All Interviews
Torture Killer
Jari Laine
Posted on Mar 16, 2006
by Anders
Torture Killer, the Finnish old school death metal band, which features members from legendary and praised bands as Adramelich, Demigod and DeepRed is now ready with their second album "Swarm!". The waves around this album has been a bit higher, than the ones around their first release "For Maggots To Devour". First the band is now signed to Metal Blade Records, for the second they have gotten a new growler, a man named Chris Barnes, a man you might know from bands as Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under. The band and Barnes compliment eachother very well, and we are served a good album! I hooked up with guitarist Jari Laine and got a good talk about this and that.
Hi there, how are things in Finland as we speak?
Hey, things are cool - doing the final weeks for promotion and it's been quite busy with those, a positive thing definitely but I got to admit I'm waiting for things to settle down.
A small introduction of yourself, a bit about why you play death metal and how you got started will be much appreciated!
I'm Jari Laine, guitars in Torture Killer. It's the stuff I love listening to and quite naturally the stuff I want to play. To me it is the most powerful form of music and I can't think any other styles I'd even want to try playing - I can fulfil all my song-writing ambitions with this band 100%. The band that got me buying the guitar was probably Sepultura, the good old Sepultura, but the kick to start playing death metal was a combination of death metal bands I got into after that Sepultura era.
Will you please introduce the rest of Torture Killer and tell us a bit about what they each bring to the band?
Chris Barnes – vocals, Tuomas Karppinen – guitars, Tuomo Latvala – drums and Kim Torniainen – bass.
I haven't thought about it like that, we enjoy hanging out and playing together and that's the contribution everybody gives to this band - wanting to play the kind of stuff we play.
You are now ready with your second album "Swarm!", how do you in the band feel about it?
I'm very satisfied with it song-wise. The production could've been a bit more old-school but it works fine just the way it is. We know where we need to improve in the future, but overall we are satisfied with it.
How have the press and your fans so far received the album?
So far it's been really good, better than I expected to be honest. I'm glad people find it enjoyable.
The album has been out for a couple of weeks now, have it sold as well as the hype predicted?
I don't know about sales yet, all I hope is for it to sell enough so that Metal Blade can get back their investment and I think we don't have to worry about that. I'm sure it'll go down well.
What do you expect of the album?
As a band member I can't see it like that, I have expectations for the next album, but this one is done and there's nothing we can do about it. So our goals are located in the future. Like I said hopefully people will enjoy it - our expectations involve only ourselves, to improve in the future.
How did you end up with the album title "Swarm!", what does it symbolize and what are your thoughts behind it?
Chris Barnes came up with this track-title and described an image he got after listening to that track. We felt it was an instant hit for the cover artwork. We didn't have any specific idea about the album cover and when Chris mentioned about his vision about it we knew that was it. So we decided to name the entire album as "Swarm!" as we would now have the perfect cover for it.
Torture Killer has always been about horror and gore, how did it end up like that and are there more to the lyrics, than blood and carnage?
Nope, nothing more than what you read. To me those are essential parts of a death metal record. Just sticking to the traditions and honouring the past and this style like it was done in the golden years of this genre.
Who wrote the lyrics for "Swarm!", did Chris Barnes do that for himself, did you approve the lyrics before the were recorded…?
We wrote 4 songs and Chris ended up writing the remaining, more than half of the album. Yes of course we knew what kind of stuff he wrote for those songs - not that we would have any doubts for his work. He did an amazing job with the vocals and the arrangements. His effort really lifted these songs to another level and we are very pleased with, how they turned out. I think we share the same level of thinking how the album should sound, so getting there was easy.
Barnes has also produced the album together with Erik Rutan, which has resulted in a thick and killer old school sound, how do you in the band feel about the production?
Actually I find it more up-to-date kind of metal sound - I like the darker and dirtier sound myself. Erik and Chris perfected the sound we were able to provide with our basic tracks, so the things that in my opinion should've been better were a result of our mistakes - not theirs. Like I said, I'm not unhappy with the sound - I just like a different type of (Morrisound) better.
Isn't it strange to first working with a man as Barnes, who must be considered a legend within death metal, and then secondly, make the music, ship it to the states, to let him finish it off, and then receiving the final product?
It is. But look at the guy's discography. I think you can trust someone with that kind of albums in his back pocket.
How much influence did you in the band have on the production and the vocal performance?
Like I said we did all our basic track producing ourselves, and that's the most important thing in the whole product. So we were there all along - the first mix was a bit out of balance and the vocals were a bit too low for us, but all that was fixed with the first mix - just like we wanted so actually those guys did exactly what we asked them to do. The vocal performance in itself was produced by Chris - to me it's very good and one of the best vocal productions for him in a while.
Who is/are the main songwriter(s) in the band?
I ended up writing 90% of the music on this album, also those 4 songs lyrically. But we have other guys in the band who can write good stuff as well and maybe next time it'll be different.
Where do you find inspiration for the music and what do you wish to "tell" with the music?
I don't wish to tell anything to anybody. I just try to write the kind of music I like listening to with the best of my abilities and hope people like it. I guess the sound itself tells that we are kind of like a tribute band. Were not trying to outplay bands with speed or try to be the most innovative or groundbreaking band out there. Fuck that. I enjoy traditional old-school death metal.
The killer cover artwork is made by Wes Benscoter, a good and effective cover, what do you think about it and have it encountered any censorship problems yet?
Not so far, and I'm not worried about that. Personally I feel very proud we could have my favourite artist to do our album artwork. I think the cover looks amazing. I've been a huge fan of Wes' work since the first Mortician cover he did.
The music contains many grooves and great hooks, perfect for live purposes, is that what they music mainly is made for ripping when you deliver it live?
Yes definitely, I think we have a very good style for live situations and I think we sound better on stage than on an album. You're absolutely right there, the groovy and heavy riffs work out real well on stage.
Do you have some touring lined up as we speak, as support for "Swarm!"?
Hopefully something towards the end of the year - it'll take a bit more effort and scheduling than usual to make our plans to go along with Six Feet Under's but we are patient, and we know our time will come.
How do you look upon the future of Torture Killer and when can we expect more and new material from you?
Hopefully that tour I mentioned previously and of course the 3rd album, it's too early to say when yet - we have some stuff written but it's very preliminary at this point.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?
Obituary - The End Complete
Sepultura - Arise
Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption
Monstrosity - Millennium
Dying Fetus - Killing On adrenaline
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanks for the interview brother, hopefully you'll enjoy the new Torture Killer CD.
Hey, things are cool - doing the final weeks for promotion and it's been quite busy with those, a positive thing definitely but I got to admit I'm waiting for things to settle down.
A small introduction of yourself, a bit about why you play death metal and how you got started will be much appreciated!
I'm Jari Laine, guitars in Torture Killer. It's the stuff I love listening to and quite naturally the stuff I want to play. To me it is the most powerful form of music and I can't think any other styles I'd even want to try playing - I can fulfil all my song-writing ambitions with this band 100%. The band that got me buying the guitar was probably Sepultura, the good old Sepultura, but the kick to start playing death metal was a combination of death metal bands I got into after that Sepultura era.
Will you please introduce the rest of Torture Killer and tell us a bit about what they each bring to the band?
Chris Barnes – vocals, Tuomas Karppinen – guitars, Tuomo Latvala – drums and Kim Torniainen – bass.
I haven't thought about it like that, we enjoy hanging out and playing together and that's the contribution everybody gives to this band - wanting to play the kind of stuff we play.
You are now ready with your second album "Swarm!", how do you in the band feel about it?
I'm very satisfied with it song-wise. The production could've been a bit more old-school but it works fine just the way it is. We know where we need to improve in the future, but overall we are satisfied with it.
How have the press and your fans so far received the album?
So far it's been really good, better than I expected to be honest. I'm glad people find it enjoyable.
The album has been out for a couple of weeks now, have it sold as well as the hype predicted?
I don't know about sales yet, all I hope is for it to sell enough so that Metal Blade can get back their investment and I think we don't have to worry about that. I'm sure it'll go down well.
What do you expect of the album?
As a band member I can't see it like that, I have expectations for the next album, but this one is done and there's nothing we can do about it. So our goals are located in the future. Like I said hopefully people will enjoy it - our expectations involve only ourselves, to improve in the future.
How did you end up with the album title "Swarm!", what does it symbolize and what are your thoughts behind it?
Chris Barnes came up with this track-title and described an image he got after listening to that track. We felt it was an instant hit for the cover artwork. We didn't have any specific idea about the album cover and when Chris mentioned about his vision about it we knew that was it. So we decided to name the entire album as "Swarm!" as we would now have the perfect cover for it.
Torture Killer has always been about horror and gore, how did it end up like that and are there more to the lyrics, than blood and carnage?
Nope, nothing more than what you read. To me those are essential parts of a death metal record. Just sticking to the traditions and honouring the past and this style like it was done in the golden years of this genre.
Who wrote the lyrics for "Swarm!", did Chris Barnes do that for himself, did you approve the lyrics before the were recorded…?
We wrote 4 songs and Chris ended up writing the remaining, more than half of the album. Yes of course we knew what kind of stuff he wrote for those songs - not that we would have any doubts for his work. He did an amazing job with the vocals and the arrangements. His effort really lifted these songs to another level and we are very pleased with, how they turned out. I think we share the same level of thinking how the album should sound, so getting there was easy.
Barnes has also produced the album together with Erik Rutan, which has resulted in a thick and killer old school sound, how do you in the band feel about the production?
Actually I find it more up-to-date kind of metal sound - I like the darker and dirtier sound myself. Erik and Chris perfected the sound we were able to provide with our basic tracks, so the things that in my opinion should've been better were a result of our mistakes - not theirs. Like I said, I'm not unhappy with the sound - I just like a different type of (Morrisound) better.
Isn't it strange to first working with a man as Barnes, who must be considered a legend within death metal, and then secondly, make the music, ship it to the states, to let him finish it off, and then receiving the final product?
It is. But look at the guy's discography. I think you can trust someone with that kind of albums in his back pocket.
How much influence did you in the band have on the production and the vocal performance?
Like I said we did all our basic track producing ourselves, and that's the most important thing in the whole product. So we were there all along - the first mix was a bit out of balance and the vocals were a bit too low for us, but all that was fixed with the first mix - just like we wanted so actually those guys did exactly what we asked them to do. The vocal performance in itself was produced by Chris - to me it's very good and one of the best vocal productions for him in a while.
Who is/are the main songwriter(s) in the band?
I ended up writing 90% of the music on this album, also those 4 songs lyrically. But we have other guys in the band who can write good stuff as well and maybe next time it'll be different.
Where do you find inspiration for the music and what do you wish to "tell" with the music?
I don't wish to tell anything to anybody. I just try to write the kind of music I like listening to with the best of my abilities and hope people like it. I guess the sound itself tells that we are kind of like a tribute band. Were not trying to outplay bands with speed or try to be the most innovative or groundbreaking band out there. Fuck that. I enjoy traditional old-school death metal.
The killer cover artwork is made by Wes Benscoter, a good and effective cover, what do you think about it and have it encountered any censorship problems yet?
Not so far, and I'm not worried about that. Personally I feel very proud we could have my favourite artist to do our album artwork. I think the cover looks amazing. I've been a huge fan of Wes' work since the first Mortician cover he did.
The music contains many grooves and great hooks, perfect for live purposes, is that what they music mainly is made for ripping when you deliver it live?
Yes definitely, I think we have a very good style for live situations and I think we sound better on stage than on an album. You're absolutely right there, the groovy and heavy riffs work out real well on stage.
Do you have some touring lined up as we speak, as support for "Swarm!"?
Hopefully something towards the end of the year - it'll take a bit more effort and scheduling than usual to make our plans to go along with Six Feet Under's but we are patient, and we know our time will come.
How do you look upon the future of Torture Killer and when can we expect more and new material from you?
Hopefully that tour I mentioned previously and of course the 3rd album, it's too early to say when yet - we have some stuff written but it's very preliminary at this point.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?
Obituary - The End Complete
Sepultura - Arise
Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption
Monstrosity - Millennium
Dying Fetus - Killing On adrenaline
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanks for the interview brother, hopefully you'll enjoy the new Torture Killer CD.
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