Interview with Jyri Vahvanen of Battlelore

Our interview with Battlelore was in the planning for a while already but it wasn't too easy at all to have one or two finnbands people at the same place as one or two Battlelore people. And then, when we are at the same place at the same time - there might happen things that where not supposed to be. So in the end this turned out as an email interview. Not the best alternative, but better as nothing!
Read what Jyri Vahvanen (guitar and lyrics) has to say about the new album "The Last Alliance" and what is going with Battlelore.


finnbands: "The Last Alliance" was released three month ago and was recieved well at press and fans. You are said to go a step forward with this album.
Where do you see the differences between "The Last Allicance" and the previous album "Evernight"?
Jyri: The whole recording process was quite different comparing to Evernight. We used a new producer and for the first time in Battlelore's history, we used a different guy and studio for the mixing. Huge thanks goes to our producer/engineer Janne Saksa and to Dan Swanö who mixed the album. They really managed to read our vision and created a great sound for the album.
The basic mood of "TLA" is also much easier and almost happy against that deeply depressive and dark atmosphere which was captured to Evernight. During the recordings we almost felt that "TLA" is going to be too "light" but as we reached the end of the studio days, we proved our selves wrong. Usually it is very difficult to judge your own songs and especially in the middle of the album recordings. But back to differences… the new songs are just so much better, hahaha! Better arrangements, choruses, the sound is awesome and a tighter package all in all.

finnbands: "The Last Alliance's " cover shows your connection to Middle-earth. Do you limit yourself with this topic or are there still limitless possibilities?
Jyri: With Battlelore we have promised to stay in Middle-earth themes. Of course there comes material from the different topics, but those songs are pointed to our other band projects, not for Battlelore.

finnbands: "The Last Alliance's" Digipack included a DVD instead of the common bonus songs. Is there maybe another DVD release in the planning?
Jyri: Maybe… and a better one for sure. That bonus DVD wasn't very well executed and it is quite silly that we actually didn't got a change to see it before it was released. The quality of the mixing is quite poor on that clip, but at least it is an honest live performance. And as it is said, it is only a bonus DVD.

finnbands: So far, you never released singles. Is there a special reason for this?
Jyri: Napalm Records. They don't do singles. Maybe one or two for Leaves' Eyes in a past, but that's it. Of course it could give you a change to get more radio time etc. but personally I don't like singles that much and neither does our record label.

finnbands: Your main location is Finland and your record lable is in Austria. Do you see any problems in this distance or would it be the same when you are in Lappenranta and your lable would be in Helsinki maybe?
Jyri: The distance is a bit of a problem. It would be much easier if you could talk with your label manager face to face. In phone and with e-mails it is always a bit more complicated because there's a lot of room for some misunderstandings and with e-mails it is usually just too slow. That is actually the major problem in our relationship with Napalm.

finnbands: Besides your music, how much to you give attention to fantasy?
Jyri: I can only talk from my self and I am a huge fantasy fan. I have a lot of books which are all some kind of fantasy literature. Fantasy movies are also a huge interest for me. And then there are these fantasy based roleplaying-, board- and computer games. In a way I am a bit of freak in this matter.

finnbands: Do you receive feedback from your fans and if yes, is this affecting you? (eg for setlists or your work on an upcoming album)?
Jyri: Of course we got a lot of feedback from our fans and it is always nice to hear a different kind of opinions about your work. Sometimes there are points and tips which can be useful, but basically it all comes from our selves. It would be stupid to do something what doesn't feel right to you. I am sure that as long as we do this from our hearts, it can't go awfully wrong!

finnbands: There are fan videos on YouTube combining your music with scenes of the Lord of the Rings Triology by Peter Jackson. Do you know these videos and if yes, what do you think about fan stuff like this?
Jyri: Yes, I know those videos and for me it just don't make any sense. Is there not any better thing to do than those meaningless videos? Of course I could take it as an act of honour, but I don't feel that way.

finnbands: Looking back to the show at Nosturi on January 1st, where we were supposed to do this interview: did you like the concert and the audience?
Jyri: I am sorry about the incidence in Nosturi. I also prefer face-to-face inties, but I heard that there was some stupid doorman who didn't let you come to our backstage or something?
The gig was awesome. It was nice to see people in a moshpit and after our European tour it was very nice to play for Finnish audience again.

finnbands: In 2009 you have one gig at Summerbreeze confirmed (besides the show you played on January 1st). What are your plans for 2009 regarding concerts or other plans with Battlelore?
Jyri: Our concert booker is working for the summer festivals and there might be some touring in UK also, but as you can see from our website, there's nothing confirmed yet. But I promise you that the next summer will be quite busy in B'lore camp.

Thanks to Jyri for taking time for this email interview and to Ben of Napalm Records.

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