Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus

This September, one of the most remarkable bands of the Dark Metal Scene released ist forth album. TIMO RAUTIAINEN & TRIO NISKALAUKAUS from Finnland. What’s so special about it: Hartes Land is their second CD with german lyrics! A good reason to have a chat with bassist Nils Ursin.

Ole: Hartes Land is your second album in German language. Why didn’t you translate them in English?
Nils: I know, most Finnish bands do it. We didn’t want to do the same as others. And what’s more, German sounds more aggressive to us, so it seems to suit perfect. Maybe internationally, we could get further with English lyrics, but we didn’t think about it, up to now.

Ole: The only Finn I know singing German, is M.A. Numminen, but he’s a comedian. Do you see some kind of danger of not taken seriously by the German audience?
Nils: Of course we do. But if somebody doesn’t like it – well, leave it.

Ole: Let’s talk about the main themes of. Hartes Land. My favorite song’s Nyt On Mies (because of the Finnish Chorus). It’s a song about a boy becoming a man. What about The „very hardest“ (der Allerhärteste) or „The very proudest“ (der Allerstolzeste). Who are they?
Nils: It’s not only of becoming a man. In Finland you say „nyt on mies!“, when you mean „What a man!“ It’s overwhelming. And it’s a true story. But for more details you have to ask Timo, himself. I’m only the bassist.

Ole: The title song says: Das kalte und harte Land, Mein Heimatland. Der Väter Land. Is it about patriotism?
Nils: Partly. We wanted to spread some mythic and sad atmosphere. It’s about Finland. You may hear it by the melody: It’s a cover-version of a song by A.P. Sarjanto, a Finnish folk-musician.

Ole: How do you think generally about patriotism? (CD-Cover: Five Men standing in a gloomy snowy forest, military clothes. Looking like some kind of nature-mysticism of Nationalists in Germany in the 30‘s and 40‘s)
Nils: We are not a political band. We all like things like nature. Probably because we live in the cities.

Ole: It seems, that you put yourself onto a higher ground or distance to the subjects of your lyrics, just like a story-teller in 60's protest-songs...
Nils: I guess, they all have something of their own. Getting into a distance to the actors in the songs makes it easier to express his personal feelings and thoughts.

Ole: On the album you had several guest musicians, for example of Nightwish and of Apocalyptica. Tell me something about how this contact?
Nils: They are all friends. For example, we met Eicca (Toppinen [Apocalyptica], Anm.) several times at home. They played with us on the tour.

Ole: What’s so special about the Finnish music scene? I mean, Ville Valo sings backing vocals at The 69 Eyes, The Rasmus asking Eläkeläiset to cover Falling ...
Nils: I guess, it’s because we are a very small country. So as a musician you are closer to others.

Ole: Why did you use three guitars on the album? Other bands have two ones and add some more tracks while recording?
Nils: Timo always played guitar. Nowadays, he plays not so much at gigs. Maybe he needs something to keep hold of, it means security for him.

Ole: You are on tour with Nightwish. How is the tour been going until now.
Nils: No question – we are very happy with it and having a great time together.

Ole: May it stay like this! Thank you very much for the interview.
Nils: Thanks. Bye!