Das Interview mit Gitarrist Iivo Kaipainen der finnischen Melodic Symphonic Metal Band Arion (English Version)

Artist: Arion

Origin: Helsinki, Finnland

Genre: Melodic Metal, Symphonic Metal

Label: Ranka Kustannus OY

Link: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialArion

Bandmember:

Vocals – Viljami Holopainen
Guitare – Iivo Kaipainen
Bass – Gege Velinov
Keyboard – Arttu Vauhkonen
Drums – Topias Kupiainen

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

First of all thank you very much for taking your time doing this interview. Although I did quite a long research I couldn’t find any information about the history of Arion, or it was written in Finnish language and I couldn’t understand. Can you tell us, when and how you found each other?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­Hi, this is Iivo, the guitarist and the main songwriter of the band. The band was formed when three of us (Topias, Arttu and Me) met in a musically oriented high school based in Helsinki. Our bass player Gege joined the band roughly around the same time and a half year later, my old classmate Viljami joined the band as a lead vocalist.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

Your debut album Last Of Us was a big surprise not only to me, because it really sounds like an album of some old stagers. Where did you gain this remarkable musicianship and maturity? Do you have a musical background or studied at a music school?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­Thank you very much for those kind words! Four of us are from musically oriented high school and at the current moment, three of us (Me, Topias and Arttu) are studying in the Pop/Jazz Conservatory of Finland to graduate as musicians. In our band, hard work with one’s instrument is also highly valued.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

Can you tell something about the production progress of this album? What was first – music or lyrics? Is there somebody in the band who is mainly responsible for everything or did everybody take an active part in the songwriting and the further steps?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­I am the main songwriter of the band. The lyrics are written by both me and a amazing external lyricist called Jani Liimatainen(ex­ sonata arctica). For songwriting process, a very common way of making a song is that I make the melodies and chord structures first, then I arrange the song for the band with Topias (our drummer). After that I write demo lyrics and Jani writes the lyrics following my demo lyrics. But there are also other ways of achieving a desired result.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

I was really astonished reading that you already supported some famous bands during some extended tours in quite far away countries. These tours must have been really memorable experiences for you. How did you get into these band packages?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­Yes, we were playing in Japan at a metal festival called Finland Fest. Among with us, there we’re amazing bands called Amorphis, Stam1na, Von Hertzen Brothers and Blanko. The little tour in Japan happened, when the boss of a Japanese gig selling company was visiting the studio where our album was being made and he listened to a couple of our songs, being very satisfied. We have also played a show with the amazing Finnish power metal legend Stratovarius.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

Nevertheless there still might be some bands you would like to share the stage with. Could you name a few?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­It would be amazing to share the stage with any legendary band, for example like Nightwish, Dream Theater, Helloween, Disturbed or anything like that. Every time when it’s possible to be part of the show with the professionals of that level, it’s really instructive and inspiring.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

Now after these extended tours you are doing some concerts in your country. Are there also some plans for a tour through the rest of Europe, maybe even Germany?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­At the very moment, there are no shows booked for any kind of european tour. Despite that, we are really excited to play in countries such as Germany in our very near future, let’s hope it happens soon!

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

As far as I read the reviews, everybody, including myself, was crazy about your debut album. How do you deal with that? Do you just enjoy that feeling or do you already see that the benchmark for the next album will be tougher?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­Of course, we are amazed and surprised for all the great response that has been given. But like you said, we know that it’s important to keep in mind that there is still a lot of work to do and the next album should be even better.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

I know that it’s really quite early, but do you plan to release a second album as quick as possible or will you take your time?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­The next album has to be even better than our debut, so I think that a reasonable amount of time should be taken before entering the studio.

Time For Metal / Heike L.:

So thank you very much once again for this interview and also for your amazing album. I really hope to see you on stage one day. Is there anything you would like to say to the readers of Time For Metal?

Arion / Iivo Kaipainen:

­Thank you! I would like to thank all of our fans and everyone who has listened to our album! We really hope to be playing around Europe as soon as possible. All the best!