It’s been four years since the last album, and a lot has happened with the band. How did you go about replacing Timo Tolkki?
Jörg Michael: We decided to continue together without Timo Tolkki and found a new guitar player in Matias from Helsinki. Lauri (bass player Porra) saw him play, and knew that is the guy we are looking for. We did not try anybody else.
Did all the drama and legal difficulties around his departure cause friction amongst the remaining band members, or did it bring you closer together?
We were close together before as well. We felt disappointed at the beginning. but it was clear that we wanted to continue together. It’s just sad, but life goes on.
Describe the difference in the songwriting process for your new album Polaris compared to how it was done in the past.
Before it was mainly Tolkki writing the songs and now the whole band is writing. It’s more of a teamwork spirit!
How has the band’s sound changed/evolved since the last album, if it has?
How do I know? You are the journalist, we still do music we love, we just have new songs.
Is it a concept album, or do the songs stand apart lyrically?
It’s not a concept album.
What are your expectations for the album, both in Europe and North America?
Our aim is to just play our music and concentrate on music and not having so many other things around us anymore. We just want to focus on what is really important, that is the music. We hope we can convince our fans that we mean it honestly and still be an authentic band, nothing more.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
We start in the UK, than play summer festivals throughout the whole summer, September will be Japan, than the USA and South America, a return to Europe in December, and do a full European round in January and February of next year.
Which festivals are you particularly looking forward to this summer?
Well, we play one every weekend, and there are new ones and other festivals we have played already, so definitely the new ones will be interesting.
You’ve done some touring in the U.S. What has been your experience touring here?
Our music is not supported in the media much, so we are just a small band over there. Sometimes we play in front of 1800 people to play the next day in front of 165, that is weird.
Since you have such a deep catalog, is it difficult to put together a set list for a tour?
Yes, certainly it is!
With no members left from that era, do you play any stuff from the first three albums?
I guess we do “Twilight Symphony,” maybe “Dreamspace.”
How did you get started in music?
My friends in school had a band and needed a drummer. So they asked me to do it. I told them I never have played drums before, but they said I can learn it, and that was it!
Was there a song or album that inspired you to want to perform music?
Made in Japan by Deep Purple
What was your first band?
It was a school band called Michelle Jardin.
When did you decide music would be your career?
I think I must be around 16.
Who are some fellow drummers you admire?
Oh, there are so many, but Ian Paice (Deep Purple) and Roger Taylor (Queen) are very cool and Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons) is God!
Who are your favorite Finnish metal bands?
Sonata Arctica, HIM, Tracedawn, Amorphis, Children of Bodom, Tarot, and all the ones I forgot to mention!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Hey, you got a beer?
