How does the new Album Sound?

Well it sounds like Sarcofagus! I think anybody who liked Motorbirds will like this. I have always had my own style in composing songs and to me Core Values is a natural progression from Motorbirds.

Although there is 26 years between Motorbirds and Core Values the time gap is downplayed as the Motorbirds was quite ahead of time as a heavy metal album rather than heavy rock. People who have heard Motorbirds 2004 Web Edition for the first time have mistaken it for a brand new album!

Core Values is heavier and more complex and progressive album than Motorbirds.

Are you happy with the result

I am VERY pleased with the new album as is the whole band. The synergy in band is fantastic. I set to make a very heavy progressive album with postmodern screaming feedback guitars. Then Esa added the original Hammond B3, Minimoog, Mellotron and Accordions in an authentic 70´s Deep Purple style. Tanja did unusual progressive influenced vocals with cool lyrics based on my song ideas. As always Juha played strong supportive bass.

The result is a Post Modern Progressive Metal album which also embraces our roots.

World is full of good bands and albums. We set to make an unique fresh new album. I think we have succeeded in that; whether you like it or not, it´s something you haven´t heard before!

What does the "Core Values", and the Ltd. after Sarcofagus mean?

The name is referring to business buzz term: Corporate Core Values. The Ltd is just added for the same corporate effect. So the band name is still just Sarcofagus!

The new lyrics are about the present day pressures and issues. The lyrics are about personal experiences, frustrations and build up "rage" from the past 26 years! So there's a lot to moan about...

This album has been on the back of my mind for 13 years waiting for the right time and for a break in our film work.

According to your website the album has been ready for almost 2 years.
Why the delay in releasing it?

When we started to work on this album we wanted to make it right; the album we would all like to listen to. There were absolutely no commercial ambitions at this state. To allow us the totally pressure free creative environment the decision was made that we act as our own record label.

Also we decided that there is no reason for us to rush this as Core Values is, like Motorbirds, timeless music. But now is the right time and we are ready. We are also very pleased that the global distribution and management is handled by Tapio Korjus (Rockadillo Records). He is the right person to do this!

What are Sarcofagus future plans?
Are you aiming for global audience?

By default we already are International band as me and Tanja live in UK. We have been living here for the past 16 years.

The album will be in International distribution and we do receive emails from Germany, Italy, USA, South America and Japan. As for any Metal and Progressive band the best way for global reach is Internet. Of course Finland is the natural place to start as that is were our roots are.

The Resurrection of Sarcofagus - Why now?

Why not? During the past 10 years the Sarcofagus has been suddenly resurrected by a new generation. I also realised it was natural to use the original band name, as the key musicians from the past are re-united. Also Sarcofagus has always been my special needs baby :)

Will the band gig?

Esa was already packing his gear 1.5 years ago, and start gigging immediately :)

So the answer is YES! Sarcofagus will be seen on gigs. We already discussed about next summer but decided it is too early. The plan is to have European Tour and I personally want to do a stage show with pyrotechnics, lasers and screens. To do this right will take time.

We all are now much better musicians then we were 26 years ago, also in the past we never had so much fun playing together as we do now! So yes we want to play live as soon as it is possible.

Is this a one off record?

NO! We already have another project almost finished which will be released as a double CD. This is a International Musical TV Series about the Northern Epics and their influence in present day stories. This project has top visiting musicians/artists/actors from Scandinavian countries and UK. The music is a compilation of Progressive, Ethnic, Metal, Atmospheric music, from primitive instruments like 5 string Kantele to ultra modern digital instruments. I like to mix all kinds of influences.

Epic Project has already been recorded and is in post production. This is a very exciting project and plans are also for live performances of the Epic Project music...

I also have new songs in my back pocket for the next Sarcofagus album under construction...

What have you been doing after Motorbirds?

After Sarcofagus Motorbirds -album and video were released I felt that I had done everything I had set to do and what was possible at the time.

I really liked producing and making the Motorbirds Video so I started to direct and produce films and film music with Tanja Katinka. In Finland we made the TV Series "Automania" and our production company produced hundreds of TV Commercials, Corporate Videos and Commercial Soundtracks.

We also produced, composed and directed the rock video "Dream On" for WWF International (World Wide Fund for Nature). The video made the headlines in the MTV News, including an interview of me and Tanja.

So is the Egyptian mythology now forgotten...

The Egyptian Mythology is still close to me and Sarcofagus Egyptian Roots are still present in the CD Art Work which was made by Graphic Designer Matt Petch. I also collect Crystal Quartz Skulls so myths and mystical topics are still very much in my interests.