I, CURSED - The Horror Within (Finland - Death/Grind - Interview with Eero & Ville).

-  Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music? 
*E: Eero Haula, and it all began in a bar, at a small village that I used to live thru my early years. It actually began together with Ville-Veikko around 30 years ago. Yes, we are old. Metal music has always been in my veins, and I really can’t put my finger on any specific band but a Christmas present Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time surely didn’t slow me falling deeper to metal music in the mid 80’s.
*V-V: Ville-Veikko, It all began for me, I think in the first grade of school. One boy weared an AC/DC sweater in a school group photo. That sweater made me ask from the boy, what is that. He invited me to his home after school, and we listened to AC/DC, Accept, Manowar, Helloween, Alice Cooper, Iron Maider etc. He had gotten those MC tapes from his neighbor. With Eero we have been friends from the 3rd or 4th grade, and in the early years (90’s) we formed our first band(s) together. 

- Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
*E: Me and Ville-Veikko met around 40 years ago, so we have been known each other all of  our lives, more or less. Arttu and V-V have played together before, and Arttu is one of the most insane drummers I have ever played with, so I’m happy Arttu joined the band right around the starting point. This band just happened, and im very glad it did.
*V-V: Me, Arttu and Nico played together in two bands before I, Cursed. One of those bands is still around, but the other kinda faded away, and from the ruins of that I decided to form a new, more brutal, more grind kind of band. The first split EP was just me and Eero, but after the release we really wanted the expand our music to the stages. Current line-up is: Eero Haula - Vocals, Ville-Veikko Laaksonen - Guitar, Arttu Leppänen - Drums and the latest edition, Joni Suodenjärvi - Bass. Joni is known from bands like Cannibal Accident, Hateform and Mors Principium Est. Nico Brander played guitar on our latest EP, but he decided to step aside, with no drama what so ever. 

- Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
*E: I think we have been able to connect brutal deathmetal/grind with ”newer” sound, and I think it sounds ”fresh”. Also, every song is absolute killer!
*V-V: That lovely Swedish HM-2 entwined with modern production. Sounds fresh, new and different. Why should you listen? Same reason we are answering these questions. The feeling is bubbling and tingly. 

- Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ? 
*V-V: No specific messages, just a stream of mind. I am a movie freak, so there’s a lot of reference from that world to our music and lyrics. Pure horror. I have always liked lyricists and writers who challenges the reader. I get inspiration from movies, series, books. Musically I have always been a all arounder. If the song is good, it’s good. No matter the genre. Sure bands like Cannibal Corpse, Dismember, Carcass, Nile etc. are a huge inspiration and influence to me still. 

- About your upcoming release ? 
*E: It has been recorded during the last winter / spring mostly by ourselves, and with close friends. Session was very painless and smooth. What comes to artwork, it was as smooth as the recording itself. V-V had an image in his head and he explained it to our graphic designer, and a few minutes later the idea was on screen. CD and digital in every streaming platform you can think of. 
*V-V: The recordings took place on our own studio facilities in Pori, Finland. Content: Fierce death and grind. You can order the CD version from Meara Music’s webshop, Levykauppa Äx or from our gigs with the other available music and merch. 

- Future plans ? 
*E: To do as many gigs as possible, and to take the next step to bigger stages.
*V-V: To write and record our debut LP after three EP’s. 

- Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
*E: I’m not much of a dreamer.
*V-V: I don’t know if it’s insane or not but to tour everywhere possible, and to make music that dwells on. 


 
- Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ? 
*E: With my (an also V-V’s) other band Oceanwake in Jyväskylä, Finland many moons ago. It was really early days of the band, middle of really f-king cold winter. Audience included one person, that fell asleep during the show. It was funny and horrible at the same time. (Wow, i have no words ha ! Ed.)

- Next live-appearance(s) ?
*E: 19th of September in Tampere, (Sorry for the delays in publishing again.. Ed.) to start our tour. Some club shows, and hopefully as many festivals as possible next summer.
*V-V: You can catch us from Tampere, Helsinki, Turku, Pori and Seinäjoki in Finland this fall and early 2026. More tba. 

- Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ? 
*E: My friends have so many great bands that it’s hard to just name a few.
*V-V: Not much of a local scene in death or grind. Or if there is, the lack of knowledge is upon us. Our region is kinda punk and rock related. 

- Last word is yours..
*E: Keep listening good music, go to concerts and buy albums! Let’s keep the music alive!
*V-V: Support the artist so the art still lingers. 

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Credits :
Band pic by Jerkka Perälä.