Hitryakoff: OLYMPOS MONS is a new formation on the European power metal scene. Please tell us what goals you pursued at the start and how they may have changed after releasing your debut album...
Ian E. Highhill: Well, our goal was to get a record deal and to get to play live before bigger audiences. Our goals haven't changed much from that, except that the first part is now achieved.
Jari Sundstrom: Yeah, plus making millions and billions and zillions of dollars... Hahahahaha!
H.: The creative core of the band is the Sundstrom/Highhill tandem. Could we expect any contributions from other band members on future releases?
Ian: No, OLYMPOS MONS is a Highhill/Sundstrom project.
H.: I know that the founding members of OLYMPOS MONS aren't newcomers to the metal scene. What bands did you play in before starting OLYMPOS MONS?
Ian: There have been so many bands, but my last one was a DEEP PURPLE tribute band.
Jari: I've played in so many different bands that I've lost count. My last band was a cover band performing various kinds of music...
H.: There are a lot of bands coming out of Finland in recent years, in absolutely various branches of metal music. As for melodic metal, you have bands like STRATOVARIUS, ALTARIA, and Timo Kotipelto's self-titled solo project. Why did you decide to work in that style?
Ian: This is what comes out when we start writing together with Jari. We really can't do much about it.
Jari: Yeah, we're very sorry... :)
H.: OLYMPOS MONS is the biggest volcano in the known universe. If we consider that there was life on Mars millions of years ago, perhaps that volcano was the cause of its devastation. Does that mean you have an aggressive approach to other bands, a will to dominate above all by any means?
Ian: No, we don't have an aggressive approach to anyone. But about the will to dominate — well, that's another story...
Jari: For God's sake, not by any means! Where did you get an impression like that? And if there was ever life on Mars, I am convinced its devastation had nothing to do with any volcano but with the foolishness, greed and arrogance of its inhabitants... Just look where we are heading...
H.: "Conquistador" is a self-produced record. If you ask me, self-production usually results in a significant loss of objectivity. But maybe there's another side to the coin? Could you point out the main advantage of self-producing, as you see it? If you had a chance to invite somebody to produce your record, who would it be?
Ian: We have a very clear vision of how our music should sound, so there's really no need for a third party. But if Martin Birch would volunteer, maybe we would consider it.
Jari: You couldn't put it any better, mate...
H.: I read there were some problems during the recording session for "Conquistador" that forced you to change the recording studio. Could you tell us about that? Are you satisfied with the final production?
Ian: We're very pleased with the final result, and we don't really want to comment on the problems with that studio any further.
H.: There is a figure (a conquistador) wearing an astronaut's helmet on the front cover of your album. Does that mean the lyrical content of "Conquistador" has sci-fi elements?
Ian: I think the concept in the song "Conquistador" is more historical than sci-fi. As for the lyrics, well, they are some kind of fantasy poems, I guess, based on both real life and fiction.
Jari: The idea for the cover art was to somehow combine the conquistador theme with the origins of the band name...
H.: I know that you have a female president in Finland, and therefore a better insight into what it's like having a woman at the head of government. Is the song "Cleopatra" connected to that in some way? What do you think — if women dominated in governments around the world, what would it change?
Ian: I think it's a positive thing having women as presidents. "Cleopatra" is not connected to that — it's a song about Cleopatra's slave/servant who both hates her and loves her at the same time.
Jari: If women ran this world, its future would probably look more humane...
H.: Listening to your music, I've found that some passages and lead melodies sound as if they were originally composed on keyboards. Do you keep an intentional balance between guitar melodies and synth melodies, or does it happen naturally while you're writing songs?
Jari: Well, we just write whatever pops into our heads — some of it on guitar and some on keyboard. But a significant amount of our material is also written with just the plain mouse of the computer...
H.: What do you think about the use of symphonic elements in metal music nowadays? Is it still relevant? Who is your favorite classical composer? What do you know about russian music?
Jari: Relevant? In my opinion, anything that sounds good in music is relevant. My absolute favorite classical composers are Bach and Vivaldi since I'm very fond of baroque music... so that makes me a baRocker... Hahahah. From what I understand, russian music and culture in general have a very long history and a high standard...
Ian: Mine are Carl Orff and Edvard Grieg.
H.: Have any of the band members had formal musical training?
Ian: I haven't!
Jari: Nope. (I don't know about Mikko or Vili...)
H.: A question for Jari Sundstrom: Sometimes guitarists primarily involved in melodic metal try themselves in the opposite genres. Take, for example, Andy LaRocque of KING DIAMOND, who participated on DEATH's "Individual Thought Patterns" album. Could you be interested in collaborating with a brutal band? If so, could you name a specific brutal band you'd like to work with?
Jari: Sure, ANNIHILATOR. I've been fond of Jeff's music for 15 years already... Perhaps it's not as brutal as what you're thinking of, but for me the vocals are very important, and for me the Death you mentioned already crosses the edge of my taste...
H.: Are you planning to film a video? What kind of music videos do you prefer to watch — concert videos or scripted ones? If you decided to score a soundtrack for a motion picture, what kind of movie would it be?
Ian: All this is at such an early stage that we don't know about any possible videos yet. I like both kinds of videos — concert and scripted. If OLYMPOS MONS were to do a soundtrack, it would most certainly be a sci-fi/fantasy movie with an erotic flavor!
Jari: I'd be eager to participate in a funny animal cartoon... :)
H.: Imagine that you've decided to use female vocals on the next OLYMPOS MONS album. Would you invite Tarja Turunen of NIGHTWISH, Montserrat Caballe, or the russian girls from TATU?
Ian: I think we would take Tarja to dinner, Montserrat Caballe to sing for us, and the TATU girls to dance for us on the table!
Jari: That would be fun...
H.: A question for Ian E. Highhill: As I understand, your last name "Highhill" is an alias. And the analogy between "Highhill" and "OLYMPOS MONS" is also apparent. If after years of a successful career with OM you had to go form another band, would you drop this alias for a new one?
Ian: Ian Eric Highhill is my real name — it's just translated into English. And no, I will never change it.
H.: From the recording diaries on your website, I've learned that your favorite drink is beer. Don't you want to write a song about beer, like the guys from TANKARD do? Let's imagine your girlfriend is fond of beer and is therefore getting a bit heavier. Would you try to curb her drinking, or is that okay with you?
Ian: Well, beer isn't that romantic, is it? But who knows. And as for the lady getting a bit heavier — well, I think women are beautiful with curves. I'm not very fond of those anorexic model types!
Jari: It ain't over until the fat lady sings... :)
H.: If you had a chance to redraw the geopolitical map of Europe, what changes would you make? Do you think the unification of all of Europe would bring good or bad to the European metal scene or music in general?
Ian: I'm a musician — all I want is to play music and have peace in the world!
Jari: I think the unification of Europe is good for music. And as for the geopolitics, I have nothing to state in public...
H.: Maybe there is something you ever wanted to say, but no one asked you about...
Ian: To our neighboring metalheads in russia and Ukraine: buy our record and join us on a magical, mystical ride to the rainforests of Mars!!!
Jari: Yes, buy it, or Santa won't bring you any presents on Christmas Eve... :))