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Artist: Ghost machinery Date:
19 March 2005
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| MM - Please,
introduce the band. Who are the members of Ghost Machinery, when
was the band formed and how has it evolved to its current membership? PA - Jussi Ontero (drums & keyboards), Tapsa Pelkonen (bass) and finally me (Pete Ahonen) on vocals and guitars.  First glimpses of the Ghost Machinery were shown in 2002. I just had a few songs that I wanted to record and I called Tapsa and Jussi and asked them, would they be interested to help me out … and they were. So here we are with our debut album in stores all over the world : ) PA - I think that the best words to describe our music are, melodic heavy metal. It`s a mixture of A.O.R., 80`s metal and modern power metal. I like so many different bands that it is almost impossible to name all of them but here are a few: Accept, Helloween, Europe, Bon Jovi, Queensryche, Gamma Ray, Judas Priest, Whitesnake etc. MM - Where does the band's name 'Ghost Machinery' originally come from? Also can you remember what other names were considered before agreeing on this one? PA - There`s no “deeper” meaning to that name, it just sounded cool : ) There were couple of names considered: Vanguard, Premonition … MM - Do you think the current surge of the more female fronted bands in this genre, bands such as Nightwish and Lacuna Coil, will help expose this genre to a much wider audience and make it more commercially acceptable? PA MM - The band have recently released their debut album 'Haunted Remains'. Can you tell us a little bit about each of the songs included on it. PA - World of Unbelievers - King Diamond meets Yngwie Malmsteen. Blinded Eyes – The fastest song on the album, a really “modern” metal song. Temples of Gold – Really AOR influenced rocker but still a very metal song. Evil within Us – Another fast track with a “modern” touch, great “classical” solo section. Down in Flames – Very 80`s influenced “stadium rock” song, Van Halen, Europe comes to mind. Dreamworld – A beautiful ballad with a very emotional guitar solo. From the Edge of the World – A fast modern metal song with a great heavy guitar part in the middle. Darkest Hour – Another very 80`s influenced song. There is a Bon Jovi “ vibe” in this one (I read it somewhere ...). Fallen Angels – Somehow this reminds of Dio's stuff (at least in my opinion). Great “progressive” middle section. Heaven or Hell – A fast track again with a very heavy and symphonic middle part. In your (evil) Dreams – Another song that has that Dio “vibe “ in it. Out in the Fields – I believe that this one doesn`t need any explaining. A great song from Mr. Moore. Shadows – A very epic and very heavy metal track. MM - What is the story behind your decision to include the song 'Out In The Fields' on your new album? PA - We recorded it with Burning Point in the 'Salvation By Fire' sessions but I wasn`t happy with that version so we drop it off from the album. When we were starting to record the GM cd we discussed about including a cover and I remembered the Moore`s song. I wanted to create the same kind of vibe as there was on the original song, so asked my friend Ville to sing those "Lynott`s" parts. I think that he did amazing job too!! MM - How long did it take for the new album to be created from the initial conception to the finished product? PA - It took about a year. MM - You're currently signed to 'Sound Riot Records', how did you come to hook up with them and what sort of deal do you have with them? Was it just for the release of 'Haunted Remains' or does it go further than that? PA - When we finished our promo cd, “Ghosts in the Castle", I started “hunting” the record deal. There were a couple of other labels that showed interest towards us but, I think that in the end the reason why we decided to hook up with the Sound Riot guys was the fact that they were sincerely interested about the band and about our music. Not only thinking about the business side of things but also a kind of “friendship” too : ) We have deal with 2 albums and I have almost written the second album so, watch out for that!! MM - How do you like to differentiate yourselves from other bands in the same genre; what would you say is the trademark of Ghost Machinery? PA - That seems to be the issue in almost any review. Ghost Machinery is a great band and great songs but nothing new under the sun?? What is that? How many bands do you know that bring something new to this genre?? I definitively know that our music is not any "ground" breaking kind, my main goal is just try to write as good metal songs as I can. I am sincerely happy that I have ability to make music that peoples listen to, that thing makes me very happy : ) MM - What is the rock/metal scene like in Finland? Is there much support for bands such as Ghost Machinery to develop their music? PA - The rock and metal scene here in Finland is very much alive and kicking! I believe that there is always a room and supporters for the good metal music. MM - Where can our readers find out more about the band? Do you have an official website they could check out? Also is there anywhere on the net people can listen to some of your songs? PA - www.ghostmachinery.com is our official website. There you can find more information about the band and song samples etc. There is also other websites where you can download our songs. MM - If you could nominate just one song that you've recorded to sum up the bands playing style and feel which one would it be? PA - Oh man, these kinds of questions are the toughest ones : ) … Hmm, maybe World of Unbelievers … MM - What's the best bit of advice you've ever been given by someone? PA - What ever you do, do it straight from the heart. MM - What are you listening to these days yourself? Old classics or modern bands? Do you ever listen to music that is very different to what you do, if so what? PA - I listen old classics and modern bands. I just bought new cd`s from Running Wild, Hammerfall, Judas Priest, U.D.O. Sometimes I listen a little bit of flamenco music and very occasionally a little bit of classical music. MM - What do you hope the future holds for the band and it's music? PA - I have a tendency to take it day by day, but of course it would be nice that my music would spread wider and wider… : ) I am prepared to work hard for it!! MM - Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to all our readers out there? PA - I hope that you enjoyed the Ghost Machinery`s debut album "Haunting Remains" as much as we enjoyed doing it : ) . And all those who haven`t heard it, If you`re a fan of melodic heavy metal, hurry up to the nearest record store to check out the album!! Make sure to visit out website too, thanks : ) |
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