Greetings! Things are going pretty good. We're making a music video, doing interviews, trying to get more contacts with promotors / booking agencies and such.
2.In May you have a new album coming out, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Every member in the band agress that this is the best stuff we've done yet. Metsutan - Songs Of The Void contains all the usual Whispered elements, but I think everything is in better balance this time. There are also more japanese influences which give the album a nice ethnic atmosphere and most of the songs are quite fresh so compositions are more in line with our vision and concept. Influences from several metal genres are represented on the album forming a very diverse and compelling experience I might say.
3.In the beginning the music was more power metal but the newer music has more of a melodic death metal approach, what was the decision behind going into a heavier direction?
Even during the recordings of our first album, I was thinking that I wanna push things to a bit heavier direction. I love all kind of metal, but I think that the driving force with Whispered should be drawn from melodic death metal clashing with symphonic and ethnic elements. On the new album there's probably more black metallish influences than ever too, but we wanna keep things interesting and not force the band to go to any specific direction.
4.Your lyrics deal a lot with Samurai's and Japanese Legends, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topics?
I've always thought that those themes work really well with metal music, and no-one seems to disagree. I've been interested in japanese culture for a really long time so the inspiration to write this kind of music felt really natural for me. Samurai as a concept is really like Whispered's music I think. Fearlessly engaging to the battle, without forgetting to enjoy a nice cup of tea on occasion.
5.originally the band was called 'Zealot' what was the decision behind the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Whispered'?
Zealot didn't sound quite what we're about and we thought that another name could work better. I think Whispered works nicely because it's gives an serene and silent impression of the band, yet we're mostly quite the opposite. It's also a name that gives us a chance to play something else in the future if we want. If we'd named the band "Samurai Killers", we'd have a hard time to play country music. Hopefully that won't never happen.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
One show we did in Tokyo 2013 really stands out (no surprise there). It was truly amazing experience since we had no idea what to except from an audience in the land of our concept.
Luckily everything was a blast and we had really great time there meeting fans and getting some connections. These recent shows in Finland have also been quite great. Audience has been amazing and we're really excited to play some new songs. I'd describe our stage performance as I'd describe a battle. Tons of adrenaline being scattered in the midst of the fight, leaving the crows to pick up what's left!
7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Not much really. We're really trying to make connections to Europe, since this is our first release there also and we hope to hook up some booking opportunities.
Currently the situation is that we're giving one festival show in Finland at Tampere Metal Meeting with likes of Moonsorrow, Insomnium, Tiamat and Finntroll.
We try to get as much shows as possible for autumn.
8.The new album is coming out on 'Redhouse Finland Music Publishing', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Well it's a quite small label, but they've given us really much financial support with our journey. Like us, Redhouse FMP doesn't have much connections
outside of Finland, but we hope we'll / they'll gain something with the new album.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of extreme metal?
It has been quite amazing actually. We have a really solid and constantly growing fanbase which I'm extremely thankful of. I think we're making something quite new and I'm really
happy that most of the people seem to understand what we're trying to do here. I've not read much of negative stuff about Whispered, though nowadays it's probably not the smartest
idea to constantly browse the internet to see what people think. But overall, the feedback has been extremely positive.
10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Well our bass and backing vocalist dude Kai Palo sings and plays in a band called Drawn Awake. Others don't have much projects, though I'm slowly cooking up some game soundtrack projects and such in the future. Whispered takes about everything we have to offer, so we don't have time for other uphill projects.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
For now, probably the same direction we're going already. Bigger, better, more oriental, more focused. Though I'm quite sure that at some point, we'll make a bit less crowded album.
Meaning something that's really focused to the band with less orchestral elements. That sounds something I'd like to do at some point.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Well for me, I constantly listen to all kind of music. I love finnish metal bands, game and movie soundtracks and some smooth jazz for instance. If I had to give some names right now,
I'd give Joe Hisaishi, Yuko Takehara, Moonsorrow, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, Carach Angren, Waltari, Sodom, Vesperith etc.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Movies, making movies (shortfilms and stuff), wandering in the woods, games. I'm all fired up to try Dark Souls 3!
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Check out Metsutan - Songs Of The Void! Support the band, buy the music and merchandise!
Stay heavy, stay honored and hail Gojira!
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