Prog-metal blasting

Want to become acquainted with a rising Finnish band? Sure you do, because Finland is a sparkling cauldron with a massive amount of could-be's of metal music. Young prog metal band called Reversion are now recording their third release in 3 years. AM contacted the band to check out their latest news and Guitarist Samuli Federley (S.F.) and bassist Jaakko Nikko (J.N.) were ready to provide them.

A.M.: Right now, Reversion are in studio recording their next release. Can you shed some light upon it, please? How are the recordings going? It's going to be a full length album this time, right? Any other unveilings about it?
Anything cool studio stories?

S.F.: Yep, the recordings are going really well. We take our time to make the best possible record we can 'cause we're lucky enough to be in a situation where there's no a time-limit for us in the studio. And yes, it's going to be a full length album this time. It is going to be a really kick ass disc with some serious prog-metal blasting. The release date should be around May-June.

J.N.: Cool stories, eh? I played two wrong notes :) That's jazz, man. Nothing really exciting happened, we already knew how to play these songs, so it's basically just recording and searching for that "perfect take". Yeah, this time it wasn't like, "can we use that?" but rather: "Was that great?"

A.M.: After two good recordings and a lot of good feedback, have people found Reversion, because still it's a young band?

S.F.: Considering the fact that we have released just two self-produced demos and gigged around southern Finland, I think we have had some pretty good feedback both from the audience and the critics. We've been noticed abroad also and I think the upcoming album is going to open some doors for us gigging wise so we can reach even more people.

J.N.: One could always have bigger audience.

A.M.: Have any labels shown any interest towards the band, or are you going to release the next recording again by yourselves?

J.N.: Actually we have a record deal.

S.F.: Yeah, after the Hurt EP (2007), about a year ago, we signed with Kampas Records which is producing and releasing our record. We also got some interest for other companies but we decided to sign the contract with Kampas.

A.M.: How would you describe the band's journey from its dawn in 2005 to this day?

J.N.: It's been tough, but within normal scope. I feel that when I joined this band, then things started to go on. It's easier to focus on things
when there's some stability, line-up wise.

S.F.: I must say that everything has gone pretty much as planned. We went through some line-up searching in the beginning. But I guess that's quite normal with starting bands. With our contacts we got do our demos pretty easily and we did a lot of gigs. Then came the record deal and now finally the debut-album. Rock n' roll!

J.N.: When Jan-Erik (drums -06) decided to leave, then there was a little bit of panic. Luckily using my contacts we got Toni.

A.M.: I think Reversion can be said to play prog metal, but definitely it's something else than another Dream Theater clone. How would you describe Reversion's sound? Is there any sure influences?

J.N.: Every one of us have a very broad musical background and our influences vary from classical music to metal. Sure there are influences, but we try to do our own stuff.

S.F.: Well, my aim as a composer is to write songs that I would like to listen myself. I have several favourite bands but none of them really plays music that I would call "perfect". So I kinda melt together all the cool sides of each bands/styles and try to create something new and unique. Still I don't want to copy anyone but you can't really avoid not to sound like someone else at times. I want us to sound heavy but still versatile enough.

J.N.: We have been thinking about that how can we get rid of this "Dream Theater" stamp, that basically every prog-metal band gets by default. In my opinion we sound more like Mercenary or Symphony X. More metal than prog. Maybe I should get rid of my John Myung basses first :)

A.M.: You guys sound skilled with your instruments. Are you self-taught or schooled?

S.F.: Thanks man! I've been in several music institutes and I just recently graduated from the Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia as guitar pedagogy. But still I consider myself mostly self-taught. You don't get the chops from jazz school ;) Most of us have been in some music schools at some point.

J.N.: Thanks. I have taken private lessons and studied music theory at school. But mostly self-taught, I played along with records (and still do) and a lot of playing in different bands. Education helps you to communicate your ideas and it gives you tools and common background. Still, you can't learn how to rock from books.

A.M.: What kind of things influence you to write lyrics for the songs?

J.N.: As for this album, six out of eight songs has lyrics that was written by me. I tend to observe the surrounding world and people but I do get ideas also from movies, books, video games, work, you name it. The process usually is that song, in some form, comes first, and then I try to get in the mood of the song and write lyrics that corresponds that feeling. However, two newest songs on the upcoming record the process was vice-a-versa, I had lyrics already written.

S.F.: The couple of lyrics I've wrote have been influenced by real life emotions. Mainly some anger-management related issues... I don't like that much fantasy lyricism.

J.N.: Yeah, we're down-to-earth, so no unicorns or hobbits in this band :)

A.M.: You seem to have played quite a many gigs so far. How have metal fans welcomed Reversion? Any thought about touring in the future?

S.F.: Yeah we like gigging and we've gotten some really good feedback from the audience. We're also going to tour a lot in the future and hopefully at larger venues to bigger audiences. It would be nice to get a promotion deal at some point to help us arrange the shows.

A.M.: The members are involved with other bands and project, too. How does this
affect to Reversion?

S.F.: It doesn't affect to us much. Of course there are some available time issues sometimes but we haven't had any problems with that. Yet.

J.N.: Three of us are not involved in any other bands, maybe some odd gigs here and there. Steady rehearsals are scarce, though. That's why we have gigged so much, it's the only way to get all of us in same place :)

A.M.: Thanks for your time. If there's something that's not said as yet, here is your change:

J.N.: Go check out our website and myspace. Buy the record. Spread the word.

S.F.: Everybody check us out and come to see us at the gigs and buy the record. You won't be disappointed if you like kick-ass playing and groovy tunes and tip-top fellows!

A.M.: It would be really stupid of all you who've reached this far not to check this band out. NOW! It wouldn't be waste of time, believe me.

Reversion (from left ot right): Toni Paananen (drums), Jaakko Nikko (bass), Aleksi Parviainen (vocals), Jonne Jauhiainen (keyboards) and Samuli Federley (guitars).

Interview by Lane.

03/11/2008 19:22