MM - The new album 'Burned Down The Enemy' has been
described as the bands heaviest so far, was this the initial intention or
did it just evolve that way?
PA -
Well, no ... it just happened. And maybe it is, considering all the
elements, the most versatile album also.
MM - I see the band are now signed to Metal Heaven, is this
just a one album deal or do things go further with them?
PA -
We have a 3 album deal with Metal Heaven. |
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MM - You've announced that Jukka Jokikokko is now the
bands permanent bass player, how did you get him involved in the album in
the first place?
PA - We have
known him for a while and basically he was the studio engineer in the HellGate studios where we started recording the album. Our former
bassist left to join Catamenia and I asked him to play the bass tracks.
We did a surprise gig in November so, I asked that could be also do the show
and he was very excited about this opportunity because he has always been
a fan of the band. After the gig it was very clear that he is the
new bassist ;) Great musician and cool guy.
MM - How long did the album take to complete from its
initial conception to the final result and did you incur any problems
along the way?
PA
- Well,
the label manager (the label that
initially licences us to LMP) went 'apeshit' and starts a big fight with
us. He lied and talked trash behind out backs and claimed us a hug
sum of money etc. There were lawyers etc. involved in the fight and
all the bullshit. In the end the truth prevailed, but it cost us a
record deal because we were force to make a new deal with LMP and they
changed some clauses on the new contract and we didn't accept them ... so,
we decided to leave the label. So, in this light it took almost 3
years to get the 3rd album in the stores!
MM - Who did the song writing for the new album and was it
a solo or joint effort?
PA - I wrote the songs on this album and we arranged them as a band.
MM - How would you best describe the music on the album
and who would it appeal to the most?
PA
- Heavy, melodic, fast,
slow, slightly progressive ;) I think that the album is to everybody
who loves melodic heavy metal!
MM - Can you give us a quick breakdown of the songs from the new album
and what was the inspiration behind them?
PA - PARASITE - Musically in the view of Symphony X, Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen. One of the oldest songs I've written. I love
that 'nasty' vocal sound in the verses, goes great with the lyrics, heh
heh.
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HEART OF GOLD - 80's vibe guitar/keyboard riff in the beginning, the
most melodic track we have ever done. Maybe a bit of Queensryche in
the verses and very, very sing-a-long chorus! Great break part in
the middle, very 'Accept' type ... We are making a promo video from this
one.
DAWN OF THE ANCIENT WAR - One of the new tracks. This is
a mix of Dio, Manowar and Bruce Dickinson :) Cool pounding rhythm in
the verses and in the 'epic' chorus. Jussi's (our keyboardist's)
favourite track.
HELL AWAITS - Fastest song we have ever done!
Helloween meets Yngwie Malmsteen in this song. Cool break in the
verses, it gives a song a nuance so, it's not just double bass drum attack
;)
FROM THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL - This is a first real power ballad
from Burning Point. Europe, Scorpions and Queensryche could be heard
on this one I think. Great solo part which gives this song a very
heavy edge although it is a ballad. This is also one of the songs
that shows our versatility in song writing.
ICEBOUND - This is one
of our heaviest songs. A little bit of Yngwie's 'Pyramid of Cheops'
together with a massive and symphonic choirs in the refrain! Again,
cool break part before the solo.
DECEIVER - This is a real rocker, a
semi-fast track. This is also the type of song we haven't done
before. Musically Judas Priest meets Yngwie Malmsteen.
EYE FOR
AN EYE - Iron Maiden meets Queensryche meets Accept in this one.
Some progressive elements and massive chorus! As some reviewer so
'elegantly' put it ... 'type of song Iron Maiden would die for ...', heh
heh.
TO HELL AND BACK - Very cool riff played in unison with the keyboard.
I wanted the song that was in the same vein as Into The Fire on our
previous album, Feeding The Flames. Great 'classical' solo part in
the middle.
AGAINST THE MADNESS OF TIME - One of the new tracks.
Awesome bass line in the beginning and then it starts with a massive
guitar/keyboard riff! Judas Priest and Yngwie vide added with some
modern metal sounds.
BURNED DOWN THE ENEMY - Well, definitely one of
my favourite tracks! There is elements from Helloween, Manowar, King
Diamond, Judas Priest etc. Very progressive track with lots of
different parts with a lot of different moods in the vocals etc.
Best song to end the album our little 'trilogy', Salvation By Fire,
Feeding The Flames and Burned Down The Enemy!!
MM - Do you have any personal favourites from the album and why?
PA -
I love them all!
MM -
What has been the initial reaction about the new album from both the bands
fans and the media?
PA -
It has been awesome and we are really happy
that they haven't forgot us, although it has been 3 years since the last
record.
MM - The whole Scandinavian Rock and Metal scene has been very vibrant
over the past few years, why do you think that is so?
PA -
I really don't know why is it so ...?
MM - The band have had more than their fair share of
legal problems since the Planet Caravan days, are you glad to see those
days behind you and are you looking forward to the future?
PA -
Yes, definitely! The band is more focused than ever and we are doing
lots of work to get this thing to a new level!
MM - In hindsight would you have done anything
differently to avoid those problems?
PA - Well, yes of course, but we don't want to dwell in the past ... we
are heading to the future :)
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MM - Speaking of the future, what does the future hold
for Burning Point? Do you have any plans to tour to promote the new
album or any festival dates lined up?
PA - 'Hooks are in the water' all over the place and we keep you updated
on our website, www.brnpoint.com .
We have some festival shows and club gigs in Finland and of course plans
for shows outside Finland is happening too ... Let's see what happens. |
MM - Do you have any advice to bands who are just
starting out on the road to rock n' roll fame and fortune?
PA -
Stay true to yourself and to the music you're making. Don't be a 'trendfollower'.
MM - Finally thanks for taking time out to take part in
this interview, do you have any final words for all the Burning Point fans
out there?
PA - Thank you very
much for this interview, it was a pleasure to do ;) All you metalheads out there, if you like to see us play live in your country,
contact your local gig promoter and demand that he or she organizes a gig
to the club near you !! heh, heh. And thanks for the support,
we are here only because of you!!
Pete Ahonen
Burning Point
MM - So there you go folks, the word from the man
himself. We'd highly recommend you check out the bands new album
because it's a blinder of a release. |
