HOODED MENACE

Who are you and what do you do in your band?

Lasse Pyykkö  -  guitar and studio vocals.

When/where was your band formed? 

In Joensuu, Finland in the summer of 2007.

Why did you choose to play Death Metal?

To be exact, we play death/doom. Why? I suppose people form bands so that they can play the music they are passionated about. At least that´s how it should be and that´s how it is with us.

How do you compose your music? Does only one guy do everything or does everyone contribute?

I have composed all Hooded Menace music so far.

Tell us about your lyrics, writing, inspiration etc.

Musical inspiration comes mainly from bands like old Paradise Lost, Autopsy, 80´s Candlemass, early Cathedral, Black Sabbath, Asphyx, Winter… Lyric-wise we draw from the 70´s Euro Horror cinema (especially the Blind Dead series have been a huge inspiration), surrealism, and from the dark corners of our minds.

Is there an ideology behind your band?

Not really.

How do you see the state of Death Metal music these days in your country and in general?

I don´t follow any scenes that much but as far as I´ve understood we have pretty strong death metal scene over here with shitloads of bands. I can´t keep up with it, really. I´m busy enough minding my own business. Globally, DM is doing well too, although it´s a bit too saturated as everyone has to be in a "band" (read: bedroom project) these days and release their "art" online. It´s not very easy to stand out from the vast mass although I´d like to believe the best bands are going to stand out sooner to later if they have the patience and passion to keep going.

What are your long term plans as a band? What do you want to achieve?

No master plan really. As long as we won´t wimp out and/or turn into a worn out piece of crap, I´ll gladly continue as long as I can.  

Name an other Death Metal band from your country that everyone should hear.

Well, the old stuff is the best. So make yourself a favour if you have managed to miss early Xysma (goes beyond death metal though) up to "Yeah" LP including it, two first albums from Sentenced, Demigod´s "Slumber of Sullen Eyes", and sometimes criminally overlooked debut LP by Funebre. Those do for starters.

Free word.

Check out our new album "Darkness Drips Forth" out October 30th via Relapse Records. Thank you!