Catamenia

(Gennaio 2007)

Hi guys. Well, to start with, would you present the band?

Hello, i’m Ari- rhythmn guitarist. Other members are: Riku Hopeakoski – Lead guitarist, Olli Paskaharakka – Vocals, Veikko Jumsko – Drums, Toni Kansanoja – Bass and Kari Vähäkuopus – Clean Vocals.

Would you present the last to arrive “Location: COLD”?

Ok, ‘Location : COLD’ is Catamenia’s latest and strongest album in my opinion. This album serves to you more melodies and variations than earlier ones, but it’s still the fastest and most aggressive piece of work in Catamenia’s history.

In the album, we can find a balance between melodic parts and extreme sonorities...

Yes, this is the thing we are totally happy with and think that we have done exactly the right move. Riku made great work as an composer. He has always done all music for Catamenia and every time he can kick that wonder rabbit out from hat and creates something new but still full Catamenia. Toast to him.

About the increase of the melodic parts...is it a desidered choice or a natural evolution?

Well, both. There are always somekind of clues and guidelines in the air what happens next, but those comes to picture so gently that we don’t need to think those at all. Basically Catamenia’s music lives natural evolution by it’s own. Things just happen and we just enjoy the ride J . This is something great, because we actually never had stop to think what the hell we supposed to deliver next, and how.No need for ‘Chinese Demoracy- kind’ 15 years studio sessions to kill yourself in pain of creating, haha. Just give us little bit of cold weather, three weeks time, shitload of booze and you have new Cata- album

How the review and the fans have granted the album? (Personally I assessed it very very good!)

Same here, the media & fans have taken this album really fantastically. I can’t remember thiskind of success with reviews never and the best thing is that fans do really like this album, dammit, we are happy.

Which new tracks you play live? And which new tracks were accepted better?

All songs from new album are in reserve for live shows, but guaranteed ‘every fucking gig’ songs are: Tuhat Vuotta, Coldbound, Location: COLD, The Day When The Sun Faded Away...Ok, i won’t carry on, so we can sometimes change few songs from list if we want to . I think that all of these songs work better live, because Catamenia is live- band. We love to play live and that feeling delivers straight to songs.

How is the development of your song-writing?

Like i mention, Riku does all basics for catamenia’s songs. When the idea hits him, he just put the bottle aside for a sec and bang...there is new song. That skill is something that i always keep wondering. Then Riku drags songs to rehearsals and we play ‘em together and songs get their final shape and touch there.

What are your main influences?

There are so many bands and artists who got their influence on us, that it would take a week to even mention few, so i wont, hehe . But one thing had to say and it has big role in Catamenia’s music, is being open minded for all kind of music.

I follow you from the time of “Eternal winter’s prophecy”, what’s changed in Catamenia since that? And what’s left?

Hey, me too . That’s when i enjoy the band. Ok, what’s changed...Of course about twenty guys, but in Catamenia’s music...first, we are grown as an musicians and can play even ‘Paranoid’, haha. Well, this normal evolution effects on Catamenia and our music is faster, more melodic and way better than Sonata Arctica’s shit . Sorry, i had to say that, ‘cause those fucks use now wolf on their album covers too. What’s left...Well at least OUR idea to use that fucking wolf as a trademark, dammit. Seriously, of course there is always the sound of Catamenia, which walks with us to the bitter end.

Turning back time, is there something you would like to change in your old album? And in “Location: COLD”?

No, i would change nothing. That’s because every album and every song tells their own story and are great landmarks from past. Every note, every song has done with heart and there are no piece that we are ashame about.

At your beginning, you were compared with Dimmu Borgir, then, now you are compared with Children of Bodom, what reality is more near to your style?

Hahhah, here we go . Well, there are always some band compare to, if somebody likes. Anyway those bands are great and we don’t mind if someone wants compare us (even to Bob Marley, haha) to some other band.
There are millions of bands today and seems like it’s somekind of trend to gathegorize and compare bands to each others.
How we see this, is that Catamenia plays Catamenia and that’s it.

Now a question, far away from music...I always think about Finland, like an amazing place and I’m anxious to visit it. What do you think about the land you live in?

Of course we get tired to living here sometimes, but in general Finland is very beatiful country and owns very variable and pure nature. Think, like now we have snow around and the sea is in ice, but on summer we do have full beach weather here. Then, the lapland in northern Finland is full of untouched nature and is superior place to spend time just to relax far away from citylife. So, ‘cmon, pack your stuff and come to visit Finland, i’ll guarantee that it is worth of it.

Well, the interview is finished. Would you like to say something to our readers?

Thank you and to all readers: Remember to behave (read: drink enough) and when we are on tour in Italy, come to check us out. STAY METAL, PEOPLE !