Swansong Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

Yes, thank you! We released our debut album “Awakening” 1st of December 2023 and the welcoming support this album has received has amazed us all. We have been enjoying the ride, training, playing music and planning next year, also doing some interviews. Topi already started to compose the second album. We also just made a deal with a new awesome booking agent Kallo Agency, many awesome death metal bands in his roster. 

2.Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous ep? Well our EP was like our first demo as a band and we were trying things. On the album we evolved and added for example some thrash elements into some songs and also grew more versatile. The album is heavier than our EP, still retaining the beautiful melodies and guitar harmonies. On this album, the vocals are also more extreme, more versatile and there is no clean singing.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music? Lyrical themes are wide: mythologies, creatures, tales from the dark forests and from the sea. Witches, guardians of the realm of the dead, femme fatales, death, love, anger, sorrow, adventure, battle, nature, winter and everything in between. It is a Swansong world and there are no limits.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Swansong'?

Jemiina lives in the countryside in a lake house. Every year the same swans return to Jemiinas beach cottage, so she loves swans. That image is inspiring. Also death is a natural and interesting theme in songwriting and swansong stands for that in a beautiful way. And ofcourse Carcass has a killer album called “Swansong” so many things led us to this name.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover? Finnish artist Timo Kokko designed the cover, like our other covers also. He designed it based on our song “Awakening” that is also the album title. Under the full moon, in the forest, in the darkness of the night, you can hear the ancient trees whispering. In the old days, people believed in the power of the forest spirits and went to the forest to ask the spirits for many things. It is a tribute to the beautiful forest, which has aroused many feelings and hopes, as well as fear, over the years. He painted beautiful moon mist around the moon.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance? All audiences have been so awesome and we are very happy with every place we have been to! It's so awesome that people want to hear our music live. If we have to pick one, it must have been the “Bloodred Hourglass” gig since those guys are so talented and super nice, they play hard and make awesome music. Also the crowd was amazing and there was a moshpit! Guys play emotionally and they are also very technical experienced players. Jemiina sounds brutal and we just want to enjoy the music and have fun, also we talk to the audience like we talk to friends, because that is what every listener truly is to us. We love gigs and can’t wait to do more next year! Feels very special to perform the album songs!

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

We have gigs coming up next year but we can’t announce them yet.

8.The new album was released on 'Noble Demon', can you tell us a little bit more about this label? Noble Demon is a newer hungry label with an awesome lead man Patrick Laureano Walch. He is very passionate about music and he is very experienced and wise, but also like good friend you can message anytime. Amazing people at the label, we are very happy with them. Also amazing bands and releases! For example our label mates Night Crowned and their just released new album! Wow what an honor to be in the same label with them and so many more.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic and extreme metal? It has been amazing and we are so grateful and happy! The album has had awesome reviews around the world and new awesome people have discovered us.  We could have not even imagined this. Extreme people have found something for them in our music according to the feedback and also melodic music fans have welcomed us.

10.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Active projects: Lauri plays bass and takes care of vocals in Bad Baron. Plus he has a solo project, dark symphonic rock thing called Late_Lokakuun.  Tuomas also plays the guitar in Bad Baron. Jimi plays drums in Sadistik Forest, Kaera, Se Josta Ei Puhuta. 

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? We want to create music emotionally. So nothing calculated or too planned. Evolving is the biggest goal: more melodies, more stories, more brutal vocals, lower and higher. 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Jemiina: I listen to many metal genres, old and newer bands. But my latest big crush is Shadow Of Intent and their “Elegy” album. That is the direction I am drawn into: awesome guitar melodies and variable super cool brutal vocals.

Topi: I listen mostly 80’s and 90’s heavy metal!

Lauri: Almost all music is good, but metal in its various forms is currently going thru my ears. This year I found out about Lorna Shore. Fell in love with their latest album immediately.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Jemiina: Thank you for this interview and for the review also! Great thoughts and bands in your blog. Big thank you for everyone listening to our music, hope to see you soon! Have a great next year everyone, pedal to the metal!

Lauri: Thanks for all support. Keep on supporting metal.

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