Dunkelheit Production- Shades of deep water










Interview  by Juho

1. Finland seem to just be a hub of impressive Funeral and Doom/Death with bands like Thergothon, Skepticism, Dolorian, Shape of Despair, Unholy, Hooded Menace, Swallow the Sun and Tenhi to name a few. Why do you feel this is?

I think it comes mostly from the mentality of Finnish people. We have this dark and quite negative approach most of the time. Themes of Funeral and Death Doom come naturally for us. We also have the most metal bands per person in the world.

2. You have released mostly digital, Tape or more underground releases till "Death's Threshold" on Dunkelheit why after over a decade indie/diy go with a label and Dunkelheit as the one?

When I started in 2006 I had few contacts with underground labels. Back then I wanted to release demos on limited tape editions. I did not release anything on digital formats. Only few samples. I also did a limited 7” vinyl before the first album. 7 years after formation I released the first album. The album was put online mostly out of curiosity. Since then I have done digital EP’s but I always release the music on physical formats.

I have been in contact with Dunkelheit for years. They are dedicated to the underground. They have done quality releases for many years. I think we both have the similar passion for releasing music in limited editions for the underground.

3. Doom music needs to breathe and build and with "Death's Threshold" this seem true as well with most songs over 9 mins. What is the feeling and theme you wanted to give the listener with latest release?

Death's Threshold album is a single entity. It consists of four parts which can be separated but the album evolves from one part to another. The first part kind of warm ups the atmosphere. The album grows on the next parts. The theme of the album is build around Death. The lyrical themes of the band have always been related to Death one way or another. This time the setting of theme is the cosmos.

4. Being a one man force. Do you collab with other to write and compose? Do you record it all in home studio and what do you start recording and what is the last part of the recording?

I write and play all the music by myself. I have a mobile studio. I have recorded instruments at various locations from rehearsal rooms to warehouses. My usual recording process is very similar to other bands. It starts with the drums and goes forward with guitars and bass. The vocals are the last part of recording.

5. The vocals seems very minimal on "Death's Threshold" was this done for reason and if so why?

I have always written the music to be as simple as possible. I start the song writing with a riff or melody and add more instruments or layers until the song comes to life. I never add anything after that. The minimal approach is included also for the vocals.

6. How does the album cover of "Death's Threshold" play into the theme and story?

The idea for the artwork was to create a scenery in the afterlife. In the afterlife the dead are walking down stairs of a temple. The sky is colourful and full of cosmic sights. Including stars, planets and nebulae. The main focus is the dead walking down the stairs. The appearance of the dead is something like lost souls roaming as shadows.

7. Your earlier works how do they differ from "Death's Threshold"?

The first demo is very raw blackened doom. After that the music was still simple but different nuances were added to the mix. The first album Waterways is melodic yet still ice cold Funeral Doom. The next EP’s are more Death Doom. The songs are a bit faster and lighter. Death’s Threshold was a return to heavier and slower songs although is has warmer tones also.

8. How has Bandcamp, Social Media and Youtube change the extreme underground music world for the very D.I.Y artist over the last 5 years?

The promotion of the music has changed a bit. Earlier we used forums. These days it's more in the social media. Bandcamp is OK to sell records and merchandise. However all these sites take their cut of the sales and promotion. If you want to support the artist and label the best way is to buy from official websites and subscribe to newsletters.

9. What bands or musician are currently impressing you J.H.?

In my hometown there is one Funeral Doom band you should check out. Lordamor.

10. If you could Make a proper video for any song you ever created as Shades of Deep Water which would it be and how would it represent you as an artist?

A lyric video was made for the song Waters of North from Waterways album. The video was never published. It would be cool to do a proper video for this song. The song represents the themes of the album. The song is about a great northern sea. The sea is a part of northern mythology. Waterways album cover artwork is the Carta Marina. A map of Nordic countries and seas published in 1539.

11.  If someone was to listen to the band for 1st time and you could only give 4 words to describe sound. What four words would you give them before listening?

Funeral Doom Finland.

12. J.H. Do you record music under other names or styles if so tell us about them if not is Shades of Deep Water the music you always wanted to create and nothing more needed?

I have another project called Sarajah. It’s more traditional doom and heavy metal with themes of northern mythology. Shades of Deep Water is my main output but I also enjoy playing old school metal. I have released one demo with Sarajah. I have plans to record also a full length in the future.

13. How does visuals and press change the impression of a band and do you feel music is a full package and needs the Visuals and Back story or can underground music thrive on just the music and ideal alone?

I would say that music, themes, visuals, etc need to be connected in a strong way. For some releases it’s very important to show the visual side of the theme. I have used paintings and drawings to complete the package. I have song lyrics that are inspired by paintings and other artwork from the 16th century onwards. Usually I first write the music and then come up with proper theme but sometimes the process can be the opposite.

14. Let's say for a moment a label like Century Media, Napalm or Nuclear Blast came to you is this a good home for "DOOM" or are bands like Shades of Deep Water much better off Indie or smaller labels that will nature the growth?

There are some Doom bands on bigger labels and I don’t see a problem with that. However I don’t see that the very underground bands like Shades of Deep Water can offer them very much. Working with smaller labels and releasing limited editions has been the way I make music for years. I feel that it is very fitting for a band like Shades of Deep Water.

15. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts place here..


Thank you very much!                                    

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