Talking with . . .   Impaled Nazarene

Finland's Impaled Nazarene have become one of the most consistent and dedicated extreme metal bands ever. Since their 1992 debut, Tol Cormpt Norz Norz Norz, Impaled Nazarene have never gone more than two years without releasing an album of speed metal meets punk by way of black metal. Their latest album, All That You Fear, is their best since 1994's Suomi Finland Perkele. They haven't been to America since 1999, but now that Impaled Nazarene have North American distribution through The End Records you can expect a return sometime soon.

What do you fear?
Nothing really. The title refers to the fact that Impaled Nazarene is what you fear.

The final song on All That You Fear is more experimental than usual, do you feel Impaled Nazarene has become more open minded as your career goes on?
For me it is not that experimental- I mean, what is the experimental part, distortion on vocals?, just a heavy song to end the album with. In a way you can say we have become more open minded but the way I see it, we have become better composers. We know how Impaled Nazarene must sound, even if we might try something a bit different here and there, we will still keep the music within the boundaries of Impaled Nazarene sound.

You usually get a very enthusiastic response from American audiences, do you have any plans for a return visit soon?
I wish it could happen today. Last time was 1999 March Metal Meltdown at New Jersey. We are working on something but whatever this actually happens, no fucking idea yet. Thankfully we finally have license for North-America, The End Records handles our album there. I hope they can help us to come over, itīs been too long.

How does life differ in Finland compared to America?
We are small nation, you are huge. I guess that is the main difference. Finland is pretty much like U.S.A. except we donīt have cherry flavored this and that. And our gun laws are very strict compared to yours. Our criminal court system is a joke compared to some states in U.S.A. Our "life sentence" is maximum of 20 years and you get out after 10. I guess there are actually major diferences but as for daily life, I reckon it is pretty much the same. You work your ass off for fifty or so years and die as a mentally raped zombie.

We're now in the midst of a snow storm with about a foot of snow, but the road suck so it's almost impossible to travel- how do you handle the cold winter and snow? Does it effect your life and how you plan your days?
Here it is 23F and maybe two inches of snow only. Which is good as I hate winter totally. Winter does not affect us anyway,. you just wear more warm clothes. Public trasnport etc works normally during winter. Our houses are built to stand the harsh winter. Basically everything is functioning just like summer time. You do same thing you do everyday, you go to work, be it summer or winter.

I am amazed at how focused and consistent Impaled Nazarene is, how do you manage to put out such great albums every other year without becoming boring or uninspired?
Our love for the extreme music is the main factor. We are still influenced by same bands as we were thirteen years ago. It is the music we grew up with. Bands like Exciter, Venom, Sodom, Dark Angel, Slayer, the Exploited, etc. I am still screaming my utter hatred against religions as nothing has changed. Things have only gotten worse.

What sacrifices must you make to keep Impaled Nazarene going strong?
You can not imagine the amount of funerals we have missed, for example. Lots of friends have commited suicides, relatives blaa fucking blaa. The hardest part is actually the fact that we can not survive by our music. All of us work normal bullshit day jobs and that sucks your fucking energy away. It would be a dream to play music and make a living from it.

Do you have a wife and/or kids? If so, how do they change your perspective about life and music?
None of us are married. One of us have kids. When new members join, I ask them this question: What comes first? Impaled Nazarene or your girlfriends/ wives? If they say family is more important, have a nice life. The band must come first. There has been times when we have left for tour on a very short notice. And nobody has said: But it is my girlfriendīs birthday or crap like that. Everybody gives their 100% for Impaled Nazarene. Our girlfriends or kids donīt affect our music.

You've maintained a long term relationship with Osmose, obviously the label must've helped the band develop a career- why do you think they've been so successful?
Herve was clever back in 1991 and realized that black metal was making a return. He signed everybody that underground back then was talking about. Immortal, us, Blasphemy, Rotting Christ, Samael etc. Osmose has also put their bands on tours from the very beginning and that has helped a lot too. Our relationship is more friendship than business, we have known each other already eleven years.

What countries do you plan on touring to this winter?
We will have short European headling tour in the end of February. Germany, France, Austria, Swizerland, Holland, Belgium. Some shows in Finland of course and at the moment we are building our spring/ summer schedule which hopefully will include North and South America.

Any tangible goals you have yet to attain?
Yes. Full North American tour. Full South American tour. To play in South Africa. Return to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Record live c.d. (which actually will take place here in Helsinki, Finland on April 2004). Release more kick-ass albums, tour even more, invade and conquer more countries. Thirty done so far. Release d.v.d. later. Lots of shit.

Final comments?
Thanks for this intie. Hope to see you guys next summer. Drink vodka and be free.

Discography:
2003... All That You Fear (Osmose)
2001... Absence Of War Does Not Mean Peace (Osmose)
2000... Nihil (Osmose)
1998... Rapture (Osmose)
1996... Latex Cult (Osmose)
1994... Suomi Finland Perkele (Osmose)
1993... Ugra Karma (Osmose)
1992... Tol Comrpt Norz Norz Norz (Osmose)

Imp Naz

TTM reviews of albums by Impaled Nazarene:
	2003 - 'All That You Fear'