Interview answered by: Mika Tönning of Deimhal
1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new ep?
A1: Indeed, we finally got our debut out and since then time has passed promoting the new release. Our bass player (Timo Lehtinen) and our drummer (Janne Kusmin) have also been busy with their own main band (Kalmah) because they also just released a new album and they are spending time playing shows with them at the moment. However, we have managed to compose a few new songs, which we are slowly starting to build up, and the first single song is well underway, which we hope to be able to release during the coming autumn.
2.The new ep was released in February, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
A2: The musical style of the EP is quite collective, because the songs had been demoed on my computer for a long time. During the composition phase, I deliberately wanted to bring out nuances from bands that I have been listening to since my youth. The songs changed somewhat during the arrangement stage when we got a synth player and a bassist to join the band. Personally, I'm quite satisfied with the end result, because these are the first songs I've ever composed.
3.All of the band members have a history playing in other black and death metal bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Deimhal' that you have not been able to do with your other groups?
A3: I founded this project because I have never been able to play music in the style I always wanted to do in my previous bands. Symphonic Black Metal has always been the style of music I've listened to and also wanted to play, and now it's also possible. We are still looking for our own style both musically and vocally, so time will tell which of the best aspects of us as musicians will come out for the band.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
A4: Our lyrics on this release are pretty much based on the coldness of the north, mythology and the darkness of the human mind. Maybe for the lyrics on this album could even be called some kind of "Black Battle Metal"
5.I know that the name 'Deimhal' comes from Irish Folklore and Ancient History, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
A5: Yes, the name Deimhal comes from Irish mythology/folklores where it means angel of darkness/prince of darkness, the angel Dumah (Dumah-el) is also named the angel of death in various stories. When I was younger, I was really interested in the folk tales of different countries and the mythologies related to them, so these things were studied quite a lot in those days. Unfortunately, nowadays time is spent on much other things and these things are much less researched and read.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
A6: The cover art and the name of the album together are based on how the old bandmates have joined forces again after a long time and have united to play the music that each of them wants to play. That's why, for example, “The Grand Gathering” has been chosen as the name of the album.”
7.Originally the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind expanding into a full line up?
A7: Gathering the band around a solo project was more of a time-saving solution. I wouldn't have had the time or know-how to start programming e.g. drum tracks for songs, and I didn't have the opportunity to play the synthesizer either. I could have recorded the guitars and the vocals myself, but if and when we want to go out and perform, we need a whole band together. That's why I asked my friends if they would be interested in joining, and you can hear it in the songs too, that the solution was right because I wouldn't have been able to play and bring it to the songs myself expertise that other members have brought.
8.So far the band has yet to hit the live stage, what can we expect from your stage performance once you start performing live?
A8: We really haven't played any gigs yet, but hopefully this will change towards the end of next year, as long as we get enough material together for a live performance and we could practice the songs together for the first time. Time will tell what our live performance will look like, but some ideas for it have already come, probably the audience will have to come to the place to watch and evaluate it
9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
A9: We are always open to cooperation and we have naturally also approached record companies after our release, but we haven't found any concrete or interesting cooperation pattern. We have received some contract proposals, but they have mostly been distribution proposals. Our problem is precisely that we would need more help in the production phase of the releases and not in the promotion, etc. We know that our releases could be much better now and in the future, but if we still have to continue recording at home, the full potential of our music will never reach the spheres of what it could sound like.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black metal?
A10: Our music has been surprisingly well received by the listeners, of course some gravel sounds have come from the listeners of more traditional Black Metal, but this is quite understandable because we didn't set out to make music in that style in the first place. We continue to find our own path and if even one listener likes our music, we have already achieved something.
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a par tof?
A11: I don't know exactly, but at least "Kalmah", whose members are our bassist (Timo) and our drummer (Janne), just released their ninth album, which has been well received and the album went to number one in the Finnish charts. Our other guitarist's (Gàbor) band "Resolution 13" also just released a new album. Our guitarist (Jukka Hallikainen's) other Black Metal band's project is also apparently making an EP and "Armada North" which consists of me, Timo and Janne just released their debut EP.
12.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
A12: We haven't thought of making a full-length release until we get a recording contract, because we know that with these resources we won't be able to make the album as good as it should be. Probably our next release will be an EP again. With the new songs, we are going somewhere musically in the direction of "Fleshgod Apocalypse" meets Black Metal, it's still a bit hard to say until we get the songs of the new demos recorded, but our music will change and become different, that's for sure, also because there is new blood on the songwriting side now. We have talked about playing the style that we want in the future and the style that everyone feels comfortable playing.
13.hat are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
A13: My biggest influences probably come from Norwegian black metal and Swedish death metal from the 90s. Musically, artists such as "Immortal", "Satyricon" and "Dimmu Borgir" have influenced our debut. Nowadays, I listen to a lot of these old black metal and death metal bands, but since listening to music has gone digital, I have also found many new excellent bands to add to my playlists.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
A14: Thank you for the interview and listener please follow our social media so you can stay on the map of our new releases and maybe we'll see you live soon!
Bandcamp: https://deimhal.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ deimhalofficial/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ deimhalofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ deimhalofficial/
Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ deimhal
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