A fundamentally new chapter in the career of songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Tuomas Saukkonen has begun. Instead of keeping up his characteristic flirtatious relationship with Pop and Goth music, he turns back to brutality with WOLFHEART. And additionally invents the genre Winter Metal. But as much as I naturally have faith in them, words are wind. Okay, the main man released a superb teaser-trailer for WOLFHEART on YouTube a couple of weeks back. But the image I (and probably most of the listeners) had of what Saukkonen's Winter Metal sounds like, was a rather abstract one. And this called for a listening-session that Tuomas was kind enough to hold exclusively for Tuskasi.com. Recent Before the Dawn, Dissection, Amon Amarth, Black Sun Aeon, Dark Tranquillity, early Tristania... it's all in there... and indeed, the new sound comes across as more majestic, grim and northern than ever before...
We are raised to support creativity and innovation and are known for interacting with all our friends around the globe via social media, but if there is actually someone being creative trying to reach us, we cannot see it? It is truly a shame, we are once again blinded by our own mindsets. Hendrik Behnisch, Berlin-based author, lyricist, journalist and controversialist is truly a one-man army and a lonely rider on his field of expertise. Yet, he does not settle for the obvious, writing blogs or snapping pictures via Instragram. We don't want to hear it, but with his third release under the name Eleanorth Behnisch seems to be fighting a silent war against our societal barriers, barriers we thought to have fought long ago, while at the instead only building them up more thoroughly. If by now you feel emotionally challenged already, you might want to skip the following. You might as well continue and dive into a dying fortress, that is too sacred to let go. Tuskasi writer and friend of many years Hendrik, also known as HB, gives us his update on his latest doings.
The end of our profound roundtable discussion draws to a close, and therefore we seize the chance to get even more personal before this excellent debate is over. Artistic integrity and possible desires for (some kind of) immortality through musicianship are one part of our debate today. Another is the impact of Finnish culture and lifestyle on the various bands of our participants - and in how far the "Finnish tag" is an honor or a stigma to them as musicians. Speaking of great and important Finnish musicians that can be regarded as cultural messengers and targets of "epic Gothic pilgrimages", Ville Valo (HIM) and Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish) need to be talked about too... as you see, topic-wise we travel right back to where Finnish music really started becoming internationally popular, and glimpse at the future, too!
Let's raise the curtain one last time!
Synth Pop veterans & "escapist pioneers" in Finland: VIOLA (Riku Kärkkäinen & Tommi Forsström)
THE BUSINESS' DECLINE AND THE CHANGE OF PEOPLE´S APPROACH TO MUSIC – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MUSICIAN NOWADAYS?
Our roundtable talk about modern musicianship continues.
Casting shows, role models and cults of personality have been controversial issues on our roundtable so far. The different backgrounds of our participants have surely spiced up the evolving discussion, yet one thing they all seem to agree upon: There are major changes going on in the music business, no matter if it comes to structural aspects (the role of record labels, distribution of music) or the competition of contemporary bands on their hunt for significance. Adaptation in an ever-changing world and musical half-gods from the past (larger-than-life bands like U2) are the main topics this week.
Ville Sovali, vocalist / bassist of Finland's probably most epic band, MOONSORROW; Kimmo Tukiainen of Finland's flagship of Sophisticated Rock, THE CHANT; keyboardist Laura Dziadulewicz of Tampere's fiercest Death Metal beast MEDEIA; businessman, producer and drummer Tommi Forsström (VIOLA etc.) and vocalist TOMMI SUOMALA of the hopeful Ambient / Prog newcomer RAIN DIARY - WE RAISE THE CURTAIN FOR PART 3 (OF 4)!
Specials
Wednesday, 27 February 2013 21:05 | 
