Interviews: Antipope

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Progressive Extreme Metal band Antipope from Finland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned or came out just like that?

Tuska E.: Somewhere at the beginning of the new millennium Mikko (vocals, guitars) had some kind of a drunken vision or glimpses of something to come. The world in that vision seemed pretty much as it is today, burning down and people behaving like herds of sheep celebrating their idols and leaders. I really don´t know if he saw there any fellow wearing a papal tiara or having a head full of horns but from that vision, he got the idea of Antipope.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Joni: In a way, this kind of darker metal chose us. Antipope's music has continued to develop through the years and I believe that band is at its blackest and heaviest state so far. And who knows how deep we can go.

3.  Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Tuska: When the guys ten years ago asked me to join the band I didn´t know any of them. It was a friend of a friend who brought us together when the band was in an urgent need of a drummer. But it was right after the first rehearsals we played together that we felt like if we had played together for many years. And during the past ten years, things have only got better. Of course, we did have a moment of inactivity and a break of playing together. I didn´t even see the guys for a couple of years. But that didn´t affect the band at all and when we started to play together again it was like there was no break nor need for catching up at all. And now with Joni, who came to play bass with us, our small group has grown even tighter. 

4. Each band member favorite band?

Joni: Mikko and Antti (guitars) are big Primordial fans. And I know Tuska listens to a lot of Manowar. For me, it must be Death. Chuck Schuldiner was a guitar genius and band never released bad album.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Tuska: The biggest influence for us all is Satan, but he speaks through many good writers and poets that seem to inspire Mikko greatly. From the lyrics, you can find pretty easily connections with Aleister Crowley, Oscar Wilde, Michael Moorcock and H.P. Lovecraft to name a few.

6. Where was your last gig?

Joni: Antipope's most recent gig was at Northern Finland's most glorious nightclub Hevimesta, in the year of 2012. I wasn't in a band at the time, but I have heard rumors that it was the most epic gig of all time. And also, there are tales that afterparties were the most legendary among all of the afterparties ever.

7. Where would you like to act?

Tuska: I think playing a gig in Vatican on the balcony where the pope gives his speeches and prayers would be epic. But if that wouldn´t be possible, the next best place could be at the feet of the Spanish Steps. The crowd could sit comfortably on the steps while we play at the bottom. How the acoustics would work, I don´t know.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Joni: I agree with Tuska here, we should be booked to play gig in Vatican and the main man Pope Franciscus himself could warm-up the stage for us. His holiness would hold a very long, beautiful and intimate ceremony before us and really get the audience ready for the night's main act: Antipope.  

9. Whom not?

Tuska: If music needs to be done and if it needs someone to feature our band then it must be done. I can´t imagine any boundaries or why someone should be shut out if music needs someone or something particular to complete. It´s easier to think of people who would not be that excited to feature us.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Joni: Like my mama always says: Drink Vodka, Play Polka. I believe that taking a so called "safety-drink" before any stressful activity is a way to success. And everybody knows that playing bass guitar does not require any brain activity or talent, so for me the warm-up is one bottle of Jack Daniels (this tip comes directly from the bass god Lemmy Kilmister, Rest in Peace).

11.   What bands have inspired you the most?

Tuska: Manowar and Iron Maiden must be the biggest inspirers to us, but we listen to a lot of black and death metal also where we get lots of good inspiration to our music.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Joni: This one time a guy confronted me after a gig and asked, how I felt playing bass with my fingers. Can you believe that? Fucking hell, I play in a metal band and every true metal bassist knows that a true way to rip those 32th notes is with a plectrum! Hah, playing bass with fingers is for bands like ABBA, for pussies.  

13.   What do you think of your fans?

Tuska: It warms my heart to know that there are people who get this thing that we are doing. It´s not the easiest thing to involve oneself deeply into this kind of music but I think it must be somehow rewarding, at least I hope it is. Our fans should think of themselves as superior to others who don´t like us or diss them to dig a band like Antipope. They are the ones who think with their own brains and don´t do or like what they are told to.

14. What do you think of our site?

Joni: I think your website is excellent. It's easy to navigate and the layout is very clear. It brings me great joy to know there are still sites that support us traditional bands, so big kudos to you and your readers!

15.   Something add?

Tuska: Go on Youtube to check the latest music video called ”Resolution”. There is more to come. Hail Satan!