Lahdon Aika Interview

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

Santeri: We just released the 7" split with Frogskin and immediately started working on the upcoming full length. With some amount of preparation already done previously we hope to get it done and out by the fall. Generally speaking, new material seems to be in pipeline aplenty.

2.Recently you where a part of a split, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the newer material and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Santeri: Our new stuff, especially the material on the upcoming LP, is slower and, some would say, musically more massive and multilayered than previously. Consequently the song lengths have been growing and growing.
Akseli: And the new ones are more thought trough. Years ago we just put riffs together and decided this is a song now. That method does not work anymore…

3.Can you tell us a little bit about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Santeri: Simply put, the lyrics for Lähdön Aika are (for me) a channel to explore the pessimism and frustration brought forth by the state of the world - for example, ecological issues and the last shreds of humanity being torn apart by various forces in the society. In addition, a healthy dose of morbidity and death always works wonders when making art.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lahdon Aika'?
Akseli: If you translate Lähdön Aika directly to English it might sound quite stupid but with the name we mean the moment you die. The name came from the lyrics of one of our oldest songs called Milloin. We had few other names in mind back then but we decided to go with Lähdön Aika.

5.The band has a history that goes back 10 years, what is it that keeps you motivated to write and perform music after all of these years?Santeri: What else could you do? Seriously though, the music we have been able to put out despite all the usual the struggles just resonates.
Akseli: We had some lineup changes 4-5 years ago and from that at least I got some new motivation to write songs

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would  you describe your stage performance?Hard  to name any specific highlights, but when all things click (at least somewhat) we hope the result is a slowly pulsing and violently overcoming sonic wall of despair. Or at least something very loud.Akseli: For me personally the best show has probably been the 10 year anniversary show last August, played with good bands and lot friends there.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Akseli: Hopefully when the new album is released we´ll do some shows in Finland. Some shows abroad would be great someday but we´ll see what happens.
Santeri: Hopefully yes. US and/or European tours would be gravy.

8.The new split is being released by a variety of many different labels, can you tell us a little bit more about them?
Akseli: 82-Records is a label/distro that is ran by a friend of ours and 82 was also involved releasing 2 of our previous 7”s. Rämekuukkeli is a label/distro from Tampere and I sent them an email last spring that would they be interested to co-release the split and gladly Tuukka was really interested. 
Santeri: Rusto-Osiris is my own label, specializing in all things odd, loud, and distorted.

9.What are your thoughts on Frogskin the other band that was a part of the split?
Akseli: Great band and nice guys. Some of us have played in same bands years ago. Hopefully they´ll start playing more shows with their new vocalist.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge and crust?
Akseli: Usually the feedback outside Finland has been more positive than the feedback we have got here. At least that was the case with the older recordings.

11.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Santeri: By fall, we hope. As hinted above, so far the new stuff has been more and more melodramatic, pompous and excessively serious. And slow.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Santeri: Deathspell Omega and Wovenhand.
Akseli: This would be an endless list, but back then Bolt Thrower, Neurosis, Iron Monkey,  Cult Of Luna, Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Wolfpack, Dead In The Water... And I still listen to these +loads of newer bands but I think there are too many to mention

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Santeri: Politics, animal rights, environment and all that shit. Saving the world.
Akseli: I got 2 kids so that keeps me busy.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Akseli: Thanks a lot for the interview! Check our stuff @http://lahdonaika.bandcamp.com and you can order our records from there if you don´t find them from your local dealer.
Santeri: To paraphrase Dark Angel: "Death is Certain, Life is Not."