Interview: George Downloved (SADDOLLS)

   SadDoLLs is bound to be love right at first audition for most gothic metal fans! Formed in 2006, they started out as a cover band successfully playing the songs of their favorite artists, but soon released their own material and quickly gained immediate recognition, resulting in exciting collaborations. Today, vocalist George Downloved is here to let us in on some band history and further plans!


pdn: Hello, George! Thank you for accepting this interview! How are you doing, are you handling this quarantine? :P

George: Hello and thank you, nice to be here. Well at first it was bizarre, but when i got used to it, it was fun actually and an opportunity to spent some time with your loved ones and get some rest as well, this was a break that i could use, so no big harm.

pdn: I see you are releasing the single entitled "Call Me Pain" in digital format right

this month! What can you tell us about it?

George: Well yes, about that. The song is complete, it was recorded at Hell's Kitchen studios and
Soundflakes Studios by John Mcris, then it was mixed by Sky Van Hoff (Rammstein) and finally mastered by Mika Jussila (The 69 Eyes, Amorphis, Nightwish, To/Die/For) in Finland. We also shot parts for a music video but sadly because ot the COVID outbreak it was never completed so the new release date will be for September 2020, when those restrictions will be over and we will be back to normality.

pdn: How has this whole chaos caused by the virus affected the band and what do you think will be the first steps SadDoLLs will take once it's over? We can maybe hope for some tours sometimes? Would definitely love to see you guys live!

George: As mentioned before, we will release the new single and video later in September. The plan is to release a brand new single every year accompanied with a music video, we'll see how this will work out. We also had a show scheduled in Greece for this year but i am afraid it will also be silenced by the current measures. Hopefully in 2021 this will be over and we can get some slots again for the rest of Europe and also do one special show in Athens as well for our friends and fans who has not seen us live since 2017. We did 3 shows abroad in 2019 and it was amazing, so we are looking forward for some more.



pdn: As far a I've known, you have collaborated with some renowned artists from the gothic metal scene. Which were your favorite collaborations so far?

George: It was like a dream came true. We were fans of all those bands and artists before even our band was an idea, so it was a great privilege and experience. My personal favorites... Let's see... From studio works i would say Juska Slaminen aka Zoltan Pluto (HIM, New Dawn Foundation, To/Die/For) witch is a great guy, marvelous musician and a dear friend, and Skinny Disco (Deathstars). We also had the privilege to do live shows with those mentioned musicians back in 2012 and 2014 respectively, and an opportunity to shoot a music video with Skinny as well. We had also a great time doing it. Paradise Lost and The 69 Eyes were great as well, we opened for them back in 2009 and 2014 in Athens and Estonia. Looking forward for more shows like those.

pdn: Always a curious questions: what are your own favorite bands? Who influenced you mostly in your music? Also, what else inspires you?

George: We started in 2006 as a cover band mostly, we covered songs from HIM, The 69 Eyes, End Of You, For My Pain etc. We were always fans of the Finnish metal music scene and this was our main infulence all those years, but we wanted to add our own soul into the music, make it a bit darker and more synth driven. This was evolved in the years to come, and ulitimately became our sound (if we have one :P ). My personal favorite bands will always be HIM, The 69 Eyes, Deathstars, Poisonblack and To/Die/For. I Live and grown up in a country that is sunny and green with amazing islands and blue seas. But i always felt some darkness, since i was a child, maybe it came from all those horror movies i've seen all my life. I Think inspiration is a talent that comes and goes, you don't have it every day, you may have it for one week in a row and then lose it for a whole month. So as i always said it depends on the mood.

pdn: If you had to pick three albums and listen to only those for the rest of your life, which would these be? I know it is a cruel question...

George: Ahh easy, no problem at all. It would be HIM – Razorblade Romance, Poisonblack  - Escapextacy and SadDoLLs – Grave Party, those should be enough for me.

pdn: What does the process of writing lyrics, creating the music and even preparing for gigs look like?

George: It is mostly fun, especially the rehersals to get ready for shows. Thing is we all have our lives now and our jobs so we don't have much time to hang out as we used to in the past, so being all five of us together for a rehersal or a music video shoot it's always fun. Music is mostly written by Paul our guitarist, and I only do the lyrics and the vocal lines, so i get an instrumental original piece and then try my best to make it sound right and as catchy as possible. Some times I succeed, some times, not so much :P But it's a fun and warm experience every single time.

pdn: What is one stage/event you aim to play someday and why?

George: We always wanted to be the support band for HIM tried it many many times, and one time we succeded to open them in a Festival in Latvia but the show was ulitimately cancelled by the promoter and it really sucked. We would love to play one day in WGT, Dark Castle, Hexentanz and why not M'Era Luna at some point. But mostly festivals in general, great way to meet new people and see how they react to your music.

pdn: Thank you for your time and your wonderful music once again! Anything you would like to add for your fans and friends here, in closing?

George: Thank you for this great interview and your time. I Would suggest to anyone, during this unprecedented situation with the lock downs and quarantines, it's an opportunity to know your loved ones better and have some quality time with them, now, that there is time to do so, because in a couple of months when everything will be back to normal you will miss it again. Be strong and optimistic and this experience will only make you stronger when its over. Be healthy and safe.

 https://www.saddolls.net/
https://www.facebook.com/saddolls/ 
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/SadDolls/3540307671

Interview: Juha Kylmänen (FULL NOTHING/ REFLEXION/ FOR MY PAIN)

  From the heart of Finnish melancholy come supergroup For My Pain, Reflexion, and of course, Full Nothing.  Also formerly performing on vocals in Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Juha Kylmänen's  voice gave all of these projects a unique note and an amalgam of feelings. It is an honor to have him here today for a little chat. Enjoy, guys!

pdn: Hei there, Juha! Firstly, could you please elaborate a bit on the times when you started getting into rock/metal and then actually becoming active musically?

Juha: I think it was my brother who introduced me into 80's rock at first place. Queensryche, Tarot, Twisted sister, Y&T etc. was constantly played in our house. When I was about 12-13 I met a friend who had a band and with him we started composing our own songs and listened music aaaaall the time. So i started as a drummer but ended up to vocals since nobody else wanted to sing. We formed our first metal band "Predominance" and played shitty weird songs named "Braindead" Evil´s dead, Dark Forest etc... ouh.. sincere and happy times indeed... We even made a show in our school at winter 1993.. I think.  After that I met the Reflexion guys when I was doing a demo for Predominance and joined them as singer.

pdn: You have made a lot of music that meant a lot to many. Tell me, is Full Nothing your main project at the moment, or are you working on anything else in parallel?

Juha: Full Nothing is my main thing in music now. We are finishing the second album soon. Next week we are going to Stockholm for a month to mix the album there. It's not a far out trip for me, but I bet that the Argentina guys will be surprised much more =)  The freezing weather mostly I think. I'm also doing a lot of recording and producing work to other bands in my studio nowadays. To be honest I haven't stopped writing music, nothing like that .. I'm composing all the time, but only time will tell where my songs will end up ..maybe some secret projects going on... hahahhah =)  

pdn: What about For My Pain, as I've seen, the official status on some sites is "On Hold". Are there any known chances of resuming the short-lived yet really successful "formula"?

Juha : Hmmm.. At this point, I must say " No comment" on this one. You can decide is it a good or a bad news. 

pdn: Even though the elements make it pretty clear, I'd prefer to let you tell me: What are the main sources of inspiration when you write music? We can get caught up in certain moments, scents, emotions etc... And did these change along the way or you seek your muse in the same things? Also, any "rituals" you have for when creating?

Juha: This changes for me a lot. I must say that my personal life affects to my songs the most, obviously.. Since they are pretty much stories of my own struggles in here spiced with something we call " Lapin lisä". Means that I tend to push the stories to the point where reality meets imagination.. or something.  I can't really create my inspiration.. its more vice versa.. I start to paddle when the flow of inspiration arrives. I've also learned that years as we call.. our age, changes the perspective how I write. The only hard part in writing is the self criticism... It destroys 90% of the new ideas... so that is what years gives to composers.. but I try control it by getting drunk enough to forget the fact that Im old. =)
 
pdn: Which was your favourite show to play overall, and why? What made it stand out?


Juha: I have to say that all the Russian tours have been the best. Reflexion was very welcomed band there always and people were kind and  simply loved our music. We had.. well and still have some very special friends there who made our tours to work perfectly and they made the trips easy for us. We just enjoyed the playing and everything else was taken care of, that's what makes a perfect show to happen for me. 


pdn: There are many sides to being a musician, no doubt. But what is the most rewarding thing about being part of the music scene as an artist for you, personally?

Juha: Well, it's simply the fact that I can create something that gives a platform to enjoy and flow thru emotions. To realize that someone can experience happiness, love, crisis, darkness any great emotion by listening my music. Also I have to mention the fact That music has given me an opportunity to work all around the world. Especially Full Nothing,that have opened the door to visit the beautiful Argentina.

pdn: Favorite bands growing up? And if you had to choose only five albums to listen to for the rest of your life, which would these be?

Juha: The Cardigans "Long gone before daylight".  The doors "The doors", GNR "Use your

illusion II", Carcass "Heartwork"  Mr.Big " Lean into It".

pdn: Are you involved in any other activities that you are passionate about, outside of music?

Juha: I love fly fishing, MTB, Single malt whiskey and making love (last two works also combined).

pdn: Are there any plans for the near future? Can we expect a new release or tour, maybe?

Juha: Yes! As I said earlier .. Next week we are heading to Stockholm to mix the new Full Nothing album. It will be mixed by Mr. Dave Castillo. He was chosen to do the job among many other top of the line mix engineers in the world, simply based on the work he has done in the past. Amazing guy. The new Full nothing album will blow your mind! Its an unbelievable creation of music. Biggest production in my entire musical history, even all the albums I've made so far would be combined. The new album will contain string scores played by The Bratislava string orchestra. Having real string scores on the album is a huge dream come true to me and now its finally happening, it's awesome! There will be also some new faces/voices featuring on vocals with me. The whole making the album process has been an unbelievable adventure to me and this album is a creation of no compromises. We have put all the effort to make it sound just like we want. As you can see I'm veeeery excited !! 
 
pdn: Thank you kindly for your time! Is there anything you would like to add for your friends and fans in closing?

Juha: Thanks you! Follow the upcoming Full nothing news, I can assure its worth it =) Take care now, bye bye then =) 

https://www.facebook.com/fullnothingmusic/
http://www.fullnothing.com/
https://fullnothingmusic.bandcamp.com/album/full-nothing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSFQVu1Fvd8qF6xr2-cKrw

Interview: Jape Perätalo ( TO/DIE/FOR )

   To/Die/For is a very well-known gothic metal band from Kouvola, Finland, and they've been rocking ever since 1993 and up to date, and buttering up our souls with harshly sensitive tunes. Lead singer Jape took the time to chat with us today!

pdn:  Hello, Jape! And thank you! I know there was a change regarding the band's name, back in 1999. Why did that happen and what influenced the new name?

Jape: Our lyrics fits better with the name To/Die/For.Before TDF we ere called as MARY-ANN and we played some kind of street rock and roll so it was right moment to change the name of the band when we signed our first record deal. 

pdn: At what age did you start making music, how did all this get initiated for you?

Jape: All of us started playing music when we were little kids. I composed my first song when i was 6years old.I did it with piano.It wasn´t good one :) but i still remember how it goes. I had my first band when i was 12years old, and i guess other TDF members has same kind of history. 

pdn: What were your main influences in becoming a musician? What bands and just things in general?

Jape: Thinking of it now,i guess i wanted to escape somethings...for examble my parents were strongly believers and i hated it. I wanted to take my own freedom. The band which set me on fire was Finnish band called SMACK. I heard their album "live desire" and that was it! no turning back. Also The Doors, The lords of the new church, and Stiv Bator, Hanoi Rocks  etc. These bands are ones to blame.

pdn: You have toured with many bands so far; who were mos fun to tour with? Do you have this one most memorable moment from all the band's history?

Jape: We loved to be on tour with SENTENCED in 2000. Also In Flames guys were very friendly for us. Just these to mention but we´ve met many great people during these years. on our first European tour we stole all beers from In Flames while they were on the stage. They still didn´t get mad at us, but their tour manager did. We did wrong but...shit happens. Once our guitarist didn´t find the stage in russia and intro was playing etc. It happened exactly as on Spinal Tap movie.Spinal Tap is the truth about this thing called Rock and Roll glamour:)  a lot of memories.... 

pdn: Which is your favourite part in the life of a musician, concerts or the studio hours?

Jape: Being on tour, on the way to somewhere and being on the stage and also writing the songs. All which are based on some kind of business Sucks a big time.  Usually i hate to be at the studio too,but while re cording SAMSARA album, i had fun first time. These guys are so great to play with and compose songs with..i love our band right now! All of us loves to be on the stage and on tour most, it is the MOST important thing for us...and that you never write perfect song,that makes you try harder and harder all the time. It is nice!

pdn: There were many line-up changes along the years; why was that, mostly?

Jape: I am almost bored to answer to this question :) Well..some of ex-member joined to our band because of wrong motivation, and had totally wrong attitude. Sometimes we were too busy to check, is someone GOOD for TDF or not. We had tour coming or somethings. All i can say that every line up change happened because of real reason. It felt painful everytime but things just happen. This is the first time we are all equal and on the same line. 

pdn: Who writes the lyrics and what inspires them most of all? What are the main subjects in the sounds and message of the songs?

Jape: On SAMSARA album i wrote all lyrics. This tiime i was influenced about our real lives. There´s not any fantasy things this time. A lot of things happened during 2010 so i wrote lyrics about that. Samara is like a circle of the year 2010. There two songs which are dedicated for my little brother who died in 2010. Also one song about brain cancer which happened near us, also lyrics about how we always had fun even we are walking like on the edge etc. Also one songs which is about freedom and about society and so on...And we never forget this important thing called love. We do not always sing about love between two persons, but also about Love to Nature and how we love our lives etc. There´s many kinda love you see. 

pdn: What are the plans for the near future?

Jape: Writing new songs, trying to get shows and tours as much as possible. Boring ha? :) 

pdn: Thank you so much for your time! Anything you would like to add for your friends and fans, as few closing words?

Jape: have fun, Stay alive and stick around! and CHECK our sixth album SAMSARA! and hope to see you on tour Someday, Somewhere, Somehow. 

JAPE von CroW+ TDF CLAN

http://www.todiefor.fi/

http://www.myspace.com/tdfrocks

Interview: FRACTURED FAIRYTALES

   Fractured Fairytales is a gothic industrial metal band from North Carolina, United States, self-described as 'Finding beauty in the horrid, and finding the horrid in beauty.' Having promised to darken the earth with their tunes, founding member Lutachrist Dupre and bassist Nyx Thanaos are brought to you by playdeadnation as an early Xmas present to share their thoughts!


pdn: Hails! You initiated this project alone; how did you guys meet and decide to make music together? 

Lutachrist: I could write a whole book on subject so I'll try to make it somewhat short. The day that I decided to make Fractured Fairytales a performing band as opposed to just a studio project I was aware that I would need some bad asses for the line-up. I also knew that it would not be easy to assimilate a team of the caliber of musicians I was seeking. I needed people that dedicated their lives to music as much as I have....cause otherwise I would just be selling myself short. Having been in several bands in the past I already knew that all too well what that is like. I held many try outs and searched near and far to all corners of the earth until finally one day the first wave of Necromancers were in place to begin the Fractured Fairytales campaign. 

pdn: Hmm, tell me a bit about the very beginning and other projects you were involved in prior to Fractured Fairytales, please.
Lutachrist: There is no need to go digging up those corpses this day. In fact I'm not sure any of those musicians would appreciate being associated with us anyway. You see we are actually quite infamous and well hated in the town that Fractured Fairytales is based out of. The locals don't agree with the things we do or say on and off stage. We don't fit into their false assurance of morals and religion. Our approval rating in this town is low and dismal...much like the current President of the United States.

pdn: Who were the people and bands that have influenced you musically, as well as in your personal life?
Lutachrist: I had my hero's growing up, Trent Reznor, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide and on and on. When I was 12 years old we moved to a new town and I met a kid named Joey Revels. He walked up to me the first day and said " I am your guardian Angel and you need to buy a guitar". Him referring to himself as an angel turned out to be very ironic because Joey worshipped the Devil.....unlike anyone I have ever met to this day. He is also the individual that dubbed me as Lutachrist. We chose a very dark path and did many unspeakable things. His spirit transcended from his body to bigger and better realms many years ago. Every Fractured Fairytales album ever released says (RIP Joey Revels) in the liner notes.

pdn: What inspired you while writing the lyrics and what are your main themes?
Lutachrist: Fractured Fairytales lyrics are often about the current condition of the human collective which is more so a conglomeration of all energies in the known and unknown universe in a state of chaos and for reasons unknown at war with itself. The end of society, The apocalypse - which means great change...not the end of the world, the cesspool of the human mind..that fact that everyone is everything somewhere an perhaps it's too bad we are on the brink of extinction right when we are ready to make the next step in evolution.

pdn: If you could pick any band, who would you like to share the stage with someday?
NyX: I would to love see Fractured Fairytales share the stage with nine inch Nails, Manson, and/or Cradle of filth. All those bands are mayor influences for us as a whole and are people we have looked up to for years.

pdn: What are the nearest plans for you guys? Something like tours, new album we can look forward to?
NyX: Fractured Fairytales has a whole list of plans for the near future. We are currently in the studio working on our 3rd full length album and are about to film the “So Red It’s Black” video which is on our remix album “Revale”. We feel like even since it’s a remix album we still need a visual representation of it for the masses before we release the next album. It’s something for the fans to keep them in the edge of their sits; we owe them that and more. We also plan on touring for the new album in the late spring/summer time in the U.S. and hopefully parts of Canada and upper Mexico.

pdn: Thank you for your time and friendship! Any final words you'd like to add for friends and fans?
NyX: This band owes everything to our friends and fans, the entity that is Fractured Fairytales would be nothing without them. We see people talking about the band and sharing our music everywhere we look on the internet and we thank them for getting the word about us out there. The Horde they have created grows stronger every day because of them and they are why we do what we do. To all the fans out there I can say only this; Our Hordes will darken the Earth.

booking@fracturedfairytalesband.com
http://www.fracturedfairytalesband.com/
http://www.myspace.com/fracturedfairytales
http://www.vampirefreaks.com/fracturedfairytales

New Video: Blutengel - Reich mit die Hand

Enjoy!

New Video: Lacrimas Profundere - Lips

...aaaand here it is! Not long ago we were spreading the noise about the new single called 'Lips', and the music video is already released. It is still steaming and fresh, enjoy!

Sister - Hated (2010)

   Sister kind of brought a fresh sound to both sleaze and punk scnenes, combining the two and adding elements of different kinds of metal, classic rock, among others. One of the descriptions the band itself made about their sound would be 'the bastard child of GG Allin and Guns'N'Roses'. Eventhough that already sounds scrumptious, I would add another comparison, which would be some kind of mix between Hardcore Superstar and Wednesday13/ Murderdolls.

   Before getting signed at Metal Blade Records, they have built their ground first, spreading the band's name by touring all through Sweden, and even abroad very often. Their Metal Blade debut is featured by their latest album called 'Hated'. The guys said they were stoked about the result and managed to make this album sound great, aggressive, dynamic. I must say this album delivered all that it promised.
   First song on the album, 'Radioactive Misery' is the intro that lasts 22 seconds and it really does sound like a genuine intro. The second song is 'Body Blow', this is where the action and dynamism actually starts, followed by another energic song called 'Bullshit and Backstabbing'. We can then hear 'Hated', song which gives the name of the album. It is about people giving you a hard time and it encourages you to stand up for yourself, don't let others walk all over you. This is the general message of the album really, that is why I didn't take every song separately to discuss them. Then there is 'Motherfuckers (Like You)', where the lyrics talk about the wrong people having authority and brainwash. Next we can listen to a horror-themed song entitled 'Werewolves on Blackstreet', which will surely make your feet wanna bounce around. We can next feast on a song with a rather kinky title, 'Spit on Me', the song is slightly mean, and that's exactly the charm of it. 'Unlucky Minority' has a similar subject to 'Motherfuckers (Like You). Then, the only slower, romantic song on this album would be 'Would You Love A Creature'. The last two songs are 'Too Bad For You', which also features a music video that was made before this album was released, and then there is 'Drag Me To The Grave', in this last song you can also find motion at it's best.
   I will have to give this album the maximum grade since I personally love it, it is a perfect combination for me, being a fan of glam and punk, as well as more brutal stuff.

http://www.sisteronline.net/
http://www.myspace.com/sisteronline

Lacrimas Profundere: New single next month

   German band Lacrimas Profundere, or the so-called Rock'N'Sad Crew will be releasing a new single next month, more precisely on November 11th! It is called 'Lips' and it will include two unreleased bonus tracks , namely I don't care (the downward remix) and A Plea (basement sessions).
   Keep your ears open for it, I warmly recommend it.