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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.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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 :)
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.
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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. |