1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new ep?
Not much. Waltteri and Tomi are playing summer festivals all over the world, rest of us have also been going about our lives. We’ve got the EP release gig coming up, so we’ve been trying to organize rehearsals and get ready for that. First time playing new songs is always nerve wrecking.
2.In September you have a new ep coming out, what are some of the things you feel you have done different musically with this new recording that you where not able to do with your previous releases?
Well, not that much has changed really. I mean I guess we have a bit more variation in the songs, you know, playing all blast makes Abhorrence a dull boy. The biggest change is the thematic whole of the EP, probably. It has a theme from the beginning till the end, which can be observed in lyrical and musical themes all the way through.
Obviously we were in a position to use a lot better equipment and work with people who have actually heard this type of music before.
3.The band was broken up for more than 20 years, what was the decision behind breaking up the band and reforming after 2 decades?
Getting back together was all because of the compilation and it’s eventual release. After it’s release we were offered slots at Hammer and Tuska Open Air festivals, which sounded like fun and since those festivals have a special place in our mind this was the only chance for most of the band members to get on their bigger stages.
4.Your earlier material was a very huge influence on the Finnish underground metal scene, did you ever expect to become legendary after the split?
Of course not. We were kids who played music that we liked and were happy that some of the people we admired liked our stuff as well. I knew some people in the underground scene thought highly of us, but that was about it.
In early 2000’s I started realising said status hadn’t gone anywhere, but newer generations had adopted it too and there were now fans of ours who hadn’t even been born when we recorded those songs. It’s been a weird ride for us.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores on the new release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
It’s all about visions of Lovecraftian horror in the age of the ecological catastrophe. The lyrics fuse together the unsettling tales of H.P. Lovecraft and the thought-provoking philosophy of Timothy Morton, one of the most important thinkers of the anthropocene, the current catastrophical age of human existence. I’d like to stress that said catastrophe is not something that is coming, but it’s something that has mostly already happened, just like the final track of the EP “The End Has Already Happened” says.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Abhorrence'?
In the late 80’s, having -ion at the end of your bandname was all the craze. We didn’t want to go with any trends, so we went through several iterations of good, band and utterly shite names. I guess we thought it was fitting for a band who has songs about deviancy, esoteric knowledge, desecration, otherworldly as well as tangible horrors and all that great stuff.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
It was done by Jesse Huusari, a graphic designer and a friend, who was excited about our ideas , our music and wanted to make it all work together.
We wanted to get a green-hued mass of dirty water, bottomless depths that seem to conceal something beneath and an undetermined vaguely anthropoidal puny shape sinking in it. So basically imagery to induce thalassophobia, but with a twist that relates to the ideas within the EP’s lyrical and musical content.
We used the same basic idea for the pre-released single tracks and made a bit different versions to suit the track for both of them.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
I’m the wrong guy to make these kinds of valuations, but the ones we’ve had most fun at have been the Tuska show, the one that was eventually released as a live album. We tend to like club shows more, so some of the shows at Bar Loose, Kuudes Linja club in Helsinki and Henry's Pub in Kuopio were also awesome.
There were great shows in the 90’s as well, especially the ones we played with Xysma were pretty epic.
9.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new ep?
Sadly no. We’re trying to make some festival appearances happen, but everything is still up in the air for now.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your reunion and newer music by fans of death and underground metal?
Mostly it seems positive to us. Some sceptics did voice their opinion after the reunion announcement, which we totally did see coming and didn’t surprise us at all, but that has mostly died down.
The weird thing is most of the positive comments are done privately, off- and online, sometimes face to face, but mostly people just leave those comments unsaid. On the other hand the naysayers are very vocal, to the point of it being ridiculous. Sometimes I can’t be sure if some of them are just trolling, because it seems they’re making comments that indicate they’ve not even listened to the actual music at all. We appreciate criticism, as long as it’s based on actual facts and not just emotional knee-jerk responses.
Overall, we’re overwhelmed by the positive reactions, some musicians we admire have expressed their fandom and it feels very absurd… and awesome, have to admit.
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
I have no inside gossip regarding them, one is better off reading their interviews elsewhere. Well, I think Vallenfyre is calling it quits, but that’s been public knowledge for ages as far as I know.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
More of the same probably, as we’re not trying to head anywhere specific, just like happened with the EP. We try to keep the Abhorrence vibe in the music, which I might add is and never was the necro soundscapes of the past, but always in the mood and aggressive nature of the music.
We are trying to put together some new tunes, but with out history with timetables and meticulous plans, it’s anyone's guess when that future will materialize.
13.Are there any new music influences that you have brought into your new release that you where not able to do with previous recordings and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Nope to new influences, to anything specific anyway. I’m sure the life experiences of each individual member brings some spice to the mix, but there are no names I could drop. We try to get the vibe of the band happening and what comes out of it is what it is.
Personally I’m listening to all kinds of shit, from noise rock to ambient to doom metal to hip hop. Recently I’ve been listening to Author & Punisher, Whores., Bong, Chelsea Wolfe, Sleep, Bölzer, Throat, but also lots of space/psych rock. I also like soul and r’n’b (as in Motown style), funk is also close to my heart, so bands like The Budos Band, The Shaolin Afronauts and Ikebe Shakedown play a lot. I’m trying to keep an open mind and am continuously looking for new bands and music styles that grab my attention.
14.What are some of your non musical interests?
Right now, scifi in TV and books. I’m currently reading Persepolis Rising (book #7 of The Expanse series) by James S.A. Corey and prior to that finished the steampunk story Boneshaker (book #1 of The Clockwork Century series) by Cherie Priest. I’m interested in science in general, especially outer space, but also psychological phenomena and nature. Obviously everything Cthulhu related is very appreciated. I have “Iä! Iä! Cthulhu” tattooed to my hand and Jussi has a half sleeve with Lovecraft and mythos stuff in it.
Gaming in all kinds of forms, be it console, PC or tabletop.
Cooking is great fun, last year I perfected my pizza game (atleast 14 hours rise time for the dough! about 90 hours of cold rise in the fridge if possible and always; pizze Napoletano per favore), this year it’s been noodles and pasta, I also love cooking Indian and Thai food.
Live music here and there when I have the free time, just few weeks back I saw brilliant gigs by Throat and Kaleidobolt at a miniscule outdoor event, which was glorious.
I’m also a single parent, so my life revolves around being a dad and everything domestic life encompasses.
15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview. You kind of surprised me actually, since your site seems to be mostly about much more esoteric subjects and rather more sinister bands. But, I guess one band with a fixation on world eaters and bad gore vibes fits the bill after all. Iä! Iä! Fare thee well.
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