Sentenced Interview

Interviewing guitarist Sami Lopakka of the Finnish metal outfit Sentenced was a very unorthodox experience. Finding one-fifth of the group completely at peace with the band's decision to call it a day (the album is titled THE FUNERAL ALBUM, after all) was unusual, but the self-loathing and minimalizing of the band's accomplishments was more of an eye opener. Keeping the Goth metal mentality down to the wire, we found out why Sentenced decided to call it a day, as well as what's so special about the connection between Finland and heavy metal.


The Gauntlet: When did Sentenced form and how did you come up with the name?

Sami Lopakka: It was 1989 when the band was formed. The name seemed fitting to the lyrics, and even more so in the coming years. You know, the idea that life is a life sentence and that death is the release. And now, 16 years later, we are finally approaching the release.


The Gauntlet: Why do so many metal bands hail from Finland and how did you discover metal?

Sami Lopakka: Metal was purely underground in Finland when we started. I discovered metal through some Slayer, Death and Metallica albums, and later on through underground tape trading. It blew me away. In Finland there was a rapid rising for metal music somewhere in the mid-nineties, and we were part of the "awakening" with our album AMOK. Since then metal has been becoming more popular all the time, to the point where now it's even dominating the national charts. Why? I don't have the answer really, maybe metal and the Finnish mentality just fit together in a perfect way.


The Gauntlet: What kept Sentenced running all these years?

Sami Lopakka: The urge of creating something new, something that wasn't done before, and something of our own. Every Sentenced album differs in some way from the previous ones, as the search always took us to different places. The band has also grown music wise and even success wise with every album. In a way we were looking for the highest musical peak for the band, and now it feels we have found it. We have conquered the mountain of our own shit; our work here is done.


The Gauntlet: How was recording THE FUNERAL ALBUM compared to previous releases?

Sami Lopakka: The recording itself was the same as always, but writing those songs was something very different. We knew already then that this was going to be our last record, and we wanted to something special with it: to write the soundtrack for the band's funeral. We also wanted to include a feeling of good-bye or parting in the songs, and have songs that actually deal with the band coming to its end. It turned out to be a very challenging and exhausting process, as you can of course write the last album only once. But when everything was finished, it was also probably the most rewarding moment during our career. We felt that we had reached what we were after with it.


The Gauntlet: Is there any remorse or sadness now that the band has ended?

Sami Lopakka: Remorse no, sadness yes. We took about two years to make the final decision, and we are still certain that it is the only right thing to do for the band and for the people in the band. Still there is this certain sadness of letting something important go. On one side it's something melancholy, on the other it's a relief. And to add, it is not exactly over yet - we are playing THE FUNERAL gigs right now, the last one will be in October. That show will be filmed and recorded, and will be released later on as a live-DVD. It will be called BURIED ALIVE.


The Gauntlet: What's next for you?

Sami Lopakka: I'm going to finish a novel I started a few years back. It's a totally different form of art and a great challenge of course. This winter I finally have time to see if I have what it takes.


The Gauntlet: Are you satisfied with what Sentenced has accomplished?

Sami Lopakka: Yeah, we always did just exactly what we wanted to and it would be stupid to regret anything.


The Gauntlet: How would you describe Sentenced to someone that never heard your music?

Sami Lopakka: Ugly guys play shitty music. Don't get involved with it if you haven't already. Save yourself.


The Gauntlet: What bands influenced Sentenced from its formation until now?

Sami Lopakka: Back in the late 80's it was the same bands that got us into metal to start with: Death, Obituary, Metallica, Slayer, Entombed and so on. Since the early years we have tried to avoid specific influences and searched for something of our own. But obviously anything you are impressed by will have an effect later on. Personally I nowadays listen to bands like Type O Negative, Anathema and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.


The Gauntlet: Do you hear Sentenced's influence in today's metal?

Sami Lopakka: I do, but then again I can't be very objective on this matter. It's of course great if we managed to create something impressing enough to have an influence on other musicians.


The Gauntlet: How would you like Sentenced to be remembered?

Sami Lopakka: Ugly guys who played shitty music.


The Gauntlet: Any final words for the fans?

Sami Lopakka: We have received already thousands of messages since we put the "funeral statement" out in February. It has been overwhelming to see how much the band has meant and still means to so many people all over the world. We just want to say thank you back to all those people. I hope you enjoy the last album and join the funeral in one way or the other. After it's all over in October this year: all the best for all of you.


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Tags:  Sentenced  , Sami Lopakka, interviews

Mike SOS    October 11, 2005