Metal Centre

Finland is the land of a thousand lakes and even more metal bands. Many types of metal bands call this northern, European country home. Whether it is speed metal like NORTHER and CHILDREN OF BODOM, black metal such as BEHERIT, IMPALED NAZARENE, and ARCH GOAT or goth metal like SENTENCED and HIM, Finland is near the top in the world in production of quality and quantity of metal. Finland is a country with a distinct culture, so the sounds of its bands are of an equal distinction. Doom metal seemed molded from Finland’s icy, arctic countryside. Near the top, reigns the melancholy-toned SWALLOW THE SUN. Following the release of their latest album “Hope”, the group embarked upon their first United States tour supporting INSOMNIUM (SWALLOW THE SUN keyboardist Aleksi plays in this group, too), SCAR SYMMETRY, and KATATONIA. Drummer Kai Hahto (ex-ROTTEN SOUND, WINTERSUN) filled in for SWALLOW THE SUN member, Pasi Pasanen. During the group's stop in San Antonio, Texas, keyboardist Aleksi Munter and guitarist Juha Raivo spoke to Metal Centre about the group’s music and first time in the States.