Apocalyptica

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Interview : Eicca Toppinen from Apocalyptica

When and how was your band created?
1993 summer in one music camp. We played already stuff like Jimi Hendrix in one cello ensemble (Total Cello Ensemble) and wanted to try our favourite-metal music.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Shostakovits, Metallica, Sepultura, Rostropovits (cellist), Prokovjev, so mainly metal and Russian classical music.

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
Positive: Finland has a great musical scene and freedom to try new things.
Negative: market is very small for domestic bands.

How could you qualify your style of music?
It is impossible...;-) It is Apocalyptica music, "cello-rock" with influences of all kind of music styles. Especially nowadays...

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music? If so, what style of music would you choose?
Actually I think the new album Reflections is already new direction. We don't want to be only "metal"-band, we like so many different styles of music.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Emotions of my normal daily life. Good and bad moments, difficulties of being a human being...;)

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
I like the new songs most at the moment but from the old repertoaire I
like mostly Pray, Inquisition Symphony and Hall of mountain king. Pray has so strong apmosphere, IS is so full of power, and HOMK... is funny...

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
We need both, studiowork and live shows. Good balance... Studiowork is somehow more creative in a certain way, live shows are propably more fun.

During the process of making an album, what is the moment that you prefer?
All moments.

Why?
You can find new things and ideas in every moment of the studio process.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
Shostakovits, finnish rock

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Shostakovits symphony nro 11. It is part of me somehow.

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?
Unleagal copying is UNLEAGAL!!!!

Do you use computers or home studios during the process of making an album or a song?
Yes, I have Macintosh with Logic Audio Platinum.I make MIDI-demos and notes before I introduce a new song to the band.

What are your actual and future projects?
Release of the new album Reflections 10.2. then touring until end of August. I will compose then music for Finnish National Theatre, and after that we will have one solo-dance project (modern) in Finland. After that new album...
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003