written by Marko Jakob
Pix666: Hello Kimmo. Thanks for your time. How are you doing these days? How are the other guys of Kuoleman Galleria?
Kimmo: Hi, I’m pretty excited that we are actually now releasing our third album. It was recorded in the summer 2020 and the mixing and mastering were completed in January 2021. So it has been ready for a while. We were just waiting when the time is right. Of course the visual work took its time too, and we got cover artwork etc. done during spring 2021. I’m not sure about the other guys. I think we are all excited what’s happening now.
Pix666: How did you get to know each other and what kind of music does Kuoleman Galleria make?
Kimmo: We have been friends way before Kuoleman Galleria was founded. I have know them all like 10-20 years. They just showed up when I was searhing musicians for this project. We would like to define ourselves dark metal nowdays. Within first two albums our music was called black’n’roll but I think it does not describe very well our current musical direction. Our music has been always connected to deep and dark feelings that we have. But maybe with this upcoming album that side is more present and I hope our audience can sense that.
Pix666: You’ve been on the road with your band for a few years now and 5 years ago you released your debut album. What have been the milestones in the band’s history so far from your point of view?
Kimmo: Of course the debut album release was one of them, sure. And the second one was the tour we did in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. That was crazy shit and I enjoyed every moment and I’m confident that we are doing that kind of tour once more when the corona situation allows. The third milestone was definitely this third album recording. We are just about to find out our direction.
Pix666: Recently your video ‘Toivomuskaivo’ was released – a very interesting clip. Who is responsible for the video artwork and do you have more videos planned soon?
Kimmo: Finnish guy named Sami Makkonen is responsible for the artwork and the animator is named Jones Häkkinen. Both of them are really gifted and hardworking persons. I’m quite honored that we got this kind of team around our music. More videos are coming very soon. But the principle of those are little bit different: there is less animation or the animation is different. But Sami Makkonen is responsible for the artwork for those upcoming videos too.
Pix666: In 3 months your new album ‘Armon Loppu’ will be released on Inverse Records. What can fans expect on your new longplayer?
Kimmo: Deep feelings and a great story. This album will define Kuoleman Galleria in a new way. I have ripped my heart open for those lyrics and the music that we have made is something bigger than us. Or I would like to believe so. That first single Toivomuskaivo is just a little bite and there will be lot of variation in the moods and tempos between the songs. And the story behind all of that is something to check out. Actually we are pretty soon (next year) recording our fourth album which will continue this story. No time to rest.
Pix666: What advantages do you have as a band by being signed to the well-known Finnish label Inverse Records?
Kimmo: Of course we have quite long history with each other and we know how we work and how they work. So it gives us some certainty and possibility to do things efficiently. And of course it gives us some visibility in social media etc. Big thanks goes also for our producer/manager Tuukka Järvinen who have leveled up our co-operation with Inverse.
Pix666: How do you create your songs? Is there a certain plan? Who in the band is responsible for what and what themes are the lyrics of your songs about?
Kimmo: It always goes so that first I will make lyrics and demo song around the lyrics. I mean demo songs with all the instruments: guitars, bass and drums. Then I give the song to the guys and they take parts that they like and improve parts that they don’t like. Sometimes they do not change anything but sometimes they do lot of changes. And it’s ok for me as long as it sounds good to me after changes have been done. Usually they do. Themes of lyrics are very variated but I think the most common theme is the darkness inside us. That part of us which some of people do not admit to exist. But it’s there. And of course death and other issues that we do not have an answer for. Human mind and its weirdness in general.
Pix666: You sing in Finnish language, which is your mother tongue. Was that planned from the beginning, or did you first try to sing in English as well?
Kimmo: I was writing lyrics in English with my previous band Ruinside and I wanted to try something different. So yes, it was planned from the beginning to do Kuoleman Galleria in Finnish. I think it’s easier to me and I really love Finnish language. It’s easier to tell your deepest feelings with your native language.
Pix666: In accordance with your Finnish lyrics, your band name is also in Finnish. What does Kuoleman Galleria mean?
Kimmo: It’s ‘Gallery Of Death’. We had one song called ‘Kuolleiden Galleria’ (Gallery of The Dead) on our first album and we took that and changed it little bit. It sounded better. Everyone can make their own interpretations what is actually ‘Gallery Of Death’.
Pix666: In the past you have played some concerts in many European countries. Do you know which countries your listeners and fans come from? Do you regularly check statistics of the streams and views?
Kimmo: I check them occasionally. Most of the listeners comes from Finland but we have listeners from USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, France and even Philippines and Brazil. All over the planet really.
Pix666: Do you already have concerts or even a tour planned for the time of the album release?
Kimmo: We have a concert coming around the album release but I cannot say much at this point. And we have plans to record our fourth album next summer and after that we would like to have a tour abroad. So maybe next fall we would hit the road big time.
Pix666: How important is social media for Kuoleman Galleria and on which channels can people find your band?
Kimmo: Of course it’s important for any band I think. You can find us in Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. And we have an old fashion website too.
Pix666: In which locations or at which festivals would you like to perform and with which band would you like to go on tour in the future?
Kimmo: There is so many of them, so it’s hard to pick. Within Finnish festivals Tuska Open Air and Nummirock maybe. And of course Wacken Open Air in Germany. And maybe Bloodstock in United Kingdom. Also 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise would be an interesting experience for sure. About bands we like to go on tour with… Within Finnish bands Moonsorrow or Turisas and within others maybe Behemoth, Rotting Christ, Moonspell, Samael. That dark and gloomy stuff. But we are open for suggestions.
Pix666: Do you have any other news, that you would like to share with the fans?
Kimmo: Our next single is coming 16.12. So be prepared!
Pix666: Thank you very much for the interesting answers – Good luck and stay healthy!!!
https://www.facebook.com/KuolemanGalleria
https://www.kuolemangalleria.net/
photos © by Susanna Raitamaa
