Interviews

D: When did you decide to play avantgarde doom metal? What was the reason for creating the band?

MW: I created the band around 1998 e.v. as an outlet for my creative & destructive urges. I didn't decide to play 'avantgarde doom' or any other definite music style, but to just make whatever kind of music I felt enjoyable without any genre restrictions. I have based Aarni's music mainly on doom metal because I like that style, but our tastes have evolved and changed with time, so we have also incorporated other favourite genres of ours, such as folk, progressive rock/metal etc.

D: What is "Aarni"?

MW: Well...our band? The Finnish word derives from the Germanic term meaning 'eagle', but in Finnish it has the definitions of 'griffin', 'virgin forest', 'forest spirit' and 'treasure-guarding spirit entity'. It can also be seen as representing the Shadow archetype of Jungian psychology and the "demon" Choronzon of Western occult tradition.

D: Describe the concept of your difficult-to-understand art? What does Aarni stand for?

MW: Aarni has many concepts. So far we have featured at least Lovecraftian, Jungian, Ancient Egyptian, Thelemic, Discordian, Gnostic and shamanistic themes. I also have included elements from Fenno-Ugric and other mythologies, as well as references to some conspiracy theories. The music is quite literally "occult". I guess that ultimately Aarni is our stream-of-consciousness stuff, so it can be difficult to understand for other people. But we try to occasionally think of the listener, so the music won't end up as mere chaos.

D: Please tell about your new album 'Bathos'. What is it about?

MW: It has many themes like I stated above. Maybe the album could be mainly described as a search for balance & harmony in life. I have clothed that message in Alchemical and Hermetic allegory. I also included instrumental tracks, which I intended to create a relaxed and mellow feeling in the listener. I wouldn't describe 'Bathos' as doom metal, there are too many different styles on it for that. Hopefully there is no sadness or melancholy present. The album may work best if listened to in an expanded state of mind.

D: Doom metal bands are mostly situated in Finland. Do you know what is the reason for the phenomenon of this northern country?

MW: I can't really say, but maybe it has something to do with the traditional Finnish lifestyle and outlook on life. Here many people see themselves as being melancholic, depressed, unworthy and otherwise doomed - I think one reason is harmful "cultural" indoctrination in the 19th century, as well as heavy drinking of alcohol. Also having been conditioned by the Protestant (the worst?) brand of Christianity doesn't help. Fortunately religion has been dying for a couple of hundered years now, but old bad habits die hard... On the other hand, music is an important part of Finnish culture and everybody gets at least a basic musical education in school, so that could explain the large number of aspiring musicians compared to the overall population in Finland.

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