- What inspired the name of the band, and what are your influences?
Inkvisitor means inquisitor in Nordic. It’s not a Finnish word, but the form was chosen because the English word was too common and the current form also represents our northern roots.
In the beginning our influences were for example Pantera, Slayer, Kreator, Nile, Testamant, Helloween, Exodus etc. Nowadays our influences still include our early days, but we have also incorporated some progressive/death/black –vibes too. I believe that our style will evolve drastically on our third record (whenever it’s done, who knows).
- How has the band changed since inception?
Completely. I’m the sole member of the original line-up. There’s no drama though, other guys just weren’t that interested or motivated anymore, and fell out gradually. On this new record, there is both old Inkvisitor and new Inkvisitor present. Our previous guitarist and the other founding member Lauri played his parts on the record, and my friend Pekka played the bass on the record on session basis (he’s played on our debut as well since we didn’t have a permanent bassist).
New guys include Tino, our new drum master and Markus, the fiend on the mic. Our new guitarist Mikko & bassist Sakke joined after the recording sessions, so they don’t perform on the actual album.
- How do you approach writing and shaping songs?
Traditionally, either me or Lauri (previous guitarist) wrote a song at home with midi-drums and then brought the almost complete song to the rehearsal place. We then tweeked the song and that was it. Me and the vocalist wrote the lyrics.
On the new record I would write myself and lauri would co-write with Tino. I came up with the concept and the story for the album, and me and make wrote the lyrics together.
Since we have a completely new line-up now, I’m looking forward very much on writing new stuff. We will shake up the old routine completely, writing more as a band.
- What themes are explored on this new album?
Dark Arts of Sanguine Rituals is a concept album, so we have a single one story progressing over the songs. It’s like reading a book, each song is a chapter in that book. The story is a neo-noir murder mystery, but it soon takes a darker turn when occult elements are introduced. Eventually it deals with themes like god complex, anti-religion, inner darkness, social commentary and the hubris inherent in every human.
Even though it’s a story, you can still read opinions and philosophies of the writes between the lines. And follow a awesome story of course.
- What songs are you looking forward to playing live from this new album?
We play eight songs live, only ones left out are A Shadow Suspended in Dust (different tuning) and Quagmire Twilight (bonus track, not fitting to play live). So almost the entire record is played live.
- What plans do you have for the future?
We’ve been planning a bit for an European tour, it would be sweet to see that happen! Also, I think we’ll start writing new stuff during summer. I’ve been hands full with this release stuff, and since it’s now out, I can direct my focus more on writing.
And of course, we will play shows here in Finland anyhoo!
Jesse Kämäräinen
Guitarist
Inkvisitor
Thanks for the interview!