SOURCE WEBZINE | We don’t have readers – we have believers.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Hello and thanks a lot for your time. The new music sounds really good. Can you give us an update on the whole situation with the recording of the new album “Äio”?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – The recording of “Äio” was the most extensive in the history of the band. We first recorded the demos in a country farmstead in order to get the full insipration from our souls. And we recorded the tracks in three different studios. The entire process took almost seven months.

Kuriraivo (B) – It should be added however that from the creative aspect this album was born perhaps with the least birth pains. Inspiration was flowing freely, so that we felt that we could churn out several full albums of songs if there was any need for it.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Many different instruments and sounds are used in “Äio”, was it hard for you to incorporate these together? Did you achieve the feel and mood you intended?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – There were very few complications with Äio. The sounds and instruments as if wanted to appear in our songs by themselves right the way they sound on the album. We simply sat back and let it happen.

Kuriraivo (B) – All of our albums have featured a bunch of different instruments. This is precisey what makes Metsatöll what it is.

SOURCEWEBZINE – You are quite a well known band also in Finland. Do you notice any difference in the audience when playing there compared to Estonia?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – I can honestly say that no.  Perhaps there should be a difference because the finnish people do not understand our language completely either, but since Finland is the metal country no 1, they feel just fine with music that is done a little bit differently.

Kuriraivo (B) – Surprisingly, there has been no poor reception in other European countries either. Even if the people do not understand the lyrics to sing along with them as they do in Estonia, they will just scream and shout and feel good anyway.

SOURCEWEBZINE – How do you see the Estonian metal scene nowadays in general? Do you think that has a good health in the number of bands and venues to play?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – You can see that the scene is blooming. There are numerous shows, and luckily enough places where to do them.

Kuriraivo (B) – Although admittedly the economic downturn has had its impact, there are fewer events than there were just a few years ago, because the people have less money for going out to party.

SOURCEWEBZINE – It seems that your songs get a lot of promotion online, in social webs like MySpace etc. Are you active users of social networks? Do you think that it is easier to keep contact with the audience there?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – Personally, I’m not very active in the internet, because I think the best place to meet your listeners is at the concerts. The homepage and myspace are just places where you can get information about us.

Kuriraivo (B) – Lately, my time spent in the internet is also limited to occasional surfing for porn.

SOURCEWEBZINE – You recently filmed a video for the track “Only Bravery”. Could you tell us a little bit about the video. Whose came up with the idea to it?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – We had the idea for the video already in 2004. When we do a video we want to do something unique. Because if you just want to see four guys playing, we have plenty of live videos. We wanted something else and to make use of this animation was a pretty good idea in my opinion.

Kuriraivo (B) – This video bid its time for long and now it is upon us.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Bands are selling fewer CDs now, but the music is still finding its way into people’s hands via things like illegal downloads. Is that frustrating for you, or do you just want your music out there, regardless?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – We are not discouraged by piracy even a bit, because we know that if people want to support the band that they like, they will always buy the original album. And if they don’t, that’s fine too. Our music comes from the soul in any case and we are not giving that up any time soon.

Kuri Raivo (B) – As statistics show, musicians are not worse off, because concert attendance has gone up worldwide. You can’t download the experience that you will get at a live show.

SOURCEWEBZINE – A lot of bands are more respected in other countries than their homeland. How is Metsatöll received in Estonia?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – We have been lucky. Our homeland is always in our hearts and so we are very happy that we have fans and listeners in Estonia, and this is very important for us. And if somebody somewhere else also cares about or music, that’s all an added bonus.

Kuriraivo (B) – Our popularity has its roots in our homeland. It is in fact something of a miracle that foreigners seem to enjoy our droning in Estonian.

SOURCEWEBZINE – In your opinion, what were the most important moments in Metsatöll’s career? Why?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – The release of Hiiekoda in 2004, because it showed that there is a place for metal in Estonian music, since usually there was no respect for rock and metal. The contract with Spinefarm in 2008. Since we cannot distribute our music as far and wide as we would like, Spinefarm’s distribution system is our key to the rest of the world.

Kuriraivo (B) – A breaking point was the video for the song Hundi loomine, with which Metsatöll became a surprisingly widely recognized band in Estonia.

SOURCEWEBZINE – How is the actual industrial metal scene in  Estonia? Do bands like yours get recognition, or is it easier to break through in other countries like Finland, Denmark or Sweden?

Kuriraivo (B) – The markets for music in other countries are stock full of bands, so in order to make it you need connections and a lot of gigs. It is more difficult to make connections and play gigs abroad, so it’s easier to begin at home.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Can you nowadays live on just playing music, or do you have other jobs/activities apart from the band?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) -  Before recording Äio, we all had jobs. But since the economic recession has been pretty devastating in Estonia, we are all basically unemployed and the situation is difficult. Right now, we are putting all our energy into music, because it’s hard to get a job. But we’ll see what turn our life will take once Äio is out.

Kuriraivo (B) – These are difficult times indeed. If you ask this question again in a year, we may perhaps have a more concrete answer.

SOURCEWEBZINE – Anything you want to add for the readers?

Markus Teeäär (V/G) – We would really like to come to Brazil and play for you!

Kuriraivo (B) – We hope to see you at our shows!

Metsatoll Myspace