The epic metal of Finnish quintet Moonsorrow has gone mostly unnoticed by most folks in this neck of the woods but with the UK’s rediscovered taste for all things battle, viking and folk metal it seems to be the case no longer. Their new 68-minute monster EP, ‘Tulimyrsky’, reached the Sonic Dice offices recently so we handed it’s reviewer, Ian Buck, the onerous task of quizzing the band’s drummer, Marko Tarvonen, on how the band chose it’s content and what they have planned for the future. He ventured possibly deeper into Marko’s inner thoughts than even we could have imagined.
Where did the band name come from?
From Celtic Frost’s song ‘Sorrows Of The Moon’. No deeper meaning.
In 6 words (or less, if you’re brave), describe the Moonsorrow sound.
Epic, Heathen, Metal.
How would you say the band’s sound has changed and evolved over the course of time?
Our roots lie in the style [that] bands like Bathory, old Enslaved, Borknagar and Amorphis once started. We still like those old albums and they were the reason to form this band at the time. During the years I think we’ve “sucked” many other influences from the different genres as well. Mostly it’s still blackish metal mixed with folk music elements but we have found many other influences such as ambient, 80s pop(!!!), 70s progressive, etc.
I think our songs have got more atmospheric and depressive after ‘Kivenkantaja’. Mostly many prog rock bands from the 70s (King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull) have had a huge influence on us. There are similar arrangements in Moonsorrow if you compare us to those old farts really!
Your latest EP, ‘Tulimyrsky’, features covers of Metallica’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and ‘Back To North’ by Merciless. Why did you choose these particular songs?
‘For Whom…’ was just one of those songs we used to listen when we were kids. We just tried to do it as Moonsorrow-ish as possible. It was recorded already in 2005 and it was now a good idea to put it on the EP. Also Merciless has been a band everyone listened during the years so it was a good chance to give them a tribute also.
Are there any others you’d particularly enjoy covering?
Well, we have played Bathory tribute gig two times before, so that’s one band we like to play but not to record actually. I think these covers was just fun to do for the EP.
How does ‘Tulimyrsky’ compare to your previous releases? How would you rate it in terms of the rest of your back catalogue?
We’ve always been proud of our previous works and it’s still a great joy to play old material live. I’d say even though the new songs have gotten longer we have become better [at] arranging them. That’s the major difference if I compare us [to] in the past. The basic sound is still the same but there are more of those little details. You have to spend some time to listen [to] the songs and they will open.
As far as your next release goes, will it be another EP in the same vein as ‘Tulimyrsky’, or more of a conventional album?
Not sure about what the hell it’s going to be but we’ve been talking about doing a 6 or 7 (shorter) songs for it. I think 3 monsters is enough. Now it’s time to do something more “normal” if there’s such a thing in Moonsorrow compositions.
What song are you most proud of?
Personally I like ‘Raunioilla’ most. Besides ‘Sankaritarina’ it was the one of the first really epic songs I’ve written for this band. Also I think ‘Jotunheim’ is everybody’s favourite in this band. It has [a] very good feel to it.
Where do you take inspiration for your lyrics?
Mostly it’s ancient Scandinavian mythology adapted to this day with the aid of alcohol. I don’t think Ville has ever written anything sober!
Unlike many Scandinavian bands, you choose to sing in your native tongue, Finnish. Was that a conscious decision, perhaps to rail against those bands that sing in English?
When the band was formed the lyrics were in English, hence the name Moonsorrow. On [the] ‘Tämä Ikuinen Talvi’ demo Ville tried something in Finnish and it sounded so great and there wasn’t any talk about doing English lyrics again. Finnish fits our music perfectly and we always try to include translations in the album booklets or website.
How popular would you say you were in your homeland?
Well, ‘Tulimyrsky’ went straight [to] number 2 on our national charts. I guess that says something, heh! Seriously, we have a loyal fanbase in Finland, I wish we could do more shows in our homeland but since there isn’t too many decent venues for us and this isn’t your ordinary summer festival band anyway so…
What bands are you currently particularly impressed by?
The new albums of Von Hertzen Brothers, Poets Of The Fall, Meshuggah and Millencolin have been blowing my car stereo. Also Hail Of Bullets debut is crushing!
Do you have any memorable or, indeed, disturbing stories from going on tour?
Naah, there’s always something but they’re more of those “in the moment”-spectaculars which are rather impossible to tell afterwards or they’re not so funny anymore. Good times indeed.
Is there a venue or festival that you’d particularly like to play?
Does Marquee still exist? I remember many live videos filmed in there that I used to watch when I was a teenager.
You suffered many accusations at the hands of the German Antifa after playing Paganfest in April this year, including those of being racists, fascists and Nazis. What was your take on the situation?
It all started by this German liar in the internet. It’s all based on lies. Ask b.i.f.f.f. No more comments on this.
What’s your beverage of choice on tour?
Jägermeister & Red Bull.
What’s the one thing you’d love to banish from the world?
The king of Sweden!
If you could genetically engineer your own species of animal, what would it be like?
A man-eating penguin! Thanks for the interview.
Thanks to Adam @ Noise Cartel for helping set the interview up.
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