Finland's own five piece melodic death metal act, Prayed and Betrayed has combined a unique style of music and context that has lead them to create their third release to date. Along with some line-up changes and other mishaps since forming, nothing can stop these guys for they have shows and touring and newer tunes all within their minds and hearts and even souls! The entire band got together to discuss this release and the future plans.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Prayed and Betrayed, and how long the band has been together.
Our band was born in the summer of 2012 but this line has been locked down since spring 2014! The band mates are as follows; Antti Lukkari (Guitars), Panu Korhonen (Guitars), Samuli Paananen (Vocals), Otto Puusaari (Bass), and Juho Shuomi (Drums).
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Antti: Our band was formed in the summer of 2012. The first idea of a band like this emerged sometime in 2011 between Antti and Panu. The band went through a couple of line-up changes and the current line-up has been around since the spring of 2014. At the moment we have successfully managed to gather a group where everyone's motivation and talent are at the right level so we can fully operate as one.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Antti: Our band is based in Jyväskylä Finland. The metal scene here is pretty active and there are a lot of current bands. Pretty much all of your friends has some kind of band going on. Mostly some sort of metal genre. It's very nice considering arranging shows etc. It's quite easy to find bands to play with and because the scene is good there are a couple of good places where it isn't too hard to go and play. But some bands we would recommend would be Lost Society and Frosttide. Those are two great young bands rising from here right now.
4. What type of band are you?
Panu: We have lots of different elements in on music so defining it is not too easy. If you had to pick one genre it might be modern/melodic death metal. Especially our new record has lots of stuff going on. We have
fast brutal parts as well as melodic "hit-choruses". Complex drum stuff and groovy guitar riffs are also a big part.
5. Why did you want to name the band Prayed and Betrayed? What does it symbolize and represent for the band?
Panu: Actually our friend invented the band's name. It doesn't have such a huge meaning or anything. It fits with our bands lyrics which often refers to social issues, religion and stuff and it sounds cool.
6. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Antti: Well bands that we've been listening to and started the urge to start this band would be; Hypocrisy, Amon Amarth, COB, Kataklysm etc. Even though it seems to be bit of a cliche nowadays but you gotta say that everything you hear and see everyday can be somehow be influential to your writing process and the songs you create.
7. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Panu: Usually they revolver around social issues/problems that humanity has these days, kind of looking like the days would be critical with how telling everything and everyone that's twisted that it's just our own faults.
8. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Antti: Yes I am responsible for the material. The writing process usually starts when I get the basic idea and the mood for the song down. It might be a weird order to determine the mood of the song before having anything written down but yet that's how our songs are born and work. Then after the idea is sealed comes the very first riffs and the songs take off from there. Like for example on our latest record it felt right to do something a bit different and go for our slowest yet melodic and grunting song yet. That's how the title track was born. I usually write the whole thing down including every instrument then share it with the others when the whole thing is ready. But in the rehearsal phase the songs shape into their final form as everyone come sup with a little of this and that.
9. How does "The Abundance of a Sickened Mind" differ and compare to your previous releases? Why did you see fit to release another EP as opposed to a full-length release?
Antti: Well we actually don't ever like to talk about our earlier material hehe. We were completely unready when we made our first EP. Now the music is much more technical and the songs are written better and well thought out and everything is produced better. We basically consider the new EP our first real release and it's kind of a new start for the band. We have a new frontman with a better fitting voice to our music. Our first EP we were still kinda looking for what direction to go, it definitely didn't show our full potential as musicians. We took our time to make things right with this new release and everyone else along with it and are happy with it.
Panu: There are a coupe of reasons for another EP. At this point we are still looking for a label, we are convinced that this EP would be enough to make that impression. What we mean by that is that labels aren't going to go through bands with self-made full-length releases. They are asking for a couple of the best songs to prove yourselves plus other promo material like photos, live videos, etc. Money is obviously an issue but we want to be able to do good quality songs that cost us studio time and we picked 3 well produced songs that are hopefully enough to prove our potential.
10. Do you have any favorites off this EP? If so, which and why?
Panu: One of the points for doing a short EP was to not have any weak songs and we are happy with all 3 songs. Still we made "Deafblind" our single which has gotten the most attention. It is one of those fast kicking ass songs with a earworm chorus. And the title track is definitely a fun one, one of our slowest songs so far and even a little synth is in the background but still heavy as can be.
11. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Panu: First, they should hear our music and let it speak for itself. The latest release shows our variation and musical skills. Even though, we know there are a bunch of melodic death metal bands espiecally here in Northern Europe, we still claim to have the uniqueness and our own style within our music. Band wise we are extreme dedicated with this and at the moment we are strongly focused on promoting our band and getting to our goal and scoring a good deal and killer fan base!
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Antti: You can listen to us on Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify. And buy our stuff for from iTunes, Bandcamp, Google play, and Amazon, or you can contact us at prayedandbetrayed@gmail.com!
13. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
Panu: Right now, we are promoting our EP as much as possible. We want to get the word our and reach new fans. Getting a decent deal is another target our number one right now when it comes to label searching. There's a couple of shows happening in the fall here in Finland too.
14. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?Antti: Well hopefully the songs themselves will get the listener pumped and wanting to add them to his or her playlist. Hopefully our cool variation of elements within the songs will leave something ringing in their heard or ears if not both, that will make them want to hear it again and again and again!
15. Any final words of wisdom?
Antti & Panu: Check out our new EP "The Abundance of a Sickened Mind"! If you already have, we thank you! You will hear from us soon!
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