1.Hello how are things going with you these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
- Hi, we are doing pretty fine these days. I am Ville Koskela, vocalist of Purtenance. Other members of Purtenance are Harri Salo - drums, Juha Rannikko - guitar, Tero Aalto - bass and Simo Rouvinen - guitar. Harri and Juha are original members of Purtenance, they started the band back in the late 80’s. I Joined Purtenance in 2011 and Tero and Simo came along in 2015.
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were some of the first bands you listened to?
- Harri and Juha discovered metal in the early 80’s, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica etc. The usual ones that, guys of that time listened. My first experience with metal was in 88’ when I stole my brothers cassette of Twisted Sisters! But my mind was blown when Purtenance released ”Member of Immortal Damnation” in 1991. Harri is my cousin and I was so amazed of the sound that I heard, that still, this day, I get shivers when I listen that album and sing songs from it!
3.Back in the early 90's tape trading was a big part of the underground scene did you ever do much tape trading?
- Juha used to do that. He has remembered that time occasionally and tells that he used, at some point, record a cassette or two daily. He sent letters and cassettes around the world a lot. Fun times he has said, but very time consuming.
4.Purtenance was formed back in 1991 what gave you the idea to form this band?And who would you say are the bands biggest influences?
- Actually Purtenance was formed in 1989 by the name Purtenance Avulsion. Death metal was just the most extreme music to play and it was just the thing the guys were searching for. What I’ve been told, Napalm Death, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse and the like have been big influences for Purtenance. Even though, you can’t really found those bands from us, do you? At least very obviously.
5.Why did you all stop the band back in the mid 90's? And what gave you the idea to reform Purtenance in 2012?
- The very common answer why Purtenance went to hibernation - guys grew up. Work, families and lack of spare time were the biggest reasons. When in 2011, ”Member of Immortal Damnation” had it’s 20 year anniversary, Dave Rotten was contacting Harri and Juha, with whom I had been playing for a year together (I’ve played with Harri from 2006, in different project) at that point, and gave them proposal. He said that if Purtenance would return, he would sign a deal with us to release new stuff. So Harri and Juha asked me to join them in new lineup of Purtenance (they did ask other old members, but they had no interest, nor intention to join the band again) to play bass and do vocals. What can one say to that!!?? Of course! They were the first death metal band I’ve heard ever (I was 11 when they released their first album).
6.Paradox Of Existence is the bands newest release how long did it take to write the music for this release?
- Music was written during the first half of 2016. We started to record the song in autumn of 2016 and it took like couple of months. We had no deadlines and we took our time with it. We did the recording and mixing by ourselves and only mastering was done by someone else. It was mastered by Jaakko Virtalähde at Virtalähde Mastering. We have worked with him with ”Awaken from Slumber” and ”…to Spread the Flame of Ancients”. He just does the final touch to our sound on records. We are amazes every time by his work, he ”cleans” the filth of our mixes! Hah!
7.Who usually takes care of writing the lyrics and what are some topics you all wrote about on the new release?
- I usually handle the duties of writing lyrics. At this release, Simo wrote lyrics for two of the songs, ”Vicious Seeds of Mortality” and ”Paradox of Existence”. My topics, as usual, wander around death, death and death. I’m simple and death provides endless stories to be told. As for topics concerning Simo’s lyrics, as far as I know, tells stories of deep dark aspects of life and everything. He’s writing style differs from mine and it gives us more diversity. He’s roots are more in black metal and mine are in punk and hardcore.
8.Besides the Paradox Of Existence release are any of the bands previous releases still available to buy? Besides the releases does the band have any other merchandise available for the readers if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
- Good question. We have no knowledge other that in Xtreem Music’s webstore is the only official place to buy our stuff, www.xtreemmusic.com . Of course many other place maybe sells our stuff, but that’s the only one we know for sure. Selling is not our stuff, obviously as you can see…
9.What have been some of Purtenance's most memorable shows over the years?
- Well, both of our shows outside of Finland, Ritual Zombi Fest 2013 in Madrid and Obscene Extreme 2017 in Czech Republic, will surely be the most memorable, in my opinion. Our show at Finnish Death Metal Maniacs Festival will have very special in my mind also. It might not been our best performance, but the fact that Timo Häyrinen sang same time with Harri and Juha, for the first time in 20 years and last time ever, was pretty amazing for a fan that has listened Purtenance since he was 11…
10.Are their any tours or shows planned in support of the new release? If yes where will the band be playing?
- We only have one show booked at this moment. 15th of September we will play at Tampere, Finland, with Lucifericon and Lantern. No other shows are currently coming. Just last week we hooked up with Etrurian Legion Promotion and with them we have something in planning but nothing to tell at this point.
11.Purtenance comes out of the Finnish death metal scene what is your opinon of Finland's metal scene over the years?
- Finland’s metal scene has been, is and hopefully continues to be, very original. I mean, bands sound as themselves, most of the time. In the past death metal bands, even from the same town, used to sound something completely different than for example Swedish bands. Nowadays standards may have flatten the difference, but as long as there are the ”fuck that” attitude around, bands continue to have their distinctive sound and way of doing things.
12.Who are some of your all-time favorite bands coming out of Finland's metal scene? And are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
- Call me lame or anything you like but I really like old Amorphis and Sentenced. Before they were anything big, that is. From newer bands I definitely have to mention Galvanizer and Kruor (well they might not be that new but anyway). Galvanizer kick so much ass that it’s always to pleasure to see them play (I’ve seen them like seven times!).
13.In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground scene today? And what does underground metal mean to you?
- Worst thing is the narrow mindedness of people. They refuse to see anything but themselves. Best thing is that underground is alive. It has always been and it always will be. It does not follow trends and it does not care anything else. So the worst and best things are almost the same! Hah! Underground metal means to me total freedom to do what I want, almost like punk and hardcore scene let’s you. There are still too much ”rules” to follow to have that freedom that it’s absurd. To do what you want and enjoy don’t need to have rules, just respect and honesty for others and to yourself.
14.When not working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
- Spend time with my family, watch movies, walk outside in forests and sleep! Even that Purtenance isn’t that big band, it takes a lot of my spare time. Maybe it’s the sacrifice you have to make, to have a band that you care about.
15.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
- Stay True! Stay as yourself! Death will take us all someday, don’t let it surprise you, live while you can!"
Band Contacts
https://www.facebook.com/Purtenance
https://www.instagram.com/purtenanceofficial/
Label Contacts
http://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php
https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/
