Interviews
Powermetal.de, Above the Weeping World
21.10.06
Personally I think that in comparison to your other 2 albums you have grown a lot. Would you agree? What has caused this growth?
Ville Friman: We just strived for better songs and tried to do everything as properly as possible. I guess we have learned a lot then over time. We also changed the recording studio with this album and the overall sound is far better this time. This naturally helps to bring best out of the songs as well. And yeah, we agree with you that this is the best Insomnium record to date.
What does your band name mean? How did you decide on that name?
Ville Friman: It’s Latin and has several meaning, e.g. insomnia and nightmare. Niilo spotted the word from the Latin dictionary. It just sounded cool and had meaning that suit well with the atmosphere of our music. And as we were heading to studio for the first time we had to have name and Insomnium was born.
Do you think it was harder for you to get a record deal because you are not from Helsinki but from Joensuu?
Ville Friman: Yeah, in a way because we didn’t knew any people in the music business. But there’s lot of bands in Helsinki that doesn’t have deal so geographical location is not helping in every time. But realistically thinking, there aren’t that many proper labels in Finland. So the markets and business are located outside Finland and e.g. we got our deal with Candelight on the basis of demo-package.
Can you explain a bit about the album title “Above The Weeping World”?
Ville Friman: The album title was picked (again) directly from our lyrics, more specifically from the song “Mortal Share”. So, there’s nothing one right interpretation to it. All the songs in this album deal with the struggle of people in this world. For me it gathers all the songs under one roof and I see its meaning that there’s no reason to always complain about your problems but rather make your life what you want it to be and start enjoy it.
How is the song writing process ? Is it a democratic decision or more the responsibility? How about the lyrics?
Ville Friman: Basically I and Niilo Sevänen (vocals and bass) write the songs and we arrange them together to actual songs in rehearsal room. This is 75% democratic phase where every man’s word accounts but the original songwriter has 25% veto right over others After the song is finished music-wise I, Niilo or Ville Vänni (guitar) make the lyrics for the song. I composed most of the songs with this album and Niilo did most of the lyrics.
Where do you draw the inspiration for your lyrics? Only from personal life or also books, movies, politics…?
Ville Friman: Niilo takes lots of inspiration in literature and poems. I take inspiration usually from popular arts/entertainment (books, movies, art, tv etc.). There’s always many thing involved before getting the idea for the lyrics, so it’s always hard to define which had effect on which. For example, the lyrics for the “Last Statement” are inspired of actual last statements of prisons before they were executed in electric chair. Main theme in the song however deals with hating and forgiving.
Does nature also inspire you?
Ville Friman: Yes, I’m sure we wouldn’t be doing this kind of music if we were living in the desert of Sahara. I guess on big thing is the four different seasons you have here in Finland. They all have their own special feeling in them. For example, winter is dark, cold and bit dreadful period but you wouldn’t ever realize how great the sunshine feels when the snow melts and trees turn to green. Maybe these contrasts in weather can be also seen as contrasts in our music as well.
About which topic would you never write a song?
Ville Friman: I would never write a song where I would be preaching about something. I don’t want to define what is right and what is wrong and what people should do.
Do you prefer to work in the studio or to play live?
Ville Friman: Both have their sides. Studio can be very stressful but you don’t have to travel and move from one location to another every day. When playing live you can let out of some steam, but then most of the time is basically waiting and you can’t also avoid the hazards of alcohol.
What makes INSOMNIUM different from all the other bands in the genre?
Ville Friman: I think we have unique approach to style of melodic death metal. We’re more darker and far more atmospheric. We’re also a bit more progressive and doom than most of the bands in above mentioned genre. And our sound is somewhere between Swedish and Finnish band. And of course, our songs are simply better compared to other bands in genre ;)
What do you guys do when you are not touring or recording? Do you also have “normal” jobs or maybe some studies?
Ville Friman: We’re academic metal band definitely. I’m Phd student in the University of Helsinki and do my thesis from evolutionary ecology, Ville Vänni is educated doctor and is currently specialising to be a surgeon, Markus Hirvonen (drums) studies environmental justice in the university and Niilo Sevänen studies Cultural History in university and works part time in library.
According to your opinion, how important is image in the Metal-scene?
Ville Friman: Well, it’s not the main point but definitely helps. I mean you can’t be believable death metal musician if you’re wearing a ballerina dress even though you would be better than Morbid Angel and Napalm Death combined. But for me it’s as hilarious if you’re only interested in your looks and sound totally crap.
What did you think of LORDI winning the Eurovision song contest?
Ville Friman: It was quite funny thing and good for them. They have been working decades with their music so the winning was well-earned. I don’t like their music that much but I guess they were the best band in contest.
You’ll soon play with SATYRICON and KEEP OF KALESSIN. How did this tour happen and what can the fans expect from you?
Ville Friman: Candlelight organized this tour for us and already after week we will be performing in United Kingdom. People can expect fierce and vivid life performance of Insomnium with lots of head-banging. We’ll be playing mainly songs from the new album and some old “hit-material”. We will also bring merchandise with us, so if you have always wanted to get our shirt here’s your chance!
