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Interviews : “It’s great to be back!” – An Interview With Niilo Sevanen (Insomnium)

By on May 27, 2017

Insomnium – Niilo Sevanen

Insomnium are living proof that there is something hidden in Scandinavian waters and considering how incredible the bands from that region are, there must be! The Finnish melodeath metal outfit have made waves in the past decade or more, with their unique style of metal, and more recently with Winter’s Gate, a 40 minute epic and the band’s latest offering to the world. Currently in the midst of their second Australian tour (first time headlining) with special guests Orpheus Omega. Metal Obsession had a quick conversation with Niilo Sevanen, vocalist and bassist of the band.

“We have been having a day off at Gold Coast and it’s been amazing. Great to be back!”. While on the subject of tours we asked Niilo if he had any fond memories of the band’s previous Australian tour. “It was great tour and we got to do some surfing which was special fun!”. Insomnium last toured Australia back in 2015 with The Haunted.

As with any tour, fans are always eager to know what the band will be playing, and Niilo offered up a rather straightforward response. “Winter’s Gate plus older songs, that has worked well!”. The backstory to Winters Gate is something Niilo conceived when he was younger. I asked him what inspired him to create music out of such an old story. “Well, that’s my fault. We first had the idea of making this one epic song so there came a need for an epic story as well. Then I remembered this old story and thought it could work well here”. Niilo continues on to say “It’s a historical fiction meets fantasy hybrid. Nordic myths collide with a historical setting, so to say.”

Winter’s Gate has been out since 2016 via Century Media Records, and has received praise from fans and critics the world over. The band’s incredibly unique style of music has evolved over time, but maintains a certain grounded approach which have stayed true to the band’s roots. We asked Niilo if evolution in music was spontaneous or does the band have a specific direction where they wish to go. “Evolution has been natural and spontaneous. We’ve always done the kind of stuff we want. Still in the core it has been Insomnium.”

The band’s music has always had an appeal to me and inspired me in all aspects of life. Whether it be in nature, philosophy, love or death. I asked Niilo what has inspired him the most when writing each album. “What’s the point of writing about smaller themes than life, love and death [laughs].

Those who live in Brisbane can catch Insomnium at their final show in Australia at the Crowbar, tonight! If you have yet to see this band live, we highly recommend you drop everything and see them before they depart. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Before we finished up our chat, I asked Niilo what Insomnium had planned after the Australian tour. “Touring, touring… festivals, America, Europe again… Lot of shows happening in the next 12 months! [laughs]”.

Winter’s Gate is now via Century Media Records.

About

Prarthana is a vegan, Indo-Aussie, heavy music addict, fluent in sarcasm and metal. Traveling is an obsession as she enjoys taking in the history of various countries and following her favorite bands. She's either eating, teaching grammar or learning an instrument, when not occupied with windmilling in the faces of other humans.