Reverend Bizarre pour l'album "In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend"

Questions par pingu sanguinaire

I found your last EP "Harbinger Of Metal" a lot more darker and heavier that "In The Rectory Of ...".Do you feel the same about it ? Was it made on purpose on inconsciously ?

Albert: At least it is heavier than Rectory. It is hard for me to say if it is darker or gloomier or things like that. Sometimes when I feel something is dark I can find out other people see this same thing being delightful and other way round. Recording of Harbinger were very dark times for me. I wasn’t feeling too well because of many things and these hard sessions didn’t help me at all. Of course my mood reflected to the sessions too. But I don’t care to talk about this now. I prefer not to think about those times so much right now. It is unnecessary. There is some darkness of my mind in Harbinger. That much I can say.

I know you're preparing a new album, will il be more like In The Rectory ... or like Harbringer ? What should we expect to listen on this album ?

Albert: It will be something different again, but after all these “experimental” recordings we have done lately this will be sort of a return to the world of our debut album. I would say it is closer to that one, but still something totally other. This time you will get bit more powerful Heavy Metal instead of usual whining. Few very slow songs are still included, of course! But in my opinion this is much happier record. And it has been easier to do also, so far. I mean in mental way. Recording is always quite hard. After Harbinger sessions which almost drove me insane and rotting in asylum I will work hard to keep my mind bright and more joyful, or as joyful as it is possible.



How do you write your songs, do you begin by a riff, a beat ? Do you jam to write it, or is it more organized ? How did you wrote a track like "From The Void" ?

Albert: We never jam the songs. It is always very organised and strict. So far it has been whether me or Peter who has brought the new song to the band and then we rehearse it quickly. We don’t rehearse too much as we don’t have possibilities to do that. Different songs come in different ways, but in my case it is almost like these ideas are given to me. Like it was some kind of transcendental inspiration. Sometimes I don’t have to do anything. I just pick up my bass and play the song. Sometimes I get first the beat or the bass line or guitar line. Sometimes I hear vocal melody in my mind. Sometimes it is few lines of lyrics. In many cases the first thing to have is the song title.
It is hard for me to remember how I wrote From the Void. It is so long time ago and some of my memories are like behind are jet black veil of depression. I had had that main riff for a long time before I finished the whole thing. The ending part is the newest element to the song. I had thought about how the drum solo should be too and I even gave some instructions to Void but of course in the end he “wrote” it. The lyrics to that song aren’t so special. Hard to say anything about them. Some sexual power there maybe.

The atmosphere of your songs are very important and transporting, how do you create such ambiances ?

Albert: It is built on all the elements that we have. Sounds, compositions and lyrics...and of course the style how we play it and how I sing it. Finding the right sound is pretty important in this case! When it is about recording my song I KNOW how I would like it to sound and then we can only try to reach that idea. It is not possible, but sometimes we get closer.

What do you think about the different scenes of Doom Metal that exists ? (True Doom, Funeral Doom, Stoner Doom, Death Doom, Sludge, Drone ...).

Albert: To me most of those “scenes” don’t exist.

Which are your favorites Doom bands and albums ? And your favourite Black Sabbath album ? Do you like Electric Wizard ?

Albert: Hard question. To start with the easy part I can say that yes, I like Electric Wizard. One of my all time favourite Doom bands are obviously Saint Vitus, Trouble, Witchfinder General and Pentagram, but also Iron Man, The Obsessed, Count Raven and Cold Mourning. I could go on, but is there any sense for doing that? Those who are interested can listen to our song “The Goddess of Doom” and find out more. All the early Vitus, Trouble, W.General and Pentagram records are essential. You can go wrong with them! Nor can you go wrong with Cathedral’s first album!!! Favourite Sabbath album??? I can’t answer that...all the six first albums! Ok, maybe the first one is the dearest because it brings me memories from my childhood and such, but musically I love them all as much!



What are the things that have an influence, big or little, on your music ? (music, litterature, cinema, things of life ...)

Albert: So many things...in case of RB Heavy Metal music itself is the biggest influence. Old horror fiction also and occult folklore. Some films surely too and many things that life takes from us or brings to us. When talking about music that I make outside RB I should list almost every aspect of my life. Everything influences what I do. Even the smallest details can give something.

What made you like Doom Metal and wanted to play it ?

Albert: How could I know? I just heard some of these bands and that was it. I have heard Heavy metal since my very early childhood, but when I really found out about this Doom Metal genre that was it! I wish I could still feel that excitement of not knowing too much about things...now it is different when I am in touch with so many of musicians and have almost all the records that I really need. Some of the excitement is gone, but then again I find more excitement from writing my own music now. When I started RB it was meant to be just side project as I was doing bit different kind of music with other bands. I just wanted to play the music that I loved. It was like a “hobby”. Hah hah!

Do you also listen to others kind of Metal (Thrash, Death, Black, ...) or music ? Which ones ?

Albert: I listen to many kinds of music and I know the others do too. I remember when Death Metal was fresh and new thing. I loved it too and I still like some bands...and I am very much into old Black Metal and also the new underground BM bands. I have never been so much into Thrash...well maybe I was in late 80´s. I am also very much into this neofolk/martial/ambient/what ever genre, like Death In June and such. I also like early gothic rock and futuristist/neo romantic rock which can be a surprise to some. It is music that is also part of my childhood.

What do you think about the association of Doom Metal and drugs, mostly marijuana ?

Albert: I don’t think too much about it. I just wish these essences would not influence the music itself too much. I hate great bands becoming mellow happy shit or totally spaced out hippie scum.

Do you take drugs ? If yes, wich ones and for what purpose ? If no, why ?

Albert: Well, because of several conditions, including manic depression, hard pains and insomnia, I am familiar with few legal drugs and there have been times when I have been quite full of these things. Right at the moment I am not taking these drugs on daily basis. The purpose with these was of course to feel at least bit better. Maybe I sometimes in my weak moments try some toher things too. If this happens the reason is probably the wish to be somewhere else...out of this fucking world. Quite often I dream of having morphine here with me. With that I could take care of so many things at once.

What are your favorites books and movies ? Why ?

Albert: Hard questions...again I don’t bother to give any definitive lists. I like films that show me something new about life or have characters in them that I can feel connection to. Few examples: Dirty Harry, Stalker, Aquirre and Taxi Driver. Or films that have so strong visual world that it already fascinates me enough, like Nosferatu or Doctor Caligari’s Cabinet. Or films that just give me pleasure like some old Finnish classics from Suomi Filmi and Fennada films. Komisario Palmu series, Pekka Puupää films, and such. I like most of the films with Christina Ricci, Johnny Depp, Clint Eastwood and Jack Nicholson. And of course Klaus Kinski!

What do you think about the reformation of Candlemass ?

Albert: I have lost the track already.

How do you feel about the death of Quorton and more recently of the killing
of Dimebag Darrel ?

Albert: Quorthon was remarkable man, but even when I like Bathory he was never SO great influence to me. I just enjoyed his work. I don’t care so much about Dimebag death. I hated Pantera when I was kid. He was probably important guitarist but how would I know. Surely this was sad thing for his friends and relatives and I am sure some artists might now fear playing alive in USA, but I am not one of them. There are some artists I would be pleased to see dead. These two weren’t part of that group. That much I can say.

Ok, I've got no more questions, so if you wish to say a final word about
anything go ahead, and thanks for the interview ! Goodbye and keep on
dooming !

Albert: Thank you very much. Take care and control!