interview with CARDINALS FOLLY

What´s the name of your band? CARDINALS FOLLY.

How was the band formed? I started jamming doom metal riffs with a couple friends all the way back in 2004. For the first few years, we want under the moniker of THE COVEN and did couple of demos. Then became CARDINALS FOLLY in early 2007, and that´s basically the road we´re on.

Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? We take our influence from our own metal masters. They are bands like BLACK SABBATH, BATHORY, PENTAGRAM, SAINT VITUS, ELECTRIC WIZARD, BURZUM, REVEREND BIZARRE, BEHERIT, IRON MAIDEN, VENOM... yes, it runs that wide. We also dwell deep in occultism and in many otherworldly topics. The actual goal is to create a believable and true atmosphere using these influences, mixing our own witches´ brew out of those. Of course we also use many personal maneuvers in the matter, forging our own style in the end. 

Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? Playing DOOM METAL felt like a path that would be interesting enough to walk. I think it also helped a bit, that there weren´t too many bands of this style around back then - especially not in Finland. So we kinda formed like a coven of our own. Not many people really got us back then. Our songs are mostly about morbid things, death and mysticism. Mysteries of life and death, weird tales, strange cults, hidden world of the occult...

Is it always the same songs live? Definitely not. We like to mix as much as possible, without changing the entire set. "Blood Axis Raiders" is the hardest of the old tracks to leave out. I like playing many songs though, and we already have dozens to choose from.

Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Things were a bit more interesting and reckless back in the good old days, this I know even as a young guy born in mid-80´s. But we have that spirit, and if you look at the leading bands of our styles, I think NOT that much has changed. Now we just have way more mediocre bands formed simply due to habit of playing. But I think this current-day society just makes it more interesting, ´cause now we see which bands are actually serious and can still evoke the true spirit of the golden age of metal. Separates the men from the boys.

How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? I think this correlates with the previous answer. If a person is satisfied by mere downloading and does not care for CD or vinyl, let him stand in his mediocre world of shit. Once again, this separates the wolves from the sheep. We don´t need fake people or idiots anyway, so let them live in their own way.

What would be your dreams for the band? To reach the point where EVERYBODY who takes interest (I mean theoretically) could have heard our sinister work.

Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? When it comes to metal, I like black metal and classic metal/NWOBHM aside from doom. Outside metal, I like some post-punk, neofolk, martial/atmospheric stuff.

What do you hold most dear? Inspiration towards life and making music. Inspiration derived from darkness, but to let it flourish in the broad daylight. So that they become together.

Have you been in any other bands? Some projects, but I don´t really ever think about playing in some other band. It´s more practical to focus on something you want to push forward. I wouldn´t care for playing in a 3 or 4 bands on a passive basis. I prefer doing one thing with dedication.

What would you do if there was no music? Probably write some sleazy tales combining D&D, mushrooms, vampires and occultism. Right? Haha! Or perhaps try to become the Jess Franco or Jean Rollin of Finland, by introducing a domestic cult movie phenomena. 

What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Our loyal fan NIUVIS MARTIN from Florida, US has painted us the cover arts of the next EP. Out of sheer friendship towards the band. I think that was pretty remarkable, and I owe her one. It´s sometimes people like this, who keep the scene worth being in!

How often do you rehearse? About once per week. Rehersing must not become some boring sport or casual routine. But with the current line-up, rehearsing is always fun and guys are motivated enough to always play well. So it´s fun.

Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Heh... kinda difficult. I haven´t been into listening lately, as we´ve worked them so much during the last 2 years. From the new album that´s out this month, I´m most into WALVATER UNVEILED and THE LOVER´S CRYPT at the moment. But this changes all the time.

What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Well, aside from the obvious reasons I´d say it´s also because we have so much to do. The line-up changes have always taken the band to better direction, and now I feel our coven is finally complete. So things remain interesting. And we showed with the album, that despite of our controversiality we have the guts to make the music we really want. So there ain´t too much limiting us.

Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Develop your own style within your genre. Do not listen to anyone but your inner desires. People always think they know better, but...

What was one of the most quarrelsome times for you in the band? Maybe we haven´t actually had "quarrelsome" times, but I sometimes wonder how I got this far. All the other members have changed in the band, but it was mandatory in this case. Our first guitarist just kinda faded out of the picture, the next one had no time for a band, and our previous drummer was never ready for the band to actually be active. Now our line-up feels perfect, so I guess the hardest times have been seen.

Do you have anything to add?

ACCEPT THE NIGHT AS YOUR GUIDE, AND JOIN OUR CULT. TOMORROW COULD BE DEAD, BUT DOOM METAL LIVES TODAY. FIND US AT:

www.facebook.com/cardinalsfolly

cardinalsfolly.bandcamp.com

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