Please explain how Insomnium came to be?

Insomnium was formed 1997 when we were high school metalheads wanting to play some fierce music. I was in the same school with Ville Friman and Markus Hirvonen and I asked them if they were interested in coming to this band. Then we three got together and have been in the band ever since. Ville Vänni came into band in 2001 before we recorded the first album. And the rest is history:)


The band calls Finland home, what is the music scene like? How would you compare it to other countries?

Finland’s music scene is quite heavy compared to many other countries. There are several metal bands usually hanging in the top 10 album charts. Rock music in general is very popular here and all young musicians want to become rock stars:)


When did you decided to dedicate your life to music?

I have been playing in bands since I was 14 years. Ever since music has been very important part of my life. I have many other interests as well, but music is my priority.


I love the atmosphere & dynamics that was created on "Since the Day it All Came Down", did you find it challenging to combine all the elements in a studio type environment? Did you spend a long time in the studio?

Dynamics of our music is something that we’ve been trying to improve since the debut album. There are now the heavy parts and the smooth ones, but also quite many parts that are somewhere between the extremes. We try to create changing atmospheres and contrasts to keep the music interesting. This time we experienced some troubles in the studio since computers didn’t work properly and some of our instruments were mysteriously out of tune all the time. Recording took about 4 weeks but then we spent several weeks mixing the album. Working in studio is fun when everything goes well, but this time it was quite painful.


Internet file sharing has become an issue not only with musicians, but Songwriters, Engineers, Record Companies... Where does Insomnium stand on this matter?

Well, it’s a tough one. For a band like us it might also be a good thing that our material is spreading around the world and people will have a chance to hear us. On the other hand our new album was in the net many weeks before it was supposed to be released, which wasn’t nice at all.


What kind of music did you listen to growing up?

Before I founded metal my favourites were bands like Queen and Aerosmith. Then as a 13-year old I discovered Metallica and after that it has been mainly heavy. Sepultura, Paradise Lost, Amorphis, Sentenced and Slayer were my early favourites. I also liked grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Those were the days…


What do you like to do when you step away from the music scene?

I try to read a lot of books and watch movies. I also play soccer and floorball. And quite often I play computer or board games. So usually I have a lot of things to do all the time.


What is the strangest thing that ever happened to you? How about the best thing that ever happened?

Best things are maybe that I met my girlfriend and that I’ve formed this band. Strange things happen to me all the time…


What bands are you currently favoring?

Sentenced, Arcturus and Swallow the Sun have made great albums recently. I don’t have time to watch the whole scene so I might have missed some good bands.


Music is always evolving based on the current trends, how do you view the current state of rock?

Glam rock seems to be coming back, which is quite funny, reminds me of my childhood. Nu-metal boom is already fading which is also good, since I’ve never understood any of it. Finnish band HIM is conquering the world and that’s great, they make good rock music. Maybe melodic death metal is the next big thing? Or maybe not:)


What do you think of MetallicA?

The most important metal band of 1983-1991. Five great albums and then some mediocre ones. Hetfield is the only musician that is really my “idol”.


What kind of gear does the band use?

I have Warwick bass. Guitarists use Ibanez and Jackson guitars, Koch heads and Marshall amps. Markus uses Pearl drums and many different cymbals, Paiste, Sabian and Zildjian at least…


Are you all able to make Insomnium your full time job? Or do you have other jobs to support yourselves and the band?

Playing death metal is not the best way to make your living. We are all students at the moment and some of us have part-time jobs as well. For example Ville Vänni does autopsies every morning (what could be more suitable for a death metallist!)…


How does the band feel about the current state of the world?

Shitty situation but I don’t know if it has ever been better. Cold war wasn’t nice era either. Maybe somewhere in the mid-90´s there were no real threats in the air. I just hope that certain people won’t get any nuclear weapons in their hands.


Do you have any great tour stories?

Every time when we get together a lot of funny things happen. Last Saturday we had a gig and as we were the headliners the show ended at about 2am. Then we tried furiously to get drunk and also succeeded in it. The organizers had reserved a sauna for us for the whole night so there we were with the bunch of other metalheads. Dozen drunken, naked metalheads moshing Metallica’s and Entombed’s songs was a “Kodak moment” for sure:)
 

What was the greatest show you have ever seen?

Metallica playing in one summer festival here in Finland 1999. The only time I have seen them live. A great experience.
 

What are some goals you want to accomplish with Insomnium?

We want to develope as composers and musicians and make better and better albums. Naturally we want to make a real tour first in Europe and then in US. That’s something we wish to do before the end.

Would you like to add anything else?

All fans of melodic and yet furious metal, check out our albums! Visit the website www.insomnium.net to download songs. See ya on tour one day!! And Darren, many thanks for this interview! Let’s be in touch in the future also! Hope to see you when we hit the States:) Cheers man!

 

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