Amorphis

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Music
Interview : Esa Holopainen from "Amorhpis"

When and how was your band created?
Band was created 1990 by Jan and me at Helsinki.

Were is the name of the band coming from?
The name of the band comes from a word AMORPHOUS which means no actual shape of form, it represents band sound very well expecially these days.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
When we started the influences were quite much bands like Slayer, Entombed, Morbid Angel...
I have huge respect not only these bands but also to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Hendrix.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
I like Finland so there's no negative aspects here but temperature, people get stupid on winter time but that's quite allright. Perhaps Finland is not the most well known country musicwise but I really don't care.

How could you qualify your style of music?
Psychedelic shiit with strong attitude and passion for music.

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Nope. Well you are probably the first one who doesn't compare our old albums to previous ones, they are quite different.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Lyrics are quite dark minded, you can imagine to live half a year in freezing conditions without sunlight, that's what our lyrics are all about.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I like Summer's End, I think the title says it all and besides that there's great feeling in the song.

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Yes we do, I like both.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
Mixing, that's when you really start to hear results.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Black Sabbath, Porcupine Tree, Slayer...

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song? Why?
Jimi Hendrix version from All Along The Watchtower because Jimi was King.

Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
I compare MP3's as C-cassettes in 80's, I mean if you really like the album you buy it as well
even if you have got it from net. Web is great form of promoting new music so I have other things to worry than people who download music.

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
Of course we use computers at studio, who wouldn't these days.

What are your actual and future projects?
Tour and drink hard!!

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2002