Correct me if I'm wrong, but is Enthrope a word for chaos and destruction? It's a nice choice by the way, very original.

Mikko: Thanks for the compliment. You're on the right track with the meaning. Enthrope itself doesn't mean anything as it's modified from the word ‘entropy,' but to keep it simple the term means that, for example, energy automatically tries to achieve a state of disorder. It's a measure of the unavailability of a system's energy to do work. I got that from Wikipedia-- Duh!

How did the five of you get together? Did other bands have to die?

M: Ville (guitar) and Jani (guitar) are friends from a long time back and got the idea of forming a band when Jani moved to Helsinki a few years ago. I had just moved from Tampere and was searching for a new band to play in so I got in touch with the guys from an ad on the internet. Miika (vocals) and Juha (bass) were both friends of Ville so they also came along. So if I remember correctly the band got its final form in the latter part of 2006.

Last year saw the release of your debut, ‘Universe Mute.' Why go down the indie route? Weren't any labels interested?

M: Well, we released two versions of the EP, as we call it. One with two tracks for the labels and the five-track version for the media and the public. We got a few interested offers back then but they didn't go any further than that, as we were looking a bit different than what they were offering. Basically, we don't want to compromise with this, as we are confident with the quality of our music, so we shall see what the future brings. In addition to last year's release (2007's 'Universe Mute'), the new promo CD will hopefully help in getting us a label, as we feel the material is as ready as it can be for a wider release.

I'm actually surprised the band doesn't have the machinery to bring it success, with any music from Finland being so popular these days. Perhaps the metal landscape in your country is getting overcrowded?

M: It is true that the metal scene is getting a bit overcrowded here, but I think that is a common thing everywhere. I remember the days when you used to say that you play in a band and get answers like ‘cool.' Nowadays it is more like, 'Oh you too.'

Being an independent band with two self released records under your belts, including this year's ‘Silenced Earth,' how hard do all of you work to put your music out? And where did you find the studio and producer for your latest album?

M: I think the most pressure is on our songwriters' shoulders, hehehe. Of course, everyone contributes to every song with different ideas, which we then try out if it translates well into music and sounds good. The lyrics are my responsibility and deal with the normal clichés like death, darkness and doom. Though I like the theme of desperation and silence. But we occasionally get help from Matti Reinola (member ShamRain and Hanging Garden) with the songwriting. We used the same studio as on the first release, D-Studio in Klaukkala. We had such a good experience during the first time so we decided to use it again. Jarno, who owns the studio, gave us rather good ideas here and there. It's good to have a couple of fresh ears for the music. Jarno is also very accurate with the quality of playing and sounds as well, so basically you can be sure that the end result will sound kick-ass.

Your music is, for lack of a better phrase, 'richly layered.' However, you're not the only Scandinavian band playing a more open-minded Death Metal. What makes Enthrope Metal so special?

M: Maybe you should ask one of the fans that question. We aim to compose songs that are not your typical Melodic Death that you get a lot nowadays. The focus is to compose heavy and richly layered melodies, to create heavy sceneries, but not compromising on the aggressiveness of the music. One of our strengths is that we use keyboards a bit different from usual Finnish Melodic Metal bands. We mostly use different sound layers, more than just a plain piano melody for example. Not claiming that everybody else does it, but that would be one thing that makes us different.

Would you consider it fair if people noted the industrial feel of some of your songs? If your music were a soundtrack, what scenarios or mental images would they fit the best?

M: Everybody always hears a bit different than others. I think you can find occasional industrial influences there or whichever suits the particular part of the songs. Hmmm . . . As for scenarios I'd go for a vast and cold desolate place? Well at least we've been destroying the earth several times over so . . .

How much work does the band still put in improving its chops collectively and individually?

M: It varies individually, but together we try to rehearse as much as is needed for the coming gigs and such. Mostly it means rehearsing to get the playing tighter and as one unit. Of course one can admit that you could always train more to improve your chops, but usually it is for us more fun to have a good time when rehearsing together, and this usually means some drinking activities happen as well.

By the way, what part of Finland does Enthrope call home?

M: Three of us live in Espoo (west of Helsinki), and our rehearsal bunker is also located there. So I'll go for Espoo.

Can you recommend nice places to visit in your country?

M: Hmmm . . . If you want something special I'd recommend visiting northern Finland, especially in autumn. Very beautiful. Haven't been there since I was a kid, but anyway there are also nice cities to visit such as Tampere and Turku.

Where has the band played live most often? Any tours abroad yet? Festivals?

M: Mainly in the Helsinki area and Tampere, so far we've only played in Finland. It would be nice to get some tours abroad as well. Hopefully in the future the gig opportunities will increase, as more people become familiar with our music.

When Enthrope does a gig, how many other bands are usually on the bill? And are moshpits frequent occurrences whenever a band is playing live?

M: Well, here in Finland it would probably be two or three per show. Three is a rather common amount of bands sharing the same stage, especially when most of them are still at the unsigned stage. It's the amount of alcohol determines the moshpits. I usually like to keep it easy and enjoy the gig without any extreme exercises. But of course, the right amount of alcohol usually has the effect to make your neck sore the day after. Yup, we blame it all on the beer.

Alexi Laiho and Jane Warmen from Children of Bodom occasionally share a kiss onstage when the power and intensity of their music gets under their skin. Has this ever happened between the members of Enthrope? Did Metal ever help you get in touch with your sensuality?

M: Hahahaha! More like silent farts and grunts actually. Have to see after the next gig if something ‘sensual' has happened onstage. Off-stage that is of course a different story, but let that remain unprinted at this point, hehehehe.

Which cool bands have any of you caught live these last few months? Care to share some interesting anecdotes?

M: Well for me Behemoth in Tuska Festival was a big thing. Or usually the whole festival as I almost had to run from stage to stage to see the bands I had planned to see. Seeing Morbid Angel and Carcass were both great experiences. I don't actually recall whom else I've watched after that. No wait, Ministry of course.

I'm just trying to satisfy my curiosity here, but do Finnish men still carry pukko (spelling?) knives? I read somewhere that Finns carry these knives under their clothes to make war on their fellow man on a moment's notice. Am I grossly mistaken?

M: I think it's a bit more of a northern thing from last the century. A good example is Ostrobothnia where the knife

is a significant part of the traditional clothing. But as for the present day, maybe you should try out for yourself what happens when you pester a grown up man with traditional clothing on, hehehe.

Okay, you don't have to name names, but what are some of the most embarrassing things you've done while shit-faced?

M: I think at this point our ‘nameless' singer could mention something, hahahaha. There are lot of things that have happened on those occasions, but usually they don't translate that well afterwards, especially trying to write about them.

Enthrope has the privilege of a growing discography and a generous amount of talent. But how many sacrifices have each of you made for the band? Does your individual commitment make you feel uncomfortable sometimes?

M: Of course the band is a big part of everyone's lives but we don't force each other to be committed to the band 110% all the time. Three of us live in a relationship and everyone have got their own lives and friends. When something special is going on, then we gather together to get our engine running.

Thank you for this interview Enthrope, I'll be watching you guys very closely. You know, I've interviewed a number of Finnish bands and I always ask them what their national beer is. Now I'll ask Enthrope: What is the national beer of Finland and what qualities make it unique?

M: I think I speak for everyone when I say Karhu. Probably because it has got 0.1% more alcohol than the other beers, except Sandels. Thanks for your interest in Enthrope and all the best for you and Filipinometal. Hails!

STAY HEAVY