For more than four decades Marko Hietala has been gracing the music industry with his visionary presence, his highest calibre musicianship, and his unique self. He’s a warm, fascinating and funny character – and Devolution’s Jo Wright enjoyed half an hour in his e-presence, discussing his latest release ‘Roses From The Deep’ (out now via Nuclear Blast Records), his appearance on Finnish television, and his vision for a better world…
So let’s start with the obvious question… Marko Hietala – founder of Tarot, key component of supergroup Sinergy and (drumroll….) Nightwish maestro, it’s fair to call you symphonic metal royalty, is it not?
‘I might be,’ he concedes, ‘but it’s just one part [of me]. There’s quite a lot more. I tend to be also very progressive rock. Both progressive and symphonic can go hand in hand as well. I’ve always had a soft spot some nice folkish rock and ethnic styles too.’
‘Roses From The Deep’ is Marko’s second solo album. It’s a full throttle ride through operatic, eclectic, mythical and magical soundscapes that make you wanna get up and get going as well as sit still and listen to the intricacies, themes and threads.
What’s Marko’s take on it all? ‘It’s probably more energetic and more ‘band groovy’ – more on the side of rock and metal than the first solo album (‘Pyre Of The Black Heart’). We pick up this vibe because the band has been playing together for quite a while.’
Working alongside his well-established band means Marko can rely on their expertise while he focuses on his. ‘I feel like I’m pretty bad ass when I concentrate on my strengths!’ he says. ‘But as a musician there’s always ways to express yourself but also ways to get better. The worst thing is believing in your public image too much. Especially if people praise you. Then you basically don’t need to do anything anymore. I like praise! And for some of the things I’ve done I’ve been given quite a lot! But I’m not next to God or anything like that!’
Plenty of your fans think you’re pretty close though Marko… ‘It’s very good that you have fans and you have people who like your music and who come to your shows,’ he says. ‘It makes life worthwhile and making that music worthwhile – it’s a two way road. But I can’t think of myself as anything special, except that I’m good enough in what I do.’
With forty or so years in the industry, Marko has earned the ‘musical lifer’ badge.’ It’s a bit of survival too!’ he laughs. And if you hadn’t survived? What would you be up to? ‘I’d love to write something longer [than songs],’ Marko tells us. ‘My greatest artists are writers of books. I am looking for an escape, so I like big stories and big ideas.’
How about inspiration for your lyrics? ‘I am very randomly and erratically inspired,’ he says. ‘Because of that I always kind of keep myself open to what I hear, see, experience… and to emotions. And having smart phones means it’s very easy to record and write. But I did have my years when I was carrying a notebook and mini recorder all the time to capture ideas. And then some of them live on in my head and I start finishing them. Sometimes it’s really fast, sometimes it takes months. Sometimes even years.’
It’s not just music Marko’s known for – he’s no stranger to starring in a bit of reality tv, the most recent stint being an actual king for the day – kinda….
‘I was myself – no acting at all! The concept is interesting. It’s a concept from the Netherlands. They take a bunch of artists – there were eight of us, guys and girls, and everybody is a king for the day. And you get your seat at the end of the dinner table, and everybody else performs your songs.’
Marko’s not so sure about being branded ‘Symphonic Metal Royalty’, but if he was a king, what rules would he enforce? He has a good think. ‘The first would pretty much cover everything – don’t be a dick!. The second one would be don’t be offended for pitiful reasons.’
Tracks on ‘Roses From The Deep’ range from fun (‘Frankenstein’s Wife’) to sobering (‘Two Soldiers) and everything else in between. Can their creator choose a favourite tune? ‘Dragon Must Die’ he says with relish. ‘There’s both the ambition of it being the metal epic of the album. I really love the unorthodox chorus and the lyrical side – this particular beast has many heads! And the last verse – I’m pretty proud of how sarcastic it is!’
Marko Hietala; the man, the myth, the legend. He’s not willing to accept the crown of symphonic metal monarch because there are far more stings to his musical bow, and we love listening to them all, as well as the man himself.
Interview by Jo Wright