Interview With 'Tuomas Saukkonen' From 'Wolfheart'

Wolfheart currently is one of the most successful, and renowned Metal bands. known with its impressive and expressive sound , the band is celebrating with its 4th full length "Constellation of the Black Light". Few days ago, the band finalized its NA tour headlined by the masters of horror Carach Angren. Fortunately, JoScene chatted with Wolfheart's founder, and fronted-man Tumoas Saukkonen.

-Thank you Tumoas for accepting our invitation for this interview! Many of Wolfheart fans here (the Middle East) have many thoughts to share with the band. So, I want to start with the first question in every Wolfheart fan's mind. The New album! It comes a one year after your previous release "Tyhjyys". What are the main themes, and stories you tackled in this album?

New album ”Constellation Of The Blacklight” became a bit more war themed than I planned. Many of the album's songs deal with different kinds of battles and go through different mindsets of warriors in general, in this "eye of the storm" situation, just moments before battle or after all is gone. It is not related to any particular time, culture or war. If I would need to make a picture about the whole album it would be a single warrior still standing in a barren cold battlefield after a great battle

-Actually, the title is so unique and catchy one, How did you choose the album title? And, tell us more about your recent musical video?

Title is related to the picture as I explained in the previous question. It is like darker dimension that opens up after all the chaos and havoc where trees are dead, sky is cold and dark and there is only death. The 1st music video ”Breakwater” was shot mainly in Iceland where me and my camera guy flew for 4 days to find cool looking locations for shooting, while playing parts were shot in Finland. Overall, they were really fun sessions and I really enjoyed doing the video. I have done the production and editing for all Wolfheart videos. I really love to use big contrasts in videos like fire, ice, and mountains.

-After your NA tour with Carach Angren, Can you tell us more about your relation with Carach Angren? And how did you receive the news of touring with them?

I had only worked once with them as a backline in one metal festival in Finland, so I did not really know them. But I did knew the music so I was very excited to get to tour with them.

I also knew that they have toured 7 times before in US so they have already a strong fanbase. It has been a very good package with CA, Mors Principium Est and Wolfheart. We are now under a same management and agency with them so probably will tour somewhere together again.

-I want to move to your days before creating "Wolfheart", you were a member or a founder of many projects such as "Before the Dawn," "Black Sun Aeon" and others! How can you evaluate your experience as a musician before creating Wolfheart? And even the name of the band is somehow expressive for the band's origin, who suggested that name?

Of course, I have learned a lot with each album I have done for each of my bands. Wolfheart is the result of all the previous bands and it gathers together all influences of the different previous bands. Melodic Death Metal from BTD, roomy vibes and low tunings from BSA etc. I came with the name and since Wolfheart started as a solo project I wanted to have a name that reflects a lone warrior.

-Finland is full of great bands in addition Finland gives the world real Metal gems! Is the rising bands or solo musicians facing hardships in their career to prove themselves in a crowded scene?

Of course there is a lot a competition in Finland because there is the most amount of Metal bands compared to the population but at the same time the government, cities, media, etc. are very supportive towards Metal music. You can even apply funds from the government for touring outside Finland, or for music videos.

It is easy to find rehearsals places. There are also a lot venues for Metal bands to play so it is easy and hard at the same time. You just need to work really hard but the options are there to make it happen.

-You are a multi-instrumental musician, and vocalist, What's your favorite instrument, and what was your first instrument to play?

I started with guitar when I was 8-years old. Since I have focused also on Drums, Piano, and Bass Guitar and I am balancing between Guitar and Drums as my favorite instruments. I love to play both. But it has been too long since I played Drums on the stage or in the studio

-In General, what are your essential sources of musical inspiration?

Finnish nature, winter, and spending a lot of time alone, I really need my solitude to get into a creative mood.

-I want to move to your relationship with the Middle East, Actually Wolfheart is one of the most favorite bands for the majority here, Do you plan to perform in the Middle East soon, as many names performed in the Middle East recently?

I would love to play in the Middle East. I Do. I hope it happens soon. 2019 is starting to be really full booked for new US and EU tour, but I am sure we could make it happen.

-Have you been in contact with Middle Eastern bands, or passed by their material?

I must admit that Melechesh is the only Middle Eastern Band I know. Nowadays I don’t really have time to even keep on track about European or even Finnish bands.

-As a Musician, What are the bands that you wish to play or cooperate with?

Hmm…It would be great to get to tour with Amorphis again. At the Gates would be awesome. Also would be cool to get some gusts vocalists from few bigger names. I won't mention them now because there might be some plans going on.

-How do you see the future of the Metal industry nowadays in Europe?

It is in difficult situation. A lot of labels are dying since the album sales are dropping every year. It is also difficult for the bands because producing music videos, touring, and albums budgets are dropping. It is going to be interesting to see what will happen through the next five years.

For example, during the past five years all Metal/Indie labels have died in Finland, also Record stores are closing doors due to bad sales. Meta Magazines are dying because labels don't put money for advertisements, and people. Reading reviews and interviews through internet becomes faster and easier. I believe that big changes are happening soon.

-What are your future plans

After this current US tour we will start our European tour almost right away. When we come home in the end of November, we will start our Finnish tour. In the beginning of 2019 we are heading back to US for a 2nd tour and there are few other tours also already confirmed so going to be on the road a lot.

13-Any last words to your fans in Middle East?

Hope to see you all soon….!

WOLFHEART:

Website: http://wolfheartofficial.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WolfheartRealm/

Interviewed by: Rana Atef

Edited by: Amgad M. Mohamed & Rana Atef