Darkie fanzine issue 1, January 1998
(you can also download interviews in Rich Text Format documents...
if you need some other format, contact me by e-mail)
Bethel (Fin)
Horna (Fin)
Lordes Werre (USA)
BETHEL (Fin) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Sir Holm
Debut demo of BETHEL was recorded in January 1997 and it was released by Mika Jдrviц's Ominous Productions... are you satisfied with the result in general?
-Yes, it was recorded in January'97 but released in March'97 as you, Tommi, probably remember. Just wanted to make it known for everyone... To the question, considering the circumstances at the time, and also before, when we recorded the demo we have to be satisfied. I let those "circumstances" stay unrevealed because I'm not too keen on going into the details but I can tell you that we have had more than enough problems and stuff in the past and when finally got ourselves to studio we couldn't afford as much time as we would have wanted and needed. So it could have been better played, especially drums, and the sound could be a bit better as well. Those things will be fixed on our next release, though. Anyway, musically it's superior stuff and that is what really counts. When it comes to the outward aspect of the demo we are very pleased as Mr.Jдrviц did pretty fine job with it... Actually Mr.Jдrviц told me already a long ago that he would not do it otherwise but professionally, so I was kinda satisfied already when we decided with Mr.Jдrviц that Ominous Productions will take care of the release of our debut demo. All in all it's a damn great demo. Easily one of the best demos released in '97 and one of the better demos in 90s as well... Aha, I hear some complaints and irritating among the readers so read this; You can let yourselves to be misleaded by Nordic Vision if you wish to do so but I can tell you it's NOT just me ranting and raving with my overgrown ego. It's the public opinion. And considering the fact that it is "just a debut" is very important to me. I mean, it makes it even better on a personal level but nothing too profound, it's just great to receive such praising feedback from the very beginning. Confidence is something that I am not in desperate need of.
There are only two songs on the demo (+intro), but they're very long. Actually so long that some people have told me those trax should have been cut, and made e.g. four separate songs instead of two. Why the trax are so long? There are so much stuff in them that it makes me feel you have just added everything you wanted to. Did you have an intention to make long trax...?
-If someone says those songs should have cut and made four songs instead of two, he/she can fuck off. (Thanks!-ed.) Of course those songs could have cut but when we would try and do that they would not work the way they do now simply because those songs are structured to be long. They will be long in future as well as it's a part of our style. From the beginning I wanted to make somewhat epic and monumental music so the lengthness of the tracks was and is intentional and when we at some point of time started to "realize" our style to play it was just very natural that the songs became quite lengthy.
The beginning of the first real track reminds me of SENTENCED ... because I'm not the fan of SENTENCED, I can't be more specific, but what you think of this opinion?
-You are certainly not the first person saying that. That particular part is by the way exactly the same fast which opens the whole track. It's just played bit differently and slower... But, well, as I said, quite a many people have said that it has some kind of "Sentendesque spirit" in it and who am I to deny it? You know, people have also said that my spoken sung vocals on that part strongly reminds them of the ones of T.Jarwa and I am very well aware of that myself too... But it's NOT that SENTENCED would be an influence for us or anything like that. To me it's just one "heavy metallic" part thrown in because it suited very well to that song after the fast part, same theme.
Another Finnish band in this issue, HORNA, has said that they don't like the current "trend" that black-metal is mixed with synths, beautiful melodies, etc. You have such things in your music, so are you "pseudo black"?
-Yeah, sure... Or would it be too evil to define our music even pseudo-black, I guess we are more like white metal? Well, HORNA is relatively great band but their complaining is pretty pointless. HORNA claim to play black metal "the way it was meant to be" and their music is similar to, let us say DARKTHRONE who are often, and rightfully so, hailed as the originators of the "modern" black metal and the current trend in black metal is to play in the vein the originators of this music style VENOM played back in 80s. And that is also preferred as "the way it was meant to be"... What I am trying to say here is that HORNA just contradicts themselves for nothing. We are already living in the middle of the "third wave" of black metal, figuratively speaking, so I really don't need any HORNA to tell me how it was meant to be played as black metal is so vast concept nowadays... And, well, what about the phrase confirmed even by some black metal stars (Am I sarcastic here? Yes.) that it's the lyrics that makes it black metal, NOT the music. I can assure you I DO sing for Satan and praise the Darkness so BETHEL is very black metal as well as HORNA does. The main difference between these two bands is that our is much more interesting to listen to.
"The existence of BETHEL is based on darkness"... This sentence can be found from your bio, so how do you express darkness in your lyrics? Do you think the only way is to blaspheme Christianity and the values of western world?
-This is something I would rather try not to explain 'cos that particular sentence solely means that if there would be no darkness there would be no BETHEL either. It might actually not appear from the context as it's been put on our biography but it is very personal issue for me and in a way has nothing to do with the lyrical side of BETHEL... It is all bit blurry though, and as I said it is hard to explain so do not get confused especially if you have not seen the biography. I will answer this question as it has been asked; No, of course blaspheming is not the only way! I will tell you something about my lyrics, lyric by lyric... Firstly I concentrate on the lyrics on the demo, here we go:
"Wandering in the lands of Dark & Frost". Despite it's boring and supposedly clear title the song has actually nothing to do with the beautiful Northern nature as many, especially foreign people seem to think. That song is an ode to the Wonders of the Night and cryptic Darkness, above all. There is some, let us say, Northern glory on the lyric and the word "winter" is repeated several times but that is primarily because that sounds far more darker, gloomier and nightly than "summer", of course. It's a very personal lyric to me 'cos, figuratively speaking, I worship the Night and Darkness as I am Nocturnal being...or a Nightowl, if you prefer.
"Triumph for the Lost Azure" is a symbolic tale about the destruction of light with strong Satanic approach... Well, actually it is not a tale in the usual sense of the word. It more likely just tells and describes you different sceneries from the destruction of light, both symbolic and proper light. Then couple titles which most likely will appear on our second strike...:
"Hornanhenget". That lyric is written in Finnish. This lyric is quite purely blasphemy. Hmmm, mockery could be more suitable word. It is about the Infernal legions of Hell in spiritform crushing and desolating their way across the lands of Christendom containing lots of pure yet symbolic Devil-worship. Sounds quite drastic I guess but it's very poetic and in eerily beautiful story too.
"Son of the Morningstar". I guess the title speaks for itself. i just say that this lyric is also very personal and Satanic and has lots to do with my inner- self as I am, a Son of Satan. It is kind of lyrical mirror of my soul.
Ah, I am getting tired with these explanations as it is often very useless if you can't see the actual lyrics... Furthermore my lyrics are always kinda written in symbolic form 'cos they are just tales, stories. They have nothing to do with reality as I don't preach anything and they have no actual message as I don't preach anything. Don't get me wrong, lyrics're fucking important to me! But they are not any kind of propaganda by the words they include but their "mission" is to spread and create utter Darkness and obviously BETHEL brings forth a message of some sort as BETHEL is a band of Satanic nature but as I said it is not preached on our lyrics but it is in a whole unity; music, lyrics and image and in the things we respect and stand for, got the point? That wasn't exactly what you asked but close enough... Uh.
If Christianity dies, shall black-metal die at the same time, or can black- metal exist without dominant religion, what do you think?
-Interesting question to say the least. There are lot of different aspects to consider but the answer is still no, I would say. So, here I present some different point of views which I "just invented": If we assume that black metal is just rebellion against light and Christianity dies there would be some other "religion of light and joy" to fight.
If we assume that black metal is just about worshipping Satan and Christianity dies then Satan has won. That would mean celebrating His victory forever and making sure people wouldn't find X-ianity again. If we assume that black metal is a way for only true, strong and natural leaders and Christianity dies then black metal would obviously become the dominant religion because as we all know, Christians are just sheep and they need to be led by true and strong like Jesus was and black metal is. Ahem, I think this is enough with my "tongue-in-cheek-philosophy", I think... Seriously, why the death of X-ianity should mean the death of the best music in the world? No reason. Black metal definitely is not just rebellion and nihilism against the world and religion like some really "intelligent" and "mature" people seem to think.
The word bethel means quite the same as the word chapel, so what is your bethel like? Was the name chosen to give better shock value or what was the reason for such name?
-American equivalent means something like "sailormens' church" or it can be a missionary house too, but obviously that is not what it means to me nor I use the word "chapel" either when it comes to explanation of our band-name. It was bit accidental that we started to use the word BETHEL as our band-name and then it just stayed. Anyway, at some point I started to study the origins of the word and found that it's a Hebrew word meaning "the House of God", BET-house, HEL-god... and that is why it is often translated as "chapel" in English. So, I thought we should keep the name as a reflection of our own divinity but most importantly in the name of blasphemy and mockery. Drag it down below into depths of Inferno with us. You know, we are here to destroy the house of god. Now when I have explained the meaning and purpose of our band-name it might have some shock-value if you have any Christian readers, which I somehow doubt. So it has not too much to do with shock-values and it would have been pretty worthless to try that just because of the fact that concerning the meaning of our band-name I have been suggested everything from "battle" to "Bethlehem" but never the right one.
Do you have any plans to play live some day, and if you do, would you use only session member(s) in addition to you and Sir Salminen?
-I am not interested in doing gigs. I have nothing against black metal bands doing gigs like some stupid fucking morons have, on the contrary, I think it is just great but I do not feel like I would want or have to do gigs. At least not at this moment. Might be that BETHEL will perform live sometime in the future but that is fucking far from the near future... I don't know, I guess it will be inevitable at some point of time to get on stage as I still would love to perform, a lot. If we will ever do gigs, of course we have to use session- musicians. How the hell we could take care of everything by the two of us?
You have told me that you are not interested in releasing CD at the moment. You rather release another demo... do you have new trax ready to be recorded, and are you going to use the help of Ominous Prod. again?
-The distance between me and Sir Salminen is something like 400 kilometers so as you can guess we rehearse very seldom... The situation will change pretty soon though as Sir Salminen managed to remove his job here in Helsinki. Finding a rehearsal place might take some time though... Anyway, we have always had so much material that we could easily make 5-6 songs out of all riffs, melodies, ideas whatsoever, if we could rehearse on regular basis, but, at the moment we have enough material for our second demo. When this 'zine is out we have been completed couple of unfinished songs and rehearsed them as I am going to visit Sir Salminen and to rehearse "right after I have taken care of all mail here", so to speak. So, I won't reveal too much anything else except that at the moment we have enough material for our second demo and hopefully soon some more too. About our co-operation with Ominous Prod.; It will continue.
What about the sales of the 1 st demo, and do you want to invest your money and time for promotion? Does it matter how many copies are sold?
-I am not sure about the precise sales figures but just couple of hours ago I was on the phone with Mr.Jдrviц and he told me the demo has sold over 500 copies so far. I don't know about Mr.Jдrviц but I have also copied the tape to at least 20-30 'zines, distros or fans. I guess he has copied couple of dozen tapes too. Sure as Hell I am not just ready to use time and money, I have already done that, of course. I think it is fucking great to do that thing and eventhough it sometimes pisses me off and takes a lot of money, I do not complain as I am talking about my life here. I really enjoy to do promotion and it is good that we have Ominous Prod. taking care of sales and distribution as it saves a lot of my time and money. Not that it would matter but it gives me more time to concentrate in interviews and stuff like that. With this demo I have not done as much promotion as I kinda planned to do though... But chronic financial difficulties is a good excuse, ahem... Well, concerning our next demo, I will start the promotion before the demo is even out and I will promote my fucking ass off...Ahem. Of course it does matter how many copies is sold or will sell. At least sixhundredsixtysix copies have to be sold. Less than that would be a disgrace to a black metal band.
I know you are not looking for a deal, but have the labels, after all, been interested in you, and what has the response been like? Have you answered many interviews for foreign publications?
-Hmmm...The demo has not been promoted to any labels as we do not want nor need any deals at the moment, well, Mr.Jдrviц has of course been dealing it to some labels for distribution but, but... I have not been sending it to any labels just to ask for some particular label's possible interest or something like that, to put it that way. Nevertheless, there has been interest of some sort but nothing worth of mention because at the moment it has nothing to do with anything, got it? In general the response has been pretty brilliant. Enormously great and praising feedback, really. Well, I think this actually came quite clear earlier in this interview so I guess this is enough about this "feedback matter". In past few months I have been doing something like 40 interviews of which about 6-8 to Finnish 'zines. Besides that there should be some articles and/or reviews in other 'zines on abroad... I have also sent information to those who have requested but who have not at least yet written for demo or interview. Anyway, new interviews come in on regular basis so it might be a lot more when this lousy piece of paper is out... Oh well...
"Evil & darkness are the keywords here. It's not just the music, it's a lifestyle..." another quotation from your bio. Does it mean you must maintain a certain image, wear black clothes, etc.? You told me last summer, that you could not smoke outside your flat, because it was too hot to wear your black jeans, and to wear shorts is out of the question for image reasons... So, am I a faggot or/and wimp because I wear shorts every fucking summer?
-Huh, this is really hard question and I do not even try to answer this in an exhaustive way as I do not wish to write an essay about the "black metal life- style" so I just say that no, no, no, it is not just a matter of image. Of course it is not just that but when it comes to clothing and so I just cannot imagine myself wearing green sweater and jogging pants because that wouldn't be me myself, I would not feel myself like me. It would be really desperate and awful... All my clothes from socks to leather jacket are black (except couple of underpants and one grey IMMORTAL-shirt, though) because that is the colour for me, for what and who I am. Image is really important too because with my clothing and outlook I can show to the normal everyday people who I am, what I represent and stand for because I am proud of myself and of the way of my life in Satan's embrace. So I just can't wear fucking shorts. (Not even black ones? -ed.) It would make me feel like I would be betraying myself and furthermore shorts makes me feel like naked... Don't laugh now but that is how it is. I never take any of my clothes off until I go to bed to sleep! That is that I guess, shorts are fucking disco! ...Heh, Tommi, I do not know how well people in general are aware of your sexuality so I guess the wisest thing to do would be to discuss only on the phone about that...Right?
How do you feel when you see EMPEROR being interviewed in MTV3's Jyrki or when Music Television shows the BURZUM- video, are they still "true" to the bone, may I ask?
-It is irritating in a way but the whole black metal has swollen so much that there is not too much to do about it. I think this is a matter of "face-to-face discussion" so I don't wish to dig deeper into this but I have nothing against EMPEROR being in television because they at least deserve it. What I am trying to say is that it is a fucking shame and disgrace that when BM has grown so big there are bands like "the only true black metal band from Finland" namely RAVENSTORM. They did not even have a proper demo-tape out and there those morons were in that Finnish music program "Jyrki" drinking Pepsi Max with corpsepaint on their fucking faces and babbling some infantile bullshit... OUTRAGEOUS!!! Fuck RAVENSTORM!!!
Did you take part in the grave desecrations in Islamic cemetary some weeks ago, or did you burn down the St. Olaf's church in Tyrvää...? Shall we witness more mayhem during the next two years, before the new millennium begins, what do you think?
-Now I have to disappoint you and all readers who awaited me to say yes, but... Oh well... I guess that desecrations will continue to appear on regular basis if we are talking specifically about Finland. Globally thinking there is no doubt about it. Maybe it will even grow along black metal's popularity again... Just a guess.
How you fight against the light... actively or passively? And what do you think of the idea that people should just ignore the church, not to give them any excuse to convert more people into Christianity?
-With BETHEL... of course, althought indirectly. I had/have some plans to start doing Antichristian propaganda on wider basis than just among the people in the scene but the lack of money and misanthropic disinterest in normal everyday people prevents me to do that. Hopefully I can work something out in future if I get some help somewhere... If I were interested in politics I would definitely try to form an Antichristian party here in Finland. Although I am not too fond of politics, if anyone have ever thought about it I'll help him for sure. Yes, common people should just ignore the church. That is exactly the right way and also the biggest problem among the common people because they are too caught up in the system and each other. There is so much people who are members of the church just because it is part of the system and everyone else belong to church also without having any religious conviction. Normal everyday people lack of individuality and are too afraid of anything that does not seem "normal" in their narrow eyes. They do not question things that actually are meaningless to them and these things are mainly what I would try "change" with doing propaganda as I earlier mentioned my plans... Just pure Antichristian propaganda, I would not try to convert people into Satanism because I think it is not for everyone and it would be pretty useless. People should just learn the hypocrisy and falsity of Christianity and start to ignore it in every areas in their lives. That would help...a lot.
We have finally had chances to see some great metal bands here in Finland, but what are the two bands that still exist, which haven't visited here so far, but which you want to see... name them, and tell me why you want to see them?
-SLAYER. Absofuckinglutely. Many of the older bands I would like to see are dead or then they have been there at some point of time and I have missed them like SODOM or MANOWAR, or MAIDEN with Dickinson. I have seen them with Bailey though... Because you gave me only chance to see two bands I guess the second band would be DEICIDE. Why I would like to see these two bands?!? They are among my all-time favourites. Plain and simple.
Some people criticize black-metallers, because they don't headbang or rage at gigs. I belong to those who just stand and watch (listen!!!) what is going on, it has nothing to do with the quality of music, and unlike many others, I'm sober... What about you, do you rage, headbang, stage-dive, etc.? Can you understand the criticism, or is this just another try to mock black-metal?
-At least in Finland there is lots of headbangers on every black metal gig there is and I have not seen any gigs on abroad so I cannot say what causes this criticism nor do I care about it so much. Let them speak who have problems with it. Like you, Tommi, I prefer to stand, watch and listen what is going on on the stage but unlike you I am always drunk, heh.
Art of cookery, describe your favourite "christ-burger"?
-Dimmu Burger...?!? Eh, did I get it or ... Oh well...
Anything to ask, go ahead!
-1: In your opinion, is there any bands you could compare BETHEL with, not specifically but what just pops up into your mind?
2: Many foreign people have asked me in interviews about Finnish scene and somewhat praised it so what do you think about our present scene? Bands worth for praise and are there any major disaster bands, except for RAVENSTORM?
-(Tommi): First one would be hard to answer if I should find a band, but as you didn't demand that, I can't give you any name, sorry... or was it more like a praise to you? Anyway... Second question is often asked from me too. I don't have any reason to mock our scene, some great bands, some bad and many in between. I do not know RAVENSTORM, so I wouldn't have called them as a disaster, and I don't give any other name either. But when we talk about good bands, I can reveal some of my faves...from the present scene... BARATHRUM; MORNINGSTAR; FLAUROS; WITHERED GARDEN; FAERGHAIL;...
Final words, before the file is closed!
-Thank you comrade Tommi, this was an honour to me. May the Satan embrace your soul.
HORNA (Fin) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Nazgul
Solistitium Records did release your debut CD... What is the deal like?
-Solistitium records re-released HORNA's second demo "Hiidentorni" on CD. The exact date was finally 15.10.1997, after many difficulties concerning the films for the cover artwork. Solistitium bought the rights for "Hiidentorni" to re-release it on CD/LP format. In general, the deal is the best we got, meaning that we get some 30 copies of the CD, fair royalties, etc. etc. Solistitium on their behalf handle all the promotion, distribution and so on. I cannot recall all the details concerning the contract, but I personally consider it as a fair deal, and I am very content with it.
I quote Carsten's words next: "Solistitium is based on purity, on intelligence, on art, on romanticism and on nature." How does HORNA fit into this "statement"?
-Solistitium is definitely based on those five things, and I think it is ok by me. When it comes to HORNA and Solistitium in co-operation, I must say that I am not really the one who is to say what HORNA stands for. I can only speak for myself, and so I will. I have a strange way of thinking this, because I like to consider bands (when it comes to the concept of a band etc.) as groups of individuals, who play together. I don't exactly know how a band that plays metal musick can be called intelligent or romantic. There can be less intelligent and less romantic members in any band. I consider myself as a somewhat intelligent person, I tend to think things twice before I spit them out of my mouth (except in some situations, on which we will have a close look in question dealing with WITHERED GARDEN, for example). I hardly can call myself romantic, but when the moment is right and the company is perfect... Another kind of Nazgul may appear. Anyway, you won't be witnessing that, because I really haven't planned a dinner with candles and wine with you. The concepts of art and purity are way too vague to conversate whatsoever. Some people consider ABRUPTUM as art, some think it is just stupid senseless noise. About purity, I don't exactly even know what Carsten means by this. We are PURE Black Metal, if that's what he's after. Nature is not so extremely important for me, maybe because I live far away from nearly everything, and here you can find all those "Majestic Vast Forests" and "Cold Silvery Lakes". After living here for 18 years it doesn't feel so special anymore. I still like to relax in the nature now and then by just walking and thinking.
What about this sentence Carsten told me... "We stand opposite to the ordinary stupid black metal scene." What is the difference you have compared with the "ordinary" black metal bands?
-Beats me, I wonder why Carsten said such thing. ISVIND, HORNA and BEHEMOTH for example are more or less ordinary black metal. Maybe we just aren't part of the "ordinary STUPID black metal scene". We don't try to be original just for the sake of originality, we do what we do, without compromises.
You said that seems like everybody has forgotten the basics and real meaning of black-metal, you said that black-metal isn't meant to please anyone. So, why are you so excited when Carsten compares your 2nd demo/CD with "A blaze in the northern sky" by DARKTHRONE or "Pentagram" by GORGOROTH? I think he was pleased with your stuff, so why did you sign a deal with his label, shouldn't you do just the opposite, to avoid such people?
-Black metal is not meant to please anyone? What the fuck? Why in the hell would I be involved in a black metal band if I would not get anything out of it? For me the deepest essence of black metal has always been satanism and the occult. There are not too many satanic bands in Finland nowadays, as you might see that. By this I do not mean being a satanist by wearing an inverted cross and painting your face because SATYRICON does it too. Still, I do not wish to judge bands just because they are not satanists, that would be very ignorant. There can be intelligent and true individuals were they satanists or not. Once more, I do not think that nobody should not listen to black metal, especially when there's no way to prevent it.
According to my inquiries, your radio-interview amused lots of people... do you care?
-Of course I do, to some extent at least. Certain persons of those who were amused by our radio appearance contacted us and told their honest opinions concerning the interview. It was actually no wonder because some statements were more or less funny. We have never given interview live so it was a bit of weird situation and we tried to handle it as good as possible. I myself think that the interview was ok.
What happens when Christianity dies, is "real" black-metal dead then? Or do you find some other enemies...from where?
-Black metal as I know it does not die when all Christianity is wiped away. My black metal is also about more complex things, not just the total annihilation of Christian worms. Also the Church is not the only authority that should be opposed. There are many more enemies for black metal, and some of the major enemies come from inside the scene.
What is the description of "real" or original black-metal... and who or what made this description, and when?
-Black metal is uncompromisingly and honestly created extreme music by extreme artists. I made this description, just now. Black metal cannot be categorized by sound or vocalstyle or whatever. Some Finnish people might remember an old hardcore-band called RYTMIHДIRIЦ. With the description of most people, the forementioned band would be black metal. Black metal comes from the dark emotions within the music, from the extreme way of life. For me black metal represents also spreading my satanic propaganda, but seems like many people do it only for the music, which is fine by me. Conclusion: The description "black metal" does NOT come from music. Oh, and corpsepaint is not a very good qualification to be black metal either.
There have been some quarrel between HORNA and another Finnish band WITHERED GARDEN... You have said that the demo of W.GARDEN is good stuff, so the only problem is their name, right? Do you think "pest", "nazgul" or any other name is any better?
-First of all I have to correct this. I have had some kind of a disagreement with WITHERED GARDEN, not HORNA. I replied to their letter in an exaggerated hateful manner. I have nothing against their band's name, at first it seemed like a bit un-black metallic for my tastes, but I guess it's ok. There must be a lot of aspects in various bands you don't like either, you just don't slip it out to them. "PEST" and "Nazgul" are decent names in my opinion, though not perfect. There will never be a perfect name, it just has to be established properly. Take ROTTING CHRIST for example.
HORNA was born in autumn'93, and you played bass for a while, but left the band for the couple of years... You were 14 years old back then, what were your motives to play in a band at that time, and what were you listening to then...?
-It was a long time ago and I really do not remember any details from those years. I got into metal a few years before I joined HORNA for the first time. I really liked the musick I was listening and wanted to do it myself, and of course it was cool being a member of a black metal-band. I listened to a lot of black metal like BATHORY; DARKTHRONE; IMMORTAL; MAYHEM; MARDUK; BEHERIT; ROTTING CHRIST; NECROMANTIA; BURZUM and IMPALED NAZARENE. Death metal like DEICIDE; AUTOPSY; DEATH; MORBID ANGEL; DISMEMBER; CANNIBAL CORPSE; BOLT THROWER; DISSECTION and NOCTURNUS. In addition to black and death metal, I liked a lot of traditional heavy metal like HELLOWEEN; GAMMA RAY; MERCYFUL FATE; KING DIAMOND and MANOWAR, some thrash stuff like SEPULTURA; POSSESSED and SLAYER, and even some HC-stuff like RYTMIHÄIRIÄ; SHITTER LIMITED and LAWNMOWER DEATH. I still like most of the bands mentioned above.
To deal with your age again, you are only 18 years old now. I got my first original "heavy metal" tapes and stuff in '83, and some of my friends started much earlier. I grew up with the bands like CELTIC FROST, POSSESSED, MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND, SLAYER, etc. Do you think the reason why older metalheads laughs at you is because they have experienced the "real" bm-movement before this age of EMPEROR and SATYRICON being interviewed in MTV3's Jyrki, and before maniacs had to prove their abilities by burning churches and imitating each other? When was your first experience with metal music, did you grow up with DARKTHRONE and the likes, at least HORNA's music does contain some stolen riffs from the Norwegian "paragons"?
-Do you have a hard time understanding the fact that people are of different ages? Every time when me and my parents visited my uncle when I was like 7 or so, I listened to his tapes and vinyls with KISS, BLACK SABBATH and stuff. When I was like 10 or so, I lost interest in music for a few years, but then I really got into heavy metal with METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and stuff like that. Soon after that SLAYER and SEPULTURA arrived to stay and the progression kept going on and on.
I have a difficulty adjusting with the idea of older metal-fans laughing at me, just because they were in the business before. If there would not be new blood to the scene whatsoever, the whole thing would be doomed. I grew up with DARKTHRONE, but I also grew up with KING DIAMOND, VENOM, MERCYFUL FATE and SLAYER. I do not have to comment this modern black metal movement in no particular way. Just look at it. But one fact we cannot deny. There are more and more people getting into black metal now than ever before. I guess music has a huge influence on the youth after all. I do not wish to comment on HORNA's musical approach either, as my musical donations limit to one riff on the upcoming MCD.
What's wrong with the bands praising the nature, ancient times, etc.? What about synths etc.? Do you think the bands that use pagan subjects in their music, are worse than you?
-There's nothing wrong with nature, neither with ancient times. But you must have seen these "weather report" bands. Can you really say that it is ok, if they just like to sing about snowstorms, ice and icicles? Come on, singing about weather is as banal as chatting about weather. I have nothing against synths either, actually I use them a lot in my other band, PEST. Also there is tiny bit of synth on the new MCD of HORNA. Paganism is very down-to-earth kind of thing that suits very well for some people. I have mostly studied the ways of Asatru, and I think there are a lot of things I agree with. Still, I think that Asatru or some other form of paganism is not really my thing.
Christianity uses such words as Christ and Satan, so is the only way to blaspheme Christianity to use the same words in your lyrics? Why don't you just ignore the whole shit? Could it be that the blasphemy makes the religion only stronger... giving an excuse to convert people... what do you think?
-I write only some lyrics for HORNA, of which none so far have been extremely blasphemic or something like that. I like to write about completely different things. Only thing I can say about Christianity is that it gives me great sadness to see people give up their honour just to be socially accepted.
I think HORNA haven't played many gigs so far, but do you think the CD-deal also helps you to get more opportunities to play live? What is the HORNA-gig like?
-Yes, we have played two gigs the new line-up. We are also having a gig here in Lappeenranta, with some fucking great bands: BARATHRUM, WIZZARD and BABYLON WHORES. I think this will be something great. Our gigs are at least very extreme. We have all the things one could need: pigheads, huge inverted crosses, corpsepaint, axes, swords, fire, chains, smoke, blood, leather, spikes and so on. I personally think that HORNA is way better live than on tape.
What are the funny/special things that happened in Salo where HORNA played in'96? Did the guys get laid, with each other perhaps?
-I was not in HORNA at the moment, so I cannot tell anything specific about it. According to what I have heard, some members of UTUK XUL(rip) and AZAZEL were really chaotic over there.
Describe me the Kingdom of Satan?
-No.
You have had many different projects ...do you still have any, and could you introduce us some of them? What about the other HORNA-guys...?
-I'm involved with two bands, in addition to HORNA. WARLOGHE plays primitive melancholic black metal. Glaurung and Morath, the two other guys live in Sдynдtsalo (which is like 300 kilometers from Lappeenranta), so we do not rehearse too often. We just recently recorded our 7"EP, which should be released quite soon. My actual main-band is PEST. I have done music for it for nearly four years now, I actually was working already on PEST at the time when I was in HORNA for the first time. Still, no material whatsoever have survived from those years. PEST was known as SHATARGAT before but because of many changes within the band we changed the name too. Me and Skratt create all the music and I have made all the lyrics so far. PEST is the kind of music I really want to do. We recorded a promo at the same sessions as WARLOGHE, and it is available for a blank tape and sufficient postage. The other guys in HORNA have also their projects. Shatraug has at least his MIRKHALL and NEPTUNE FLOW. Moredhel has his ORTHANC and some more, I think. Gorthaur plays in some of Shatraug's and Moredhel's projects. Skratt, our new bassist is originally from PEST, so he plays in it, too.
What is your policy with quality in sounds ... do you support good quality or is black-metal better with poor reh.- sounds?
-I do not care so much about the sounds. VLAD TEPES, TORGEIST, MUTIILATION and such are fucking bewitching. Still, I like bands with crystal-clear studio- sounds as well. The sounds do not matter, it's the music that counts.
HORNA and the future, reveal your plans for the rest of the millennium!
-We have just finished the recordings of our new MCD, which should be released sometime 1998. We also have material for our second LP, which will be recorded after Christmas'97. Then a message to all you gig-organizers out there: We want gigs. Contact us and we shall negotiate the details. We could like to do gigs in Finland, as well as abroad.
Some art of cookery again, what is your favourite "christ-burger" like?
-A double hamburger with triple cheese, fried egg, pineapple, fresh sallad and tomatoe, ham, pickels, jalapeno-peppers, chilli, lots of garlic and ketchup, mustard and hamburger-sauce, french fries and a large cold beer. Afterwards, a cigarette and strong coffee. Deeelicious.
Anything you would like to ask from me...go ahead!
-Awright, here are a few questions:
1. Describe me the kingdom of Satan?
2. What is the best song by BEHERIT?
3. Will I get a free copy of this 'zine?
4. What band would you like to achieve a cult status (a band that is not cult at the moment)?
-(Tommi): First one is easy, to describe the kingdom of Satan... I answer Norway! The best BEHERIT-track is "Unholy pagan fire". You'll receive a free copy of this entertaining publication, of course! The last question is very hard... and I don't have any name to give. Without any better knowledge about the review-policy in the German magazine Rock Hard, I think your score, 0 out of 10 points, is worth some runner-up position in this question...
That's it... I have nothing more to add, what about you?
-Thanks for this intie, Tommi. Ave Satanas.
LORDES WERRE (USA) download HERE
Questions Tommi Hakonen / answered by Rob Elliot
Biography of LORDES WERRE tells that you left your earlier band SEPHIROTH because of difference in ideas. Well, here's what George told in the SEPHIROTH- interview in DARK MOON #2('94): "Rob is a trendy in every sense! In '89 he listened to fag rock like L.A.GUNS, KISS, etc. '91 he lived for CANNIBAL CORPSE. '92 he loves DARK THRONE and BURZUM... should I go on." This sounds more than the difference in ideas to me, so do you have anything to add? By the way, what are you listening to nowadays?
-Looks like "Chicago metal soap opera" still carries on. It even reached such distant regions as (embraced by haunted forests and evil howling winds) Finland. As you seem to be into this stuff here's another episode just for you. Yes, I am very trendy, of course George never heard about those bands! Being so true he naturally couldn't make it for "LORDES WERRE" or was he just another victim of a process called "natural selection"? As I always said: "trying is not good enough".
"Speed metal under the influence of alcohol", what is the meaning of this statement? Does it also mean that people must get drunk before your music sounds good enough to listen to?
-It means you need a better interpreter.
"The Dark Ascension" demo'94 and "Canticles of Armageddon" MCD'96 keep up the feelings of the speed/thrash metal attack of the '80's. Why don't you try to create something new instead of wallowing in the old that is made by dozens of other bands before you?
-Anybody my age or older that used to go to metal shows in the 80's knows that metal was better then. Most of the 90's so called metal sounds weak and retarded to me. I do not feel that way so we will stick to really reflects our personalities.
Do you have any opinion why the scene is suddenly full of bands playing the way SODOM, KREATOR, etc. played ten years ago? For me this's like caricature of modern world, where every fuckin' trend is circulated over and over again. Is this the only way to go, what you think?
-Wow! I haven't heard of such bands! Can you name some?
What is the lyrical side of L.W. like? According to your bio, lyrically L.W. enters the universe and the very pit itself... tell more!
-Lyrics are included on the CD insert.
Rest in peace music ... what is the deal between you and the label like?
-The R.I.P. deal seems to be working good because they feel the same way we do. We had a few other interests, among them Cursed Productions.
The only L.W.-address I know is P.O. BOX-number in Elkhart, and there is another P.O.BOX-number in Elkhart I know, i.e. the address of Ray Miller's Cursed Productions. Do you know him personally?
-Yes, I've known Ray for shit, about 10 years. He's metal!
What is the situation with your debut full-length... has it finished yet? Are there any changes compared with your previous material, or is it still the same old thrashing? If there are people who didn't like your MCD, could you tell anything that encourages them to buy your new work?
-The same old thrashing but ... faster. Buy it if you like or don't!
Have you found the new member you were seeking? Who is he, if I may ask?
-His name is Jim Garber. He seems to fit quite well.
The King's war... what the fuck is that?
-It is exactly what it says.
Have you already played the show you were planning with USURPER? Have the streets been "desolated", because of the show? Why should people be afraid of walking on the streets... are you so ugly that they think their worst nightmares have become reality, perhaps?
-The show turned out quite well although streets were not desolated as we wished. Educated people tell me it is much easier to destroy trees and grass then concrete with metal. I guess some day we have to play in Finland to accomplish our wish.
As for my appearence... looks like your brain fails to comprehend some of my statements. However to some I may be ugly to some not. I have a feeling I'm not your type though!
What is the L.W.-gig/show like? Some funny puppet show for the children, entertaining nude-show for adults only, or something else...?
-It's a puppet show.
As far as I know, AFTERLIFE and SEPHIROTH are both dead now, and as both of you have been involved with these bands, could you tell why it's LORDES WERRE that still remains? Do you have any other bands/projects going on?
-You don't really know as much as I thought but why should I care. LORDES WERRE remains because we want it to.
What does the name LORDES WERRE mean, by the way?
-It means "Lord's war" in old English.
You have made the canticle of armageddon, but what about a canticle for yourself ... what would it be like?
-Yes, I did.
To add some art of cookery, I'd like to know what is your most delicious "Christ-burger" like?!
-Man! You are metal to the bone!
Anything you'd like to ask me, this may be your only chance!?
-Can I be your friend, please?
Nothing more to add from my side, what about you....
-You are so good at discovering new trends. Could you please let me know what's gonna be hot in a year or two? I want to be first! Oh! By the way - what a cute name your zine has!