Interviews

“Bathos” is a highly awaited event in your career as a musician, I presume. I would like to know what are the reactions taking part in the scene around the release, how is it selling, how do you feel after releasing your first full-length album...
Obviously I much anticipated the release of "Bathos", it being Aarni's debut album. I have read the majority of its reviews and been surprised by having received so much praise...so far the album seems to have sold very well: over 500 copies in just under three months. I guess I feel relieved...now I can concentrate on making what I believe to be better and more introverted music for the second Aarni album.

What are your thoughts when being put on the doom scene, although your music has just a few elements from that style?
No sir, I don't like it...but labelling things appears an inevitable evil in the music industry. On the other hand, a slow tempo and metal elements have so far been present in much of Aarni's material and probably even more so on the next album. I however want to make adult-oriented music, so elements which I consider immature or boring like self-pity and romanticised angst won't likely be featured in Aarni's material, although they seem to be generally held as characteristic of "doom metal". So, music journalists can label Aarni as anything they want - I trust music fans are able to think for themselves.

The music contained in the split CD with Umbra Nihil suggested me a description such as “meditative manifold doom”, whereas I would label “Bathos” –in an almost suicidal intent- as “alchemical telluric reflective music” (I know my description could result a bit flippant). Is the role of this “unnatural” element in the music so important for you, is it something nowadays is being understated or simply ignored by most of the bands?
Heh, I don't know what would be the telluric element on Bathos, but that's beside the point. To each his own... I believe Aarni's music to be very "natural", not "unnatural" - whatever those terms mean. I've based most of my material on inner reflection more or less directly. If somebody regards contemplation/intuition as something "unnatural" or frightening, that's their problem. I hope they get more courageous soon. Still, I don't think I or anyone else has any right to criticise other bands and people. They act as they see fit, like we all.

I had the chance to interview you (it was around 18 months ago, if I´m not wrong...) and there you said: “Aarni is the guardian of buried treasure, which is another allegory to the valuable hidden contents of your subconscious. Here's also the ´negative´ aspect of Aarni, as it represents the thing you must defeat in order to get the treasure”. Again, it is linked to the “V.I.T.R.I.O.L.” topic. After listening to the album properly, an accurate title could have been “V.I.T.R.I.O.L.”, I think. The sensations provided through the music are very alchemist-like and introspective. Just an opinion of my own, which I´d like you to speak about or reject... I must admit I´d like to delve into the subject. Did you pretend your music was kind of a soundtrack for an introspection of the listener, a visit of the inner Earth of the subsconscious?
I guess most if not all songs on the album deal with this inner trip. Many tracks use alchemical imagery to express it, while others feature concepts from Western & Eastern mysticism. Like the Finnish saying goes: "same man, different pants". Yes, I could have titled the album "V.I.T.R.I.O.L.", but maybe it would have been somewhat pretentious. Probably the record isn't that useful (except maybe the track "Kesäyö") as a soundtrack for introspection, at least I prefer music that feels more serene and spaced-out. I hope to make more balanced & lush material in the future...

Aarni is a band very concerned about the concept linked to music, the meaning behind the notes. Nowadays the bands are more fond of cliches when it comes to the words used to express the feelings. Which are the bands that have a solid concept hand in hand with the music, for you? Do you think lyrics and music are 50% and 50%, in importance?
Yes, I tend to think somewhat so. In my opinion there are many bands with good music and bad lyrics - and vice versa. Still, I suspect the quality of music is more important than the quality of lyrics in a song, because while listening I can ignore bad lyrics easier than bad songwriting. Unfortunately many bands appear to have bad music with bad lyrics...I believe using too many clichés is a sure way to ruin your lyrics, especially if you try to express feelings you've never actually had & only fantasise about. Mainstream culture seems to become more and more superficial all the time and this plague has also infected the underground. The term "media" itself implies "something which mediates", in other words is indirect and blocks the way of direct experience. With Aarni songs I usually try first to come up with a suitable theme and lyrics, and on that basis then compose/arrange the actual music. I guess my list of "solid concept" bands would include at least classic Candlemass, My Dying Bride, Camel and King Crimson.

Are you still unemployed and dedicated full-time to Aarni, or you have now a regular job that grabs you precious time to invest in the band?
I'm involved in various kinds of more-or-less pleasant freelance work as I don't approve of the common subhuman wage-slavery propaganda of the System. I wouldn't get myself in a situation where I wouldn't be able to vent my creative impulses adequately. Besides, making music can be much harder work than sitting at the office looking busy. So, I still have ample time for all the hard play with Aarni.