1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Kuoleman Galleria was founded 2012. The first steps were slow because for the first two years the concept was almost only in my head. I made couple of demo songs during 2012-2014 and recorded them in my home studio. In 2014 I told about this project to my musician friends and we decided to form a band. We made couple of songs more and in 2015 we decided to go to an actual studio to record the debut album.
2. So far you have released 2 albums, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
Basically the first album is a compilation of demo songs. This second album we just released has been composed in shorter time and the songs are more connected to each other. And also there are more layers in it. The sound is “bigger” although we wanted to maintain the certain roughness in the music. And we used more time to pre-production phase which affected mainly on arrangements. If we talk about lyrics, this second album is much darker than the first one.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
There is kind of a background story on the new album. The journey starts from the point when autumn leaves fall to the ground and darkness descends over north (Pimeys Saapuu Pohjoiseen). Then there are songs telling stories of fucked up people (Hännystelijät Helvettiin, Nuorallatanssija, Vahtikoira), material obsession (Materian Omistama), mortality and longing for death (Ajan Hammas, Jalopuinen Makuupaikka), inner demons (Sadattaja, Piru on Irti, Mieleen Haudattu), greed (Antava Osapuoli), oblivion (Vainajan Virsi) and really bad hangover and alcohol madness (Täsmäisku, Kurjuuden Kierteessä).
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kuoleman Galleria'?
In English it means Gallery of Death. Basically the name reflects the shadow of death that’s hanging upon us all. Human beings are the gallery of death. We live for a brief moment. Then we die. End of story.
5. Originally the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind hiring a full line up?
My previous band Ruinside was still very active during 2012-2015 and I had simply no time to push Kuoleman Galleria forward back then. But couple of my old friends were excited about this project and we decided to make the debut album as a band. The first album was more like solo album though. This second one was made with the band and Matinlompolo who plays guitar contributed in composing.
6. What are some of the best sows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
For me four best shows have been Bar Bäkkäri in Helsinki (November 2016), 3Ushi in Sofia (April 2017), Rockstar’s in Tallinn (November 2017) and Bar Rock Bear in Vantaa (November 2017). All these shows have been turning points somehow and after these shows I have understood where we are going and what we are capable to do. Of course if you ask some other band member they could answer differently. I think Kuoleman Galleria’s stage performance could be described with words dirty, angry and mad but with a pinch of very very dark humor. But that side is hidden in lyrics so I think it will not show outside so much.
7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
We just made couple of shows to promote our new album in Baltic countries and in Finland. And of course we are looking for more gigs constantly. Nothing confirmed yet though. If you want to see Kuoleman Galleria, we are open for suggestions. Just ask and also tell your local clubs that you want to see our show.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal and black'n'roll?
We have been saying all the time that we are not black metal, because we don’t share the lyrical themes and the outfit that people usually think black metal bands should have. But we thought that black’n’roll is the nearest term that we could use to describe our music. But in songs we have influences from thrash metal, pagan metal, death metal and even rock music. Only the vocals sounds like black metal but we also use clean vocals in some songs, so it’s not that simple. I have said this to people who try to put us in a box: listen our albums and if you like them, good, if you don’t like them, you don’t have to listen them. We are not trying to be any specific genre… we just do music that we enjoy to play.
9. Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Our drummer plays currently in a thrash metal band called Neferion. And my former band Ruinside was never really buried. It’s just in a deep ice. I don’t see problem with these as long as everyone has the same goals.
10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Too early to say. I have written lyrics already for the third album but the musical side is still in process. Normally the musical direction will be found after couple of first songs have been composed.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Those artists are numerous. It varies time to time. Back in the days I have listened lot of melodic death metal (old In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Edge of Sanity, Arch Enemy, At The Gates, Hypocrisy, My Dying Bride, Amon Amarth), symphonic black metal (Covenant, Samael, Agathodaimon, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Satyricon, Old Man’s Child, Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Shining, Watain), some thrash metal bands (Sodom, Anthrax, Megadeth, old Metallica, old Sepultura, Kreator, Machine Head, Testament, Rage), and then Finnish bands like Ajattara, Amorphis, Barathrum, Diablo, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Finntroll, Insomnium, Kalmah, Korpiklaani, Kuolemanlaakso, Moonsorrow, Mokoma, Sentenced, Swallow The Sun, Turisas and of course hundreds of smaller bands.
12. What are some of your non musical interests?
Movies and series. The darker the better. And if there is good music involved, it’s even better.
13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Buy albums and go to see the gigs. I’m not against streaming but I still buy the albums I like. Streaming is a good way to discover new bands though.
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