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From bobw@stack.urc.tue.nl Wed Jan 4
13:56:51 1995
Here's the interview from Aardschok-mag, I hope my translations are ok.
MIKA
LUTTINEN - THE VOICE OF
DIABOLOS RISING AND
IMPALED NAZARENE
Black Metal, for some reason or
another it's a Scandinavian issue. It's mainly the Swedish, Finnish and
Norwegian bands that continue the tradition that was started by Bathory,
Possessed, Celtic Frost and Hellhammer.
From that new generation of bands
Impaled Nazarene from Finland are well on their way. They released three CD's
so far through the French Osmose label, "Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz"
('92), "Ugra-Karma" ('93) and this year "Suomi Finland
Perkele". Friend and foe were recently surprised with the Diabolos Rising
project of Impaled Nazarene-singer Mika Luttinen and Magus Wampyr Daoloth,
keyboardplayer for Necromantia from Greece. Familiar Black Metal is coolly
mixed with electronic rhythms on this CD "666". The reactions were extremely
divided: the climax of horror according to some, a exciting experiment
according to others. Mika Luttinen speaks about Diabolos Rising and Impaled
Nazarene.
'I've been in Greece for while this year. I met Magus and it turned out that we
liked the same extreme music. We decided to combine our strengths and see what
we would end up with. I phoned from Greece to Osmose, to see if they would be
interested in such a project. They asked "What type of music is it?".
I answered "I have no idea, we still have to write and record
everything". (chuckles) I think, it was quiet for a couple of minutes on
the other end of the line. After a sigh they said "Ok, how much money do
you need?". We could get to work!'
How did the music develope and
how would you describe the result?
'Magus wrote all the lyrics, that was all we had when we went into the studio.
The music was improvised on the spot. All instruments were played and
programmed by Magus. I did all vocals. We call our music "Heretical
Industrial Black Metal". Magus told me we had combined the brutal side of
Impaled Nazarene and the mystical side of Necromantia.'
Was your goal the musical
freedom when you did this project?
'Absolutely! My brother [Kimmo Luttinen] writes all the music for Impaled
Nazarene and he is an enormous tiran in that aspect. Now I had the chance to do
what I wanted.'
Without the pressure or
expectations of Impaled Nazarene fans?
'Right.'
Aren't you afraid for furious
reactions from your old fans?
'No, 'cause I make music for myself in the first place. What the public thinks
of it is secondary. The reactions are very diverse. You love it or hate it.'
'I don't consider Impaled Nazarene to be a black metal band
and I don't even listen to bands in that genre. I particularly like good old
thrash metal the way Sodom and Angent Steel played it. Those are my roots!
That's why I'm totally blown away by the new Slayer CD. That's the kind of
music I grew up with.
Especially with our latest CD we tried to break free from the black metal
movement. The whole way of making music is different... for instance there's
much more melody on the album. We used to be in that style, but when in 1992
all that shit started in Norway, I think you know what I mean, I had enough of
it. We didn't want to have anything to do with it anymore.'
Nevertheless, your lyrics
contain quite a lot of references to occult matters.
'I write those lyrics mainly for myself. It's certainly not my intention to
spread a message. Recently I had a nightmare, through writing lyrics I managed
to get it off my chest. I also use events from the history of Finland. On this
third album the lyrics have been printed for the first time. That's why I felt
kind of obligated to come up with a bit more serious subjects.'
How did you write the lyrics before?
'That happened in the rehearsal room. I emptied a bottle of vodka and shouted a
bit, hahaha! This time I worked a bit more seriously.'
How will the band develop from now on?
'Our debut album was actually a collection of old material. The second
CD continued on that theme. "Suomi Finland Perkele" is a lot more
melodic. We will continue this way on our future albums. When my brother Kimmo
was working on the new album, he constantly played Mercyful Fate, Bjoerk and
Danzig albums. That gives an idea what went on in his head. Who knows, maybe
we'll use some old rock-n-roll in our music.'
???
'Yes, I've always been a big fan of Matchbox and I still am. I will certainly
used that someday.'
Do you consider yourself to be a
follower of the occult?
'No, definitely not. I know there are some themes in our repertoire, but those
are my thoughts that I'm toying with. I'm not the type of person that will burn
down churches. It's rather a way to blow off steam through the lyrics. I need
this music to get rid of my frustrations.'
What is frustrating you?
'The whole world. There are too many dickheads on this planet. There are no
specific situations, I'm almost always pissed off.'
Why does Scandinavia in
particular have so many of these extreme bands? 'Hard to tell. The
countries have high suicide rates among youths. Maybe it has to do with that.
There's a lot of depression among youths, that's for sure. Especially in the
north of Finland, where many of these bands come from. Why? Maybe because it
often is so terribly cold up there and a large part of the year so dark... Then
you have a choice: either you start a band or cut your wrists.'
[interview by Robert Haagsma]