LORDS OF METAL
by Aernout

I am a fan of Rage of Achilles. No, that’s no band, it’s a label and the label continues to surprise me. Last month it did so with Elenium. When I had the chance to interview these guys, I didn’t have to think twice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could you tell us something about the history of the band?
It all started back in 1995. Me (J) our keyboardist (Johannes) and our former guitarist (Okko) were all deeply interested in the metal-scene and decided to form Elenium. At that time the band wasn't called Elenium yet but our roots go back as far as 1995. In 1996 we recorded our first demo 'Land Of Goths'. It was a short couple of days session and our drummer (Mikko) had been in our group just a week so it was quite extreme to record with him but all went well and later we released it. In the beginning of 1998 we went to a studio again to create our second demo 'This side of paradise'. It got a lot of good feedback and we threw a few gigs with the likes of Gothony (R.I.P), Children Of Bodom etc. after the release of the demo. After that we were contacted by this little Finnish label named HELLARECORDS and we made the single 'This side of paradise' with them. But things didn't go too well with HELLARECORDS, the single wasn't advertised at all and there were a lot of other problems as well, so the release remained as an underground product.

After all the shit with HR we decided to get rid of them! It was the same period of time our original guitarist Okko left the band due to some personal difficulties with the other members. But there was no way we'd give up, no way! We went to a studio to record some promos. They were never released officially but we got some very good reviews regarding those promos and remained confident about the future for Elenium. At the end of year 01 Kasperi (our lead-guitarist) joined the Elenium forces and we were ready to go into a studio once again. So in the spring of 02 we gathered our strength and the demo 'Them used gods' which led to a record-deal with ROA was born.

How did you end up with Rage of Achilles?
Well, there is no special story behind that. They (ROA) had earlier signed our fellow band Omnium Gatherum as well and we heard from those guys that ROA is searching for interesting new bands. So we send the demo to ROA and the rest is history.

What kind of a label ROA is?
Our experience with ROA has been excellent. They have done everything they promised and our co-operation has been running smoothly. They have proven themselves (at least to us) to be an open minded label that is not afraid to publish experimental metal. I think that they are out there for the love of interesting metal music, and in a way, for the same reasons as we are.

What is 'For Giving For Getting' about?
Mainly 'FGFG' is about all of us on this tiny little rock. Lyrically it describes the driving force of all our lives which is selfishness! It lurks behind all our actions no matter how righteous or unselfish they might seem. Every song tells its own story about different aspects of people’s selfish agendas. For example the song 'Under the mug' is about the kind of people who "cocoon" into themselves and kiss the outside world goodbye. They slowly fall into this selfish desperation.

Why did you print the words 'Forgotten' on extreme left of the CD-inlay?
That is the little secret behind the eyes of Elenium...

Which are the three albums you couldn't live without?
There are so many good albums that it is kind of hard to name the specific three. Let's see,
I think Metallica's 'Master of puppets' is one and In Flames's 'Colony' could be another and, phew...
the third could be 'Before these crowded streets' by Dave Matthews band. A difficult question indeed!

What is the worst thing about the world we live in?
Oh for the love of false gods!! These questions are killing me! I think from my selfish point of view
the worst thing is me!!!

What is the best thing about the world we live in?
Again it is me! As you can see, it all comes down to the point where I think of me. I believe that you have been there too!!

Which motto do you live by?
I don't have any motto's. I just live...

<<Back to Press