Callisto interview for the Lords of Winter
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Your first album is released through Earache Records. Why did you choose to sign a deal with this label? How did you meet them? And, what do you think of their other bands?
Ariel: Actually we didn't have anything to do with it directly. From what I've heard it was Johannes from Cult of luna that recommended us to Earache and probably gave them a copy of our cd. Juha Kyyrö from Fullsteam Records then negotiated a good deal for us. It's a one record deal so it is a good opportunity for us to promote our band but to keep the future open for other possibilities. I like some of Earache's older bands very much such as Cathedral, At the gates, Carcass and some Godflesh. I don't think their reputation is quite what it used to be but maybe bands like Cult of luna and us can do something about that. [laughs]
The cover and the title of this first album can be interpreted as a pagan concept for someone who doesn't know your band. What can you tell us about the choice to use this cover and this title? What can you tell us about the lyrics? Is there any main concept on "True Nature Unfolds"?
Ariel: We were scrolling through the lyrics on that album for anappropriate title and all agreed that "True nature unfolds" soundedright. Actually that line ends the whole record so it kind of sums upwhat we already had in mind with the lyrics. Actually there's a lot ofreligious terminology on that record as opposed to pagan but we kindof wanted to leave that title open for interpretation whether that isfrom a pagan, humanistic or spiritual point of view. It still holds agreat significance to it and gives the lyrics meaning. In the same waythe cover tells one very little but it sort of goes hand in hand withthe overall feel on the record. |
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To describe your album is not something easy for a reviewer like me. I find on "True Nature Unfolds" a music that can be compared to those of bands like Isis, Cult Of Luna or Neurosis, but with a more atmospheric, progressive and rock approach. What can you tell us about these bands? Do you see them as influences for Callisto?
Ariel: Well we all like those bands but when we started out Neurosis, Breach and Zao were probably our main influences. We know the guys in Cult of luna and you could say that we are sort of collegues or something. Actually I try to avoid listening to Cult of luna since we play the sam kind of music, I think I have listened twice through both "The beyond" and "Salvation". "Oceanic" from Isis is one of my all time favourite records so I can't escape those influences. This is a genre that we belong to I guess but certainly not limited to as I'm sure you will find us exploring unknown territories further on future albums.
And you, if you have to describe briefly your music to our readers, what words will you use?
Ariel: I'm going to try and avoid cheesy labels aware that the following might tell equally little about the music that we play but here goes. Experimental as in taking risks not making the most complex music out there. Progressive as in a clever and mature blend of rock sub genres with a respect for musical roots. Add to that our metal and hardcore background.
The first title of "True Nature Unfolds", "31 46°N 35 14°E", seems to refer to a specific position of our planet. Whan can you tell us about this song and the signification of this position?
Ariel: Let's just say that the coordinates point to a place that has been and forever will be under the scope politically and religiously. The position however has a very personal significance to some of us which I'd rather not go into now.
Callisto, prior to Henri joining
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A question about the members now. Callisto is a four piece band : what are your relations together? And in a more personal aspect, what do the members of Callisto do in their own life?
Ariel: Actually Callisto is currently a five piece. Henri Kuittinen is our latest member and handles all the samples, ambient soundscapes as well as playing some guitar. We are pretty tight knit collective as we are all good friends outside the band so we would find it very hard to imagine being forced find a replacement for one of the members. Outside the band some of us work and some of us study. I do a little graphic design every now and then but enough to pay the rent. Markus works as a part time social worker for mentally disabled. Henri is in the new media branch. Juho studies new media and journalistics I think and Johannes works for a clothing store.
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To continue with the members, what is the implication of each one of yours in Callisto? Is there any main compositor or is your album a perfect "team work"?
Ariel: It's pretty much a democratic process where everyone gets to have their say. Sometimes a song or riff is voted out unanimously if it is downright bad or doesn't sound like us, although it has nothing to do with who the composer is. The arrangements are always the result of team work so yeah I would say that Callisto is the perfect result of five members and their individual contributions to the band.
Have the members of Callisto got others musical projects? If yes, can you present it? Musical style, albums, etc...
Ariel: The only serious project and even that ain't very serious is Trishagion, a Haunted and At the gates clone that Markus screams and plays guitar in.
What are your projects for Callisto? Do you have any plans for a tour? Or any ideas for the newt songs and the next record yet?
Ariel: We just returned from our first ever UK tour which was mostly a great success. There a some shorter tours in plans to promote "True nature unfolds" and couple of festivals in Finland and abroad scheduled but for the most part we will be focusing on the writing process for our next album that will be out hopefully early next year.
Last question for this interview : why did you choose "Callisto" for band name? This word has numerous references which all means something différent : greek mythology, planet name, etc...
Ariel: We chose Callisto as in the moon of Jupiter simply because it sounded and looked good. That was our first meaning behind that name, we didn't know of the other meanings until later.
The interview is now over. Thank you for your responses. I let you the last word.
Ariel: I think you pretty much covered it all. Thanks for the interview! |
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