Supreme leaders of a musical war

The new album overkill of these legendary Finnish bishop-slayers, nun-grinders and alcohol-annihilators is unleashed now. And “Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace” is their most Heavy Metal-influenced release so far since the beginning of their unique career. This album is a real devastating thunderstorm of pure Metal, which blows fresh and strong winds in the face of every true and ageless headbanger. “Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace” stands for all, what this music should contain. Impaled Nazarenes Heavy-Black-Metal refresh our bleeding and noise-proofed ears this time with really much never before heard musical parts. But like ever before the bizarre horde delivers uncountable thunderous brilliant guitar battles, infernal drum assaults and the unique bestial vocals. Impaled Nazarene front man Mika Luttinen is well known for his infernal stage acting. In the following interview he has showed once more his famous sick humour with short, but cool answers concerning my questions… 

“We had a couple of changes in the line-up. Jani Lehtosaari left summer 2000 to concentrate fully on his record company Solardisk, he was replaced with Arc v 666. Alexi Laiho was never there for us, he was too busy with Childrem Of Bodom or Sinergy so we replaced him with Somnium (also in Finntroll). This line-up has been going since December 2000 and looks good so far.”

Hopefully they stay together, because the current line-up has created really breathtaking metallic sounds. Like always Mika keeps his coolness concerning the press also this time: “Of course it interests me but if we get shit thrown at us, I ain´t gonna loose my sleep.” What does the bands provocative name mean for him? “It means pretty fucking big part of my life. Eleven years old next month (Sept. 2001), that´s not bad for a bunch of porno and alcohol addicted fucks like us.” What does the title of the new album mean for Mika? What is the main-concept or theme? “There is no main concept, all the songs are totally individual lyrically. The album title means what it says: The war is boiling underneath all the time, it is human nature to destroy other living things and we seem to do it well.” 

That´s without any doubt totally right. “Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace” owns a very good and powerful production. Where was the actual album produced and how long was the work for all the production? “We spent two full weeks at Astia Studio for recordings. We co-produced with Astia owner Anssi Kippo. Afterwards the album was mixed by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox studios in four days and then one day for mastering. Our longest production so far.” To hear on the new masterpiece. How long the band has composed on the songs? “I had two songs ready summer 2000 and we have been just taking our time composing the shit. Basically everything was done between August 2000 - 2001. There are riffs featured ex. on the song `The Madness Behind` that date back to 1996 and basically that song was written for our album `Latex Cult` but it was in a pretty different form. I am glad I redid the whole track.” We´re also glad. 

Who has composed the most tracks of the new album? “I did three songs, our drummer did four and both guitar players threw two songs each. We don´t work as a unit when it comes to actual composing. We all work individually at home and then come to rehearsal place with a 95% ready track. If we all like the shit we keep it, if not, we might save a riff or two for another song. We have tried composing together and it does not work at all. We can´t write songs on the road either.” It´s not the first time, that I hear such words. It´s usual for much bands. Who has written all the lyrics? “I do all the lyrics. Everything depends. I had total writer´s block for this album and I had to write six lyrics in the studio. The stress factor worked well in the end and suddenly I just had everything ready. I basically take an idea, twist it around enough and there you go.” Mika, what is your name for the style of the band? Still Deadly-Black-Insane-Metal? “We are this planets one and only Nuclear Metal band. Always been, always will be.” Mika´s opinion to occultism is a big surprise, which is very interesting… “I was interested in occultism long time ago but as it gave me nothing, I became very cynical and sceptical about everything. I am basically nihilist.  And hedonist, I care about fulfilling my sexual lust and desires. I care about alcohol and metal music. The rest is pretty dead for me.”

Accepted, old hell-servant! So do surely most of us. In the following Mika was so kind and explained me all the songs on “Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace” with his own words. “`Stratagem`: A Calm before the storm; `Absence Of War`: Total war, one of the fastest Impaled Nazarene tracks ever; `The Lost Art Of Goat Sacrificing`: This is my definite fave and made for live situation. Surprisingly melodic heavy metal from us!; `Prequel To Bleeding`: Prequel to our Angel Rectum songs. Pure thrash attack; `Hardboiled And Still Hellbound`: A reminder to our enemies! Pure Motörhead speed rock; `Into The Eye Of The Storm`: Almost power metal type of song. Tells a real story of my worst hangover that lasted 38 hours!!; `Before The Fallout`: Intro that sets mood for next attack; `Humble Fuck Of Death`: Pure Christian bashing hyper speed attack; `Via Dolorosa`: This has divided opinions totally. Very different song from us again, almost folkish melody and lots of double bass drumming; `Nyrkillä Tapettava Huora`: A song in finish about my x-girlfriend. It is already become a pure cult track here in Finland; `Never Forgive`: Perverse track because the music is slow and beautiful but lyrically it is extreme shit; `Satan Wants You Dead`: 16 second reminder about our grind influences. This song has my best lyrics ever; `The Madness Behind`: Welcome to the world of Mikaakim!” So we will walk within with our ears and minds. And one more time we have done the compare of the Metal-ages. Mika looks very optimistic in the future of the genre and worships every talented band. “Metal is alive and well!! Just look at the charts around the world and there´s the proof. How do you define a big metal band?? By selling figures??? I don´t give a shit who´s big and I am 666% sure none of your readers want to know who I might regard as a big act. I listen to good metal music. It might be a small demo band from Brazil or one million units selling act.” 

Live-gigs; when will we see the unholy Impaled Nazarenes on German ground torturing their instruments and serve us all a really infernal show? “No plans at all.” Thanx for the detailed answer… Mika´s plans for the future as usual need not much words. “After I have typed this interview, I go to the bar next door as it is joint birthday party of one Spinefarm worker and Esa of Amorphis. I plan to be drunk and asshole to everybody. Musical plans...we will see.” Mr. Luttinen´s hopes in the new album amused me, because it´s the one and only truth nobody speaks out ever. “That it sells so much I never have to work again ever.” At the end of my questions I asked him, if he would like to say something special to his fans. His comment: “Something special!” Nothing more to say here, just to fall in love with the new blasphemous attack “Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace”.

Markus Eck