I think that Finnish TORTURE KILLER did wise to let Chris Barnes do the vocals on ”Swarm”. Most people in the (Death) Metal scene have an opinion about this guy. It’s a popular sport among reviewers to bash SIX FEET UNDER’s records as hard as they can. I have to admit that some of them are entertaining as hell. If you feel for reading one of the best you should put up a search for “Bringer Of Blood” on the very address you are at now. Those kinds of reviews help Chris Barnes attaining attention, all press is good press. TORTURE KILLER have also managed to nail a deal with Metal Blade Records, a “major” label in the Metal scene one could say. Things are looking good for TORTURE KILLER at the moment.

Voi Vittu! Congratulations with your new record “Swarm”, your new record label Metal Blade and of course for getting Chris Barnes on vocals. I have to admit that I didn’t dig “Swarm”, but I’ve noticed that it’s getting good scores many places. Have you been checking out reviews yourself?

I’ve read a few; the editors are usually kind enough to e-mail us a direct link for the reviews so we know how they liked it. It looks good yeah, actually it’s doing better than I expected.

Is your relationship with Chris Barnes stretching beyond this release? Will he be touring with the band?

Yes all our plans with touring and coming albums include Chris, right now were seeing our options where and how we could make that tour. SFU still being his main band sets us limits and those guys are pretty busy so it’ll take some scheduling before we can do it. We don’t mind really, those guys are total professionals and that’s the way it should be. We on the other hand being total working class also set ourselves limits which we have to take note. It’s our daily jobs that bring the food to the table - not TORTURE KILLER.

Do you think that TORTURE KILLER is better than SIX FEET UNDER? I certainly do.

I really can’t see it that way, the thing is that when you play in a band and listen to the album you just did - you listen to it differently. All you hear are the things you did wrong, if there’s a drum off-beat or if the guitar is muted the wrong way - it’s kind of hard to listen to it otherwise. Also when you’ve been there from the start, coming up with riffs and going through it over and over again - listening to your own track is very different than hearing a complete song for the first time. I think SFU rules but I also think we have some good stuff going on.

What were your ambitions at the early stages of TORTURE KILLER’s career?

We’ve been facing so many events that we didn’t plan so far it’s weird. We didn’t even think our first album would get signed, but it did. We never thought we’d be touring with VADER, but we did. And we definitely didn’t think we’d be on Metal Blade with Chris in the band. Our goal from day one has been writing the old-school influenced Death Metal that we love, if we do a good job - some people will like it, but I have a very hard time considering us anything more than just an underground Death Metal band.

Did you nail the record deal with Metal Blade all by yourself, or did you get some recommendations from Mr. Barnes?

Chris was in the band when Karmageddon dropped off and we were forced to look for a new label. Chris has been recording for Metal Blade for all his career and I think he’s kind of obligated to offer any projects his involved first to MB, then look somewhere else if those guys are not interested. He played a 5 song demo we did for those guys and they liked it and wanted to sign us. The fact is we wouldn’t be on Metal Blade without Chris and his connection there.

What do you think about the latest OBITUARY album?

I love it. Okay it’s not as good as the classic OBITUARY albums but it still destroys any other band out there.

I loathe KISS, how do you feel about them?

When I was in the elementary school between 3rd and 6th grade we had people into KISS, WASP or TWISTED SISTER. I was into TWISTED SISTER and never cared too much about KISS but I’m not sure if I’m any cooler by saying that. (Well, I’m sure – Arve)

Being on Metal Blade Records should ensure the band increased publicity. I guess there has been a rapid increase in interview and live requests. Am I guessing right here?

It’s been busy but you’d be surprised how many interviews Karmageddon provided us. They did amazing job and I don’t know how they got so many interviews scheduled for our first album. Obviously being on Metal Blade gives us more publicity which reflects on them both.

Have you tried any of the new songs in a live setting? And if so, how did they fare?

Yes we’ve been playing some of the songs for nearly 2 years now and most of those are my favourite songs to play. I think we make a decent noise when we get up on stage.

What is your favourite SIX FEET UNDER album?

Probably "Haunted", I like that and "Maximum Violence" the best - they’re a lot different style wise but those two are my definite favourites.

I’ve heard that it isn’t unusual for Finnish bands to enter the charts in their homeland. Why do you think Metal has become so popular in Finland, Suomi, Perkele?

Can’t really say, you’re right that metal in general seems to go down well. I mean even if the style is not my favourite, you can’t deny it’s cool to have CHILDREN OF BODOM topping U2, Eminem and 50 Cent. Those singles charts...well, the thing is that Metal labels here take an advantage and sell Metal singles with 1-3 euros when the major label singles cost 5-7 euros. That’s kind of funny. Metal labels want their bands on the charts; it’s kind of a trend going on in here these days.

Everyone knows that Finland has a strong Metal scene; could you mention some bands that might be worth watching out for?

Everybody knows the big names already but my favourites like DEEPRED, KATAPLEXIA, DEMIGOD, SOTAJUMALA, SLUGATHOR and CADAVERIC INCUBATOR are definitely worth checking out and hopefully will get more attention in the future.

The whole world also knows that Norway has a healthy Metal scene as well. Do you listen to any Norwegian music, any favourite bands?

I was into the Black Metal stuff years ago like. I guess pretty much everybody else, you know that EMPEROR/IMMORTAL era but that faded out pretty shortly after, I wanted more power and heaviness out of the music and nothing beats good old fashioned Death Metal so I am definitely the "untrue" Black Metal fan the "true" Black Metallers want to crucify. I know BLOOD RED THRONE, ZYKLON, but those are kind of like a bit too hybrid for me - not bad at all but I prefer sticking with my OBITUARY records. I know it’s a curse up there but fuck it - DIMMU BORGIR is a lot heavier than people are willing to admit. (I like DIMMU BORGIR as well, you’re still cool – Arve)

I noticed that TORTURE KILLER has released a split with SOTAJUMALA. Do you have any news from that camp; can we expect a new record in the near future? Damn good band by the way.

Yes that band is awesome; I think they’re slowly writing up material for their next record. We are very good friends with those guys but I’m not sure if they have any studios booked yet. Hopefully they’ll release another one soon and that "Death Metal Finland" CD fucking kills.

What do you think about the widespread downloading of copyrighted music, do you think it affects TORTURE KILLER, and Metal in general, in a bad manner?

Never thought about it too much, it’s just how it is and before labels can come up with some kind of alternative way for selling the music in the internet that’s the way it’s going to be in the future as well. It certainly doesn’t help if you can download a full album for free. Not speaking of us but in general. Free internet singles on the other hand are a good way to promote your band so it’s kind of like 2-way Street. I think the editors are the ones who put it up there for downloads, so I only see those audio stamps very useful - let those guys suffer a bit before they upload the thing. We didn’t have any of those but I’m sure pretty soon all CDs will have some kind of an audio stamp.

Do you listen to any music besides Metal?

Not really, I have a secret crush on Avril Lavigne but don’t tell anyone.

What kind of interview type do you prefer; e-mail or phone?

It depends, e-mailers are okay as well but when the album is coming out you get like shitloads of these and it kind of bugs you after you keep writing the same thing over and over - the phone interviews are cool, unless if they’re from France because I really have a problem making it out what the French want to know, they twist and pronounce everything so differently.

I want you to name three of your all time favourite Death Metal albums.

OBITUARY - The End Complete

OBITUARY - Cause Of Death

OBITUARY - Slowly We Rot

I’m not going to stretch this out any further, effectively ending the interview by saying thanks for the time and effort. Feel free to add anything that I might have forgotten. I wish you luck in the future.

Thanks for the interview and support! Maybe the next TORTURE KILLER CD will be more to your liking. Cheers!