There are releases which never will get to you, the first or tenth time you listen to it, such a release is the debut album "Haunting Remains" from the Finnish band Ghost Machinery. Though when giving the album enough time it'll slowly open up and display well played symphonic power metal with a nice touch of neo-classical elements and some classic heavy metal deeds, and tons of good guitar playing. I hooked up with mainman/songwriter/lyric writer/guitarist and vocalist Pete Ahonen (a name which you might recognize from Burning Point fame) and got a good talk about Ghost Machinery, why the band got formed, what it is about, the debut album and the future.

Hi Pete, how are things in Finland as we speak?

Hello there Anders :). Well, at the moment they could be better but, let's not go to that heh heh.

Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you had the need to form Ghost Machinery?

My name is Pete Ahonen and I am the singer and guitarist. Basically I suddenly noticed that I had handful of songs that didn't quite fit to the Burning Point's material and some of them were turned down by the other members in the band. But, I thought that the songs were too good to be forgotten so, to form another band was a natural choice.

A small introduction of your band mates and a bit about what they contribute to Ghost Machinery with will be nice as well!

The line-up is rounded off by Jussi Ontero (drums and keyboards) and Tapsa Pelkonen (bass). They contributed more on the arrangements and without them, the songs wouldn't sound as good as they do. They're amazing musicians and really good friends as well.

You released your debut album "Haunting Remains" late last year, how was the album received?

I think that the reactions were amazing and we got so many great reviews and a lot of interviews all over the world. And we still do :). We are very happy of that.

What do you, yourself think of the album today, now that you have gotten a bit of a distance to it?

It's like after every album, there are some things that I would like to change but, all in all I am very happy with the outcome.

What did you expect of the album upon its release?

I don't know how this may sound to you but, besides doing a lot of interviews and receiving great reviews I really didn't have any expectations. And those things happened so, I am living my dream :).

Did the album fulfil your expectations?

As I said earlier, yes. Basically I am really "down to earth" and a humble kind of guy and I'm ready to work hard for my music. It is not my thing to "set" any goals or something to my music etc. I try to keep my focus just in the music.

How did you end up with the band name Ghost Machinery and what does it symbolize for you?

This has been asked many times and I still haven't found any "clever" answer to it :). It just sounded cool.

The same can be asked about the album title "Haunting Remains", how did you end up with that and what are your thoughts behind it?

Yeah, the title is another thing... There are lots of "old" guitar riffs and phrases that's been "haunting" me for years and I haven't found a place where to put them... until now :).

Are you writing all the lyrics in the band?

Yes.

What does they contain, which topics to you touch and where do you find inspiration for your lyrics?

Basically all lyrics are based on true stories of my life or lives of people that are close to me. With some fiction added here and there...

Can you pull out your 2 favourite Ghost Machinery songs and tell us a bit about the music, the lyrical content, how it was made etc…?

Oh no, I was affraid of this... :). I really like every song on the album, otherwise they wouldn't be on it...Hmmm, 'World Of Unbelievers', it has that little "Yngwie" vibe on it and a huge chorus. 'Darkest Hour', this song shows the "AOR" side of me. The chorus part is about 15 years old and I am very happy that it finally got finished.

You are also writing the music, how much influence on the final outcome have the 2 other members?

As I said earlier, the songs wouldn't sound this great without them.

Where do you find inspiration when writing music, are the certain things that trigger your song writing?

I really don't need to be in any particular "state of mind" but, maybe the songs come easier when I'm angry and pissed off... heh.

What do you find important to have in a song?

A great intro, a cool verse, an amazing bridge and a HUGE chorus!

Can you mention 3 bands and 3 songs that have meant a lot to you and the sound of Ghost Machinery?

Yngwie Malmsteen, Europe and Accept. And the songs are Bon Jovi's 'Runaway', Dio's 'Holy Diver' and Helloween's 'Eagle Fly Free'.

What influenced you to pick up the guitar and who have been your inspirational sources for your way of playing it?

Iron Maiden's "The Number Of The Beast", the guitar riffs blew me totally away!!! And Yngwie Malmsteen has been number one for me since '83-'84.

How have you developed as a songwriter/singer/guitarist through out the years?

I hope that I have improved my work within all aspects. This question would be better answered by the listeners :).

Do you have any news concerning Ghost Machinery, are you working on new material and when will we see the next release?

I have written 10 new songs and we have been demoing them. Also some cover songs has been "on the table". No release dates yet.

You are signed to Sound Riot Records, which has had trouble with getting albums released and keeping their bands with them etc… Have you experienced any problems with them?

Unfortunately, yes. I've been in contact with the other bands (past and present) on the label and they are as unhappy with the label as we are. ... Word from the wise, any new bands that reads this ...if you are contacted by Sound Riot Records and suggested a record contract with them, please, contact bands that are or has been on the label and ask them how they are doing and if they are happy with the situation!

Are you going to release the next Ghost Machinery album on Sound Riot as well?

We haven't decided that yet but, maybe we will start looking for a better partner. If there are interested parties that want to work with us on the next Ghost Machinery album contact me at pete@ghostmachinery.com.

You are also a part of Burning Point, do have any news from that camp?

Well, we left Limb Music because they handled our promotion very badly and suddenly cut down our 3rd albums studio budget etc. But, I got very good friends from there. Now I have heard that there are lots of bands on the label that got the same "treatment" as we did. We have about 15 new songs ready and we did a 6 track promo a while ago. So, the hunt for a new record deal is in progress :), visit www.brnpoint.com for more info and news.

How is the scene in Finland for heavy and power metal these days and are there some new bands on their way, which we should keep an eye on?

I really haven't kept my eye on the Finnish music scene lately. I've been busy with my music "scene" heh heh. I have new "project" (no name yet...) and we have been in the studio recording our first promo CD. We will do the press release of the band very soon. It is kind of a new Finnish "supergroup" :). Yeah, keep your eye on that!!!

How do you look upon the future of Ghost Machinery?

Bright and glorious!!! Lots of sold records and lots of gigs!! :).

Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with our readers?

I am sorry but, I have to present it like this...

Yngwie Malmsteen - All albums
Judas Priest - All albums
Accept - All albums
Helloween - All albums
At Vance - All albums

Thanks a lot for using the time to answer my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!

Thank you Anders, the pleasure was all mine :). Remember to visit our websites for news and updates. KEEP THE METAL ALIVE!!!