Lie In Ruins Interview

 1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Band is doing just fine. We are just about to start rehearsing our liveshow for gigs and we have also started to write some new material for the next album already, so we are walking strongly with the left hand path, creating new manifestations for the band.

 2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and what are some of the things you where able to bring out with the new recording that you where not able to do with previous releases?

I think there was nothing that we weren't able to do with Swallowed By The Void, but that album is just different compared to this one. I think the previous one was pretty much what we wanted that time and with this new one, we wanted to do things a different approach. I'm really happy how Towards Divine Death turned out. If you listen our releases starting from Monument... -demo and ending with Towards Divine Death, you might notice how our material has been going forward all the time. I think that stuff we made 10 years ago, is more like Swedish Death Metal style and not so much our own things in there, when compared to where we are now. Now I can't hear any clear Swedish influences, but more things all around the world mixed in by our own style.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics you have covered with the new release?

Well, the lyrical themes are pretty much same as our last album, hatred, occultism, doom of religions, Satan... There are lyrics added in booklet, so everyone who's interested can read them and make their own opinion of what our songs are about. The lyrics and the art is connected, but some of the connections might not be so clear, so you might need to think a bit.

 4.I have read that the band has been around since the 90's, but took a break for a few years, can you tell us a little bit more about the hiatus?

 I think there has been enough of talking about the early days of Lie in Ruins. That time was long ago and what really matters, is that Tuomas and Roni S. dug the grave open and we were able to become a real band and start writing new material for his glory. What brought us back? Probably the pure love for Black and Death Metal and and better skills to handle our instruments.

 5.The last album came out in 2009 and the new one is scheduled to come out in 2014, what has been going on during those 5 years?

 "Well, I don't think that's a long time... At least it doesn't feel like it, but that might be because we are involved a different bands and projects, like Neutron Hammer, Perdition Winds, Desolate Shrine, Supreme Court, and all of those have been releasing or working on albums during these last five years, so all of us have been quite busy. The actual writing of the new album was supposed to start pretty soon after the first album, but as I said, there

were plenty of things to do. When we finally started the actual writing process, everything happened quite fast. We had some kind of a vision about what we wanted this album to be and we weren't planning to do any long songs, but it turned out that to give enough air for these songs to breathe and grow as powerful as needed, they would all be quite long. Instead of making classic verse/chorus -parts, we decided to make songs grow all the time and bringing new riffs in along the way instead of repeating the same ones. Writing these songs this way felt kind of natural this time and I'm really satisfied about how the album turned out. I know some people will definitely hate it just because it's so damn long, but I don't really give a fuck. If people start complaining once again that our album is too long, then the next one will be even longer, ha ha."

  6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lie In Ruins?

The name is something that describes the music, lyrics and visual side of the band. It is a state-of-being and a state-of-mind, both literally and metaphorically speaking. 

 7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Best shows I can remember for us - Touring with Nifelheim and Master here in Finland, especially in Jyväskylä where we had a sauna backstage. Best thing ever. Also playing at Lithuanian Devil's Stone Festival was a blast. And last summer, the Finnish festival Steelfest was really great. There was a lot of people watching and everything was really well on stage. About our stage performance... I think it would be better to ask someone who has attended our shows.

 8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new release is out?

We have agreed on a couple of gigs currently and discussing to book a few more. Would be nice to do some festivals also so let's see...

 9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new album by those that have heard it so far?

The feedback has been really good, maybe even better than we expected and the album isn't even out yet, while I'm writing this. 

 10.What is going on these days with the other musical projects the band members are involved with?

This was answered pretty much in question 5...

 11.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We are of course venturing to new paths with our music, while still keeping our "familiar characteristics", but we'll have to see what will be next...

 12.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I'm sure there are a lot of influences from many bands we listen to, but it's kind of hard to say which band. Listener might hear it easier than us, since we are maybe a bit too close to our own material.
We are listening to many bands, but the best view at those bands we recommend others to listen, is listed within our new album's hailing booklet. That's actually one thing that we miss from 90's: Back then when there was no internet and we were always checking thanks list from our favorite albums and looking for new bands to get into.

 13.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

I wouldn't. To talk about occultism, we would need a lot of space, since it's a subject that can not be typed down just by couple of sentences... You could say that occultism defines us, but I'm sure that people who are patient enough to open the lyrics and see the artwork for our album will pretty much know what we stand for.

 14.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Well, I like to collect skulls and other human bones. Other than that, something that all the guys in our band enjoy is good whiskeys and beers. We also appreciate the nature, being in the woods (not the band), fishing... all the good stuff.

 15.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks for the interview. Hail Death!