Waara: A lot has happened since we decided to start working on Laulut tulen ja jään. The past few months have been busy promoting the new album and putting together our upcoming shows. Rehearsals for the upcoming gigs are also underway, and we can’t wait to hit the stage with the new material and visual look.
So it feels good to be back after Riitti, which was quite a while ago now.
2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of October, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Helmouth: Musically we’ve taken a giant leap, in my opinion. Our music is now more layered. Even though there’s a lot happening in some of these songs, everything serves a purpose. I think we’ve matured musically. This development came naturally. We don’t feel the need to force our music in any specific direction. The only thing we knew pretty early on was that this was going to be a theme album.
3.This is also going to be your first album in 8 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?
Helmouth: The album has been in the making for six years. We started composing before the whole covid madness started. Those pandemic years really messed up our plans, but I also think that it gave us perspective and depth for our music. I was in a really dark place back then - depression and alcoholism. I had to deal with my demons before we could’ve continued with the composing. So we “lost” a few years dealing with personal matters. When we actually sat down and continued with the album, the process was fairly fast considering the outcome.
4.A lot of your lyrics cover nature and Finnish Folklore, which aspects of these topics do you cover with the new release?
Helmouth: The nature imagery is always present in a way or another. I feel the need to celebrate the grandeur of the Nordic landscapes. Wilderness is after all where I went by myself to tame my demons, to rediscover myself. This is a theme album. It deals with themes like depression, death, loss and disconsolation. The story runs through the whole album and it’s told using a mythological framework. Finnish folklore is present and I think has become a big part of our identity.
5.Most of the band members also have backgrounds working with other metal styles and the music also incorporates a lot of non metal influences, would you consider yourself as being very diverse when it comes to writing and creating new music?
Zvartus: As the primary songwriter, I can answer: yes. I listen to a wide range of music—including genres outside of metal. I have particularly listened to old Finnish schlager music, from which I also draw melodies for Paara’s material.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Helmouth: We’ve been fortunate to work with the very talented David Thiérrée - for quite some time now. He did the artwork for ‘Riitti’ and also the vinyl version of ‘Yön olevainen puoli’. This time around we gave David more freedom. We talked about what the album was about. He came up with this idea of a blacksmith, a forge and caverns of the underworld. The hero of our story is an Axebearer. In a way the artwork depicts an untold part of the story. The forging of the axe. David’s art is always incredible and full of details.
7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far, which one stands out the most?
Helmouth: There have been a lot of memorable shows. Years ago we played at a small festival in the UK - near the Scottish border, in the historic forest of Cumbria. They had bonfires outside the venue. We could see them from the stage because these massive sliding doors were left open. The place was packed. After the show we went straight to a nearby pond to participate in a traditional paganic rite. Festivals have been good for us.
Trangoth: In part of our first European tour, we were playing in a small cellar bar in Poland, and there were like 10 people watching.
The owner of the bar lit a huge fire in the open fireplace as we started playing. It was a very atmospheric and intimate gig. It doesn’t have to be the biggest venue, or biggest crowd to outstand another gig, it’s more like an overall feeling about the gig.
Also the Tuska-festival in 2017 was really special for me, since I've been going to that festival since I was a teenager. There have been many great places we’ve had the chance to play, and hopefully that trend continues!
8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Waara: We’ll be touring Finland in November, playing selected gigs in various towns and cities. We’ll carry on touring next year. Let’s hope we’ll also get to see the band at festivals and on tours abroad.
9.The new album is going to be released on 'Dusktone', how would you compare working with this label to other labels you have worked with in the past?
Waara: We've been really pleased with Dusktone's contribution and the way they handle their work. They also have a truly customer-focused approach, and their communication is prompt and friendly.
10.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black metal?
Zvartus: The feedback we’ve received has been amazing. We’ve noticed that people have really been looking forward to our return. Our singles have clearly been well-received.
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Waara: Our band has brilliant musicians, which also means that they play in several other bands like Shape Of Despair, Where’s My Bible, The Man-Eating Tree, The Abbey etc. I see that as a positive thing. As far as I know, every band is touring, and some are preparing their upcoming releases.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Helmouth: We’ll keep on evolving. We haven’t carved an intentional path. Only time will tell where our music will take us. Only that is a constant is the influence of black metal and the deep melancholy of our melodies.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
Waara: As I mentioned earlier, the members of Paara also play in many other bands. They don’t limit themselves to just metal. The same goes for what we listen to and what we like. Of course, I can’t speak for everyone, but I’d say we’re open to all kinds of music and draw inspiration from everywhere, even though our hearts lean toward heavier music.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Waara: We hope to see you at our shows around the world. Don't forget to buy our new album and enjoy the music and the people around you!
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