MASTERSTROKE
By Falber Teles • Apr 4th, 2009 • Category: Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE – For some of our readers you can be quite an unknown band. Can you explain a bit the origins and roots of the band?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Masterstroke is a melodic metal band from Finland. The band started in 2002 as a more traditional power-metal outfit, but we’ve since moved on to darker paths. We’ve released 3 albums so far, with the last one “As Days Grow Darker” being released this March. For more details, I encourage eveyone to visit our website or MySpace.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Let’s talk about the new album. Give me your personal thoughts on “As Days Grow Darker”. What was your initial reaction the first time you heard the finished product?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) Great relief! As I had been deeply involved with the album from start to finish, I lost objectivity a long time ago… But it’s a great album! We felt really good about the material before hitting the studio and even better now that it’s out.
SOURCEWEBZINE – How do you feel with so many metal bands in Finland nowadays. It seems that one of every three guys is in a metal band?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Yeah, there are a lot of bands. It’s good, keeps the kids out from the street. It also means that everyone who wants to play and to stand out, has to be damn good with his/her instrument. Plus of course some of the best players out there are usually in several bands or projects.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What does Masterstroke have that makes the band stand out amongst the rest of the younger metal bands out there today?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Hmm… well, experience for one And we have a singer who can sing, that’s one where some bands fall flat. Also, I think that we’re a good band, you know? Not just one virtuoso player and some guys playing in the background, but a whole… unit. You can hear that in our music and especially live that we’re having a blast! Good songs don’t hurt also.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Will there be any guest appearances on the album “As Days Grow Darker”?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Yes for background vocals, we once again have Heidi from MoonMadness bringing a breath of fresh air, Rainer from Diablo growling away and Tuple from Tarot howling his lungs out. Good stuff!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Have you filmed any videos for this new CD?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – No, at least not yet. We’ll see.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you pay attention to magazine and internet reviews of your CDs?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – More than is healthy! I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself…
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s your favorite hobby away from music?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Er… I probably have to say reading, because music is my life. I have very little time for anything else…
SOURCEWEBZINE – In Brazil there’s much fans listening your kind of music. What do you know about the Brazil ?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – That it’s a big country with a nice little forest in the backyard… loads of metal fans, carnivals, coffee, samba.. you know, the usual.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What kind of expectations do you have for the album in and outside of Finland ?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – I’m hoping that it’ll do better than the last album! (Would be kinda funny if I hoped otherwise!) Seriously, no expectations other than I’m hoping that it’ll open more doors for us to play live!
SOURCEWEBZINE – Can you write us something more about living in Finland ?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Uh..er.. it’s nice? Except in Autumn. I don’t like it (well… the colors are nice).
SOURCEWEBZINE – Anything else you’d like to mention?
Jussi Kulomaa (K) – Check our website, come to our shows (if you can) and keep it metal!
Falber Teles
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