Reverend Bizarre interview

(Originally from 5/16/07)

Reverend Bizarre is the name of the mighty doom band hailing from Finland that has sought to revive the old, traditional ways of the genre ever since their debut in 2002. Now as their time together draws near the end, Father Peter Vicar (Kimi Kärki) - guitarist in the band - gives us insight into the mentality behind their music, a small description of their upcoming final album, and more!

I'm sure you've probably answered this a million times before, but for the sake of the unknowledgeable, can you give us a brief background and description of Reverend Bizarre's music and how the band came to be? 

Peter Vicar (Kimi Kärki): Uhh, yes I have indeed… I'll put it shortly.

Reverend Bizarre is doom metal down to the bone. We are very strict musically, following the footsteps of the mighty ancestors such as Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Trouble, and so forth. We decided to start the band in 1995 to honor the beforementioned titans and add our mad flavor to the tradition. We have done that with three official albums, some EPs, collections, and vinyls. I dare to say we have succeeded in what we aimed for and it's a good moment to kill the band now, before the end of this year.

We are now spreading out musically, Albert and his The Puritan will go to dark pits and abyss with their slow and torturing brand of music. Void will continue his many different bands he does not want to be mentioned, and I will continue with Orne (The Conjuration By The Fire is out from Black Widow Records) and Lord Vicar (featuring Christian Linderson of Count Raven / Saint Vitus / Terra Firma fame in vocals, Daniel Nyman of Oak in bass, and Gareth Millsted of Centurions Ghost in Drums.

The word has gotten out that the band intends to split up after the next full-length is released. Could explain why that decision has been made?

Our personal chemistry was never very good, and as some of us have severe mental problems it was easier to let it go finally, to ease the burden, pain and stress this band had brought. At the same breath I must say that once the decision was reached the mood was actually quite pleasant, and the last shows we did were unforgettable. The last studio sessions were, then again, mad and obsessed, but there was not too much tension… just madness. I must say that in the end I have great respect and love to my fellow Reverends. Hope they will prosper at least spiritually in their future.

Speaking of the next full-length, can you tell us anything about the new album, So Long Suckers?

It's now been mastered. The album is going to be a double-CD, very very heavy, seven songs in all. The musical adventures take us to different places within that record. Perhaps my favorite album of them all, and certainly the most rich album we did musically. Some may be surprised to hear some of the passages. It should be out in early August, and the single “Teutonic Witch” at the end of this month.

What bands/musicians are you influenced by the most?

All of the true doom metal bands. And in some twisted way all of the fucking poser stoner rock, “gothic metal”, and death doom bands we hate. Or at least used to hate, hah hah!

As a person I am also in love with old folk and progressive records of the late 60s and early 1970s. In my other band Orne I follow that tradition.

How does it usually occur when Reverend Bizarre writes new material?

Albert has written most of the material for Bizarre, as he already had an unhealthy number of finished songs when we started working seriously with the band at the turn of the millennium. We never jam, it's been either Albert or me completing the riffs and lyrics, and then teaching them to the others. Some minor arrangement details usually vary at the time of the recording, but mostly it's always been one vision at a time.

Is there a Reverend Bizarre song that you personally like somewhat more than the others?

There are some favourites, like “The Hour of Death”, “Sodoma Sunrise”, “Cirith Ungol”, “The Demons Annoying Me”, “The Wandering Jew”, “Cromwell”, “Sorrow”, “Anywhere Out of This World”… But I really cannot pick up one particular song. I love most of our material.

What guitar and recording equipment have you used on the upcoming record?

I always use the same Gibson SG Special through Laney tube head (though on Crush the Insects I had to use George Dennis Mighty Mouse, and was not as happy with the end result). The sound was taken in a separate room from cabinet to some good microphone obviously. We used Pro Tools for the first time which had its ups and downs. In solos I usually use phaser pedal and small Musicman combo, but this time I did most of the solos through Line six as I wanted some more variation. Some Cry baby wah in some parts as well.

Are there any sort of practice routines or techniques you use to improve your guitar playing or songwriting?

No. And we hardly ever rehearsed anyway. I just play the songs that come to my mind, until I am happy with them. I usually have the song title first, and when the narrative starts to shape in my head I listen to the riffs in my head and pick up the ones that fit the concept. Then I usually demo them with my laptop, try the vocal melodies and write the lyrics. For me it's not about the scales or technique but rather about the ideas and minimalism.

Do you have any advice you'd give to aspiring young musicians or bands?

Read a lot. Try to hold on to your passion despite the disappointments. Never think about money. Get a VERY flexible dayjob that makes you survive financially and allows you to tour.

Lastly, can you think of any interview question you've always wanted to answer but that no one has ever asked?

“Why do you keep on ranting about C.O.T.D. and true doom metal when there are so few fans to slow and boring riffs anyway?” I will not bother to answer that anyway as it should be evident when you read what is mostly written about the music we love.

Anyway, feel free to visit our online living room at www.hellridemusic.com/reverendbizarre.

Try to stay clean but use strength if needed! Love is the law, love under will.

Great thanks to Peter and everyone in Reverend Bizarre for letting this interview happen and for making such excellent music over the last several years. Their new album, So Long Suckers, is slotted for an August 8th release on Spinefarm Records. You can visit their official website at reverend.shows.it and the official RB forum at www.hellridemusic.com/reverendbizarre.