Circus Black” and after all the promotional work relating to the album release is done... we also decided to do our final show together with Heidi despite the fact we had already found a new singer. I think it was a good call for everybody that we finished our co-operation with Heidi at a such a good festival. Now our lyrics are written by Capri. Writing of the lyrics has always been a job for the vocalist in AD"

Songwriting is never an easy process, especially when you're stuck on what ideas you wish to circumvent around the song as a whole, yet there are times where a song can be as bonkers as the performers and yet still score a reputation no matter the genre. So when asked about whether Amberian Dawn could and would write a song to enter the Finnish national selection for Eurovision with, Tuomas admits that he "would see that as a possibility. Maybe even next year ;) I don't see what harm it would do to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.", well Lordi won it for Finland and even then Teräsbetoni represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest the following year.

Tuomas hopes to see all Amberian Dawn fans on future tours as they have tour plans in the future, so watch this band with interest, once again it's all a matter of time.

"Innuendo" is out now via Napalm Records

http://amberiandawn.com/
https://www.facebook.com/amberiandawn/

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Interview Interrogation: Talesien

12/2/2013

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"The people who live around us consider our music as something underground and marginal".

Following on from our recent reviewal of Galician Power Proggers Talesien and their latest album "El Silencio" we thought it would be best to deliver the Spanish inquisition and put the flaming tongs on this sextet to explore the past, present and future of Talesien, but be warned, there may be blood.

So guys, how long has the band been going, how did the band form and what does the band name mean?

Talesien has celebrated just our 10th anniversary in 2012. The band name comes from the third long play "The Book of Taliesyn" by Deep Purple, but we decided to change it a little, the second part of the title specifically in order to avoid coincidences and also because there were other bands which had chosen this name too. So…

What inspired you to play the style of music you play?

We feel that we are inspired by every single metal song that we listen to in whatever style. We listen to Bon Jovi but we listen to Slayer too. We are open minded people in that sense. We only search for good songs, it doesn´t matter if we are talking about Thrash, Power, Heavy, Progressive, Death Metal, etc.

What is your local town / city scene like?

There are a lot of bands playing different styles, we live in a very rich land in that sense. Unfortunately we also live in the north-western corner in Spain and it´s too difficult to spread our work and especially playing live music around the country because of the distance. Also it´s a social question, the people who live around us consider our music as something underground and marginal.

Have you played alongside any big bands, if so who? If not who would you like to play alongside?

We have been playing alongside many different bands throughout our history, bands such as DIO, Cradle of Filth, Riot, Marky Ramone, In Extremo, Lost Horizon, etc and we would be very pleased to play alongside Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kamelot, Evergrey, Circus Maximus, Seventh Wonder, Iron Maiden and many more…

Has the band got any plans for 2013?

Keep playing and to continue with our brand new long play presentation in places where we still haven´t gone and also to start to compose a new one asap.

Finally any thank you's, hello's and any other messages you wish to say?

First of all we want to give you many thanks for being there for your support and for giving us this opportunity and also a big thank you to our fans for keeping our spirits high

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Talesien-Oficial/326397790752670
http://talesien.com/

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Interview with Eluveitie and Alestorm

19/7/2012

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Global Metal Apocalypse caught up with Eluveitie frontman Chrigel Glanzmann and spoke about what Eluveitie have been upto, the band's past, current affairs in general and what the band plans on doing in 2012 and beyond. Interview is below.

Last year Global Metal Apocalypse caught up with Alestorm and in particular frontman Christopher Bowes, we just found it in the archives and we now present it to the public, interview is below.

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Interview with Ben from Amoral

24/3/2012

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BAND: AMORAL
MUSICIAN: BEN VARON (Guitars)
COUNTRY: FINLAND
GENRE: POWER METAL

Last October I caught up with Ben Varon, guitarist of Amoral as they were in the USA promoting their latest album 'Beneath'. The band originally started off as a Technical Death Metal band but shifted to Power Metal thus along with the changing of bandmembers and the acquisition of Ari Koivunen of whom was the winner of 'Idols 2007'; the Finnish version of the UK's song contest 'Pop Idol'. 'Beneath' became the band's fifth album overall and their tenth release since their birth in 1997.

Check out the interview and support the band :)

https://www.facebook.com/amoralweb

RHYS STEVENSON

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Interview with Henrik Klingenberg of Sonata Arctica

14/12/2011

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BAND: SONATA ARCTICA
MUSICIAN: HENRIK KLINGENBERG
COUNTRY: FINLAND
GENRE: POWER / PROG METAL

SONATA ARCTICA INTERVIEW WITH HENRIK KLINGENBERG (Vocals / Keyboard)

I spoke to Henrik Klingenberg of Finnish Power / Prog Metallers Sonata Arctica, to catch up on goings on and some past topics, read and enjoy:

1. How did you guys form and could you explain how the band name cameabout?

Well, I wasn't there but I guess it's pretty much the same with every band, you want to play, find some guys and start hammering it out. No idea about the original name either, sorry. I think the story can be found in our bio on our homepage or something...

2. In Finland is there any encouragement for people to learn an instrument whatever the instrument is?

No I wouldn't say there's any special enouragement to get into music or sports or anything else for that matter. Of course if you want to do something in particular there is usually some help available.

3. Would you consider your music to be part of the genre 'Winter Metal' along with Wintersun?

Hmm, that's a bit confusing, no I don't consider us Winter Metal, I didn't even know there was a genre called that.

4. Your currently working on your seventh album, what details can you give? I.e. album title, release date?

The name is still a secret but the album will be released in April-May 2012. I don't want to try to describe the music too much but it's once again something new for us as a band.

5. Out of all the cover songs you have done, which is your most and least favourite, why is this?

We did a cover of Roy Orbison, you got it with one of my other bands, Silent Voices, like 10years ago and that was pretty horrible. The best cover would probably be the Gary Moore one we did with SA, called 'Out In The Fields'....that song is so good, even we couldn't mess it up and I got to learn Gary Moores guitar solo note for note which was fun.

6. Sonata Artica is now 15 years old, quite an achievement isn't it? What is your highlights (both best and worst) of the band's existence?

Probably the worst time was during the recording of Unia when all these issues with Jani started to unfold, it was a very disturbing time in the history of the band. Whenever we're on tour or recording , those are the highlights for me. There's so much other things we have to do, like business stuff etc. so when we finally get to actually focus on the music, that's the best part and the only reason to keep on doing this.

7. Tony Kakko, what is the best advice can you give to those wishing to sing in the Power Metal style of vocals?

Sorry, can't help you there....actually to be able to sing well, one really important thing is to take good care of your body because that's your instrument, meaning, no smoking (unless you're David Coverdale or Lemmy) and take it easy with the booze. Any sport will also help.

8. Tommy, Elias, Marko, Henrik, what advice can you give to musicians wishing to improve their skills on bass, guitar, keyboard / keytar and drums?

There's a lot of stuff online to help you out with your playing skill no matter what your instrument is, however nothing can beat a good teacher, so find someone who plays the way you want to play and ask them to teach you....and of course practise your ass off.....and while doing this remember that it's supposed to be fun, if it's not fun when you're starting out, I'll tell you, it won't be fun later on either.

9. Out of all of the releases, which is your favourite and why and what song of all time in Sonata Arctica is your favourite?

This changes every day and it's impossible to answer while we're working on a new album because of course that's your favourite (if it isn't then maybe we should rewrite some stuff, right?)...of the previous ones I really like Reckoning Night since it was my first album with the band and the recording experience was really interesting. 'Don't Say A Word' is probably our best song, somehow we found a balance with that one.

10. Have you ever considered recording a cover for a Christmas song?

Personally speaking no, I don't know if Tony ever thought about it....but I hope we don't do that, rather write our own christmas song.

11. Do you plan to tour the UK sometime in 2012, if not what festivals are you looking to play at in Europe?

We'll be touring all over Europe in the fall so I'm sure we'll hit UK at some point if not already during the festival season. I have no idea about the festivals yet, I think a couple of ones are online now on our site but apart from that I have no clue.

12. As Metal is very popular in Finland, would you consider it a major export, before and after Lordi's famous Eurovision win?

Metal is probably the most exported music style from Finland but there's no way to compete when compared to other branches of exports (outside of the music industry).... I don't think the Eurovision thing had too much to do with this, after all metal people don't need to watch that kind of TV crap to find out about new music.

I guess Lordi got new fans but for other bands it didn't make make that much of an impact, and why should it?

13. Over the 15 years, how has the band's sound changed and what differences can you notably hear?

We've become more progressive to some extent and more mature I guess, I think the sound has changed on every album, sometimes more and sometimes less. What the changes are, is something everyone has to figure out themselves, if I tell you how my keyboard sounds changed from album to album that's not gonna be really helpful now is it? We will continue to change and explore new things with every album, I think that's the only way to do it for us, and I'm sure you all will hear the difference when the new album comes out; or not, who knows?

14. What can we expect from Sonata Arctica in 2012 and in the future?

We just released our 2nd DVD 'Live in Finland' which basically tells the story of the 'Days of Grays world tour', and right now we're in the studio recording our next album. It will be out in spring and then it's time to tour for 1 and a half to 2 years again. Right now that's all we have planned...so if we make it alive through this cycle we'll be back in the studio after that making more music, let's cross our fingers :)

Cheers, beers & thanks,

Henrik/Sonata Arctica

RHYS STEVENSON

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