Some days you just know from the very first words expressed with the artist that the interview is going to be interesting. This is when it is compelling from the very beginning. Bumblefoot (Guns N’Roses) told us about his dream, David Coverdale (Whitesnake) talked about his ejaculatory fantasies, Turisas violinist Oli Vänskä taught us his techniques for picking up French girls. To be honest, I am pretty sure that with a little coyness and an awkward approach providing sweetness, the cat is in the bag.

Their latest album, Stand Up And Fight, is a quality blockbuster. It’s awesome in every way: Orchestra, chorus etc, however, despite the packaging the inspiration is still there. The album is cinematic, filled with influences and preciously arranged. It was worth the wait and worth pushing the release date back a few times. In fact, we admire the way the band were able to put the situation into perspective. Olli claims that after months of hard work, it is fair to say « ok we’ve done for like 5 months already so let’s just get it over with » for the good of our mental and physical health or be a perfectionist until the end risking a nervous breakdown and saying « because you have spent so much time on it already, you want to finish it well whether it takes a few months more or whatever, it doesn’t really matter anymore ». We discussed these long days and sleepless nights working on the album with him. The hard work paid off and notably even good Hollywood soundtrack fans can appreciate it.

Besides from this, all that the band have to say about the importance of extra-musical visuals, history as a cycle or even the expression of life through all types of art is well-grounded.

This album and the interview will prove when needed that Turisas is successful on every point (musically and extra-musically) in the Folk/Viking scene which Ollie described as « flooded and repetitive ».

Click here to read the interview…