Battle Beast
Enter The Metal World

17.02.2012

Whenever a band releases its debut album via Nuclear Blast Records, it means that it’s the band to check out. Battle Beast are no exception, this Finnish six-piece has produced one hell of a debut record that will definitely appeal to the fans of classic heavy metal mixed with modern-day approach and full of energy. Add to this the victory in the global Wacken Metal Battle competition and the upcoming tour with Nightwish (including stops in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev in a month from now), and you will understand why we didn’t pass this band up. Now it’s your turn…

Battle Beast play the kind of metal that is not very common for Finnish bands. Did you already know that you wanted to play this kind of music when you originally got together, or did the style of Battle Beast change over time?

Anton (guitar, vocals): As the songwriter of the band I've always wanted to write this kind of music and when we got together many songs were already written. So the style has been like this from the very beginning.

Does the band name Battle Beast have anything in common with action figure toys Battle Beasts? In general, why did you choose this particular name for the band?

Anton: No, nothing except the name. When I came up with the name I didn't know there were toys and even a game named after that. I wanted a strong name that represents our music style and themes. Also it should stand out and be easily memorable. After I found out about the toys and the game with a same name I didn't care because it was a pure coincidence and this name fits perfectly to the themes and music we represent and it feels right.

How did singer Nitte become a member of Battle Beast? When and how did you get to know her? How much did her addition influence the music of the band?

Anton: Nitte joined the band through an audition in spring in 2008 after she had contacted us through a want-ad we had on the Internet. Nitte's voice definitely brings a unique twist to the music and I try to write material that will also bring out her full potential as a heavy metal singer.

Battle Beast participated in two band contests and won both of them. What is your secret of success in such competitions? Is talent alone enough, or is a bit of luck also required?

Anton: We believe it's the sum of all things. Of course you need talent and luck but they alone aren't enough. There's a lot of hard work and passion involved and you've got to believe in yourself. One should never crumble when encountering some setbacks.

Your debut album album “Steel” was recorded in Sonic Pump Studios with Nino Laurenne as a producer. Why did you choose this studio? How did you like the recording experience?

Juuso (guitar): We considered different possibilities and Nino Laurenne was one of the most reasonable options for a producer at that time. He had time for the project so Hype Records (the band’s Finnish label – ed.) hired him for the job. Nino is one of the owners of Sonic Pump Studios so it was a no-brainer to use the studio for the recording. Recording the album was mostly a great time but naturally we also faced some challenges every now and then. Overall we learned a lot so we are waiting impatiently to start working on the next album!

“Steel” is based on a story in which a lion-like warrior travels from Earth to another dimension. What inspired you to come up with such concept? Are you fans of cyberpunk/sci-fi/fantasy literature?

Anton: I don't think that the guys nor the girl in the band are big fans of cyberpunk movies and literature but I personally am. And that is where I draw a lot of inspiration from. William Gibson's novel “Neuromancer” has had a big influence on me. William Gibson is the guy who coined the term “cyberspace” and I have to thank him for that song title we have now. There are many movies, cartoons and animes, mostly old ones, related to cyberpunk that have influenced my songwriting and the story I'm creating. But I always add something from my personal life to the songs, too. I also like to read just some random stuff on the internet related to technology and science fiction.

The first video for the album, “Enter The Metal World”, has a storyline, but it is not related to the album concept. Why did you choose to visualize something else instead of linking the video to the “Steel” storyline?

Anton: It would've been too challenging and even impossible to create a music video based on the original story with the use of real actors and real scenery considering the budget and the limited time we had. I'd like to see how the story would look like if it was made into a cartoon. Would be cool to make a music video combined with a cartoon of the story. Maybe some day we can try that out.

Will you continue the storyline of “Steel” on the next album, or is the story of the lion-like warrior over for now?

Anton: Yes, absolutely. The songs are already written so the adventures in that sinister Metal World will continue with the Beast, the Die-Hard Warrior, as the main protagonist. But like on this first album, there's gonna be some songs on the second album that aren't related to that story. So it's not fully a concept album, in case you were wondering.

The entire “Steel” album is available for streaming on the band’s Facebook page. In your opinion, how many fans have you gained through this kind of online promotion? In general, how much has the Internet helped you spread the word about Battle Beast around?

Eero (bass, backing vocals): When we first started as a band, the Internet was pretty much our only tool of promotion. Many of the early songs we only released online are still being requested today, so you could say they were fairly popular.
Still, it’s impossible to measure the actual effects of online promotion, since I think the Internet is very much intertwined with “the real world”. First you hear some band online, then you go see their show and only after that you become their fan.

Do you personally still buy CDs, or do you prefer the mp3 format? What have been the latest albums that really impressed you?

Pyry (drums): Of course I still buy physical CDs. I also try to find my favorites on vinyl discs, even though I do not own an LP-player. My latest favorite albums are ‘Destroy’ by Profane Omen and ‘Blood of the Nations’ by Accept. Hear those drums!

Nowadays it has become very difficult for a metal musician to earn his/her living by playing in a band. What drives you forward in making music, when you know that you may never be able to make Battle Beast your full-time occupation?

Pyry: That’s so true. I have a lot of friends who have played way longer than I, and still don`t get paid. In our case we all have to work full-time jobs. The force that drives you is the same as always: love for music. Every weekend, gig or tour with the band is like a holiday.

You’ve done quite a few live shows, including some big events such as Wacken Open Air. What has been your most memorable show so far?

Eero: I have fond memories of many of our shows . Especially all the summer festivals are always great! Still, if I had to name just one, I would probably say Wacken 2010. It was our first ever show abroad, and the whole trip to Germany and back was just a crazy adventure.

It was announced today that Battle Beast will be opening for Nightwish in Russia. What are your expectations from visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg? Do you already have any contact with your fans from Russia?

Juuso: Personally I'm very excited about both of those enormous cities. I visited St. Petersburg a few years ago and had a great time. This time it's going to be even greater! We have received a couple of messages from Russian fans but not too many. I'm sure there is still a huge amount of metalheads in Russia that could find our music enternaining.

In previous interviews you mentioned that Battle Beast are already working on the second album. What shall we expect from it? Do you already have a release date?

Anton: Yes, that's correct. But it's too early to say anything about the release date because the whole thing isn't even recorded. The songs are ready and we've done some pre-production. By that I mean making plans and preparations, recording demos of the new songs, searching for new sounds and purchasing new equipment before officially starting the recording process. We'll try to record the drum parts before the tour with Nightwish and after the tour we'll continue the recording sessions. All I can say now is that the next album's gonna sound different.

Battle Beast on the Internet: http://www.battlebeast.fi

Special thanks to Maxim Bylkin (Soyuz Music) for arranging this interview

Roman Patrashov
February 6, 2012
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