Hi Markus, how are you?
"Hi, I'm all good. Pretty satisfied right now, so... surfing that wave."
When did you start playing your instrument and what prompted you to start?
"First, I tend to panic when I hear things like: ”I think every guy who starts playing music, starts in order to get all the girls”. (Yeah, I hear this too often) I'm like HELL NO! It's way bigger for me. I started playing music as a young kid and noticed early that I had a musical ear. Used to pick out songs and melodies on my keyboard and found some deep connection and purpose through that. Always been close and important. First connection with the guitar was in school's music class, I was thirteen, and just knew from start that it was my thing. Sticked together since."
What are your thoughts on your comeback this year?
"It couldn't be better to be honest! I'm more than pleased with the outcome, both personal and entrepreneur wise. From carrying all the overwhelming feelings in the past, to come back all fresh, with a great spirit and hunger for everything. It's like a huge part of me died back then and now resurrected. But I went into this with no expectations, was more interested in the therapy of creating the EP with the goddamn songs we've been talking about since the breakup, and just be able to let it go. It turned out way better than I could imagine, so... it couldn't be better! It's just great to be back."
Okey, I see! Talking about the releases, 'Embers' and 'Phoenix', which elements are you particularly pleased with?
"For me it's been a real pleasure to just produce metal again. I'm really satisfied with everything from the performance in the recordings, to the final products. The music speaks a nice language today and I enjoy listening to it. I'm also very pleased with the production, mixing and mastering I've done. The soundscape is both connected to the history, but also focused on the presence and future – pretty orgasmic for me as a music producer and audio engineer. Other than that, as I said, I'm very pleased with all the feedback we've received from listeners and media. Made the comeback and releases even more special!"
You've been mentioning the ”infected air” in the past. How do you look back on the years in Omnispawn before the break?
"Hmm, I see a very developing, fun and crazy time combined with a lot of frustration. Towards the end the frustration became too heavy to handle. So heavy I couldn't see myself being a part of Omnispawn again. Never talked about the band after the breakup, didn't want anyone to associate me with the music. It was brutal, but it was so many years ago. Overall I look back on it with a smile on my face. No hard feelings left. I know what was wrong back then and what I did wrong myself. I'm just glad we made that journey and what it forced me through afterwards. Wouldn't be here doing what I do today, without it!"
Ah okey, but how’s the chemistry between you guys today? You changed a lot, some have families, side jobs etc. How are you coping with each other now?
"Yeah, we have. But there's always been a good chemistry between us, I think. We have a pretty crazy vibe when we hang out and work together, haha. We have a way better relationship today though and a more relaxed approach to who we are and what we do, so... it's just svätes, as we would say! (ugly swedish version of the word “sweet”)"
What is your strongest memory from the time in Omnispawn?
"Hmm, that must be when I first realized the audience were singing along to our songs at the live gigs. The first gigs we did was like, a bunch if people checking us out. No clue of who we were or what we were saying. After we released ‘Darkness Within’ the audience began screaming our lyrics and banging to beats, and that first moment of realizing this on stage is a strong memory."
Being one of the founders of this band, what is your earliest "Omnispawn memory"?
"Haha I actually remember the first day I met up with Rickard and we started ”the band”, 2005, upstairs in my parents house. But my first memory from when we were a full lineup must be...our first live gig, just a few weeks after we became Omnispawn. I remember the preps backstage. Our intro came on and we knew we're up next. We all looked into each others eyes. Rickard was extremely nervous, his first gig ever. I remember turning around to get my guitar picks on the table when I suddenly hear the craziest slam behind my back. Rickard grabbed a fucking door and just smashed his head into it, haha. Good memories."
Haha awesome! Let’s hope the show was nice. You had two releases this year, what are your next goal? What are you looking forward to, in 2018?
"Haha it certainly was! I'm looking forward to all the new songs we are working on. It's great material, great melodies. The next goal music wise is showing you what we sound like today. All the releases you heard 2017 is songs we wrote so many years ago so I'm looking forward to show you what we sound like today. Working on a new album now as we speak, actually! I'm also looking forward to put out some merch, work on the visuals, videos etc. Show you more of who we are and what we do today."
Reaching the end of the interview I would like to ask you what kind of music do you listen to? Any music/bands that inspires you?
"I'm a sucker for melodies and rhythms in general – most melodies – but when it comes to metal and inspiration I listen a lot to At The Gates, Lamb of God, In Thy Dreams, The Haunted and bands like that. I like keeping track on where music is going and get inspired by colors in any kind of music. Loved listening to Children of Bodom earlier but somehow lost them around 'Blooddrunk'. Naglfar – Harvest is a great album, and right now I'm exploring Hypocrisy and Dark Tranquillity."
Feel free to send a message to the readers in order to end the interview.
"I just wanna say thank you all for 2017! The fact that so many of you been contacting us and writing/posting about us on your channels made our comeback so much more special. Really appreciate the support, thank you all for that!"
- Markus Harhu, Guitarist