Turisas
Gods Of War

28.12.2007

Even though their name might not be the most original one in the world, Finland’s Turisas have managed to play a significant role on the present-day metal scene. Their latest album “The Varangian Way” is distinguished not only for high-quality music in the vein of viking/epic metal, but also for a captivating story about a trip on a classic Russian way – from Nordland to Greece across the entire Rus. How Finns got to know so much about Russia, why they recorded a Boney M cover version, how they decorate their faces and bodies with battle paint – you will find out everything about all of that in our interview with Turisas mastermind, singer and sole songwriter Warlod Nygard …

You have a new album out called “The Varangian Way”, and just like the first one, it’s a concept record. Although the story is fictitious it is based on the real facts. Whose idea was it and what sources did you use for creating the story? Is there any common idea between “The Varangian Way” and your debut album “Battle Metal”?

First of all, “Battle Metal” was not a concept album. It’s a collection of songs which obviously all have something in common, but in general there’s no direct link between songs on it. For “The Varangian Way” I came up with the storyline first based on quite extensive studies of the subject. I read historical studies, primary source material and chronicles (found the Nestor Chronicle highly inspirational, by the way!), sagas etc, but also some historical novels and such dealing with the subject. I also did some traveling to experience some of the locations first hand.  First I created the storyline for the album and then composing the music was much like writing a soundtrack to this story.  As you see, there’s no real conceptual connection between “The Varangian Way” and “Battle Metal”, but obviously there’s something in common there as most of the material is written by the same guy. (laughs)

Why did you decide to reduce the use of screaming vocals on “The Varangian Way”? Weren’t you afraid your fans could be disappointed with it? Which of your albums is more successful?

What vocal styles were used is simply due to what kind of an atmosphere the story demanded. I couldn’t really picture a 1st person storytelling done in screaming aggressive vocals, and so many parts on the new album are clean just because of that. On the other hand, there are parts where aggressive vocals or choirs fitted better with the story, so then these were used.

No, I wasn’t really afraid of fans being disappointed. Of course I could see that the new album is definitely turning out different in many ways from “Battle Metal”, but that was also intentional. I don’t see any idea in repeating myself. There are enough of bands who come up with a way of working and writing songs and then use that for the rest of their career ending up with albums sounding just the same. I think it’s interesting to have a band that is constantly evolving, and sometimes that means that some liked something done in the past better and some new material more, but there’s still a lot of people who are able to grow with the band, so to say.

What’s the main difference in the studio work comparing to the previous album? Did you have any difficulties while recording sessions? Were there any specific moments? How long did recording process take compare to the previous one?

This album was recorded completely in Finland, whereas for “Battle Metal” we recorded in France. The reason turned out pretty justified, as I was able to call people to the studio anytime in the day or night, and it was also much easier to work with all the session musicians involved.

There are many guest musicians on this album. Who else would you like to work with in the future?

The guest musicians on this album are there because of what they play, not because who they are. I’m sure that in the future we’ll keep on including guest musicians for elements there’s no idea in having as permanent members in the band.

There are all sorts of the responses for your album: mainly good but sometimes it differs. How much does critics’ opinion mean to you? Could you ever agree with any complaints?

The opinions don’t mean that much. One has to remember, that specially today with the Internet and all, anyone can call themselves music critics – or reporters for that matter – without any kind of competence. I’ve had a few very lengthy discussions on the album with a couple of people I respect a lot, and also received a couple of emails from fans, that seem to actually have understood most of the things I wanted to say with the album, and to be honest, I value these much more highly than any review done by a self-acclaimed “music critic” on an Internet webzine.

Some of the critics argue that the story told in “The Varangian Way” has a lot in common with the concept of the latest album by the German band Rebellion – “Miklagard”. How can you comment on that?

There a lot in common with a lot of stories told in the world. Some are shit and some a bit better.

Your have released two singles this year. Why so many at once, when you did nothing like that in the past? Will you offer more singles in 2008?

When releasing “Battle Metal” we were really not in the position to release singles. “Rasputin” is a track I didn’t want to include on the album as it has nothing to do with the material on it, and therefore it is now released as a single. No plans for releases in 2008 yet.

Is the video "Battle Metal" from the single “To Holmgard And Beyond” the only way to see the band on stage (apart from live gigs, of course)? Do you have any more live recordings on tape?

We just released a special Director’s Cut edition of “The Varangian Way”, which comes in a fancy digipack with some bonus tracks plus a DVD with quite a lot of live material from the festival shows we did this year. It would be about time for us to play shows in Russia too – something we have been looking forward to for a long time and heard great things about – so I’m really hoping something like this will take place in 2008 and all our fans can get to see the band live instead of having to see it from a boring TV screen.

Also you filmed a videoclip for the song "Rasputin". Could you tell me a bit about the shooting process?

It was fun, but also very much waiting and boring stuff and a lot of re-takes. We shot it at a nightclub which seemed to have stuck to the 1970s and suited our purpose very well. I had a very interesting double-role as my stage-me and a 1970s disco pimp, so I got to hang out with girls, which was great! (laughs)

Why did you decide to cover the Boney M song? Is there anything in common between this song’s idea and Turisas’ works?

I don’t think there’s anything directly in common, and it’s always been a bit more of a sidestep track for us anyway. It started by playing it live and the response from the fans was so overwhelming that we had to record it when recording the new album. It’s clearly not even trying to be anything deadly serious. I like the fact that as a band we can do things on different levels.

As you are touring a lot, what is your favorite moment on tour – its beginning or its end? Do you consider Turisas more of a live band or a studio band?

I think the best moment on tour has to be any moment when you are not ill. It’s a dog’s life when touring and having a fewer or whatever and still having to play shows and avoid cancelling. Touring is nice, because you can’t really stress about many other things – you just live in that moment. I think Turisas is both a live band and studio band, and even more importantly, has a slightly different role in both. On disc it’s all about the music and we focus on that 100%, but in a live situation I think there’s more room for fooling around and being spontaneous. I think many people who maybe haven’t liked our albums that much, still have been blown away by our liveshows. Actually, I don’t think that there’s that many people who couldn’t enjoy the atmosphere we create, even if they never would listen to our albums.

You have played many festivals this year. Which of them were the most important and memorable ones for you? What do you prefer mostly: festivals or concerts where you are headlining?

There are numerous big open airs to mention, but I still think some of the really greatest shows have been really small headlining shows in small venues. I could mention the first UK show ever in London some years ago, which seemed to have some sort of a magical atmosphere, also the headlining tour we did there in September had some really intimate moments and crazy fans with all the paint and regalia showing up.

It is believed that you gained a lot of fans after gigs with Lordi. What can you say about that tour and guys from Lordi? Did you know them before? Did you have a chance to congratulate them on their Eurovision triumph?

We only did 5 shows in the UK together with Lordi, and there it surely had an effect, but elsewhere... I don’t know. I don’t think it really did anything for other territories. We didn’t know the guys from Lordi, but they were all a nice bunch and very down to earth even if it must have been hell with all the publicity they had gone and were going through. It was a good tour and we got a really good reception from the crowds everywhere.

You are touring mostly in Europe. Have you ever got any offers from other countries? Which place would you like to visit most of all? What are differences between European audience and people in other countries if it’s possible to compare?

We’ll be doing our first North American tour in April, so we’ll see then.  Up till now it’s been only Europe. When planning “The Varangian Way”, I had the idea of a tour following the conceptual route on the album, which would have included Russian and Eastern European dates, but it just didn’t work out back then. I’d still love to see this happen!

Who came up with the idea of the band name (it sounds good!) and what does the name ‘Turisas’ mean?

Turisas is a name of a supposed god of war in Finnish mythology. I was very much into Finnish mythology at the time of forming the band and it just felt suitable to the sound.

By the way, have you heard about the Belgian band Thurisaz? And have you ever had any problems because of similarities in the band’s name?

Heard about them yes, not really heard their music. Isn’t it some sort of doom/dark-metal or whatever? I remember that I’ve seen it happen a few times that this band has done a show and the promoter or someone else has fucked up and thought it was us. I’ve also received some emails about production for some local show, which we obviously weren’t booked for.

What kind of music did you listen to in your childhood days and who influenced you most of all? Would it be correct to assume that Bal-Sagoth was quite an influence?

Yeah, Bal-Sagoth’s first albums were quite an influence. After “Battle Magic” I kind of got too occupied with my own band that I lost interest and track of what they did and when I heard some recent material I must say I wasn’t been very impressed. But I wouldn’t say they were my main influence or anything, I grew up with bands like AC/DC, Queen, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and other oldies. Mainly stuff that I found in my father’s record collection. Later on I found some metal bands and that was it. For the inclusion of folklore in rock-music I would have to point out Amorphis, but also the before-mentioned Jethro Tull who did some similar stuff in a different way. Nowadays I’m not that fuzzed about metal anymore, as it so seldom happens that something out of that genre comes out which really is in anyway interesting. Metal is pretty conservative to say the least.

Do you like era you are living in? Which time/era would you like to live in? What do you think about the time period described in “The Varangian Way” – would it be comfortable for living for you?

It would be interesting to live a time in that historical time-period, but honestly I think I’m much more comfortable in the modern day where I’m living now.

As it’s known you are doing incredible shows on stage. What are the guys from Turisas out of stage?

Pretty boring. (laughs)

Do you make up by yourselves, or do you help each other? Do you use the make-up on every show? How much time does it take? Who comes up with idea of it?

We mainly do it ourselves, but I have a few straps on my back I need someone of the guys to tighten. I usually start dressing up about an hour before the show, but afterwards it takes quite some time as everyone needs to shower and at some venues these facilities are really shitty.

Your have a very compact touring schedule. Do you have time for something else apart from playing in Turisas? Do the band members have any other projects?

Not really. Olli and Lisko do some jazz stuff, but those bands obviously don’t tour in the same way. Otherwise we’re pretty tied to one band only. I personally have my hands full with only one band to run, but of course the others might have time for side-projects, but right now we’re happy like this.
 
There are many things referring to Russia in story of “The Varangian Way”. What do you know about present-day Russia? Have you ever heard any Russian metal bands?

I’ve been following the news on present-day Russia quite frequently. Living next to such a big country obviously raises the interest. Just read today that Medvedev suggests Putin as Prime Minister. I also followed the elections quite closely. Russian politics is pretty fascinating...

I’m not super-familiar with Russian metal bands, but one band called Arkona has really impressed me. I think this is the only band I really have enjoyed out of the folk-metal scene which is so full of German B-class bands with childish songwriting. Arkona has really managed to combine the Slavonic sound of folk metal, but also feature skilled songwriting and musicians. I really wish I could understand their lyrics. I’m looking forward to seeing them live at the German Ragnarök Festival in Lichtenfels next March, when we also play there.

How is the health of your ex-guitarist Georg Laakso? Is there any chance that he will play with you again?

I don’t think he will ever play with the band again. The guy is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life with nerve-problems also in his hands, so playing guitar is quite out for him. Considering the circumstances, I still think he’s doing quite good, as he has managed to keep the positive and forward-going attitude he always had, and not fall into self-pity, which could be so easy and also understandable. I heard he’s started playing wheelchair rugby, which sounds pretty tough.

As you like the idea of creating concept albums, will you continue to work in this direction, or will you choose a new path next time?

I think the story started on “The Varangian Way” is not quite finished yet, so you might expect more to come in that direction.

What will Turisas be doing for the rest of 2007 and in 2008? To round up this interview, would you like to add something from your side?

We still have a few shows to play in Finland this year, but then for 2008 our schedule is already filling up quickly. There’s a 5-week European tour in March and then we head to the States for our first tour there in April-May, just to make it back to Europe for the festivals. I hope the year 2008 will also feature our first shows in Russia, as that’s something the whole band has been looking forward to already for years.

Turisas on the Internet: http://www.turisas.com

Special thanks to Gerrit Mohr (Century Media Records) for arranging this interview.

Ekaterina Fyodorova
December 19, 2007
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