Nature is a man´s master, not the other way
Archaic Metallurgy contacted Solgrav, whose dwells in the mined forests of eastern border city Lappeenranta, Finland. Makes one wonder, if there's data cable available or do guys have a wireless connection? But this interview is about the band and their music, which they call "dark northern woods metal". Suopeikko (6-string electric guitar & classical guitar) and Vetehinen (7-string electric guitar & 5-string bass) answered to the questions.
AM: Autumnal greetings, guys! How are things in Solgrav camp today, a few months after the release your third demo recording 'Pohjola kotimme, luonto emomme, pimeys veljemme ja kirves turvamme' (2004)?
Suopeikko: Greetings. Things are good in Solgrav camp. 'Pohjola kotimme...' demo has sold more than we expected and we only have some tens of it left.
Vetehinen: Hails. Our minds are set to the forthcoming full length album and therefore we have somewhat increased the rehearsing.
AM: More about the full length album later.
How's reactions been for 'Pohjola kotimme...' demo overally? Any talk about a record deal? This latest demo, just like the previous demo 'Noitakansa'
from 2003, is a beautiful package
also in appearance.
Vetehinen: Thanks for praise. We are going to keep the visual side important in the future, too. People have liked the new demo, even though there's been a slight gripe about the sound policy. Drums were mixed a bit badly. But record labels have shown some interest.
Suopeikko: That's right. We've received one noteworthy offer for a deal and some a bit lousier ones. Every of them from Central Europe.
AM: I bet German/Czech labels, who have
developed a taste for pagan metal style music, have shown some interest.
You call your music "dark northern woods metal". What are your influences? And what is your thing, how to stand out from the mass of metal music?
Vetehinen: Being influenced by something is of course subconscious, but I'm not surprised if these bands are mentioned as our influences: Moonsorrow, Amorphis, Emperor and Dimmu Borgir. Taking these four bands' early releases together, roughly meaning their demos and 2 first albums, and mixing them all is somewhat close to Solgrav's music. Maybe. Or then nowhere near. The result in whole is "our thing". Everyone has to hear and experience by him/herself, as clichéd that motto might sound.
Suopeikko: I would absolutely mention earlier Ulver as the influence. About standing out from the mass of metal: it surely isn't easy nowadays to stand out, but we absolutely strive toward it. When everything is done in our own way, without fear and stopping at nothing, something unique wil surely come out of that.
AM: The name of the band is probably Norwegian and means something like "grave of the sun"? Lyrics are in Finnish and nature seems to be close to your hearts. Could you tell your feelings about the lyrics?
Suopeikko: Our full-time lyricist is J. Susi and he's the one who would be able to answer this best. But nature, its might and smallness of human next to it are the foundation of the lyrics. Against Christian teachings, for us a man is not a master of nature, but nature is a man's.
AM: That's right. Lately the forces of nature have destroyer a lot of human scum. Even more than today's warmongering.
Do different seasons affect differently to birth of lyrics, and why not music, too? And does Finnish national drink booze have any kind of function in the birth process?
Vetehinen: I haven't noticed any effect of the seasons after the process. Booze hasn't had any real part, even though old wisdom says the best riffs and other musical parts come out during hangover. Music comes out quite effortlessly, so no need for "sauce"...
Suopeikko: Seasons affect mood, but it probably couldn't be told from listening to Solgrav's music. I am that kind of a poor musician, so I can't really afford booze.. Not even homemade wine!
AM: Well, alcohol keeps man off the road, so to speak. This is a nicely awkward transition to all things about road. How about playing live? It must be hard to leave Finland when the band's name and lyrics don't include any English (well, maybe one song, but...). Though there's some mysticism in it.
Vetehinen: Our first concert will happen next year. Who knows if we get to play out of Finland some day. It's been done in Finnish eg. in Germany before, like Tenhi and Eläkeläiset.
AM: That's true. One manages with Finnish, especially in Germany. Just make sure you get enough alcoholic drinks onstage, so that a spiritual connection can be easily established with German concert goers.
What Solgrav's future will bring?
Vetehinen: Rehearsing, recording, negotiating about a record deal etc. There's two members missing from our live line-up, and we must teach the songs to them before gigging. Time for full length album will come sooner or later. We are getting our compositions done. We have about 40 minutes of material.
Suopeikko: I'd bet, that the debut album will come out next spring. Plus, we are starting a small distro, called Varjot Productions. But nothing more about it as yet.
AM: Good luck for hunting a record deal and making your music!
Anything else you want to tell AM readers?
Vetehinen: Remember the name Solgrav. You'll hear about us in the future... Oh yes and attention! Left, face!
Suopeikko: In army term: Suck that throbbing thing!
AM: Left Hand Path, face! March! And beware of those mines...
10/01/2004 20:11