Daily Metal #6 (Eng)

#6, May 2013

Amorphis: Metal Kalevala Frozen in Rock

W.Angel’s Conquest

Sex, X, Rock’n’Roll Volbeat, Noumena, HIM

Persona Grata: Victor Smolski

This issue is created in memory of Jeff Hanneman.

R.I.P.

Editorial Room Texts — Jim Daniels, Helle Danova, Sasha Pantera, Manticora Design and layout — Evgeny Zhytnyuk Editor — Helle Danova Photo on the cover: Victor Smolsky (Rage)

Disclaimer Daily Metal has no rights for photomaterials, used in issue’s design with non-commercial aim.

Thus, editorial group has no material responsibility.

All rights for texts belong only to Daily Metal and their authors. Publication is allowed only with active hyperlink to the original source.

Contents Frozen in Rock................................................................................................................4-5 Reviews of fresh releases: Volbeat..............................................................................................................................6-7 Amorphis...........................................................................................................................7-8 HIM.......................................................................................................................................8 Noumena.........................................................................................................................8-10 R.I.P. Jeff........................................................................................................................11-12 Sex, X, Rock’n’Roll.............................................................................................................13 Persona Grata: Victor Smolski.......................................................................................14-17 Amorphis: Metal Kalevala..............................................................................................19-22 W.Angel’s Conquest......................................................................................................23-27

Frozen in Rock How about standing for a while between Ozzy Osbourne and Angus Young? If you think it is next to impossible, I would say you are wrong!

You have got such a chance at the exhibition of sculpture miniatures by Kyiv sculptor Olexandr Shevchenko “Frozen in Rock” at Minus 4 art gallery. Jim Daniels looked down at his and someone others’ icons. … Administrator turned off the lights. It was only an almost blind spotlight cutting the silence. Just at the moment when key turned in the keyhole and the silence fell on the hall, a late visitor came out of the gentlemen’s and understood that he stayed absolutely alone among miniatures under glass covers. Moonlight was oozing through glass ceiling and spilling over the covers. He wanted to cry for help and ask to let him out or at least post it to Facebook. Then, all of a sudden, the shadow of miniatures started getting longer. He felt his pants go wet. The covers exploded with millions of tiny grains of sand and mixed with moonlight falling on the floor. The explosion threw him aside. He feverishly turned on his back and crawled back to the wall, a horrifying scene unfolding in front of him. Sculptures were getting taller and taller, transforming into inhuman shapes and made weak moves. He

climbed on all fours to the fathermost corner. It occurred to him that he wanted to cry, but he failed to enter the correct Twitter password again and again.

A tall figure of Ozzy Osbourne covered the sight, it opened its wide mouth and all the lights went down…

Such a story sprang in author’s mind at the exhibition “Frozen in Rock”. Actually, I can’t bring myself to call it a colourless word “exhibition”. A dozen of sculptures of famous rock musicians circle you tightly and do not give any rest to your fantasy. And here you

understand that the size does not matter. You understand that you are just a Gulliver, marooned at this secluded rock Lilliput by an accidental glance at the poster. You walk past the miniatures and it comes in mind that Olexandr Shevchenko did a gigantic job.

The author embodied the most desired thing of every headbanger, i.e. to gather all icons at one place and chat with them face to face.

Just imagine that you are hanging out with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger laughing at poor make-up of Marilyn Manson and James Hetfield brought you a lager. You shoved with Prodigy while smoking and than spit with Ozzy from your balcony. And then you tested your water gun with Jonathan Davis on your cat, while Bono preached you.

One does not know where the fantasy will take him at this small hall of miniatures.

But you should try next time.

Text — Jim Daniels

Fresh Releases

Volbeat — Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies Country: Denmark Genre: Alternative Metal, Groove Metal, Hard Rock, Rockabilly Label: Vertigo Records “Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies” became the fifth CD in discography of the Danish band Volbeat. In a short time these guys reached an unprecedented popularity among metal masses, and now we can see their name alongside logos of such giants like Iron Maiden or Rammstein at the different festivals’ posters.

As Volbeat is one of my favorite top bands, their new job was highly anticipated for me. But suspicions about future album crept in after I heard the single "Cape Of Our Hero", because the only thing that can be distinguished in this song — melodic riff, played on one string.

First of all, it should be mentioned that this year ex-Anthrax’s guitarist Rob Caggiano joined Volbeat replacing Thomas Bredahl, moreover — Rob is co-producer of the CD along with Jacob Hansen. But I can’t say that this band “grew up” with new album.

Poulsen’s vocal, as well as technical

proficiency seems to stay the same, despite the fact guys was at pains while working on. They even worked together with their countryman King Diamond, whose vocals can be easily recognized in "Room 24".But after listening to this track I was not satisfied with what I’d heard. It would be better if Volbeat refused from this cooperation than dishonored vocals of His Majesty with such insignificant song.

Certainly, "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" is a high-quality album, full of soulful, pleasing to the ear melodies, which are good if you want to relax and drink some beer with friends talking about life. But I don’t want to drown into melancholy mood and think of the meaning of existence, while listening to this band. I want to lose my mind, my patience — I want my feet to carry me to the hurricane of slam. I was waiting for tasty groovy riffs like there in “The Human Instrument”, waiting for unbridled ardor like in “Radio Girl” and “Still Counting”. Instead, we got a quiet, lyrical album with catastrophic lack of hits. Kind of a gum with sugary rockabilly flavor, and it’s definitely too much of it in the album and sometimes I feel really sick of it! The band continues moving away from the groove and rolling towards the alternative sound and it is not

their advantage. There are only a few worth tracks from the whole album: "The nameless one", “The hangman’s body count”, “Lola Montez”.

experience at the metal scene, they never cease to create something new. Moreover, contrarily to their countrymen Korpiklaani, create thoughtfully.

Do you know the feeling when the album of one of your favorite bands, which you’ve been waiting for so long, does not bring any emotions to you? And then you give it a spin again and again, trying to find something you might miss… After listening to “Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies” over 20 times, I get that I will not find there anything great — just because there isn’t.

You will not find here any masterpieces like there in ‘Black Winter Day’ but in general this album is quite pleasant. Again, everything is made according to the canons of the style. The band became a little mainstream long time ago. It’s been popular among strict dudes, who shaved off their beards and hairs and got a family instead, as well as among the ‘metalheads-beginners’ and even new generation of glamour chicks. And everybody finds here something special.

For those who haven’t heard the band before this album can’t be recommended in any case. I’d put 6/10.

Text — Pantera

But let’s get back to the ‘Circle’. Here you still can find typical minor-pretentious songs which are best for crying. It’s like Ville Valo without a beanie or Alexi Laiho without spit in the sky.

Tomi Joutsen didn’t try to surprise fans with purity and beauty of his voice, easily singing clear and growl parts. In addition you can find here light patterned solos, woven of gold dust arrangement, heavy forged death elements that take listener to the beginning of the band’s career.

Personally I can mention the following compositions: ‘Dead Man’s Dream‘ — pretty interesting thing, made in quick, I’d rather say, Finntroll’s-dancing temp. But this is Amorphis :) Tapping is simply beyond the praise.

Amorphis — Circle Conutry: Finland Genre: Progressive Metal, Melodic Death Metal Labels: Nuclear Blast, Relapse, Virgin Year 2013 pleased a lot of fans of Finnish music with new releases. Amorphis decided to maintain this tempo and released a new album called ‘Circle’. I have to say that this band, in spite of their pretty solid

‘The Wanderer‘ — just a classic of Amorphis. Here you can scream, recall the past or even cry.

‘Nightbirds’s Song‘ — if you, like me, associated the name of this song with ‘Cry Of The Black Bird’ from Amon Amarth – forget it. Complicated, beautiful composition, which pretends to be called a ‘hit’.

‘Into The Abyss‘ — it’s hard not to recognize Amorphis here. It often happens to many bands: they record new songs, new albums, try to add something new to their music, but as a final result they get…

Amorphis, in this case.

‘A New Day‘ — a light and tender song.

Like a fresh sunny morning, which smells with a night rain and fragile flowers that under the breath of poisoned wind turn to dust.

This band has been popular for many years and they really deserve it. And Ukraine fans are looking forward to see their gig in Kyiv on the 21st of September at ‘Bingo’ club.

Text — Manticora

HIM — Tears On Tape Country: Finland Genre: Love Metal Labels: DoubleCross, Universal 3 years have passed since HIM had released their last album. Fans met new material very ambiguous. It’s not strange, because the new CD is another. Either Ville Valo became elder, or the wind started to blow another way, but ‘Tears Of

Tape’ sounds different from the previous works of His Infernal Majesty.

Melodic and atmospheric intro and outro, 4 instrumental songs, warm sound and imitation of an old tape frame typical HIM’s love-metal in a very interesting way. But it changed a little and, to me, became more positive and faster.

General arrangement and the sound of this album seem to be a tribute to the old, forgotten past — time of cassettes, hope and free love. Who knows, maybe Ville Valo’s love songs are dedicated to this past, which is lost by ones and unknown to others.

Text — Helle Danova

to the level of previous works of the band, and your ears catch this at once. I hear longing and sadness in her voice. And it’s not those longing and sadness that pass to the dead end and would fit perfectly for some doom, — it just feels like she is so bored she’s going to howl. And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Yes, there is an explanation to the album at the official website ‘Thematically, the album revolves around death and loss’ (с), but it’s just too much…

Noumena — Death Walks With Me Country: Finland Genre: Melodic Death Metal Labels: DoubleCross, Universal After 7 long years, Noumena finally released new full-length album. To be truly, I was afraid to listen to it. Was afraid of being disappointed. I knew this band since 2004, and all of their songs with no exceptions were a standard of melodic death metal for me at that moment. Well, and still they are. I was excited with their harmony, with juicy growl of Antti Haapanen, with incredibly beautiful guitar solos, delicate female vocals touching my soul (like in ‘Through The Element’ from ‘Anatomy Of Life’ album, 2006). And when the first wave of delight from the fact of the long-awaited release of ‘Death Walks With Me’ subsided, I decided to learn more about the new work of these Finnish.

It’s a pity, but there are still some disappointments. Female vocals sound disagreeably — the band changed their back-vocalist, and I think it it didn’t bring any benefits. Maybe some of you do not agree with me, but the vocals of new singer Suvi Uura sounds poorly in comparison to the previous Hanna Leinonen, who recorded vocals for the albums ‘Pride/ Fall’ (2002), ‘Absence’ (2005), and ‘Anatomy of Life’ (2006). Suvi just can’t get

Listening to some tracks from the new album, sometimes I wonder — why do they need female vocal here? But I have to say, not everything sounds that bad, and there are some exceptions.

I’m not lazy to share my impressions about each track. By the way, there are no weak tracks on this album. For those who know the subject, of course :) The opening song ‘Handful Of Dust’ implies immediately — this is Noumena!

We’re back! A special charm is added by some choral chants at the end, and guitar gash. In general, very dynamic track. Run, run forward with opened hugs.

‘Play Dead‘ — one of those I liked at once.

That's where we can hear a direct reference to all the traditions of style!

Beautiful and a little sad track. The melody which is so inherent for Noumena’s music, complemented with juicy growl, laying with a healing balsam on the soul of a fan who missed this music so much.

‘Sleep’ (ballad) — very, very good thing.

Noumena’s ballads almost always come so deep and sincere; they affect such delicate emotional strings that eyes involuntarily become moistened by the senses, the existence of which had been forgotten for a long time. This song is a kind of lullaby… ‘Sleep, sleep, sleep inside the timeless lullaby’.

‘Death Walks With Me’, which gave the name to the album is brutal, rough and

fast. And here female vocal makes it a little softer, like pouring warm milk to the black as a night coffee. This seems to be really tasty. And in the end — SOS. ‘Let It Run Red‘ — is one more typical Noumena’s song. Even all these Suvi’s howls in refrains sound pretty good. If you listen to this album for the first time, I would recommend you to start from this song. There is a complete set here… No, not set. It’s a wreath, which is made of all the best that this team gives us. All that I unreservedly loved them for.

‘Storm‘ — brings us associations with a stormy sea. Here you stand near the microphone steering wheel, back-vocalist your girlfriend stays beside, and laterally there are guys with paddles, and there is a drummer captain behind. And there’s only the endless sea around and salt spray you feel with your face. And infinite free-dom.

And only fans gulls are screaming.

‘Mysteries Of Motion‘ — I don’t even have enough words to describe this song…

Everything is perfect. Except Suvi… Ok, it seems, I’m too strict. This is really great song. But very short — only 4 minutes.

‘Nothing‘ — is one more beautiful song, which could sound pretty good even without female vocal. Maybe, Antti should take a cue from Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis) and sing everything by himself? But on the other hand, Noumena would sound strange with only male vocal. In addition, here we can hear unbelievable solos from incredible Ville Lamminaho and Tuukka Tuomela.

‘Only The Silent‘ — this is insane…

Contrarily to the title track does not comply the silence in a library. Hurricane and storm. A delicious bass. Aggression in the voice. Speed and madness. With the accompaniment of this song it’s good to drive on some highway with 250 km/h speed. Female drivers should be with naked breast.

‘Season Of Suffocation‘ — the name perfectly fits to this song. From the first notes you want to hang yourself :) Or at least think about transience of life. Arrangement is very interesting here; you can even hear the pipes of Jericho.

And in the end of our, I hope, interesting excursion, the final track ‘Sundown’. Better to pour a cup of something you like, sitting in a comfortable lounger and watch the most beautiful sunset of your life. And nobody will disturb you here. Here’s only you and Noumena. And even Suvi does not seem to be excessive anymore. The sun that goes down is dancing on the waves, and only the moon appearing in the sky will be your companion. Always, when you want this. When you are ready.

This year the band reaches its 15 years.

During this time they’ve released 5 demos, 4 full-length albums and 1 EP. I hope that hibernation period is ended and soon we will see new works of this band. As among faceless and similar Finnish melodic-death bands these musicians still have something to surprise their audience.

Yes, this is old good Noumena. Everything within the style. Everything is familiar and recognizable. But after so many years of waiting each note sounds in a new way.

It’s like to meet an old almost forgotten friend after many years of separation. You touch him with your hands, with your eyes noting how he has changed over this time.

Fresh scars appeared somewhere, wrinkles, gray hair, voice became raucous... But this is still Noumena. We missed them.

Welcome back!

Text — Manticora

R.I.P. Jeff Hanneman 1964 - 2013

May, 2 became the day of one more musician's death, who influenced the development of heavy music scene (end of XX — beginning of XXI century). Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman died from 'liver cirrhosis, explicated by alcohol’ — state the doctors. One man comprised the founder of a band, author of many music hits, ‘required’ for many concerts, collector of Nazi relics and fan of the II World War history. It was his fanatic hobby, which poured out this molten metal into the form called Slayer. And, instead of pathos words, DM decided to give a word to Mr. Hanneman colleagues from Slayer.

Kerry King … I had so many great times with Jeff! In the early days when we were out on the road, he and I were the night owls, we would stay up all night on the bus, just hanging out, talking, watching movies...

World War II movies, horror movies, we watched 'Full Metal Jacket' so many times, we could practically recite all of the dialogue. … He was a gigantic World War II buff, his father served in that war, so when Slayer played Russia for the first time – I think it was 1998 – Jeff and I went to one of Moscow's military museums. I'll never forget him walking around that place, looking at all of the tanks, weapons and other exhibits. He was like a kid on Christmas morning. But that was Jeff's thing, he knew so much about WW II history, he could have taught it in school.

Tom Araya When we first formed Slayer, we used to rehearse all the time, religiously, 24/7. Jeff and I spent a lot of time hanging out

together; he lived in my father's garage, which was also our rehearsal space. When he got his own apartment, he had an 8track and I would go there to record songs I'd written, not Slayer songs, other stuff I'd written. At a certain point, you still have the band but you start your own lives outside of the band, so that 24/7 falls to the side, you don't spend as much time together as you once did. I miss those early days.

Dave Lombardo …Jeff was the guy that shaved his head and shared the music he was so inspired by. My drumming was getting faster and Jeff was writing original songs with a punk attitude. The fusion of heavy metal and punk took over Slayer's early mediocre style, hence a new force was born. Thank you, Jeff, for your inspiring discovery of punk rock that has continued to shape my personal drumming style.

Text — Jim Daniels

Sex, ?, Rock’n’Roll Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll is a constant slogan, which many people associate heavy music with, probably since the beginning of its history; and the rock stars appear in their imagination like irreparable rowdies who’s touring all the time, always surrounded by a lot of girls and bathed in alcohol and a heap of other shit. Well, to be honest, it often happens exactly like this. However, similar lifestyle usually can lead to the collapse of the band or even fatal consequences, such as death. But it’s not only musicians who die… Undoubtedly, these losses are reflected at the music.

Now we often can hear the opinion that metal is dying. I don’t think so. On the contrary, metal is evolving fast now: new names appear, and new styles gain more and more popularity…

No, metal is not dying just by its own.

Probably, it would be better to say that its creators die, and together with them the music dies. The recent death of Jeff Hanneman became really shocking news for me. For me Slayer always stood separately among other representatives of this genre — they have in their music that recognizable thrash stiffness that distinguishes them among others, although equally iconic bands, and apparently they still had something to tell us...

With such losses — with losses of genre establishers, metal really dies. Nobody knows the future of thrash metal — there will be the bands that play worse, and probably there will be someone who plays better, but there definitely will be nothing the same. Yes, 2013 seems to be not the best in the heavy music story…

Of course, each of us will pass away one day.

But it’s really frustrating, when it happens because of such banal things like drugs or alcohol. I’m really surprised with the fact that many bands who began their career in the end of 60s and who definitely did not live sinless life, are now still functioning — recording new albums, going on tours… I don’t know their secret — maybe drugs and booze were better at that time. But most of those stars, which are addicted to any shit, now look really sad, and a lot of bands who used to release awesome albums with legendary songs now just can’t

record any decent song. And, please, don’t say that this is a part of a rock’n’roll life and it’s impossible to get without it when a tour bus becomes your home. Everybody has his own priorities. Many bands tour every year during 6 or even more months, but it seems they understand that all these can end very soon, and end with not the best way, if they live the life of the ‘real rock’n’roll star’.

So, maybe the slogan ‘Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll’ should be slightly modified? For instance, we can leave the first and the last components, and drugs can be changed with something else? What should it be? You choose. The main thing — the new component has to be useful and enjoyable.

Text — Pantera

Persona Grata: Victor Smolski After 20 years spent in Germany Rage guitarist Victor Smolski still says “our” meaning something of former USSR. The release of the side project of Rage “Lingua Mortis Orchestra” is planned for early August. As Victor promises, the stuff is very different, from heavy tracks to melancholy ballads. Jim Daniels listened to Victor Smolski's story about the album on the edge of the seat.

Conservative or liberal? Difficult to choose. It depends (laughs).

Lingua Mortis Orchestra album is not a try to make up something new, it's a common musical process, embodied in new ideas and songs. I always want to broaden the outlook, use new instruments and write new concepts.

We have finished recording all the instruments. Literally yesterday (the conversation took place on Apr. 29th — DM) we started mixing. I hope, we will finish it all by the end of the week.

One can say, it is almost my solo album. I wrote almost all the stuff and did production and recording.

The songs were written for the band and orchestra, almost the same what we did in Lingua Mortis suite. We have experience of cooperation with an orchestra. You learn a lot, you understand what sounds best, what arrangements to choose to play it later on stage.

At the same time the concept changed.

These are not just separate songs, it is almost 50 minutes of music non-stop.

Style divergence is huge. There will be very heavy songs, maybe so heavy that Rage have never played such (laughs). On the other hand there will be very melodic and calm ballads and some atmospheric elements. The album turns out very interesting.

The synergy of classical music and metal lies in the fact that they are both

very emotional. Any emotional and sincere things coinside very well.

I do not follow any particular music style. Now there are so many of them that one cannot follow all the styles. There's well crafted pop music. I can listen to it and relax while driving my car.

Any song can be arranged as a jazz or a thrash thing, but the song itself remains the same. What really matters is the initial idea of the author.

It all began with Pesnyary. My band grew up in their studio, we went touring to Germany, although it was very difficult to do at that time. Later we released first Belorussian album recorded abroad (“Russian Prayer”, 1993 — DM). We made some friends and decided to stay here.

It was difficult to work from Belarus at that time, it was difficult to play gigs. But on the other hand there was an immense desire to tour the world and play shows everywhere. And it happened so that I decided to stay in Germany. This is the country where I like to live.

My father (Dmitriy Smolski, famous Belorussian composer — DM) had a great influence on me. At home music was played all day long.

Since my childhood I absorbed musical tastes of my father. I also listened to rock music, he did not mind. Once I brought home an amplifier and started playing Led Zeppelin riffs. Of course, it irritated him and took off the work sometimes, but he was happy that I fanatically practise.

My father knows everything about my songs. He helps me and he likes all the stuff. We always discuss what arrangements would fit better or what I can play in other way.

A lot of my friends left in Belarus. I often go there for days off, but always do something. I teach or do some workshops.

I keep in touch with some bands, I always advice them something.

I love coming to Minsk, especially on holiday, because the situation with gigs remains difficult.

I never regret of what I have done. Even if I had a chance to choose whether to stay in Belarus or leave, I would leave again.

Valeriy Kipelov and me were familiar to each other long before our cooperation.

He invited me to record guitar for the album “Reki Vremen” (Rivers of Time — DM). We did it all in the studio very well and quickly and then he offered me to set off for a tour together. We traveled around Russia and during those year and a half we reached even the Far East cities. Fine tour, your know.

I tour for so long, that I got tired of long journeys. We used to spend 9 months on the road, we managed to play around the globe. Now I just don't want it.

I would like to separate touring from studio job. Spending about two years on tour as other bands do isn't my scene. I

love when I am at home and have my hobbies. It nice to tour for a couple of months and then land in the studio. 50/50 is the best.

My hobbies are all about sports. Skiing, motosports... Car racing became my second profession. I go in for it for more than 10 years. It takes much time.

Promoters often do not fulfill our riders.

If happens so (in former USSR it often happens and takes much nerves) we always come to stage. We play for our fans, they have nothing to do with our rider.

Last year we did the largest Rage tour.

For me it was very difficult, because it is me who do all the arrangements. All rider demands and some hospitality things cost much nerves and add gray hair. But we hit the road because we love our fans.

Sometimes I feel very disappointed when I see how promoters behave not only with us, musicians, but also with the fans. Last time when we came to Russia I had sheer shock. Promoters sold some “special” tickets for our show, you know like “meet & greet”. People payed large sums of money for a promise to chat with Rage, though we knew nothing about that! Five minutes before going on stage they took us to a strange room where we took a moment to have a chat with fans. It enraged me.

You cannot do so to the fans. We exist because of them. I do not mind a meeting.

But please, arrange it all right. Than fans feel offended that we devoted so little time to them. Still we were absolutely innocent, because we knew nothing about it.

In Europe concerts are held with more pleasure than in our venues, because it is all better arranger for fans and bands.

It is very strange when the stage and the crowd are separated by police, because we do not see such things around

the world. Even in Brazil or Argentina, where people are very emotional and go crazy at the shows. Of course, security is everywhere, but there is a huge difference between specially trained security personnel and police. Sometimes the latter do not properly react on the situation.

If a fan is just having fun, jumping and shouting, it does not mean disorder or any danger for others. It never comes to their minds to protect girls in front, which are squeezed by the crowd.

We had such a situation in Moscow. I had to stop the show and asked the police to help the girls, who literally fainted because of the crowd pressure. Although police were standing in front of them and took no notice. But if you open and drink a beer, they will arrest you!

There is no concert culture in our countries. Both arranging and holding concerts. We do not have such show business like in western countries. There are only a few firms who do this business professionally. It's all left on the level kinda we invite someone, they play a gig, we make some money and hire security at the night club in the neighborhood.

I cannot say where the fans are the craziest. We had shows in different countries, at different festivals. Wherever you come there's something special.

I will never forget when I came to Japan for the first time. People got mad, we couldn't even walk in the streets. During the show I could hardly hear what I was playing.

All former USSR countries I consider as homeland. I don't care where I am – in Ukraine, Russia or Belarus. I am mad when I hear native tongue at the stage.

We tried to come to Ukraine for a long time. A few years ago we were to play at some festival, but it went bankrupt and sponsors disappeared.

It is only Rage who come to Kiev. It is very expensive to bring the whole Lingua Mortis Orchestra — there's much staff and three guest vocalists. It is a very huge project, and it is difficult to tour. Nevertheless, you can listen to us at Masters of Rock and Wacken Open Air festivals, and in autumn we will have a European tour.

I just do my job. I write songs and play them. I do what I really like. Peavy and me are 15 years together. We have achieved a great interplay, understand each other and everything goes smoothly.

Next year we will have 30 years of Rage. We will release a special album, I think. But now we put aside everything until we finish Lingua Mortis Orchestra album. After that we will think what to do.

Perhaps, it will be an interesting compilation like “Best of...”

I try to visit my friends' shows, but I have so little time. Lately I visited Frankfurt Musikmesse and met millions of friends, we had many jams.

During “70,000 Tons of Metal” festival I was at all the shows of about 40 bands.

It's always informative. You compare something, make conclusions. It may be nice decoration or arrangements. Тext — Jim Daniels

It is all about experience to stock it and refresh.

Amorphis: Metal Kalevala Finnish band Amorphis released its album titled ‘Circle’ on the 19th of April. Just one week of sales, and it headed charts of Finland, took the third place in Sweden, and now confidently stays in the second decade of Germany and the UK. Jim Daniels spoke with Amorphis keyboarder Santeri Kallio about recording Circle, future European tour and branded sauce.

You have just released ‘Circle’. Feel exhausted?

Quite contrary, feel fresh, energetic and can not to wait to get on tour. We´ve have had such a long break here almost 6 months. We ´ve played few shows in Finland, one in Sweden and one in Israel. Yesterday we played at opening of Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki and the night before we had record releasing party gig at local venue in Helsinki. But soon the break will be over, lets get back to exhaustion question next spring!

What do you think, is ‘Circle’ a step forward for Amorphis? Or the album has closed some life circle in Amorphis life? Should we expect any changes?

We like to see this as a new chapter and think this album will show us some new directions.

Normally we will figure these directions when we start touring and playing these songs live.

For me the album sounds fresh, different, familiar and interesting at the same time. Of course from my perspective there could be more keyboards — on the other hand the guitarists Esa and Tomi are totally excited about the loud and heavy guitar sounds. Its definitely great to have a different approach to out music to separate it from the previous albums. And we still have 5 more tracks from the sessions which is a nice thing for fans.But I think our music is evolving now, can people hear it yet is a question, lets put Circle out and see.

You have told a very interesting story in the lyrics. How did you get that idea? Could you please expand the concept of the protagonist? It seems to me that you made a step aside from Kalevala in the lyrics, or I’m wrong?

Yeah, the story is not so closely connected to Kalevala, its there but in a very minor role. We discussed we could try something more modern with our lyricist Pekka Kainulainen and he came with an concept which happen in the present time (or somewhere in the modern

does not appear at all. And then its time for a noose. I would say the " the lesson" here could be that don’t give up too easily, something or somebody may come and drag you out from the ditch. Also that never is too late to change.

Sounds cheesy, but cheese is good. And expensive.

The music at the album has a strong doom influence. Was it somehow influenced by dark lyrics?

Sure, but the music was mostly ready when we got the lyrics so I would not say the lyrics affected on the musical side. But the story is dark I have to say. A survival story without any heroes!

The cover represents the circle. Who’s inside it?

In the cover is the shaman who appears to the main character in the story to guide him to the right track.

times). We read it through and actually, it sounded much more interesting starting point than just another concept about an old story or classic Kalevala character once again. The concept is about a man in the present day, life is not going good, he´s kind of a small man trying to survive. In the story, the past — the Kalevala mythology — appears to his life as a shaman to guide his way to the right track. Its definitely a survival story. Now when I think about that it’s a kind of stereotype of a Finnish man, only that most of the times the shaman

Peter Tägtgren became the producer of the album. Was it comfortable to work with him? Did he give useful advices? Did you offer him guest appearance?

Actually, I think he sings some background vocals, not sure? Peter has been saying years that he would like to do an album with us. Now we saw great opportunity to work with him.

From the first phone call he was in the project and everything went smoothly. There was of course some timing problems thus he was also touring at the same time and we had couple of shows out side Finland. But his very easy to work with, his a musician too so he knows that good vibes in the studio is more important than some stupid fight about a riff.

He was all the time very patient and never lost it. And well to be honest we got pretty fed up of producing the albums by ourselves. We really needed some extra opinions and some experimental inspirations to the studio process. Last albums we did basically with a recording engineer who did not give that many creative ideas. Now it was nice to have a 7th opinion every now and then. Peter definitely gave a big effort and vision to bass and guitar

sounds. And that was one major things we were hoping he would concentrate. He also arranged the vocal lines with Tomi and the result is more than convincing. Top of all he created an unique sounding album for us in Abyss all this in a pretty short time and quite easily I suppose. I think he did excellent job!

Much of your lyrics are based on Kalevala. Do you follow any Finnish traditions or take part in some festivities? How do rockers usually do that?

Well this Kalevala is a Finnish national mythological epic poetry collection.

It is kind of a book every Finn has to read in school, I point out here that when you are at 1st or 2nd grade closer to a baby than a adult, so its more like a fantasy poem collection. But its a great book for example to get lyrical inspiration or concept for music. We´ve used stories and characters in our music many years now. We don’t really go crazy about our heritage, but of course I think the government could give us some cultural heritage money thus not so many artists keep that shit going and alive like we do. But its not everyday life for us to study Kalevala or think about it at all. Its more like a bad habit you cant get rid of.

Btw, did you try your Hopeless Bourbon Sauce? I’m hesitating whether to order it :) Another question concerning merch: do you have plans for branded beer or wine like other bands have? What drink would fit Amorphis?

Order it! I recommend it sure. It is a must for a summer barbecue parties. And I´m not saying

this cause of money, even though I need more money! Haha, Yeah I´ve had the “tester”-bottle in my refrigerator for month now, it does not have any labels, just a strange looking bottle.

Looks like some cleaning liquid bottle. But I have to say it goes well with any barbecue food, or with any meat, tofu, fish, hamburgers (!) and also you can put it to the risotto, wok, even spanish omelet... Hell Koivusaari said he puts it to every sandwich he eats!

Haha. But its good, and not so extremely spicy... I think level is 2 / 10.

There’s chipotle chillies, bourbon whisky and some apple mush. So its little bit sweet and smokey with some edge. Drink for Amorphis? Well I think any drink any drink would fit to us too, maybe (Czech) Absinth? We pretty much like any booze out there. Anis stuff are my personal favorites... Ouzo, Pastis, Arak, Raki you name it.

You have planned a large European tour. Is going on tour the time to rethink something?

Touring is pretty much like a groundhog day every day all over again for weeks. So we dont really do much brainwork there. We just wake up in the noon from the coffins and then make soundcheck and eat.

Then we go to sleep or watch a movie. At eight a clock tourmanager kicks us up from sarcophaguses, we do a show get drunk and maybe eat. When the party is over, you might pop down a sleeping pill or valium and fall basically pass out to the coffin. This times 36 days makes us an European tour.

How often do you contemplate that you want to change something in your previous records?

Change? We dont think like that, of course would be nice that some album were better musical wise or sound wise, but so what.

Thats life. Even though you could have done some things differentially I would not change a thing. Its really nice to have long colorful history, I respect that and consider it more like a positive thing than fell ashamed about anything. Well luckily we never tried too extreme image things like swords or masks or funny hats.

You are coming to Ukraine in Autumn. What do you expect from the audience? Perhaps you made some conclusions from previous shows?

We´ve played in Ukraine only once. It was a festival in Kiev with Kreator and Anathema. It was really cool. I have no doubt the audience will kick ass, or if we play badly they will kick our asses Haha. I hope we will have possibility

to go check out the city, last time we had some but the weather was very bad. So maybe this time we can little bit explore Kiev as a city.

Your wishes to the fans in Ukraine.

We promise to out our very best out there for Ukrainian fans! We try to add songs to the set from the whole career! See you there!

Meanwhile check out our new album ‘Circle’ its a very good album and we are extremely proud of it.

Stay Metal!

Thanks for the interview. See you at Bingo!

Bingo? I dont play Bingo? : ) Text — Jim Daniels

It must be hard to find active Ukrainian metalfans, who do not know W.Angel. We were very pleased to talk with him, with a legend of Ukrainian metal scene, who created a noble power-metal band titled W.Angel’s Conquest (earlier — just Conquest). Getting closer to the band’s history, one may say without a doubt: it’s not just Conquest, it’s really ‘Conquest of W.Angel’, offspring of a man, who brought all his soul and creativity into this project.

Of course, half the battle of the band’s success lies in professionalism and personal music roots of W.Angel: “The thing is, I was born in a musical family: my mom, teacher of Kharkiv College of Music, named after B.Lyatoshynsky, teaches such subjects as harmony, solfeggio, polyphony, theory of music, — this is what I was surrounded by from the very birth.

Looking at my success in extracting thin and

pleasant sounds from the home piano in the early childhood, my mom brought me to a Kharkiv special music boarding school.

Practically, it’s a usual school, where one studies music subjects, apart from other required educational ones. Having studied there until the eighth class, I went further to the music college, where my mom taught, to the Faculty of Jazz and Pop Music, specialized in keyboard instruments. My mom saw me as an academic musician, but didn’t contradict my decision although. There, in the college, I met lots of musicians in absolutely different music directions and had an opportunity to try such instruments, which I’ve only heard about before. That was the period when I got interested in e-guitar for the first time.

Gradually, I liked piano less and less, and imagined myself as a guitarist. In conclusion: I always wanted to be a musician, but in the

process I whose my own style and way, which I try to follow even now”, says W.Angel.

The band Conquest appeared in the уarly 1996 in Kharkiv, as W.Angel’s studio soloproject in the genre of classical hard-rock with Personal way of W.Angel, although, partially a strong influence of Def Leppard, which responds to his family traditions: “Yes, I teach characterizes W.Anegl’s music tastes of that people, but not systematically, time to time. I time: “It all started with Metallica (no surprise, teach though only to play e-guitar, more indeed), Scropions, Def Leppard, Gorky precisely — the technical part of playing: Park… Then I tried to perceive more brutal setting the hands, the pick, sound extraction music — Carcass, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, etc. Unfortunately, a major part of guitarists, Enslaved, Immortal, — recalls W.Angel. — who consider themselves experienced But, in the end, it became obvious that melodic musicians, have problems in this area, and this music is closer to my heart, thus, Def Leppard impedes them to develop further. I was lucky and Gorky Park remain my favorite bands of to get some lessons from good performers, today. I used to disdain Russian rock for a long who emphasized on this stuff, and it helps me period of time. Then, I became more calm very much now.” about this question and now I’m just indifferent while listening to it, Apart from that, he’s not I always wanted to be a without negative and only musician, but also happiness. Of course, musician, but in the sound producer, who such grands as Helloworks remotely with process I whose my own w e e n , G a m m a R a y, French recording studio, Primal Fear, Running style and way, which I try Voron Studio: “This studio Wild, Hammerfall didn’t was established by Ukraigo by for me. I am also to follow even now. nian emigrant, who was interested in such bands leader and guitarist of my as Pagan’s Mind, Circus first band, where I acted Maximus, Symphony X as a keyboarder. He went to France, and we and similar ones for the last five years. At the lost our contacts for about ten years. By an moment I can’t say I am a fan of a particular accident, we found each other later, set up our music genre — I am omnivorous (except communications, and he offered me to work Russian chanson, or, as some people call it together. By that moment, I was experienced ‘blatnyak’ (prison music — DM), I hate it with enough in arrangement and sound production, all possible hatred). And it refers to rock, pop so such partnership was interesting for me. and even rap music. The main criterion for The result satisfied both of us, and from that choosing music for my personal playlist is time, I am a constant member of this studio quality. Quality of material, performance, team.” recording… All this is very important for me, because it gives an opportunity to learn W.Angel is so ‘saturated’ with music, that something new.” prefers it as a hobby as well: “It happened so, that music is my hobby, my beloved job and After several changes among band members my air. Sometimes, I also play computer and first live shows, the band decided to make games, in order to relax. But I can’t call it a its music heavier, and focus on Euro Power hobby, — it’s just for fun. With more pleasure, I Metal genre. Starting from 1998, Conquest go out to try some new guitar amplifier or a actively performs in Ukraine with songs from new guitar model, which I haven’t seen and two new albums, participates in many festivals, played before.” as well as tour concerts of Sabaton in Poland,

and becomes one of the most popular representatives of Ukrainian metal scene.

Lyrics of W.Angel’s Conquest are full of some life philosophy, as well as its symbolism: “The main symbol of the band is a Star of Svarog, or Svarog’s square. Svarog, Rod’s son, is one of the supreme gods of ancient slavs, who made all, that exists. This symbol stands for beginning, big bang, birth of a new universe, creation of something proper. I chose this symbol absolutely accidentally, as I got interested in Slavic Vedas. Some experts smiled and told, me, there are no accidents, though… And I tend to believe in it more and more, because there were too many such ‘strange’ coincidences, which began to happen in my life and the life of the band from the time, when I made Svarog’s square the symbol of the band. I mean my cross-over to an absolutely non-alcoholic lifestyle, new right people in the band, good acquaintances, fresh, bright music ideas and sound solutions… In general, all band symbols are based on old Slavic Vedas symbols and don’t have any negative sense.”

At the beginning of 2011 the band gets its present title W.Angel’s Conquest and works hard on the album ‘IV’, which was released on Quarter Century Flame label, Japanese subdivision of Warner Music. “The initiative went fully from Japan, which was a very pleasant surprise for us, — tells W.Angel. — After album release, they also proposed to release a compilation of our best compositions, and we made a special re-recording of our old songs with new band members. This happening was of a very big proud for me personally — as far as I know, we are the first Ukrainian band, which was offered to release such compilation on a subdivision of a major label. It greatly motivates for new achievements.”

Thus, W.Angel’s Conquest became one of many European bands, which Japanese listeners and representatives of music industry

are interested in. We asked W.Angel, where, to his mind, does this interest go from: “It is hard for me to answer this question. But I can assume, that after the war, when Japan practically lost everything, what it had, the so called Stockholm syndrom worked out. That is when a hostage feels sincere sympathy to his abductor. May be, it was here too — the looser country begins to worship culture of the

winners. But, of course, it can be absolutely different, I don’t know.”

2012, cohesive team of the band expands with one more member — vocalist Kostyantyn Laars Naumenko, the owner of a magnificent power metal voice. No wonder, W.Angel is very happy with such decision and new accession in Conquest family: “I feel so great

now, for I can fully do the things I like — play the guitar and write music. Of course, new members influence every band in a different way. But Laars is a very positive experience for us, because he is a good musician and a pleasant person in communication, who is able to think and work in a collective. As composer and producer of our band, I can now complicate the vocal lines, for they now can be performed well enough. With all my self-love, I didn’t like my vocals skills in a context of our

band. As composer, I couldn’t bring all my ideas into life with such vocals, and was obliged to find some compromises… It had a negative impact on entire creative process and the overall mood in the band.”

During our conversation, it appeared, that one more pretty fresh member of the band has strongly influenced the latest creations of W.Angel’s Conquest: “I remain the main composer and leader of the band. Of course,

all changes in the collective brought their own nuances, but the biggest contribution into music development of the band was made by our guitarist Agnarr, who joined the band one year and a half before. He is now an equal author and I consider his mind in making the final verdict of any composition. He has also brought some new ‘notes’ into the style of our band, and I personally appreciate it very much.

Besides, he is a perfect guitarist with a very non-standard thinking, and I am happy about that from performer’s point of view”, tells W.Angel.

In autumn 2012, new team of W.Angel’s Conquest tours together with Moscow band Shadow Host, which was a successful and friendly experience, as of feedbacks from both sides. Although, the concert in Odessa didn’t end well for W.Angel: “It was the most remembering performance in my life — a concert in Odessa with Shadow Host. I won’t wish such stuff to anybody — to fall down on the stage and tear bundles in knee and ankle. I just don’t want to recall it at all.”

At the moment the band works on the new material. “We try to make it on a particular level, which appeals to our ambitions. That is why the process is more slowly, than it could have been. Then, we will lodge in the studio to record it. I don’t know, when it will happen, and don’t want to predict anything, but I hope it shall be this year.”

Traditionally, we asked W.Angel to say some words to our Daily Metal readers: “I want to wish you health. It is very important. Soul balance. It is not less important. And, finally, the most important thing — an opportunity and capability to remain people in any situation, even unpleasant one. Remain People with a big letter. People, who come home and, while falling asleep, may teel themselves: “I am not ashamed about anything I’ve done today, I made everything right!”. If each human starts with himself, the world becomes better.”

In our turn, we wich W.Angel’s Conquest strengths and inspiration in the work with a new album and we are waiting for their concerts!

Text — Helle Danova

As a majority of bands, W.Angel’s Conquest is presented in different social networks and specialized music sited for promoting their songs.

Donate-to-band.com is one of such resources. There you can make a contribution in the form of financial support to the band’s development: http://donate-to-band.com/w-angelsconquest

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