Hanna Tsepesh: Moro Juri Sallinen! Thanks so much for accepting our invitation for this interview! For the people who don’t know TORTURE KILLER, can you tell us a little bit about the band history?
Juri: The band started out in 2002 as a cover band, playing Six Feet Under and Obituary songs. It didn’t take long until the band started writing material of their own. In 2003 the debut album For Maggots To Devour was released. In 2004 I was given the possibility to join them on their European tour, due to the fact that the vocalist of TK had left the band only 4 days to the tour. I jumped in to help out on the tour, I had to learn the songs in only a few days. After the tour the guys asked me if I wanted to continue in the Torture Killer crew, at the same time Chris Barnes offered to give the band a helping hand. A split EP with fellow Finnish comrades SOTAJUMALA was released. I had the opportunity to be the vocalist on that split. The second album Swarm! was released in 2006 and on this album CHRIS BARNES was the vocalist. This gave a unique spotlight on the band among other Finnish deathmetal groups. In 2008 the band parted ways with Barnes in good terms and I was asked to be the official vocalist, which was a natural process because I had been the live vocalist ever since 2004. Now in 2009 the third album SEWERS is out! We will be touring Europe this year again.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are the inspirations to create lyrics for TORTURE KILLER? Who is the person that writes them?
Juri: Most of the lyrics are written by Jari Laine and Kim Torniainen and are inspired by serialkiller stories and horror movies.
Hanna Tsepesh: What are your major bands at the moment? There’s any vocalist that you admire the most in a particular way?
Juri: I listen to a lot of different kind of music, but some of my favorites at the moment are Disgorge (mex), Gojira, Exhumed and White Zombie . I don’t really admire any vocalist in particular, but some of the best growlers in my opinion are Antimo (ex-Disgorge), Glen Benton (Deicide), Jan-Chris (Gorefest), Dave Ingram (ex-Benediction) and John Tardy (Obituary).
Hanna Tsepesh: When did you start your career in the music industry?
Juri: The first real band I ever joined was in 1996. Which was the fetus-form of Funeral Feast.
Hanna Tsepesh: One little curiosity: how are the things doing with your other band “Funeral Feast”? The band will release a new album or something?
Juri: We are recording a new album this year. We’ve been writing new material for years now and now the songs are ready for studio. We do a few gigs each year and hopefully more in the future.
Hanna Tsepesh: When you join TORTURE KILLER did you felt any pressure to make a good work because of the ex-vocalist was Chris Barnes (Ex-Cannibal Corpse)?
Juri: Yeah, there was pressure but this time on Sewers we did all vocal arrangements our-selves instead of Barnes doing them. And when I’m in studio I always try to do my best.
Hanna Tsepesh: Let’s talk about the new album “Sewers”; first of all I want to congratulate you for your brutal voice, great work! I liked a lot this album and also the lyrics! You guys make a fantastic work in “Sewers” and I think your fans will not be disappointed with this new work! But, for people the who don’t listen yet can you tell us about “Sewers” and what the band want to accomplish with this new album?
Juri: Simply put, Sewers offers the listener a heavy dose of old school deathmetal! Brutal songs with extremely explicit lyrics and mind-blowing riffs, some melodic parts and catchy vocal arrangements too. Uncompromising deathmetal! This time with all Finnish members. Hopefully people won’t give up on Torture Killer because Barnes is out of the picture.
Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the media and fans?
Juri: Great! I’ve only had positive feedback from people. Great reviews too.
Hanna Tsepesh: What is your favorite song in this album and why?
Juri: By Their Corpse is my favorite, it’s so catchy and the riff stays in your head for hours.
Hanna Tsepesh: About concerts: the band will be on tour, right? Can you tell us when and some dates/places for your fans and our readers to know it?
Juri: There will be shows in Europe during May, some festivals also. 22. of May we’ll be playing at Legacy Metal Festival in Germany, on 25. we’ll be in Lyon France and the next day in Padova Italy and on 30. May we will play at Neurotic Deathfest in the Netherlands. Be there or be where-ever you are. (Laughs)
Hanna Tsepesh: What is your opinion about the metal music in your country (Finland)? It’s easy in there to get supports by labels, radios, etc.?
Juri: It’s a small chance that your demo will play on the air but occasionally there’s some REAL metal in the radio too. There are so many bands nowadays so bands have to think of unique ideas to get some attention to their band. Like Lordi! (Laughs)
Hanna Tsepesh: The band feels supported and happy with your new label “DYNAMIC ARTS RECORDS”?
Juri: Yes, Dynamic Arts Records is a fine company. Seems to be working great with them!
Hanna Tsepesh: Last question: Do you want to send any message for your fans out there and to our readers about TORTURE KILLER and your new album “Sewers”?
Juri: Stay brutal my friends, check out the new Sewers album and I hope to see you people on our live shows and after parties! Can’t wait to do gigs in Portugal one day!
Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers and time! THE GATES OF METAL wish all the band a big success with your new album and good luck for your future concerts, we hope to see TORTURE KILLER very soon in Portugal…
Juri: Thanks Hanna and THE GATES OF METAL!
By: Hanna Tsepesh
If you want to listen to some TORTURE KILLER music’s and for future information go at:
www.myspace.com/torturekiller
http://www.torturekiller.com/
