Myrkkyharakka Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Ia-Omnissiah came up with the name in 2023 and I made the first logo and then we decided we'll form a band. I happened to have a manic episode right after so I made songs all day and night for a month or so, so I would say that was the start. From the beginning it was very clear that we make music without any genre/ideologial/whatever boundaries. Then my roommate at the time joined and we found a bass player/vocalist. Those guys left in beginning of 2025 which truly was a blessing in disguise as Invoker of the Shadows and Rutto Von Der Issen joined the band right after which lifted the band to a whole new level.

2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

I have listened black metal for like 25 years but when I compose I don't think I'm making black metal. That would be very restricting for me. But as I have listened the finished album it came out pretty black metal haha. Some riffs on the album are decade old or even older so it's no wonder you can hear the black metal influences as I was playing in many black metal bands at the time. Music on the album came very naturally and we think good riff is good riff no matter what genre it is. I would say it's a mixature of both old school and modern black metal, 80's heavy metal, drill rap (melody wise) with rock'n'roll/punk attitude in general.

3.All of the band members have experience playing in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Myrkkyharakka', that you wherenbot able to do with your recent or past groups?

For me Myrkkyharakka opened total new portal of creativity as in past I have never had this kind of freedom to do whatever I want musically. I have made all kinds of riffs and no one has said that we can't use that or so. Most of the time I make demo versions of the songs on my own (Maa-Äidin Verestä was co-written by Invoker of the Shadows and Daturagnosis by Nekrokunt) and then every member has right to arrange their instrument in their own way.  Also the structure of the songs take final form when we rehearse them. You could say it's pretty chaotic that everyone does whatever he or she wants but in Myrkkyharakka it works. I guess it's that freedom and free flowing energy which binds us to create Myrkkyharakka.

4.A lot of your lyrics cover Occultism and Left Hand Path themes, which aspects of the dark arts do you bring out with your songwriting?

My writing process come always with music first and then lyrics are made to fit the song. Everyone in band has interest in occultism/horror/spirituality etc. I guess it comes from from our sub-conscious and bleeds to the art. It also should be noted that I, Rutto Von Der Issen, and Ia-Omnissiah all made lyrics so you can see different approaches in albums texts. Maybe someday we'll translate those Finnish texts but the problem is that there is always some meaning lost in doing that. My approach is kinda straightforward because I don't like lyrics to be too cryptic or have some "too hidden" messages.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Myrkkyharakka

Myrkkyharakka literal translation would be poison (myrkky) and magpie (harakka) but it cannot be translated directly because it has different meaning in Finnish tradition both as single words and together. Only thing I can say about the inspiration is every member of this band is Myrkkyharakka in one way or the other.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Album cover is most likely temporary, we'll see what we come up with to the physical release. Sigil on the cover is our bands logo.

7.Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

We have played 2 times with the old line up and are looking forward to get on stage now that we have new strong line-up. We just have to find a bassist for the job. Of course we can do it with session bassist but we'd rather find same kind of fuck-up as the rest of band as a permanent member.

8.So far very little is known about the band even with all of the band members being veterans, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

We aren't trying to keep low profile on purpose. We are promoting the album as we speak and we are on social media and whatever. I think the growth will come naturally by making more music and playing more gigs and become better in that.

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Yes we are indeed looking for a label! For me I would prefer to make deal with underground label as I have had bad experience with big labels. I don't want to give anyone rights to my music I just want like 500 vinyls made and if it sells out we make a new deal.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

We haven't seen much reviews or comments and such yet so I really can't answer that in this point of time. The people we know have appreciated it very much. But I'm definitely interested about the reception when we release it.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

It's impossible to say what we'll do in future cause we like to push our own limits but I'm pretty sure it will have drums, electric guitars etc if I have to say something haha. There are bunch of songs written in time we made Mystichrist but we'll see if we ever use them. Next planned release is a split and those songs definately differ from the album songs.

12.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?

Musical influences come from wide range from classical to rap to heavy metal to black metal to glam rock to progressive rock. Those are the main genres I have listened in my youth and on these days as well.

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

I'm honored that you asked for a interview after the album review!

ANANTA-ABRASAX-SHESHA! HAMA KARE RAHE HAIM GNOSTIKOI HA-SHAITAN!

Yours truly

Seven Kadoshwinds

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