Jukka Juntunen the mastermind of Dawn of Relic was more than willing to answer to the MER question about the new album Night on Earth, the lineup changes the weather in Finland amongst others.
Metal Express Radio:
What is in brief the band’s history?
JJ:
Dawn of Relic started in 1993 as a synth project of Jukka Juntunen, later in 1995-97 other members were found and music took the classic line-up; guitars, bass vocals, drums. Though the dark metal style still, stayed the same. ’1998 Dawn of Relic made a record deal with Earache and our debut One night in Carcosa was released. After the first album Dawn of Relic took part in best unsigned band competition arranged by Season of Mist and Metallian-magazine, readers (30,000 issue) took a vote and we won and signed a new deal with Season of mist. Second album Lovecratian Dark was released and now 2005 our third album Night on Earth.
MER:
Can you describe Dawn of Relic’s sound?
JJ:
Depends on which album, in this new album we wanted to make more “old school” sounds ála ‘90s death metal bands with a whiff of modern touch. The sound is raw and brutal but still carries the melodies nicely.
MER:
What are the band’s major influences?
JJ:
All members have their own favorite bands so hard say anything particular. One thing amazes me is that we are continually compared to In Flames, Dark Tranquility and Children of Bodom, hah, none of us even listens to those bands, critics always forget that there are older bands than those I mentioned and maybe the aforementioned bands had influences from them just like we did.
MER:
There has been some lineup changes. What is the current Dawn of Relic’s lineup?
JJ:
Jukka Juntunen: Drums, Rauli Roininen: Guitars, Teemu Luukinen: Guitars. Rest of the current members are session based. Vocals are handled by Ilkka Lassila, the one who sings vocals on “The Room of paintings”-track on Night on earth.
MER:
You’ve recorded the new album with the addition of some session musicians. Why didn’t you wait to solidify the lineup and then record the new album?
JJ:
In fact we had a solid lineup just before the studio but then our ways with Mika Tönning (our previous singer) departed and we were forced to use session members. It worked out wholly fine; studio budget should have been bigger though. We had to rush some things and I fucking hate that.
MER:
Are you happy with Night on Earth? Is there something you’d like to change?
JJ:
I’m perfectly pleased with it even though it draws two kinds of opinions, some think it’s much too “harsh” sounding but I really don’t give a f**k, after all that was the point. So, very few bands use completely trigger free sound nowadays and everything is so very very over-produced and monotonous. I’m not against triggers and over-production but this time we just wanted to do something in old fashion, hell we didn’t even correct any of the drumtracks and that’s what I’m proud of. From another view, I think Night on Earth is our most “grown up” album, but then again, we are not going to make another one just like it. Next album will be something more the old way. In fact something like One night in Carcosa would be nice, you never know…
MER:
The album has been in stores since the early September. What is the Metal scene’s reaction to Night on Earth?
JJ:
As I said it has divided opinions, some like it a lot, some hate it a lot, which is good, since I hate when the album is just mediocre and “quite nice”… Love it or hate it.
MER:
What was your writing process? What comes first, music or lyrics?
JJ:
Sometimes, I do lyrics first, sometimes music. Usually music comes first. The process is quite simple: I get some kind of mood disorder and start to write some songs with a guitar, then I pass the songs to the guitarists and we train / finish them. Somewhere in the process come the lyrics.
MER:
What is your opinion about the relation between Metal and internet?
JJ:
Well the coin has two sides, firstly it’s very good for promotion since the material etc is easily movable and ppl can listen to your demos / samples easily, but then there is piracy. People forget that artists spend shitloads of time in studios / composing the music and they deserve to get paid of it. Copying music is good if you wanna check something out, but if you like it go buy the album.
MER:
You draw your inspiration from HP Lovecraft’s work. What songs from the new album refer to the Ctulu mythology?
JJ:
Almost all the songs have the “sinister reality” mood in them, but only “Nemesis” has a direct link with Lovecraft. Hard to say what I mean, but let’s just put it this way: The album wouldn’t be that dark without Lovecraftian influence, I’m so used to dwell in his works when writing lyrics that it kinda shows in every aspect of it.
MER:
Do you have any tour plans?
JJ:
In Europe, I doubt. If we get a solid line-up that’s working live we will do some gigs in Finland.
MER:
What is the weather in Finland? What are you doing with all this snow surrounding you?
JJ:
Hah, no snow here yet. The warmest autumn in 30 years they say. It’s dark, snowless and the day is just few hours long. Kinda eerie, but I like it that way.Though, I’m waiting for January/February snowfalls and the freezing cold that comes at that time, the colder the winter is, the more I enjoy of the summer to come. It’s the balance of seasons I love in Finland.
MER:
What do you do except from playing/writing music?
JJ:
Nothing special, I just hope that music never ceases to lift the burden of life of my shoulders. It’s the only thing that gives me peace with myself.
MER:
Where do you prefer to be, in a studio or upon a stage playing live?
JJ:
Playing live definitely. Nothing beats a good gig…
MER:
What can we expect from Dawn of Relic in the future?
JJ:
The same ol’ Dawn of Relic with new cloths I think, heh, if you like uncompromised music then keep checking our music to come.
MER:
Say anything you’d like to.
JJ:
An interview of perfect length.. just ran outta of beer when I’m writing these last lines.
MER:
Thanks for your time answering my questions.
JJ:
Thank you for the interview and support, stay true to yourselves!
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