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9 Dec 2009

D-Drive с Антоном DragonT Павленко - Finntroll Interview Translation





Translation by Lotta, originally posted on the Finntroll forum.

2.51
Finntroll's main characteristic is synthesis of incompatible things like conceptual black metal and plain humor of humppa
2.58 hello, we are very happy to see you in Ukraine. tell us please about your impressions of our country
3.05 Mathias did not have time to acquainted (i think it's totally wrong word here, but i can't find better one XD) Ukraine today, but he saw much in his last visit at this summer
3.17 he was impressed by ukrainian public, they're very energetic
3.39: can you tell what was happened in that day this summer, when you were must to play on pro-rock festival?
3.46: Mathias doesn't actually knows which reason was of concert cancellation, but it seems financial reason
3.53: but decided find the way to go out from this situation and to play somehow, if they come in Ukraine. it's sad, but not everybody could go in then
4.09 and it was very interesting to play with Rotting Christ
4.34: Mathias, tell us please about unusual combination: you've played with Rotting Christ on one stage. which more bands (which playing another music compare to Finntroll) you've played with on one stage?
4.48:in Mexico for example with Celtic Frost
4.52: in 2008 on fest with Belphegor
5.00 (can't understand what they saying.. probably about the year - 2007, not 2008)
5.26 in press many finnish bands say that it's cool to tour and spend the time with Finntroll. and who for you are most comfortable to tour with?
5.42 last time was very interesting to tour with Eluveitie. Last summer european tour was good and mostly all was good with Eluveitie. And likely next summer tour will be with them too. Especially Finntroll's and Eluveitie's new albums will be released simultaneously
6.21 in which country public reaction was closest personally to you?
6.25 in Mathias' opinion is Holland, Belgium. Especially memorable gigs in east europe, because there public just 'tear the roof'
6.41 tell us please about your creativity before Finntroll?
6.45 before Finntroll Mathias doesn't work in big bands, but basically he was interested in metal music and enjoyed little vocal black death bands which was created by himself since he was 6 years old
7.20 do you have any work besides music, and if yes what is it? do you have another profession, another occupation?
7.26 he's occupation is a sound engeneer, and he works on one studio in west Finland. when work in Finntroll needs not so much time, he can move to east Finland and work as sound engeneer there
7.47 do you have any hobbies besides music?
7.50 making music needs much time. sometimes trying to go to the swimming pool
8.05 tell us please which music do you listen right now? maybe there is some last album, which surprised you, you've listened to it and said "wow!"?
8.13 last time he opened for himself one british progressive band named Frost
8.20 i wish you good luck on the concert, i think it will be great!

24 Oct 2009

Interview with Vreth from Finntroll France

Author: Josué, November 9th 2008
From Finntroll France
Original link

Voici une interview, faite rapidement à cause des problèmes avec la Loco, par Josh et Lord USA de Vreth lors du Heidenfest à Paris le 9 Novembre 2008.

Finntroll France : Salut Vreth, nous sommes content de revoir Finntroll faire un concert à Paris pour le Heidenfest Tour. Quelle est ta réaction à chaud après ce concert et sur le Heidenfest depuis le début de la tournée ?

Vreth : C'est toujours un plaisir de jouer en France, car nous aimons beaucoup le public français qui est très chaleureux et très présent lors de nos concerts, ce qui a encore été le cas ce soir. Concernant le Heidenfest, je suis un peu déçu de l'organisation mais également de la salle de concert qui ont du mal à gérer quelques situations, comme tu as pu le voir avant notre show, quand nous avons discuté, j'étais un peu stressé à cause de tout ça. Mais ça ne nous a pas empêchés de prendre plaisir à jouer devant ce très bon public.

Finntroll France : Le 20 septembre 2008, Finntroll a filmé son premier live, comment s'est passée cette expérience et pour quand est prévue la sortie du DVD ?

Vreth : Cette expérience est très enrichissante et nous sommes contents que tout se soit bien passé aussi bien pour nous que pour l'équipe technique ainsi que le public qui était particulièrement énorme pour cette occasion. J'ai hâte de voir le résultat du DVD et l'accueil de nos fans ensuite. Concernant le montage et la sortie du DVD, je n'ai pas plus de renseignement pour le moment car nous sommes très pris par la tournée du Heidenfest, mais je t'informerai par mail quand j'aurai plus d'informations.

Finntroll France : Est-ce qu'un nouvel album est prévu pour 2009 ? Et quelle en sera l'inspiration ?

Vreth : Pour le moment, je n'ai pas d'informations, vu que c'est Katla qui écrit les textes, mais je pense que c'est envisageable oui.

Finntroll France : Un nouveau show en France est-il prévu pour l'année prochaine ?

Vreth : Pour le moment les tournées et festivals ne sont pas en encore prévus pour 2009 avec notre tourneur, mais il y aura des shows je pense.

Finntroll France : Finntroll France fête sa première année d'existence. Quel est ton ressenti par rapport aux soutiens des fans français avec la création de ce site ?

Vreth : Un an, c'est super ça, félicitations les gars j'en suis ravi (en nous serrant la main avec un grand sourire). C'est un énorme plaisir de vous avoir avec nous et de nous promouvoir en France, et je vous en remercie beaucoup, tout le groupe pense de même d'ailleurs. Je suis moi même passé sur le site, c'est très bien fait mais malheureusement je ne comprends pas le français, ça serait cool d'en faire une version anglaise comme ça je pourrais venir regarder tout ce que vous faites pour nous et lire les commentaires de nos fans français.

Finntroll France : Merci beaucoup Vreth, pour cette interview et tes encouragement pour Finntroll.fr.

Vreth : Merci à vous, et on se recontacte très vite par mail pour la prochaine interview et que je te donnes quelques news concernant le DVD.


Interview with Skrymer and Vreth

Author: Simon, May 2nd 2007
From BurnYourEyes Webzine
Original link

Nach einem langem, schönen und anstrengendem Tag hüpften Gitarrist Samuli "Skrymer" Ponsimaa (S), Vokalist Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns (V) und ich durch das Treppenhaus der Markthalle und machten uns auf den Weg zu einem der drei geräumigen Tourbusse. Offensichtlich erfreut über etwas Abwechslung und bester Dinge - wenn auch etwas ermattet - rauchten die beiden Finnen ein paar Mentholzigaretten oder tranken Weißbier, während sie mir Auskunft gaben und sich die Sonne langsam hinter den Horizont Hamburgs schob.

Vielen Dank, dass ihr euch die Zeit für das Interview genommen habt. Wie geht es euch?

S: Gut, ein wenig müde, aber das ist normal auf Tour.
V: Gut.

Wie ist das Touren? Mit dir, Mathias, habt ihr ja auch einen neuen Sänger. Ist das Touren entspannter oder noch aufregender?

V: Ich denke, die Frage sollte er dann wohl beantworten. Hehe.
S: Ja, es ist auf jeden Fall entspannter. Wir sind eher wieder bei diesem Band-Geist. Wir kommen alle super gut aus. Es gibt da keine Probleme.

Nun zu den wirklichen Fragen: Welche Themen beeinflussten euch beim Schreiben von "Ur Jordens Djup". Natur, Kunst, Politik…?

S: Musik oder Text?

Beides.

S: Natur ist wohl das zentrale Thema. Welche Inspiration noch, hm? Uns langweilten einfach die alten Stücke.
V: Ja. (lachen)
V: Das ist nicht einfach zu beantworten.
S: Es gibt hier und da Einflüsse, aber die lassen sich nur schwer aufzählen.

Von aktueller Politik oder Ähnlichem lasst ihr euch nicht beeinflussen?

V: Nein, wir halten uns von der Politik fern.

Die nächste Frage hat entfernt mit Politik zu tun. Denn besonders in Deutschland gibt es viele rechte Strömungen und rassistischen Dreck, der mit der Szene in Verbindung gebracht wird. Sorgt ihr euch da nicht, dass Rassisten auf euren Konzerten herumspazieren? Denn immerhin habt ihr ja "You Suffer" von NAPALM DEATH einst gecovert und viel politisch korrekter geht es ja nun kaum. Dennoch gibt es viele Rechte und Rassisten, die FINNTROLL mögen.

S: Das ist seltsam, denn es hat ja nun nichts mit Rassismus oder Rechtsextremismus zu tun. Der Punkt ist, dass irgendjemand irgendwann diese fabelhafte Idee hatte, dass Wikinger und Nordmänner irgendetwas mit dem rechten politischem Flügel zu tun hätten.
V: Aber wenn die zu den Konzerten kommen, ist mir das egal. Ich meine, wenn die wegen der Musik kommen…
S: Wenn sie nur wegen der Musik kommen, ist das okay.
V: Aber wenn sie versuchen, irgendwelche Scheiß-Botschaften zu verbreiten, wird es zu einem Problem.
S: Aber es passiert leider sehr, sehr häufig, dass die Bands missverstanden werden in letzter Zeit. Ich weiß es auch nicht… (seufzt)
V: (lacht)

Gibt es immer noch Bands, die ihr bewundert und mit denen ihr gerne spielen würdet, bisher aber noch nicht die Gelegenheit dazu hattet?

S: Oh, gute Frage. Ich denke, da hat natürlich jeder so seine eigene Auswahl. Aber ich würde zum Beispiel gerne mit DISMEMBER spielen.
V: Ich würde generell eben gerne mit den Bands spielen, zu denen ich aufgesehen habe, seit man klein war. DISMEMBER sind ein gutes Beispiel, ansonsten…
S: Ältere Bands eben, denn eigentlich habe ich lange kein neues Death Metal-Album mehr gekauft. Die Musik hat da ziemlich an Energie verloren. Aber, na ja, das würde nur ein langes Gezeter darüber werden, was heutzutage falsch läuft in der Musik.

Da liegt der Brückenschlag wieder nahe zu "Enemy Of The Music Business"?

S: Ja, genau! Hm… ansonsten an Bands natürlich noch NAPALM DEATH, IMPALED NAZARENE…
V: Norwegischer Black Metal…
S: Oh ja.

Ihr habt einst gesagt, es sei sehr trollish, Schwedisch für die Texte zu verwenden. Klingt denn Finnisch nicht eher exotisch und seltsam?

V: Nein, denn das Schwedisch klingt eigentlich besser mit der Musik.
S: Viel besser als Finnisch…
V: Das R lässt sich zum Beispiel viel besser rollen, und die Worte lassen sich besser ziehen, wohin gegen Finnisch…
S: Tak! Tak! Tak! (klopft dabei mit einem Feuerzeug auf den Tisch)
V: Zudem denke ich, es gibt so viele Bands aus Finnland, die Finnisch singen, und wenn man Finnisch singt, ist man schnell abgestempelt als finnische Band und außerhalb des Landes haben es damit nur wenige weit gebracht.
S: Natürlich ist das nicht die Hauptsache – es weit zu bringen, aber es passt ja eben auch besser zur Musik.
V: Ja, es passt besser zur Musik, zu der Band, und dafür wäre Finnisch einfach zu akzentuiert.

Was seht ihr, wenn ihr einen Blick in die Zukunft werft, für euch als Band?

S: Mehr Kick-Ass-Shows.
V: Neue Musik machen…
S: Hoffentlich mehr Fans zu erreichen, für mehr Kick-Ass-Shows. Eben Leute zu erreichen. Es wäre eben ideal wenn, sagen wir, fünf Leute heute im Publikum losziehen, sich die Alben kaufen, weil wir nachher so gut spielen.

Also ist es wichtig, auch weiterhin als Liveband überzeugend zu sein und nicht durch ein Image?

S: Exakt, denn da sieht man die Band ja so, wie sie wirklich ist. Bevor die Leute eben im Geschäft sehen, wie es auszusehen hat, ist es doch besser, sie live zu überzeugen.

Und was wollt ihr noch in bezug auf FINNTROLL loswerden, was muss noch gesagt werden, oder mit welchem Vorurteil wollt ihr abrechnen?

V: Wir werden oft als eine reine Saufband abgestempelt. Nach dem Schema: "Finntroll? – Die singen über Trolle und Bier…".
S: Ja, das ist nervig, denn so ist es nicht. Von diesem Ruf würden wir uns wirklich gerne trennen. Denn es ist mehr dahinter als dieses dämliche Zuprosten und so…
V: Naja, das ja auch irgendwie, aber da ist eben mehr. Natürlich ist da manchmal ein bisschen Saufen im Spiel, aber zu viele Leute sehen das als das zentrale Thema.
S: Als einziges Thema.

Wenn es nicht darum geht, worum dreht es sich denn dann? Geht es darum, Leute zu erreichen, Leute zu verändern, die Welt zu verändern oder eben einfach ein Künstlerdasein zu führen?

S: Viele Aspekte.
V: Ja, viele Aspekte. (lacht) Folklore, Schmanismus…
S: Dann sind da natürlich noch moderne Themen, die Selbstfindung und natürlich Stücke gegen Religionen. Nicht gegen das Christentum, gegen den Islam oder gegen das Judentum im Speziellen - gegen alle. Es geht um Natur-Religionen… wobei wohl eher natürliches… Benehmen und Verhalten.

Wirklich gesprächig waren die zwei Finnen nicht und machten einen ermüdeten und matten Eindruck - auch wenn sie versicherten, vom Touren nicht genug bekommen zu können. Nach dem Interview plauderten wir noch locker zehn Minuten daher, während Samuli "Skrymer" Ponsimaa, der sich auch für die Cover der Bands verantwortlich zeichnet, auf dem Blatt, das ich ihnen zum Gestalten gereicht habe, ein eindrucksvolles Kunstwerk schuf.

Finntroll - "Samu Ruotsalainen"

Author: Smathers, posted on 07.05.2004
From Uranium Music
Original link

Uranium: You recently went on a European tour with Ensiferum. Were you friends with the band, did you know them before you went out on tour?

Samu: Yeah, we've actually toured with them in Finland a few years ago. They're old friends of ours, we have many of the same fans. It was excellent, a lot of partying and drinking.

Uranium: Was this the first full-scale European tour that you've been on?

Samu: Actually yeah, this was the first one that made it. We had to cancel like 5 or 6 before for various reasons. So this was actually the first one that happened, so it was fun.

Uranium: You guys play a lot of European festivals on a regular basis, how does the festival experience compare to touring?

Samu: Touring is obviously a lot more work and a lot harder than festivals because it's so easy to do a single, one-off show. We fly in to play the festival, have a party, and then fly back home. To be stuck in Europe for a whole three weeks and having basically a festival every night is very different. But I like them both. Touring is basically better because you get to see more places and play to more people, like playing in front of 15,000 drunk Germans. (laughs)

Uranium: Do you guys have any tour plans coming up, besides festivals?

Samu: We'll be doing another European tour in December for two and a half weeks. I'm not sure if it will be with other bands, we are still negotiating, but our agents have been talking to Obituary about it, which would be great. It should be fun.

Uranium: People here in the U.S. have known about you for a while and I'm sure there are a lot of fans here that would love to see you come over... any plans for a U.S. tour anytime?

Samu: Yeah, hopefully. (laughs) We're still waiting. It's just way too expensive to fly us in for a one-off from Finland, because there's like seven of us with the sound guys. But hopefully, one day we'll come across the Atlantic and play, hopefully.

Uranium: Yeah, I hope so man, you guys would be a big hit here. So, I've never actually seen a Finntroll show before, I'm dying to. What's a typical show like? Do people mosh, do they polka dance, or what do they do?

Samu: There are of course the classic rock fans just standing in the back, drinking and watching, then there is the mosh pit, and then pretty much the rest of the people are just dancing. But it's always a wild party. We actually prefer to play later, the later the better, because more people are drunk then, and they get more into it. (laughs) People usually go wild, it's just a big party, and I like it that way.

Uranium: Have you every played any shows or festivals where people just didn't know what was going on and didn't know how to react to your music? Or do people always get into it?

Samu: If we're playing some kind of weird festival that we shouldn't have played, like when we played at the Sweden Rock festival, where there were mostly 80's heavy metal bands like Whitesnake and Twisted Sister. It took two or three songs for people to figure it out and get into it, but once again it was just a big party. It was kind of odd, watching these old heavy metal guys with huge moustaches and Whitesnake shirts rocking out with us.

Uranium: That's awesome! For your live show, do you have any stage props or decorations or is it usually just the band playing?

Samu: It is the band playing, and we have our usual weird leather, fur, troll costumes you can see in the promo pics. But, nothing like fireworks or shit, just the band playing as many songs as possible. There are no breaks, no talking, just music; it is usually just a full hour of Finntroll music.

Uranium: Congratulations on "Nattfödd", it is an amazing album. I've been listening to you guys since I first heard "Jaktens Tid", but I think you guys outdid yourselves with this one. It's quite a different album than "Visor Om Slutet", which was a lot more folk-ish and epic. What prompted the return to the faster, heavier, more "metal" approach?

Samu: Actually, the "Visor Om Slutet" thing was not supposed to be an album at all. It was supposed to be a b-side release of music we had made that could never make it onto a metal album. It was never going to be a new direction of music; it was something we always wanted to do so we did it, but our main focus has always been to perform metal albums so for that matter, "Nattfödd" is more of a continuation of "Jaktens Tid". So basically, there are 3 Finntroll albums, and one weird thing. (laughs) That's pretty much it.

Uranium: How does the song writing process work for you guys? Do you usually start with a keyboard melody of guitar riff?

Samu: It depends on who's writing, because nowadays it's our bass player and keyboard player who mainly write the songs. Sometimes our guitar player will bring in a new, cool guitar riff, but usually it's a keyboard riff or melody and all that other stuff is tacked onto that. There are a few occaisions where the guitar is the main part of the song, like the first song on the "Jaktens Tid" album was written totally on the guitar. On the new album, it was mostly the keyboard.

Uranium: How big is humpaa in Finland? Is it one of the main types of folk music over there, are there many festivals and that kind of thing?

Samu: Actually there are some humpaa bands that go around and tour 365 days a year in Finland, playing at dance halls and so forth. There's actually only one folk festival here in Finland, they don't have Humpaa there but they have other types of folk. But yeah, it's very popular I think, nobody buys a humpaa album but many people go to the shows to dance and so forth. It's very traditional.

Uranium: Has Finntroll attracted any fans of humpaa that would otherwise never listen to metal?

Samu: I don't know, never met one! Hopefully, yeah, I don't know for sure. (laughs) For some reason a lot of punk rockers like Finntroll a lot; I don't know what it is. I guess there's some punk rock in Finntroll. Definitely a lot of different kinds of Finntroll fans around, though we've definitely pissed off a lot of "true" Norwegian black metal guys, who only listen to bands like Darkthrone and shit, they don't like us. (laughs) They're too "true" to listen to Finntroll.

Uranium: Over the past few years Finland's metal scene has really started to get big, Children Of Bodom are getting big oversees and you have bands like Kalmah and Omnium Gatherum that are starting to put out some really impressive releases. Can you tell that the scene is getting bigger over there, are there more fans coming out for shows and so forth?

Samu: More bands, definitely. More fans, I don't know. The fanbase in Finland is basically the same, but there are definitely more recording bands, which is a good thing. As long as they're original, though, because in the past few years every new Finnish band coming out is either a copy of Stratovarious or Children Of Bodom or whatever. But then there are good, original bands like Omnium Gatherum, so that's good. So yeah, some good, but most of them bad, that's what I think.

Uranium: So how about nu-metal, shit like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park? Is that big over in Finland?

Samu: I guess they're on the charts and all, but no, it's not that big. I don't know if there are any Finnish nu-metal bands, actually...

Uranium: Well, that's a good thing, those bands tend to spoil a lot of things for the metal scene.

Samu: (laughs) Yeah, I hate nu-metal. I actually bought a Korn album 5-6 years ago, and that's it for my nu-metal. And especially a big fuck-off to bands like Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, ugh, bullshit. Burn them, kill them.

Uranium: Alright man, that's actually all the questions I had for you, thanks a lot for your time!

Samu: Good talking to you man, thanks a lot for the support. Hopefully we'll see you one day in the states.

Interview with Trollhorn

September 2002
From Rabenkind's Finntroll Fanpage
Original Link



Rabenkind (RK) : What are your (current) favorite albums ??


Trollhorn (TH) : The albums I have been listening most recently and enjoyed them very much in numerous ways are Marduk´s “Dark Endless”,Thyrfing´s “Vansinnesvisor”,Dargaard´s “In Nomine Aeternitatis” and The Nightmare Before Christmas-soundtrack by Danny Elfman. Also some Ultima Thule.

RK : What have been your "first steps" in music ?? Your first band ??

TH : My first steps in music were taken I the day I was born,as my dad was a professional musician and from the day one I had passionate interest on music. However,my parents also noticed that and so just before I had my 4th birthday they put me into classical piano lessons.My first band was formed in the mid/late 80´s with my dad and a couple of his friends and played jazz. My first real metalband was formed in 1991 with my schoolmates. It was called Battery and we played Thrash,heh.

RK : What has been the first album you ever bought ??

TH : Wow…this is a bad one! I think it was an Elvis-tape when I was something like 8 years old. For some reason I used to like Elvis then. :)

RK : What has been your first concert (as a visitor) ??

TH : The same question was asked from me a couple of days ago and I had to confess then that I have no single clue.I think it was some of my dad´s gigs somewhere in Finland when I was a baby.

RK: What do you think about the German metal-scene?? Do you know any bands from Germany??

TH : You have couple of very good bands like Falkenbach (well is it even German? I think so.), Dew-Scented,Morgoth (well,not the newer stuff…),Sodom,Kreator,Viu Drach and a couple of others. I really don´t keep my attention on the German scene as nowadays most of the “blacker” bands have very precisely ruined the reputation of your entire scene in my mouth. Bands like Mystic Circle or Nargaroth should really consider of changing their little hobbies for photographing or something in my opinion. If you don´t agree, just prove me wrong!

RK : You are using quite many "folkish" elements in your music?? Are you listening to that kind of music, too ?? Any favorite bands from that genre (folk / folk-rock)??

TH : YES WE DO!!! My faves are Garmarna,Nordman,Gjallarhorn,Annbjörg Lien, Battlefield Band, Wimme,Hedningarna,Mari Boine,JPP,Pekka Pohjola (not so traditional stuff) and many others.

RK : Are there any great "Folk-Festivals" in Finland / Scandinavia ??

TH : Actually I haven´t got a single clue about any other festivals in Scandinavia,but at least in Finland we have “Kaustisen Kansanmusiikkijuhlat” in every summer. I have never visited there as I am not into festivals in general so much,but I can warmly recommend it to everyone who likes folkmusic and it´s different forms!

RK : Some of your songs and lyrics seem to be inspired by all those ancient tales about trolls and things like that ... do you believe in the existence of such creatures ??

TH : I really don´t know….sometimes I tend to think there are some creatures of the old tales existing,lurking in the remaining big forests and mountains….but as I haven´t ever seen one how the fuck am I supposed to know any-thing? :) Maybe the industrializing forced them to flee so we haven´t seen them for a couple ofgenerations? In Finland we have very long traditions about those creatures and as our people is still very superstitious (and some kind of “still-Heathen”) I think I have to say “yes” as my final answer.

RK : On your last album with Finntroll you also recorded one traditional folk-song ("Vargtimmen") in a very cool (Black)Metal-version ... could you imagine to use some more traditional songs for your upcoming releases ?? Maybe even record a whole album with traditional folk-songs ??

TH : Actually I don´t think Finntroll is going to do more cover-songs,but there has been certain talk of an acoustic mini cd….we´ll see.

RK : Even though you're using quite many elements from that genre with Finntroll, it seemes that you don't take the whole "evil BlackMetal-thing" too serious ... how important is the image of a band in your opinion ??

TH :It depends. We are not a Black Metal-band in the “traditional” sense of a word,so naturally we don´t take it seriously,but I understand what you mean by the question. We have always had this tongue-in-cheek type of thing with Finntroll,and the music is also done in the same way. (well,of course I don´t say we´re just just farting around in the rehearsals, but we include a bit more “daring” and “out-of-place” things in our music than a normal BM-band,heheh…) The image is very important to my but it strongly depends on the artist.

Like,you really wouldn´t want to see Mayhem playing with chickens or drunken skinheads dancing polka on stage but in Finntroll it would most likely be just funny and entertaining. Like they say in television,Image is nothing - thirst is everything. (well…how the Hel had this to do anything with the question…? :)

RK :Beside your work with Finntroll, you also have your own project ("Moonsorrow") ... where would you see the similarities and differences between both bands ??

TH : We both use eg.eletric guitars,which make us sound similar to each other. Also we have drums. Well,I guess you got my point,heh. Seriously,we use folk elements (including certain instruments) with both bands but basically,this is where the similarities end. You will never find a single polka-part from Moonsorrow,no Swedish language,no cheesy Power Metal parts :) or Joik…While Finntroll is fast,Moonsorrow plays mid-tempo.While Finntroll is brutally “joyous”,Moonsorrow is melancholic. And while Finntroll has Trollhorn, Moonsorrow has Henri Urponpoika Sorvali. And because of that,people find odd parallels between these two bands. Maybe we should hear the editor´s opinion on this matter…?

RK : What are your thoughts about religion, christianity and paganism ??

TH :I really could write a book concerning this topic,but as there is only a limited space here I try to shorten things. So,here we go.I think every religion is ok as long as they don´t oppress people to act unnaturally. Which is something eg. Pestianity and Islam do. All that women-stomping bullshit and denying of people´s natural urges,be it sexual or anything else is complete waste of time. Period. For me,the Semitic God (Jahve,Allah,whatever you want to call him) reminds of a certain Austrian/German fellow who used to be pretty popular during the 1930s and early 40s. Later he ended up himself and a couple of other guys in the process,if you know of whom I am talking about ;) I oppose fascism and thus I oppose also the Semitic God and all its likes. Besides, the moral of the abovementioned is nothing I would ever even consider to adopt. Anyway,I think that Gods are supposed to be like us-they all have their good and bad sides. This is something Christianity and other monotheistic religions can never understand. We are not some inferior creatures who have to worship their master in fear,but “friends” of the Gods and Mother Nature. Mutual respect between the race of Gods and the race of men,harmony and balance are the keywords if you ask me. Slave-morality is definitely not something I am used to.Christianity has bloody roots in Scandinavian history,which is very sad and totally unacceptable,and I will never turn to an imported Jewish fascist if I need spiritual guidance. Hell Tor! Hell Oden! Hell Freija!

RK : What are the three most important things in your life ??

TH : My beloved ones,music and my health.

RK : Describe yourself in five (or less) words.

TH :Ambitious,unyielding and short-tempered,I guess.

RK : Who has been the "hero" of your childhood ??

TH : I remember thinking that Paul Stanley must be the toughest guy in the universe,heh. My school books were always full of KISS logos and pictures. Also McGyver was really cool. Yes,and He-Man. (Here we are….it seems that basically my childhood idols have more or less been fictional.I guess that tells a lot of me :)

RK : Your favorite book ??

TH : I don´t know…maybe some David Eddings (yes,I read fantasy every now and then… *blushes*) or Dean R. Koontz. Mostly history and music- related stuff.

RK : If you would get the chance to live your whole life a second time -- are there any "wrong decisions" or "bad mistakes" which you wouldn't do again ??

TH : I think I wouldn´t take so much shit from different persons.You know,in school etc. (yes,I was the “picked” guy for years) Nowadays I have the self-esteem I didn´t have when I was younger and if I could go back in time and give it to “earlier” me,I would most likely to do it. But then again…everything that has happed during my 23 years of living in this planet affects me in one way or another. So,as I am quite comfortable right now,I think I wouldn´t change anything after all.

RK : Name a person (living or dead) which you would like to meet.

TH : My father,absolutely! He died whan I was 10 years old and there is so much I wish I could have learnt from him,both as father and musician. Also Quorthon would be nice to meet…. ;)

RK : Name a musician (living or dead) with whom you would like to play in a band / project.

TH: Well,I suppose it would be fun to thrash some good old stuff with Chris Barnes or Nicke Andersson but as they are both so wasted or just completely into different musicstyles I think it would never happen even if I had the opportunity to do it someday. It would also cool to do something together with Jens Johansson,Johnny Maudling or let´s say……..Nordman,for fuck´s sake!

RK : Do you have any piece of jewellery which has some kind of "special meaning" to you ??

TH : Soon will be one more,as we are right now looking for engagement-rings with my girlfriend.
I also carry Mjöllnir as a sign of my personal faith and heritage.

RK : What is (in your opinion) the "best song" you have ever written ??

TH: Hopefully I haven´t done that one yet! But the musical achievements I consider to be the best I´ve made (until this day) have nothing to do with metal at the end. My deepest ambitions lay in classical music although metal is something I´m known of…..now. The future may change some things.

25 Sept 2009

FINNTROLL - TOUGH, WITTY AND THIRSTY

Published in Rock Hard Slovenia, August 2009
Author: U. Majdič


Translation by M

Finntroll are those immortals who live in a stinky cave where they dry the legs of goats, sheep and catholic priests. They come out when they run out of beer, which they drink instead of water, and in return they give mortals a great metal party where they grab two young virgins to scratch their hairy backs with rakes after the show.

Maybe, in spite of the general opinion of Americans, this isn't quite correct. Nevertheless Finntroll have made a breakthrough in its own genre - extreme and folk metal – in the world outside of its native cocoon. Before the show they drink some wine and beer, Skrymer paints everyone with »corpsepaint« and they set loose some primordial energy.

Existing since 1997, after several shocks and line-up changes, Finntroll defies it all with its persistence and creativity. After five studio albums and one EP they are soon going to release the first record after two years. Since they always know how to surprise us, we can only wait and see what comes from their cave this time ... Until then we can have a chat with guitarist Routa, known to the human world by the name of Mikael Karlbom, who hasn't shown the slightest clue of barbaric behavior during the interview ...


Hello, Routa ... How's life in Helsinki?

R: Heya. Everything is fine here, thank you. It's becoming hellishly hot, but ... I guess we can enjoy the sun for these few months.

Hellishly hot there in the north and here we've had weeks of rain ... But if we stick with the hot part ... Finntroll hit the jackpot with its music and appearance. You've travelled all around the world; your music is selling well. The crowd sings with you even if it has no idea what you're talking about! But you've had a long period without gigs or recordings. Is there any special reason for that or just vacation?

R: Actually both. After last year all of us in Finntroll have been really exhausted. Not so much because of the touring, but because of the music business in general. We felt that we have to take a short break and consider who to work with in the future. We wanted to ˝clear the table˝ and have a fresh start. We didn't have any gigs planned in the beginning of the year so it was an ideal time for that and also to take a break.

Did it help? Are all six trolls back in shape?

R: It was probably the best decision we've made in a long time! Now we can't wait to be back on the road. We have a lot of new material, the recording is supposed to start in the end of July.

OK, we'll talk about your current activities later. Now back to basics.
In the folklore, trolls are supposed to be hideously ugly and stinky, but none of you can be described as such, even though you try to achieve that on some of the photos. Perhaps you're a specie of troll mutants?

R: I can assure you we smell very badly. While touring at least! And about trollishness: it's all a state of mind!

The Finntroll recipe includes one indispensable ingredient – alcohol! How many bottles of rum and beer do you demand for your backstage?

R: I don't have enough fingers to count that! But these aren't just our needs. We have to be ready if any of our friends show up. Riiight.

Would you accept an offer of a completely paid one month tour if one of the terms of the contract was not to drink any alcohol? Like an alcohol-free tour?

R: Beer doesn't count as alcohol, right? Neither does vodka, right? Of course!

But seriously, you've travelled a lot. Which places were the most remarkable?

R: I think the most interesting places we've been to were those that were not so ordinary. Like Iceland or Russia. And there were some interesting cities in Canada and USA. Oh, and Mexico City was insane ... But the list doesn't end here.

I remember a piece of news that once during your sound check the roof broke off. Your vibes seems to be lethal for buildings. Do you remember anything else like that?

R: Not really. Usually everything works like it should, except of course problems with bad technical equipment on the spot.

What is the greatest myth or the biggest misinterpretation of Finntroll?

R: Probably when people come to us and start asking why don't we wear fur. For some reason some people believe we live in the woods or in caves or something. Oh, and that people think we're nice.

(Laughs)... Well, that's how they imagine folk metal. You draw your influences from Norse mythology, Kalevala, paganism, from Celtic culture. Do you read literature about that or do you create your own mythology?

R: Katla, who writes all the lyrics, indeed reads a lot of literature about ancient myths and history in general, he could explain more. As for the music, you can probably hear all sorts of influences. We're not narrow-minded about our inspiration...

Do Finns share your opinion that Swedish sounds more trollish?

R: It's 50-50. Some say it sounds good, others say they like the music but they can't stand the language. I'd say it's their loss.

When you're not eating priests, do you have your day jobs?

R: Unfortunately, yes ... And it's damn hot in here.

What music do you listen to in your car or on the tour bus?

R: That differs a lot, for me at least. You never know where you might find new ideas.

About originality ... What is your opinion on your imitators? Do you insist on being recognized as the starters of this sound and mix of styles?

R: We're not the ones who could point a finger. We're just making music with our own style and everyone who's interested can probably find out by themselves which was first: the chicken, the egg, or Finntroll.

Who would have thought that Finnish humppa can be so metal! But do you ever get tired of that and want something new?

R: Have you listened to our last album?

Yes, Ur Jordens Djup is indeed different...

R: It contains only one or two parts with humppa, the rest is quite different. We always try to move on with our music and find new directions and ideas. That's why it takes so long for us to make a new album.

Traditional joiking in your music is fantastic. Whose voice is that?

R: We borrowed Mixu from Catamenia on our last tour, while the Jaktens Tid album was made in the spirit of traditional music from Lapland. That voice belongs to Jonne from Korpiklaani.

You joined Finntroll in 2003. Has anything changed in the band since then?

R: I can say the changes have been immense. Today we are more responsible towards what we do.

Your last album, Ur Jordens Djup, was released 2 years ago. What now and when, how much new material have you got ready?

R: Almost all the material for the new record is ready, but I don't know when it's coming out and with which label. I can assure you we'll let you know as soon as we gain that information. We've done two demos for the upcoming album and soon we'll get a new homepage as well. There you'll find video cuts from the sessions and a small preview to what to expect.

You're fully ready for the tour. The closest you'll get to Slovenia is Germany. But we saw you on MetalCamp last year. Do you have any (if any at all) good memories of it?

R: Many! I hope we get to play there again, excellent festival!

I sincerely hope you'll return soon to our country, until then be safe on the road and keep on the great work!

R: Thank you! See you!

4 Aug 2009

Interview with Routa and Tundra

Author unknown, from April 11th 2007.
Source unknown, a video interview in Finnish, transcripted and translated by Zarok.
Published on the old Finntroll Forum.


(Interviewer marked as I, Routa R and Tundra T).

I: Ur Jordens Djup is 34th on the list. How does that sound like?

T: Should I cry again?

R: It’s good that it made it on the list.

I: Yeah, it’s on the list and you can always push forward from that, people are sure to find it there.

I: Our guests today are Tundra and Routa (Interviewer had the guys backwards). This name Ur Jordens Djup sounds really nice, it’s a good Swedish pronounciation drill. Do you have some kinda test on how often can you say the name quickly within the band?

R: Heh, I’ll leave talking Swedish to our singer Vreth.

I: Where does lyrics in Swedish come from for the band anyways? As far as I know you have a singer that debuts on this album and he speaks Swedish, but where did the Swedish lyrics originally come from?

T: It was our first vocalist who started the whole band and wanted to sing in his native language which happened to be Swedish, just because of that.

I: Well, you’ve had some singer changes in the band, so is it hard to find someone who can sing this style of music in Swedish?

R: When Wilska left the band, or our paths went our separate ways so to say, it felt like goddamnit, we’ll never find a singer to replace him.

I: Yeah, so how did the process of finding the singer go? Did you ask friends or did you do some big audition like Nightwish?

T: *chuckles* Yeah we aimed for this Idols-theme with country-wide searches but well, that didn’t exactly pan out in these circles…

I: Put guys who are good looking as hell in a line with the main criteria being how do you look, huh?

T: Exactly!

R: There were a few pretty nice demos sent to Spine, but we never really got around to listening to them there.

I: So , why did you choose Vreth? He’s Swedish-speaking obviously, but what other criterias were there?

R: Sounds good as hell. He came to our practise room after Katla, our first singer said there’s this guy in Uusikaarlepyy ( Katla’s home town if I remember right) , and so we asked him for a practise session and he sounded fucking amazing straight outta the gate so, why waste time on useless shit.

I: So, what kind of band initiation rites were there? I’m sure you pulled some pranks on the new guy, right?

R: Not really pranks, but the first gig was in germany in front of 5000+ people, so he was a bit nervous, heheh.

I: Starting off in the bathroom with a locked door yelling “I’m not coming!”, heh. So, now that Ur Jordens Djup has been released, how deep do you go lyrically? What is the album about?

T: Well, this is this sort of a shamanistic baptism-by-fire, birth story so to say. I’m not gonna go any deeper into this tho, as the lyrics are by our original vocalist Katla and they are pretty hard to figure out, so whip out your Nya Vindar and start translating!

I: Yeah, Swedish teachers should take some of your material for their classes as study material!

T: Now we’ll just wait for the money to roll in!

I: Yeah, that would be nice. Nya Vindar + atleast one song of Finntroll, they already have Hasse och Het Potatis so why not Finntroll, that would be pretty great. But so, you leave for a tour on Friday, it starts in Nottingham, England, then Europe, USA and Japan, all around the world. What do you expect from this tour?

T: Headaches.

R: Headaches and interesting moments, to put it mildly.

I: Allright. So, Ur Jordens Djup is in 34th place which is very nice, and you Tundra made… Sorry, Routa made a video for it, so what is the video about?

R: It’s this kind of a shamanistic birth story like the whole album, the lyrics are pretty much about rebirth and such.

I: National romantic themes it seems, that’s always nice when a girl is dragged through the woods, so here’s the video Nedgång!

*VIDEO*

I: So, that was Finntroll with Nedgång. Where was the video filmed at ?

R: The outdoor images were filmed at Musta vuori (Svartberg, black mountain, heh), which is near Vuosaari, and the rest were filmed in a studio.

I: Yeah, nice looking and a very on-topic video. Now that you’ve made Finntroll music for 10 years and you’ve obviously had a lot of great moments and some set backs too, singer changes and so on, what would you say is Finntroll’s main goal for the upcoming year?

R: That’s a tough one. Surviving and staying sane?

I: Spreading the message of Finntroll around the world?

R: Yeah, something like that.

I: So boys, now you have a national historic crossbow aimed at you and it’s revolver-question time! That means tough questions and answer as quickly and spontaneously as you can.

I: What inspires Finntroll?

T: Cow turds.

R: Madness.

I: What would you rescue from a burning church….err, home?

T: Spoons.

R: The cat.

I: Who would you want to go to the sauna with?

T: Samantha Foxx

I: No explanation needed, huh…

R: Goddamn… That’s a tough one… Shakira.

I: Finntroll gets a new member. What would you call him? You can’t use any of the old names.

T: Ronald Reagan!

R: (couldn’t really hear what he said) Tittelituura (or something like that).

I: Fill in the blank. The most important thing in Viking black metal is….

T: Wolf!

R: And the “tättärätää”

I: What other band would you want to go to the sauna with?

T: What are there… *silence*…

I: Ok, moving on. What is the most memorable place you have performed at?

T: I was going to say Tokyo, but we haven’t been there yet.

R: Almost Tokyo.

T: Moscow.

I: If you were comic book super heroes, who would you be and why?

T: Spider-man, because he can shoot web out of his ass.

R: Fantom, cause he has the coolest wolf.

I: Where is Finntroll in 10 years?

T: Six feet under.

R: Dead and buried.

I: Allright, thank you for coming to the show.