Deep River Acolytes interview answered by Ari Rajaniemi (gtr) and Timo Hiivala (gtr).
The Origin & Identity:
How did you all come together as a band, and when did it feel real?
AR: – In 2010 I found myself in a situation that the previous band I was playing in (Sigil. Heavy rock / grunge) has fallen apart and I kept coming up with somewhat heavier riffs and stuff. So I demoed some songs and asked Joey, the guy I knew was a suitable singer, to sing on the demo. Joey took the case and it turned out great. You can listen “Demo2011” from bandcamp. At the same time PV, the drummer from death metal act Torture Pulse kind of invited himself along and EK, the singer also from Torture Pulse came to play bass. And I was actually a bass player in TP so we all knew each other well already, Also TH wanted to try out as a guitarist and from there we went. All five of us were even working in a same shithole at the time so the band was inbred AF from the start! In 2020 or so we had a change in the bass department. Eetu out, Antti Salo in.
Where did your band name come from, and why does it feel like you?
AR: – First we were called Deliverance but there is/was just too many bands with that name. The Brittish one is the best! So we needed more original name and ended up as Deep River Acolytes. “Deep River” part coming from the Finnish name for the movie Deliverance and “Acolytes” coming from our song The Devil’s Acolytes. It’s original and looks good but no one seems to remember it haha. Just normal fucking wordsâŠ
Did you have a clear vision for your sound from the start, or did it develop naturally?
AR: – We haven’t pushed anything so what comes out it’s what we are. It’s heavy rock. Some stuff is more doomy and some songs more metal but essentially it’s heavy and organic music. I personally write songs the same way I’ve always done, trusting my instincts and going along what feels right.
What should listeners know about your newest album?
AR: – The newest one from DRA is a five Song EP Procession of The Damned. Songs are quite varied but excellent and we thought those would make a great release as themselves. We have also songs for the full-lenght ready and wanted to get those EP-songs out of the way. The EP turned out having its own feel and it’s self recorded and mixed. Mastered by a professional though. You can find it digitally everywhere and you can by a CD also. We also have most of our releases available from our Bandcamp site, just look it up.
Influences & Creative Process:
Who or what has shaped your sound in ways people might not expect?
AR: – Well, no band is an island so it’s anything that might have an influence. More than once I thought I came up with a great vocal melody or guitar part etc. but later find out it’s from some recent pop-hit or TV-commercial or whatever. You just have to live with it. Or deny it and tell everyone to shut the fuck up.
When creating a song, do you follow a routine or mix it up each time?
AR: – Usually I might have some kind of an idea for a song. For example I’m thinking of doing a straight-forward fast banger and then grabbing the guitar and ending up with a ten minute depressive doom mammoth. Usually I do music first and then try to write fitting lyrics and vocal lines but there are some expections when vocal melodies come naturally along the way. Once I wrote notes on pieces of paper. Or actually there was a number of the string (just 1-4) and which fret (0-7). Then just pulled up pieces of paper and decided to use those notes for the new magnificent riff. I got 1-0, 2-2 and 3-2. Just a basic E power chord! Great help from some unknown co-writer from beyond, thanks a lot! Must try again thou to get more interesting results haha. It’s mainly me and TH writing but also other guys are contributing so we have songs coming up with more varied credits.
TH: – What comes out comes out. I have no control whatsoever over it. And usually the song writes itself from start to finish at one sitting when I come up with one good riff. If it takes me more than one session to finish the song I know it’s not gonna be the strongest one from me.
Are there moods, riffs, or ideas you find yourself returning to?
AR: – All the time. Same fucking dots on the guitar neck. They are there because that’s were you should press, eh?
How do you make writing decisions â together or does someone usually lead?
AR: – It depends. I might usually have the last word with my songs at least but everyone is playing their part as they wish. As long as it fits to the song. I’m usually demoing my songs by myself more or less ready and then we just learn to play them as a band. With Timo’s songs it’s usually the same thing. T on guitar and me on drums doing a rough demo and then we go on from there. In some songs we might have riffs from Joey, Timo and me and in those cases we just figure it out somehow. Maybe I’m laying down a shitty demo and then we start arguing how it should be.
Musical Technique / Composition:
When layering sounds, do you focus more on tone or on mood?
AR: – Isn’t it the same thing really? We don’t really have a need for polished sound or anything so the sound is what it is. Maybe changing an overdrive or fuzz pedal for some song, using some effects etc.
Do you use alternate tunings, odd meters, or unusual chords to shape your sound?
AR: – We have standard D or drop C tuning, pretty straightforward timings and chords are whatever they might be. We are just used to have chords or notes which might sound different than usually. Sometimes even unaccidentally.
How much of your arrangements come from improvisation versus planning?
AR: – Both, but usually arrangements are somewhat planned and then we play the song and try out what feels right. When demoing vocals we’ve found best to have some kind of rough sketch and then just let it go and you might come up with more interesting things.
Stories & Experiences:
Whatâs one moment that truly captures what this band is about?
AR: – I’d like to think it’s the moment when playing live and feeling proud of what we’re doing or getting a record released or whatever⊠But really it’s the struggle haha.
Does playing live bring out a different side of your music?
AR: – Always. Mostly unwanted sides! The energy is definitely different and we want to make the most out of it. Better to crash to the tree and make an impact than just piss in your pants in a parked car.
Whatâs the quirkiest experiment youâve done in the studio?
AR: – Does falling to sleep count? Actually we have some maybe unusual things used in our recordings like bounding an oil barrel, shoveling snow, keyboards played with elbows eyes closed and so on. In the song Cemetery Earth there’s a bell tingling nine times before the finale part to call up spirits to join in the choir etc.
Has a fan ever done or said something that made you see your music differently?
AR: – Some people have compared us to something I never thought or even heard about. But not really changed my views or whatever.
Current Inspirations & Recommendations:
Any up-and-coming musicians you think deserve more attention?
AR: – I’m sure there is but usually even the newer stuff I really get into is kind of old. Like Rope Sect, Wulkanaz, etc.
Vision & Reflection:
Where do you see your sound heading next? Any experiments youâre itching to try?
AR: – I see no radical changes but you never know.. Just wish to have more time to experiment and try out things.
Which track do you feel captures your band best, and whatâs the story behind it?
AR: – Could be anything but let’s say Leper’s Hand That Feeds. It’s the first or second song written for this band (along with Ride The Night) and it has a mercyfulfatish riff, melodic vocal lines, epic instrumental part and has lots of chord decisions typical for us.
What do you hope people feel when they sink into your music?
AR: – If someone just gets out from their some feeds and feels something real instead of all idiotic lunacy that’s going on it’s a win. There’s more than living in golden cages as a livestock to greedy corporations and wealth elite. Hug a drummer or hug a tree once in a while.
Turbo Regime:
Fuzz or distortion?
AR: – Overdrive
Analog or digital effects?
AR: – Anal
Sabbath or Zeppelin?
AR: – Sabbath
Heavy riff or mind-bending solo?
AR: – Mind melting riff
Vintage gear or modern kit?
AR: – Vintage if it works
https://deepriveracolytes.bandcamp.com/
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https://www.youtube.com/@deepriveracolytes4656
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Deep_River_Acolytes/3540401209
