Mokoma is a five piece metal band from Finland, formed in 1996. Their music derives from late 80’s, early 90’s Thrash and Death Metal, but Mokoma also mixes a lot of traditional Finnish melancholy in it’s music. Lyrics are in Finnish and the lyricist Marko Annala is currently considered to be one of the best Finnish lyric writer. Mokoma’s seventh studio album “Sydänjuuret” has been released earlier this year, via Sakara Records. To read its’ review, please go to: “Sydänjuuret-review”

To reply to our interview is Kuisma Aalto (guitars and vocals)

Sakara Tour 2010 will hit the road soon. What kind of expectations do you have for the tour? Is there any gig venue that you are especially waiting for?

We have a few weekends to rest before this historical and epic mess around trip so we are ready to fire all the bullets. We chose eight excellent gig venues for the tour. We have played great gigs in those venues before and we will keep it that way.

We released a review of your latest album ”Sydänjuuret” on our site. Listening to the album was such a versatile experience that I don’t even know what is the right genre for the album. Which are the main things that made that album so varied?

Isn’t it liberating when you don’t have to think about genres! Or is that hard categorizing scary because it’s unusual? Mokoma’s songs are written by four guys who have very different musical starting points. This diversity of ideas has always been heard on our albums and we see that it’s one of the biggest resources to make the continuation possible.

You have already released an EP called ”Juurta Jaksain” after the “Sydänjuuret” album. What plans do you have with releasing new material?

We try to write new riffs by gritted teeth but we haven’t finalized any schedules. We don’t have any rush.

If you can’t choose your latest release what is your own favorite Mokoma album?

So many strong feelings were tightened on “Kuoleman Laulukunnaat”. It’s a successful album with all its power.

Mokoma is one of the most popular metal bands in Finland. Do you have any plans to tour abroad too? Or does metal with Finnish lyrics have any hope outside of Finland?

The Finnish culture and music with Finnish lyrics absolutely have a chance but Mokoma isn’t the band that will go to promote that stuff to foreigners. We are way too self-indulgent to sit in a small van with our feet in the other guys’ mouths even from Helsinki to Salo.

Is there a chance to hear Mokoma with some other language instead of Finnish?

I don’t think that Marko Annala will write lyrics for Mokoma in any other language than Finnish. Of course if we will play some Herreys-cover some day, maybe then!

Which albums have you listened to in your home stereo lately?

Lately I have been listening to an album called “Maailma Tarvitsee Sankareita” from Teräsbetoni. It includes the song called “Uudestisyntynyt” which is the f*cking best!

The Christmas is coming once again. What can you find from Mokoma’s top 3 gift list?

Maybe the world peace and… Well, 1) booze, 2) women and 3) drugs are always useful for rockers.

And finally your greetings to our readers and tell us why everyone should check out Mokoma and the other bands at Sakara Tour 2010?

The bands on the tour are unusually tough and they all are in a very good shape too. Put your pocket money in your hip pocket and come to the gig to get wild.

Photo by Timo Isoaho