RISEBACK Interview!

"If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.” (Napoleone Bonaparte)

Istanbul is a fascinating, sapphire-like city and RISEBACK are its gold ring.

This Alternative/Gothic Metal band was formed in 2010 and is influenced  by contemporary rock and melodic metal sound.

Their female voice blow through heavy guitar riffs and strong drumming.

Well, meet ... Riseback.

LFdM: You come from Istanbul, one of my favourite city. Full of colours, scentes and sensuality like Riella's voice. So we can say that you embody the pure essence of this land?
R: Thank you for this nice question and compliment. Istanbul as you say is a colorful city. Carrying Many feelings, many stories from past to present. Wonderful people and artists lived in this city and have their trace... It's an honour for me to be resembled voice vise to this city. The city is always alive and deep in soul. And yes we as a band might embody this energy. We are all born in here and lived our childhood experiences, youth excitements and professional growth here... So it would be correct to say that we somehow reflect the pure essence of this land but also we posses the energy of the entire earth and universe. We as a band are open to connect to everyone living with us in this moment of time, having the roots from this land, we are wiiling to expand and embrace all kind of expressions around us, being able to reach universally through our musical creations...

LFdM: You are an alternative metal band with some of goth and prog influences. You play rock with depth and passion. How did your story start?
R: Thank you again for defining very well what we are into :) Everybody has their own story, since years we are making music, studying, pratcticing, playing with bands, creating and performing. Riseback started its journey in 2010 with me and two other musician friends aiming to put together our musical ideas and starting to share our exctiement and build a longlasting musical entity. It's known that this is a long road with many ups and downs with many updates and changes through out the time. Riseback crew changed over time, production wise and instrumentalist wise the band had several changes. These changes were never personal but in order proceed in a much strongerway...we always need to take correct steps to survive. Our main goal is to create music. Create freely, joyfuly and lovingly. We as a team never let any obtacle to prevent this reality. 

LFdM: Music is based on emotions and feelings, but often has its roots in something known, even if only a memory or a recollection. Have you drawn your inspiration from something in particular?
R: As mention previously rock metal music is our motivation it self. The inspiration comes naturally. Me, I am writting songs with piano almost every week I have new melodic ideas that I put together and record than my band members are professional instrumentalists in their own areas, very talented and gifted. They are everyday playing their stuff, and we combine their ideas with mine than a wonderful blend comes out, very pure and original. Riseback, I 'm not saying because its my band :) but believe me , it is one of the most original music band. Because the ideas we put on songs are really fresh and new, straight coming from our musical minds without any interferance from any kind of rule or strategy just naturally flowing through our ideas and creating our own stuff. Of course we have many many influences from many many other great existing bands but we create our own music and I love the way this band works... Very natural and real..

LFdM: Music, however, is not just a matter of the heart (although it is a fundamental part and, perhaps, the most important). It is also studying, practice, research. What can you tell us about this aspect? How do you prepare to tackle the recording of an album?
R: In terms of practice, well we gave our lives to this work. We reduce all kind of expenses just in order to spend more time in music. Education wise, we had our courses, certificate & BA degrees from music and performance. My drummer and I already give lessons to new beginners...Without practice and commitement there is no way that someone would acheive a place in this business. We are still practicing, still working hard and still have way to go. The musical journey never ends... When we prepare to record an album, it's a long process. First step is to create the songs which is one of the most important step. Demo precedures, songwriting, brainstorming, adding, excludig ideas, changing parts, adding new parts and so on... Sometimes we meet and rehearse sometimes we record ideas and send to each other. This is the way it goes. When the real production time comes, its like very serious work. Very detailed. Equipments, studio, engineer, timing, budget, pre record, practice... It is very serious but this is what we love to do. Hopefully, in Istanbul we have great recording engineer friends, very talented friends. Its a matter of being a real team. When this is managed, everything is like a puzzle, you put the right parts and than the result is wonderful. You can imagine Our second procedures as I defined above.... We are following these steps to reach a satisfactory conclusion....

LFdM: Tell us something about the new album: is there a particular theme in your songs?
R: Yes the new album will be great. We are getting prepared for it. Working on songs in a very detailed manner. Arrangements and rehearsals are repetitive in order to catch the maximum expression and musical style. It will be deeper and will be a more mature album. We finished debut recordings in 2012 an debut demos was in 2011 and since 3 years we went through a lot of stuff and changes. All those experiences and feelings will be carried in our second album, Technique wise, there will be more drums and keyboard presence, more symphonic elements,  of course similar original modern metal guitar riffs and deep emotional vocals again... Lyrically, we went trhough similar attitude. Human soul, relations, feelings, appreciation, salvation, freedom themes. Couple of  songs will have particular stories, particular subjects, vey impressive messages that I believe will touch many peoples heart... 

LFdM. How do the new songs differ from your older material? I’m thinking about the first songs you released.
R: Yes thes songs will reflect a more mature state of mind. This time the lyrics will be longer. More phrases, more emotions, more explanations of ideas. But a similar attitude as I said. Because Riseback band lyrical themes always support encouregement of the free expression. Self developement and awareness, reaching a better reality, a reality that our souls really long for rather than what we are obligated to do and live... A natural flow, with less pain. 

LFdM: Talking about the creative process, you say " there are always new aspects to learn and experience". You are always looking for new things or sometimes is important to learn from the past, from the pioneers of the music?
R:  Yes exatcly. This is a never ending journey. A continious progression, always alive. Pioneers of music are the heros, they are those who thought us how to make our dreams come true by being role models, they are the influences. A huge respect for those people who committed their lives to enhance the musicianship of the universe and to create a musical reality where now all of us are getting into. They are the initiators and the brave ones... We follow thier traces. 

LFdM: What kind of role does love play for you and for your art?
R: Love in terms of all kind of love. Animal love, human love, self love, nature love. Lack of love, need of love, underestimation of love, over usage of love  and so on...  All forms of love have a big influence in our music and lyrics. Like in everybody else. This feeling is not easy to explain with words. But it is best felt with songs and melodies...

LFdM: What you play is what you feel?
R: For sure. Otherwise there would be no sincerity. And without sincerity I don't believe there would be any kind of music.

LFdM: What do you expect from this experience? What is the sign that the Riseback want to leave the world of music?
R: This is a lifetime experience. It can't be left. It can't be abandonned. We are idealist musicians. We will go for it the best we can. Without giving up and with giving all it takes. Riseback will bring our traces to this world. Our very own existence. With words and melodies. Our good intentions, and positive vibes which I believe if everyone could turn their cognitive and emotional frequency into positive forms we would already change the reality into a much cooler one... And If Riseback music can help with that, that would be a great mission to be remembered... 

LFdM: Long life to Riseback guys! 

Words, interview and english review by Michela, Dora and Alessia!

Official Link:

www.riseback.com

www.facebook.com/riseback

www.riseback.bandcamp.com

www.youtube.com/risebackmusic

Rain Diary interview

Rain Diary is an awesome dark-wave band from Finland. We had the pleasure to have a chat with Tommi Suomala, Teemu Rantanen & Joni Bitter, who kindly found the time to reply while touring Germany. 

1 ) So you were born in 2007, more or less, and it's was been an immediate success. From this point of view the finnish audience is awesome… How important is for an artist the emotional aspect in the relationship with their audience?

Joni: It’s one of the cornerstones for us to make music. For example yesterday at Cologne, the great feedback and straight connection with the audience made the many hours sat in the car well worthwhile. Also, and in fair honesty, our success is wider abroad than in Finland.

2 ) The first thing that captured my attention were your videos. They show a maniacal attention for every single detail,  that’s a bit unusual for your kind of music. Can you explain us more about it?

Joni: We’re highly visual people and blessed to be surrounded by such talents like Juha Lankinen, Jani Saajanaho & Zabek Ismael who has made such a huge contribution to picture our music in such a delicate way.

3 ) Talking about the video for "Shame": the photography is great, it keeps the watcher lingering between dream and reality. I think “Shame” is totally huge. What’s the meaning of this song ?

Teemu: Thank you, we’re glad you like it so much! We put a lot of effort to that release and we also felt that it’s a little bit risky cause the song and the video is not a typical Rain Diary. We made the song cause we wanted add variation and contrast to our album. Normally we don’t want to “open” our lyrics too much but maybe it’s not too revealing to say that Shame lyrics deals with the topic of casual sex, about the excitement of the one night stands – an intense search for quick satisfaction – and the emptiness and void felt after.

4 ) Do you want to introduce to our readers the concept behind Rain Diary?

Teemu: We are a family unit: We are the most closest friends and we feel that our biggest strength is the love towards each other, to our music and playing and creating music together. Our music functions as therapeutic means to fix and understand emotions. Our music is us.

5 ) You’re starting to work on new stuff, the release is fixed for the end of 2015;  can you spill some technical details about the new album?

Tommi: You are the first one to hear this: The work tittle for our second album is The Non-Compulsory Engine. Most of the lyrics are and will be written in Berlin that is so inspiring city.

6 ) Next autumn we'll see you on stage for a short tour with Jaani Peuhu. Jaani is a great producer and a good songwriter. How did you start this collaboration?

Joni: I met Jaani in early 2000 when we both still lived in small town called Lahti. Jaani hosted a monthly club at Torvi (legendary underground bar) and while he was DJ’n he played Mansun that I had seen playing in London but was completely unknown in Finland. From there we started to talk about music and rest is history.

7 ) As you said, some of the members live in different countries right now. How do you think this affects the band?

Tommi: I think it gives more perspective and depth. These days technology narrows the distance between, i.e. even though I live in Berlin I can still fully participate in creative process through recordings etc. Also, I travel to Finland every second month to meet the loved one.

8 )  What’s really outrageous in this world, in your opinion?

Tommi: Human rights in general, war mongering … Joni: It’s the blindness and numbness towards people in need. 

LFdM

Rain Diary is:

Tommi Suomala (Vocals)

Tytti Kallioniemi (Keyboard, Synths, Vocals)

Teemu Rantanen (Guitar)

Joni Bitter (Guitar, Bass, Programming)

Teemu Alajoki (Drums, Percussion)

Pekka Vanajas (Programming)

http://www.raindiary.com

http://www.facebook.com/raindiary

http://www.youtube.com/raindiary

http://www.twitter.com/raindiary

http://www.soundcloud.com/raindiary

http://rd-community.tumblr.com/

Ewian: Good Old Underground Review

Tedeschi dall’animo british

Quando una nuova band si affaccia nel panorama musicale c'è sempre una sorta di scetticismo che accompagna l'ascolto: sarà all'altezza delle aspettative? Riuscirà a catturare l'attenzione? O sarà una di quelle meteore destinate ad accendersi per poi sparire senza lasciare alcun segno?
Gli Ewian sono una band emergente tedesca e Good Old Underground è il loro primo lavoro.
Fin dal primo ascolto sono indubbie le influenze che caratterizzano il loro progetto, Radiohead,  Muse, The Smiths, che spingono la loro sonorità in una direzione ben precisa con melodie dal sapore agrodolce.
L’uso particolare del pianoforte si impregna di mille sfumature distorte, oniriche, capaci di entrare nella testa riecheggiando all'infinito, ma anche il morbido tappeto di arpeggi di chitarre a tratti rumorose che riempiono i vuoti, a tratti melodiche decadentiste.
Ciò che colpisce è il perfetto connubio tra musica e testi, la loro armonizzazione ed il loro essere così coerenti, profondi, evocativi, in un notevole lavoro sulle parole che non sembra lasciare nulla al caso, trasportandoti in un'altra dimensione.
Il potenziale c'è e si sente. Sta a noi impedire che diventino una meteora: gli Ewian faranno parlare di loro, non ci sono dubbi. (7/10)

Mitwirkende:
Ewian Christensen
Benjamin Lachance
Fifi Rong
Clemens Engert
James Hrabak

Official Site

1. My Dear Dead memory
2. Good Old Underground
3. Escape
4. The Last Poem
5. Black Star
6. Zampano (Alien Hand Syndrome Remix)
7. We Are Not Afraid To Die
8. Looper (Slack Armada Remix)
9.New Born
10.When I Was Dead feat. Fifi Rong

Olof and Elize talk about new album: Amaranthe interview!

The third album from swedish metal band Amaranthe has a kaleidoscopic sound!

Synth and guitars join and dance with the vocals...but if you want to know more about "Massive Addictive"...Olof Mörck (guitarist/keyboard player) and Elize Ryd (clean vocals)  replied to our questions this way.

LFdM: Hi guys! Thank you so much for this opportunity! So let's start... 

We know that Amaranthe has a very unique sound, how would you describe your music to someone who had never heard the band before?

Olof: As you say, it is hard to put the music in to words, so first of all I would urge that person to listen to the music. But to try to express it in words; the music combines different genres, everything from pop, metal, trance and so on has gone into the mix.

It is a very modern style, and it is not bound by any genre in our own minds.

LFdM: Everyone of you come from different bands, how the idea of playing together was born?

Elize: Me and Olof started to work on some vocal ideas, meanwhile Olof had an idea of creating a project together with Jake. I got involved in the making of some metal-ish tracks that I liked very much.

It all started there and later on we transformed into what later became a band with three vocalists named Amaranthe.

LFdM: How do the personalities of the various members mesh?

Olof: We all come from different backgrounds, which creates an interesting dynamic and chemistry. For the most part that is a very awesome thing, and I think the music it self reflect the different aspects to our personalities.

LFdM: Your band brings together three different types of voice, all equally intense and expressive. How do you get to create a perfect harmony between them?

Elize: By following our instincts. I have a feeling that we don't need to think a lot during the making, it comes usually very natural. It's a great feeling knowing that we don't have any limits when it comes to range or expression during the songwriting process.

LFdM: This is also definitely your most distinctive feature. How did you choose to follow this interpretative line?

Olof: A part of it was coincidental - me and Jake brought in Elize as a guest, but when we heard her voice in the music we felt it was an absolute perfect match, and she became an essential part of the band. Andy got into the band in a similar way, and there was the setup.

LFdM: Talking about new album! "Massive Addictive" is more dynamic with some pop elements and EBM beats, there is the willingness to push in this way in the further?

Olof: We don't think about it too much. I think it is important an artist not to limit yourself and think too much about the direction you are going. For us it comes more from following our hearts, and 'MASSIVE ADDICTIVE' is the result of that instinct.

LFdM: What are, in your opinion, the main differences between "Massive Addictive" and your past ones?

Elize: It is as it's spoken, more Massive. The sound and the idea was been updated. It's hopefully a little bit more Addictive than the previous two. It's both catchier and harder.

Olof: I think this album is more different than 'The Nexus' was to 'Amaranthe'. We have probably gotten more bolder as musicians and composers, and we are more confident about our unique style. There are some completely new elements, such as new keyboard sounds, new guitar tunings, different setups for the division of vocal lines between the singers, and in general we are writing the vocal lines a bit more playful and less restrictive.

LFdM: 'Drop Dead Cynical' got 35.000 plays in the first day, how do you feel?

Olof: It is pretty awesome! 'The Nexus' started off with around 12.500 hits, and 'Hunger' with 8000 so needless to say it is quite the step up! There has also been some really great response around the song live as well, and people are already singing along to the song.

LFdM: Are there any bands that influenced your work in a particular way, or gave you a special inspiration from which to create your own sound?

Elize: Many, But I would say everything from Avicii to Christina Aguilera.

Olof: For me personally, almost everything I have listened to and liked, pretty much everything from Michael Jackson to Soilwork.

LFdM: In 2012, in Denver, Elize was called to replace Anette Olzon during a Nightwish concert. Can you tell us something about it? 

What kind of experience was it?

Elize: It was a rare experience, something very unpredictable. It's something I won't forget in a good way, but on the other hand I almost wished that the conditions were different.

LFdM: What are your upcoming tour plans?

Elize: We are right now in North America on tour with WithinTemptation. After this we will play at Loud Park in Japan. Then we fly to Mexico and then we are heading back for a headlining tour in North America.

Olof: Plus Russia and Czech Republic and some shows back home in Sweden, and that is pretty much this year. We will absolutely tour Europe again as soon as possible!

LFdM: Oh well, we hope to see you in Italy!

Massive Addictive Track list:

01. Dynamite

02. Drop Dead Cynical

03. Trinity

04. Massive Addictive

05. Digital World

06. True

07. Unreal

08. Over and Done

09. Danger Zone

10. Skyline

11. An Ordinary Abnormality

12. Exhale

Official Site

To/Die/For' s Jape Perätalo talks about his creature

"Without music, life would be a mistake" (F. Nietzsche)

I don't want to bore you explaining the history of this band... Just read, listen and...try to understand..

LFdM: Well Jape, it’s always hard to find interesting questions for a band known since such long time, composed of people who make music for a life time, so, please forgive me if  I’ll bore you in any way. 

The first album All Eternity you were personally involved in the recording because you knew every single member, 5 guys, 5 childhood friends together to give voice to their pain, dreams, what you want, it's still soon has anything changed since then?

Jape: It was a little bit different in the beginning compared today. I was playing a few years with Tommi Lillman before TDF, so we had some kind of spirit we shared. I was on a same class with Joonas Koto, who was our guitarist on All Eternity, Epilogue, Jaded, and also on Wounds Wide Open albums... We did songs very fast, but we just had “that” Spirit and feeling ,and it is something you cannot put in words.

Today we still have good feelings to do music, and sometimes we have lost that Important thing “THE FEELING”... but now it seems like we`ve found it again!

LFdM: Do you think that the constant line-up changes, although involved guys who hung out the "clan", could somehow disrupt the balance of TDF? As they say, sometimes just one look to understand each other... a love-like dynamic…

Jape: It can surely disrupt the balance in the band. I am sure that some “short-time” member(s) joined to our band because of a wrong reason. Sometimes we were too hasty to wait that right person to band... Shit happens but  now, we need to be more careful with that.

Now when Esa Viren took guitar, (played bass before in TDF) we started to feel more like “We all want that same thing” kinda feeling. Juåpe Sutela and Esa Viren are very good combination to create TDF guitars.

Personally I am more than tired to all these line up changes, but there is always been wild persons in the band, that you never know what happens ,but that is only rock and roll, and natural “living wild life” stuff! So what can I do? If i would stop doing this, because of other people´s problems, opinions or what ever...I would not stop doing this because of myself... then I would do it because of someone elses life! And that is not wise at all.

This is my life, and I do what ever I want to! And I need and I love making music under the name of To/Die/For.

LFdM: From All Etermity to Samsara your style has remained unchanged even though in first albums the songs seemed much more elaborate. I mean, especially Samsara is missing the song, the one that makes you turn abruptly and be amazed. When I think about songs like "Live in you" or "Too Much Is not Enough", I feel like you had had the urge to break a sort of silence. You’re free to insult me, if you want... 

Jape: Yes, like I said, sometimes we lost that feeling! I can still feel very strongly our first albums, All Eternity and Epilogue especially...In My opinion SAMSARA is not the same that our previous albums. It was something else, even I do not know what it is.

But, we had a break before recording Samsara album, and we were just so exited to record what ever, even it was not “Pure TDF Style”.

Samsara' album was not a mistake, but it is something we are not gonna do again with TDF. We need more dark and deep feelings for now!

LFdM:  "Dear Delirium", on the other hand, surprised me. There are plenty of new ideas, from a pure ly visual point of view it is a very strong video. Rather than tell about the pleasure and the pain of the soul it seems to focus on something more material...the pleasures of success or the excess? What are its meanings?

Jape: Dear Delirium lyrics comes from the dream I saw once, I admit I was smoked a bit Cannabis so, it felt very strong thing...but in the end it is like a lovesong to the feeling of Freedom, canda 100% clean lovesong to all good people out there. Delirium and things that I see, hear or feel while having some kind of Delirium, is not only an illusion for me you see. It is real! Because...if I feel it, isn´t real then?

About the video I have nothing important to say. We did it very cheap ways so... we ust had fun in that cellar for a few hours, and we were busy for dong that video, because we had to head to airport after videoshootings. (Next day we played in Madrid)

LFdM: Yeah, great show, I was there! 

Returning to be serious.. Telling of sadness, melancholy and pain.. Can you become slave of all this?

Jape: It is bad, if you´re slave for anything! I see it like this:

Everything we think we are, comes from our memories, it can be a lot of shit in it, or good things too...there are two rooms, and in other room is all of our memories, in the next room is Today...

it is not a good thing to close the door between these two things! The doors must be open, but we need to learn to handle memories, which is actually Karma! We need to learn to handle our bad memories, which brings pain, the way that we can go to this room, and handle these feelings, and when we think it is enough, we have to learn to go to the other room,where is TODAY, and where from we can see to the future! It is not easy, but learning to do it,we feel much better!

I am not very dark person all the time, but I can travel to the place, where is all of my bad memories, and very bad experiences, Usually I wear these things to songs...after that i need to escape from it all! And believe, I have learned how to do it. 

We came from the light, to the place where things can go wrong, but we always go back to the light. Everyone of us!

LFdM: For the next album, will you focus more on harmonies based main on guitar and vocals, or will improve the usage of other elements, such as keyboards, not so much as an accompaniment but as a tool of interpretation and union between the dark atmosphere of goth and those more powerful and aggressive of metal. 

Jape: All I can say about seventh album is that it is gonna be more dark and more like our old style. We changed our guitars back to B tune, as we had on first album etc. And doing more goth I could say and keyboards... of course!

LFdM: I can imagine how much work there is behind the making of the album, but what happens after its release? There is a moment of relaxation or adrenaline runs wild?

Jape: Personally I feel empty for a while, and cannot create any new stuff.

LFdM: All today claim to teach something through their own songs/ music /art. But what music taught to Jape until today?

Jape: I always been thinking that there is no Jape at all without music. I would be different person totally…Music taught me Freedom! From all this society shit! Also music taught me, that we need to tolerate every kind of people, every kind of music. Music is not MINE or YOURS only, It is for everyone! Something you do not like, someone else loves...same with the food .

Music is our soul´s food!

LFdM: Can you please tell me something about songwriting? I imagine who ever writes lyrics as one who needs to get rid of the things in his head, to make room for another or something. Like a closet cleaning.

Jape: For me it is been like a closet cleaning with some songs yes. Like what I wrote about religion shit on IV album … same with songs I wrote to my brother who died in 2010... it makkes me more clean again.

LFdM: What’s the secret for a perfect melody?

Jape: I always been thinking that if you do melodies with all of your heart and soul, and do not think “what other people says about this?”... then it must fit even with one other person somewhere in the world. No matter if it is a bit of slimy, if you feel it very strong, then you must do it!

LFdM: What comes before, words or music?

Jape: Melodies comes first!

LFdM: I think it’s amazing the interaction you guys have with your fans. Very often you place yourselves on the same level. Surely the fact that you are not (please pass me the expression) “mainstreamed rock stars” helps this involvement. Do you believe the fame is an excuse to not establish this kind of contactor it’s a simple lack of will?

Jape: We are on a same level! Everyone should be! I do not know anything about the real fame, and IF real fame comes to you, remember it is only a tool then. If it is something more, It is not good at all!

LFdM: Today there are two tags very popular in the music industry:"alternative" and "experimental". Are you one who always keep up to date on new musical idea seven from the technological point of view or for you it’s a matter of feeling?

Jape: Matter of Feeling! We do not see any reason to change TDF´s music style anymore...If we would like to create different kind of music,then let´s do a new band.

LFdM: Have you ever considered making an entire album in Finnish?

Jape: Never the whole album, but sometimes I have been thinking that would be interesting to do one song in Finnish; Let´s see if it never happens but...

LFdM: The last question: pick a POP (strictly) album to take with you on a desert island.

Jape: aaaaaahhhh...Difficult. Only one album, and listening it a few years, same song all the time (laugh) ??? Would be painful ahaha.. I would not take any albums with me... I would choose my acoustic guitar with me!

LFdM: Ok fucking question: How do you see "Moonlight Shadow"  (by Mike Oldfield) as a cover song? I love this song

Jape: Hmmm….it is ok, hihihi, but... Let´s see if we finally do some cover from Duran Duran ;)

LFdM: God bless TDF!

(Interview by Michela)

Link: facebook - youtube
 Hail of Bullets video

The Northern Light - Revontulet Interview!

The Russian symphonic tradition meets the northern light of finnish winter to warm our hearts!
Directly from Revontulet singer Alexandra, their story for you.

LFdM:  Let's start with the origin of your name, taken from an old Finnish legend about the Northern lights. This is also the theme for the cover of your album. Why Finland? What's the meaning of that and what's the message?

Alexandra: Well, first of all, we really love Finland, its nature and of course metal bands! I studied Finnish language for about three years, and Sergey has Finnish roots. The legend you mentioned is very beautiful. And the lights itself are magical and totally awesome!

LFdM: Among a lot of musical genres, symphonic is one of the most fascinating, what of its sound attracts so many people, in your opinion?

A: I believe that the true lovers of symphonic music understand how intricate and refined this music is. It is absolutely amazing how many voices of different instruments merge into one overwhelming composition. But even if you’re not interested in the music structure, you can feel the tremendous power of the orchestra!

LFdM: What does it mean for you, to live and play in a music industry in which also play great bands like Nightwish, Epica etc? What's your personal style, the thing that makes you different in some way?

A: I guess there are some things that you can’t do any other way, when your music flows right from your heart. Every good composer has his own specific melodic style, a composer's ‘handwriting’. And it is the author’s personality reflected in his creation. And a listener will recognize it. When you add an original sound and diverse orchestrations, you get a very original music composition. And I believe we have it all… 

LFdM: Symphonic is basically based on the voice, it needs a lot of study and musical interpretation, so, in consideration of this, tell us what training you have had and what impact it has had on you?

A: I wouldn’t say that it’s based on the voice itself; it’s rather the right combination of the voice and the orchestration. Though, you have to control your vocals very well. I took classical singing lessons from Emma Sarkisyan, a Russian opera singer, who performs in Novaya Opera and Bolshoi Theater. It is a great foundation for building your voice. But I think that the genuine operatic singing is pretty tiresome in metal music. So now I try to sing in a more contemporary manner. 

LFdM: How do you try to get the balance between technical and emotional impact?

A: Music is the most efficient way of sharing feelings with other people, it is the universal language. The technical part is just to serve the emotional matter. The vocals are the most important in this impact, that’s why I prefer the contemporary singing - it is more interesting and emotional. 

LFdM: You had some problems with the line up during the years. Do you ever thought to give everything up, or music was stronger than the will to giving up everything?

Maybe just for the first time, when Jury Leshchishen, the guitar-player with whom we started the band, left… But, you know, the path of a musician is not the easiest one, and I can’t force people to follow it, if they don’t want. But I just can’t live without music.

LFdM: Do you enjoy the instant interaction with your audience that internet brings? What effects do you think it has on the music industry and the artists, right now?

A: The Internet is an amazing tool for communicating with fans! It’s just incredible how music can reach people from across the ocean in just a moment! And it’s also wonderful to have the real-time feedback on our activities. We truly appreciate it. 

Now the crowdfunding platforms bring the independent musicians to a whole new level of association with their audience. I guess this tendency will only intensify in the future.

By the way, we’ve recently got an Instagram account (http://instagram.com/revontuletband) in addition to a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/revontuletofficial) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/RevontuletBand), so feel free to follow us! ;) 

LFdM: You played a lot of gigs, what kind of experience has been?

A: That’s true, we had many gigs and always got a really warm reception. We share all our energy and emotions with the audience! I also hope that it transfers though the Internet when we play online!

LFdM: What are your next plans and goals?

A: The next goal is the first music video! This is going to be a very interesting story! Thanks to our dear friends and fans we’ve got enough funds to embody all our ideas in this clip! Also I compose some new songs. Hopefully you’ll hear them soon! 

LFdM: We too dear, thank you again!

Heavy Metal from Finland: Tarot Interview

Tarot is a heavy metal band from Finland. Maybe many of you discovered them only when Marco Hietala became the bass player of Nightwish, but their story dates back to many years ago, in 1986...  

Hi Zac, thank you for this interview! 

As you know, the purpose of our blog is to spread music in Italy, trying to raise awareness of various bands in our area, ranging between genres. We try, in our small place, to give back to our readers the soul behind a music project. Obviously you are not in an emerging band, but I think it is also crucial starting to understand what it means to have the music inside.

So… here are our questions!

LFdM: In the mid-80s Tarot played mainly British Metal, and Hanoi Rocks glam rock, both movements from England. Today we see a lot of bands drawing from Finnish music the basic elements to start their career. Can we finally talk about a Finnish music scene? 

Zac: In our opinion we played NWOBHM and kinda do it still. We just wanted to wear American glamrock clothes back then, but the music style was European.

Although we have develop our own style to play metal and surely it’s Finnish metal. 

LFdM: Please, tell me more about Purgatory. What drives two brothers to form a band?

Zac: Marco and I started the band at early -80’s and it was easy start with bro. We both liked same kinda metal and bands, so it was natural to work together. 

LFdM: Tarot project has its roots in a time when all the members of a band were used to close themselves in a cellar, began to strum putting down ideas and songs and then got a cubic ass (pardon the colorful expression… I'm a metalhead inside, hope you don't mind!) to bring their work in front of producers who, perhaps, will often shot the door in their face. Today there is a totally different climate: internet, social networks, the ability to do most of the work with a computer and then send a simple email to the right person. This evolution has affected the way you make music or are you still the guys you were yesterday? 

Zac: We haven’t live together in any cellar or training room and don’t call Tarot as a project.

When we got the material ready for the album, we of course trainend our asses of, but one reason we have been active more than 25 years, is we don’t hang around in our free time.

We mostly see each others, when starting to do new album or training for tours.

Me and Marco did all music, arrangement and lyrics before Janne came in the band. After that he’s been with us doing music. We have always have kinda unique way to compose new material. All of us three does riffs, choruses, bits and pieces by our own and then we go together in the studio, to putting things together. We have never ever done songs by jamming together or so.

Of course sometimes we all have so strict vision of the own particular song, so it’s almost ready for demo or even recording. That time others do only some arrangements. Now on Marco does all the lyrics for years, so I don’t have to do them.

(c) Jarkko Tiitinen

LFdM: During the years there have been some changes in the line-up and "a correction of the sound"with Janne Tolsa on keyboards and Tommi Salmela to the sampler. Keyboards and samplers have certainly helped to give a more modern sound to the band. How these choices have really affected your natural path as we see and hear it today? 

Zac: Janne came in the band -88 and Tommi has been with us since the beginning. nhe was one of our roudies and got the own band, so it was natural to him to start sinning backing vocals on stage and later on the albums, as well as leads.

Janne has only two hands, so we want to show all vocals tracks, which been recorded, on stage as well, so Tommi play them out from the sampler. We don’t want to start to use tapes or hard disk. Keys is very important instrument of old school metal and we should use them from the beginning, which obviously we didn’t.

LFdM: I saw you live during the Ankkarock 2011, and  I was struck by the warmth of the people and the friendly atmosphere between you and the audience. At that time I still did not know these wonderful people. I could not help but notice how many people in the crowd wore Nightwish t-shirts, it seemed to me I was at their gig rather than in front of Tarot. In this regard, I wonder how the entry of Marco in a band with such a strong impact and reputation like Nightwish has had an impact on the reputation of Tarot: something has changed or the interest of people towards you is independent from all this? 

Zac: We always have warm feeling with the crowd and we don’t want to be too tough or theeth grinned on stage, playing metal should be fun indeed.

Nighwish success has helped us surely, but you have to remember, Tarot started 1986 and Nw 1996, they even started as warming up act for us back then.

If you sell millions of albums, you will sell T-shirts as well, He he!

LFdM: It's tough having to always compare with this reality or are these two opposed worlds that are able to coexist in spite of this legacy?

Zac: Not actually. This is not the sports. Just rock ‘n’ roll 

LFdM: I admit to having met you through Nightwish, but this didn't stop me from appreciating your music: indeed, it was a moment of musical enrichment for me. I remember (or maybe I imagined it) a raised edge of wonder in your eyes to see a 24 year old girl in the midst of large group of diehard metalheads who knew your songs. Is that music's or Tarot's power?

Zac: We have a strong group called Tarot, we play well and we have decent songs, so there are very strong basement of fans now. It’s been grown with us and I think we have our little place in metal sky.

LFdM: Almost all the band members carry on side projects of great value. Consider for example Turmion Kätilöt, always very active especially live, or to the most recent draft of Lazy Bonez. How do you reconcile to everything? I mean, Finnish people are perfectionist by nature, so where do you find the time and energy, what is the sec Just rocret of your success in everything you do? 

Zac: We all, except our drummer, have side projects, other bands or so. It’s refreshing to do something else time to time. I released A2Z guitar solo album last summer and another one is on it’s way. Janne is really busy with  Turmion Kätilöt. Tommi has done few demos for Lazy Bonez and with Marco they will start soon Raskasta Joulua (Metal Christmas) tour, so next Tarot album have to wait a little bit longer we expected. Of course Marco has been doing forthcoming Nightwish album this summer as well.

Actually we have about 10 new songs for Tarot written already, so hopefully all time schedules will turn out great and all the albums are coming out someday.

LFdM: How would you describe your journey as a musician? Each of us knows deep in his soul what is the favourite path to take: your love for music: has always been clear or is it something that has matured over the years, which has evolved over time? 

Zac: Learning. I have work as youth worker at the same time I’ve been musician, so there’s great balance between these two professions.

Sometimes it’s hard to do two full time jobs, but if you love what you do, you’ll stand it.

LFdM: The thing I think is most fascinating about being a musician is being able to meet theaudience during live shows, but I guess it's also one of the most delicate moments: do you feel "naked" in front of your fans or, sometimes, you're forced to wear a mask?

Zac: Not really. As an artist you shoud be bit scared, when hit the stage, until you don’t get adrenaline flowing and do you best. But naked…masked… not. I love to be naked, but not on stage though…

LFdM: How do you experience tours and festivals? What are your feelings during these events?

Zac: I love to play live, it’s the most best thing in this profession, surely. 

LFdM: During these years have you gained more familiarity or there is the same excitement of the early days? 

Zac: You always find something new from playing live, different countries, cultures, places, you can name them. Never get bored or too used to it.

LFdM: What are your plans for the future? Gravity of Light and its tour come from 2010/2011. We are in 2014. Just to say: do we have to wait for you for a long time? :) 

Zac: Hopefully not. The next album is on it’s way as I said earlier, but we all have so much to do, it will take the time, sorry.

(c) Jarkko Tiitinen

Until now we joked with "usual questions", but I'm also your (big!) fan, so, I would like to get a little more personal, if you do not mind! 

LFdM: I read that Marco has a really diverse musical training: he studied jazz and then began his vocal training at a school of music, however, he was unable to continue his studies because he had already released two albums with Tarot, and was thought to have sold his soul to the Devil. How much of these rumors are true? Have you ever had real problems from this point of view back in the eighties?

Zac: Never heard such a story. In -80’s all religious people here in Finland said we have tyo be satan worshippers, but today no no… Rumors are rumors and we don’t care them, cause they are not true at all.

LFdM: Is there any funny story you want to tell us regarding your beginnings? Stage fright, hysterics or simply afraid to have taken a wrong path? 

Zac: There are so many funny stories in such long career, but I might not tell them here, they are not for innocent ears, he he!

LFdM: If the Hietala brothers had not decided to become musicians, what they would do in their lives? The audience sees only what he wants to see about people on the stage, but I am sure that under the surface something really different hides (and certainly not Satan ;) )

Zac: Cannot say about the boys, but surely I would be youth worker as I do. We don’t regret our choice of career and I’m sure we all are happy with this. 

LFdM: There is a dream that, being part of the Tarot, you have not had the chance to carry on because of too many commitments, or just because you've become famous? Have you achieved all the achievable? 

Zac: Always we can get more of this and never be too satisfied of what you have achieved.

Try to get higher, sell more albums, play more and better gigs, etc. Way of life.

LFdM: I visited the lake area in far and wide. I was struck by the breathtaking scenery that your land has to offer all year round. Have you ever want to drop everything and retire from the scene for a quieter life in a cottage by the lake, with a boat on a side and a fishing rod on the other? Or Tarot still have a lot to say through music? 

Zac: We all except Tommi, are more or less city boys. Tommi has summer cottage and like to spend time there, when possible. But I love cities and I’m not eager to go in the woods or lakes.

Thank you so much for your time and for your patience. And I also thank all of band members for what they have been able to give over the years with their music. I hope you'll go on this way. (Come in Italy whenever you want, I'll be there for sure!) 

With huge esteem,

Dora for Les Fleurs du Mal

Yours Zac/Tarot

**

Tarot is a heavy metal band from Finland whose members are:

Marco Hietala - vocals, bass

Zachary Hietala - guitars

Pecu Cinnari - drums

Janne Tolsa - keys

Tommi Salmela - vocals, sampler 

For more informations visit their Official Website!