If you had to compare it with your previous works, how would you describe the difference or the improvement on this new CD?
Oh my goodness 🙂 Practically we have been forced to face all the same issues that we had on previous ones. I don’t know how it can be so difficult to change our working methods even how hard we try. But maybe we just have to accept and face the facts. But what comes to songs; I felt this was the first time, when I heard some special moments on the first try from each of the songs. Of course it was expected to change after rolling those songs like 200 times. You just need to believe yourself and trust that the songs will carry the same emotional feelings to the listeners.

Is there a theme running through the album or just different topics, mostly related to melancholic and sad feelings?
Like I already mentioned, I have written almost all of the lyrics. I don’t want to make them sound so difficult to approach. I just want to keep them as simple as I can; so it’s very easy for the listener to jump in. Ordinary stories from ordinary life, mostly the darkest ones that we don’t like to talk about that much, but still about we need to face everyday…. dark side of reality and everything around. Simple but enough so gloom…

But I have the impression that hope is always important too, as solace for the darkness, isn’t it?
Yes of course. Even if we are swimming in dark waters doesn’t mean that there’s no light at all. I remember when I wrote lyrics for ‘Vapaus’ album, I felt the need to ask if we were really going to release those. There was so much light and happiness instead of darkness and dying. I wasn’t sure back then am I willing to publish that kind of a text. But we did it and have to admit it felt pretty naked at the first time performing those songs in front of an Finnish audience. But that’s our thing and that’s how it should be like. To be honest for yourself.

What can you tell about the recording process?
We recorded all of the drums and vocals in Deepnoise Studios with Saku Moilanen. Bass and all the guitars we recorded ourselves by Ville taking the lead on that process. Ville and Olli composed all of the background fx’s, synths and keys. Saku, who mixed the whole album, also handled the mastering.

You have marvelous video clips. Let us shine a light on few of them. First the one for ‘Kylma Maa’. This seems to be filmed in your hometown Hamina. Can you tell a bit more about the location(s), the actress and the making of?
That wasn’t a long process. Totally it took two days for shootings. It was filmed by our friend Hannu Tiainen who’s known more about his skills as a photographer. I think this was the third video that he filmed and directed. Video was taking place in the middle of our hometown, in the middle of historical walls which are known as Hamina Bastion. Actor is our drummer’s niece, the same young lady who you can see in one of our previous videos, single ‘Palava Maa’.

The new video has just been released and that is for the song ‘Hyvästi’ (I am glad you chose the long tracks). How do you look back at the creation of this video?
That wasn’t the easiest way to accomplish. We rent millions of lights, but in the end it was recorded in the daylight. Also there were issues around additional shoots ‘cause of the covid; so there was no chance to get any extra material. But in the end, we’re good, all good. Really happy with the result. Once again I want to give a big hand to Hannu Tiainen, once and again. Magnificent job as always!

Finland has a lively scene of excellent doom/death metal bands. Is that a pro or a con for you as band?
Pro, I have to say… Here are a lot of different kinds of events for this style of music. Lots of bands to co-work with, so I say it’s definitely a plus. Even here in Finland we have a lot of bands, I must say we’ve been lucky that we have achieved this position that we are in now. Of course that means lots of work and good connections, but past years have been good for us. Big thanks goes to our live manager Aki Juvonen from Loosemind Productions as well for taking us to his roster. That’s been very helpful in every way.

As we all know playing gigs happens to be difficult this year. But you did a live stream and even two real appearances on festivals in Finland. How did you experience this? How was it possible to organize a festival this year? (I know Finland was not hit that bad, but even then…)
The situation was pretty good at the summer, and we were lucky to get on a stage. But as you might have seen we’ve been forced to cancel our shows this year including all of our album release shows. Everything is now postponed to next year, but we need to take one step at the time and see how this goes and which direction…. There is so much negative energy in the air, so even if there would be a chance to play alive, would that be worth it? But somehow you have to keep band’s name active, so we have several plans….. still something that we can’t confirm yet.

To round off, please give us some words about the artist for the artwork and the way you came to this cover and artwork?
Artwork for the ‘Syttyköön Toinen Aurinko’ was created by Niko Anttila who’s been working for the bands like Sabaton and Finntroll for example. We just gave him several options to improve the cover art and the rest is history. So I can say the whole concept is created from an artist. Of course there was extra tuning as always, but without Niko this wholeness wouldn´t be as it’s now. So all the glory for the great artist. You know, that album cover is painted by true colors, digitally finalized.

If there is anything you’d like to add, feel free to do so here…
For all the fans. In these hard times the best way to help your favorite bands is by using all channels in social media; share the links, share the music everywhere, on every platform. And of course: PLAY THE ALBUM ‘SYTTYKÖÖN TOINEN AURINKO’ AS LOUD AS IT’S POSSIBLE!!!!