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HUMAN TEMPLE: "Halfway To Heartache"

Finnish melodic rockers HUMAN TEMPLE have gotten around to release their third album, 'Halfway To Heartache' on Escape Music label. here's vocalist JANNE HURME...

How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

Very good so far. Lots of nice reviews and it seems people really love the album.

How long did this CD take to make from start to finish, recording-wise?

This was a really long project this time cause we all have families and other jobs. But I think the real time we spent in studio was about 5-6 weeks, and that included the mixing. 

What kind of 'sound', production wise, did you have in the back of your mind, prior to entering the studio?

Of course we wanted it to sound like Toto or Journey, but that is just not possible. We wanted it to be a little bit more raw,and clearer than in "Murder of crows". 

What kind of input did the producer have during the process?

Not much really, cause we knew what we wanted. But of course he helped us with many little things,and it`s always good to have an extra pair of ears in the studio.

And are you pleased with the final outcome? (sound - production wise)

We are, if we think the time and money what we had to use. Next time we maybe try a new studio and try something different. But the album sounds good. 

Did the producer (you) use any (weird) experimental miking and/or recording techniques?

No. We wanted to do this really simple and traditional way. And it worked out really good.

How did you go on about capturing your 'live sound' in the studio, or perhaps you didn't

That is really a big problem, and i have to admit that we didn't. Next time there will be some different methods during the demo sessions.

Please inform us about your favourite songs and lyrical highlights and why?

My personal highlights are: 'Bleeding through", "I will follow", "Almost there" and "Some things are never long time ago". All the guys have their own favourites, but we all love the lyrics in "Some things are never long time ago".

Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?

I can tell you,the best way to do a good song is to grab a bottle of good red wine and pick up your guitar. Seriously, to me that never has been a problem. I have lots of good ideas flowing through my mind all the time.

Does your vision for coming up with music get affected at all by time?

It really does. It seems the older i/we get,the more mistakes we make in our lives [Ehh, quite the opposite to the rest of the worlds population? Ed's note]. And globally the times are also getting really strange and scary.

Did the record company interfere with anything on your "sound" and songs?

No. We sent the demos of the songs and they liked them. So we were free to do what we liked.

Are there any 'crazy' behind the scenes anecdotes from these sessions that you can share with us?

Sorry,only one. We had a real pornstar doing the intro to "Misery" and I was the only one in the studio that time. I can tell you that the other guys were really pissed of when they heard that they`ve missed the moment...; )

How would you describe the sound of your new CD to any potential new fan? 

It's heavy, but soft. Pure hard rock with a good drive and lots of nice melodies.

Who are your influences and heroes (music-wise)

Can I tell all of them? We all listen to Journey, Queensryche, Toto, Kiss, House of Lords, Dokken, Whitesnake... and the list goes on and on and on..

If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do:

Buy this album,it really kicks ass!
HUMAN TEMPLE

Interview by: Kimmo Toivonen. Concept/Questions by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos by Kimmo Toivonen, from the band's website www.humantemple.com
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