Interviews: Ultimatium

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal/Power Metal band, Ultimatium, 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 it or came out just like that?

It’s basically derived from my old nickname back in days in Suomussalmi. I had a light blue Toyota FX and we had such a fun cruising around the village with my friends that they started calling “Ultimate Matti and his magic Toyota”. So, when the first power metal band that I was in, “Triolity” broke up, my first intention was to continue with the name Triolitium but my ex-guitarist was not too happy about it, so I came up with Ultimatium. At the time, I did not really know that ultimatum is also a word in the English language.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

It’s been a long journey from very simple power metal to current prog power. Our guitarist, Harri, has been a long time prog fan and as we were roommates for quite some time, he tried to always get me to listen to more progressive stuff, and eventually, he managed it. Also, I kind of started feeling that there was nothing more that I can give to “pure” power metal so it was about a time to shift towards prog.

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

I and Harri go way back, to elementary school. Harri joined the band around 2003. Tomi and Matti came along the way, so I didn’t know them before founding this band. Tomi and I played in the same band for a while before I asked him to join us.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Matti P: Currently Ayreon, Symphony X, Threshold, Devin Townsend etc. A lot of prog acts. But I also like to listen bit more classical heavy, like Rainbow, Uriah Heep and such

Tomi: Symphony X, Jethro Tull, Slayer

Harri: Deep Purple, Rainbow, Immortal 

Matti A: Metallica, Pantera, Planet X, King Crimson, Death...

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I don’t actually know, the songs just keep coming whenever I try to rehearse keyboards and then I stuck for many hours writing the songs. I guess it’s the thrill of creating something from the scratch, starting something you don’t know how’s it going to end up. Also, for me it’s kind of puzzle solving, how to go from section to section fluently...

6. Where was your last gig?

A very long time ago. I think it was 2010. After that band went into turmoil and sadly we never got any gigs after Vis Vires Infinitus, so we kind of gave up on that and made such a massive album that there’s no hope playing it live.

7. Where would you like to act?

If we’re ever going to play live this album, I’d like it to be some good, big venue close to us. Getting 5 lead singers and 4 players to the same place at the same time is logistically a bit of a nightmare, so yeah, somewhere close

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Ayreon / Dream Theather / Symphony X etc, the big prog bands. Oh, and with Eläkeläiset! It’s a Finnish polka band playing crazy cover versions of popular songs in polka, or as we say, Humppa-style.

9. Whom not?

As long as it’s a metal act, there’s no relevance to us who we’re playing with. I don’t think I’d be happy playing with someone with a huge ego when you think of it.

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

Well, there’s always a little bit of stage fright when doing live, that’s fine. If you’d have none, probably you wouldn't give it your best. Obviously beer or two helps you to relax but it’s s slippery slide down if you take too much :)

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Stratovarius was the “starting point” and has influenced our music the most. Any influences after that (like prog bands) are just kind of piling on top of that and hopefully creating a nice and unique blend of influences. 12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? I don’t think anybody has asked anything that strange that I’d remember that

13. What do you think of your fans?

Fans are a big part of this. Although we do this music mainly for ourselves, not giving much of a thought of how’s it received, it’s still the fans in the end that make the difference of do we stay small DIY band or do we get to bigger circles. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Your site looks very nice, comprehensive, and professional, keep up the good work

15. Something add?

Forget everything you knew about Ultimatium and have an open mind about our new album because it’s going to be quite a difference from the previous album. It kind of follows a logical progression from New Dawn to Vis Vires Inifnitus, but it’s going to be a surprise for many