Albums of Purgatory Interview Impaled Nazerene's Mika Luttinen

Albums of Purgatory: Firstly, whats the band up to?

Mika Luttinen:  Not much really. We are waiting confirmations for summer festivals and basically writing new shit.

AoP: How would you describe the Impaled Nazerene sound?

ML: We call it nuclear metal. Mix death, black, thrash metal with some grindcore and crust punk and there you go.

AoP: How did Impaled Nazerene start back in 1990?

ML: Our old band Mutilation split up so decided to find new members and change the name as there were lots of other Mutilations popping up everywhere.

AoP: Can you remember the bands first gig (what was it like)?

ML: This was April 1991. We played with Beherit and Crematory (Finnish one). It was a local disco, 78 people attented and when we started to play, around 10 guys remeined, all of whom were our friends. Great career start, eh. It was pure shit.

AoP: What is your favourite memory from touring over the years?

ML: The whole Japan tour in 1999. I always wanted to tour Japan, it was my biggest dream. Japan was everything I expected and even more. Japanese society has always fascinated me totally. We played our best show ever in Tokyo, it was pure madness. Nothing can fucking top that.

AoP: You have toured with a lot of big names like Vader and Cannibal Corpse.  Who have you enjoyed playing with the most?

ML: I would say No Mercy III festival tour in April 1999 was the best one. Morbid Angel, Emperor, us, The Crown, Limbonic Art & Peccatum. Great bands, had a great time and crowds were huge. And then (again) Japan tour with Ritual Carnage.

AoP: the band has had quite a few line-up changes.  Has it been difficult to get through that over the years?

ML: Nope, we have always managed to find strong individuals to replace the departed ones. I hope this line-up lasts we have now. We are having such a great time when we are on the road.

AoP: Whats your favourite track off the new Absence of War... album?

ML: It is The Lost Art Of Goat Sacrificing. This track has everything that a good heavy metal song needs to have.

AoP: What are your favourite all time Impaled Nazerene songs?

ML: Letīs Fucking Die, Motorpenis, too many.

AoP: What is your favourite all time song?

ML: It is impossible to say just one. Exciterīs Sudden Impact. Venomīs Witching Hour. etc etc

AoP: What would be your dream band line-up?

ML: I stick what we have now.

AoP: Do you have any funny stories you can share with us from the road?

ML:  Depends what is funny to you. There are tons of stories. Anything from young mexican virgins loosing their virginity to me as a birthday present to Maori nazi skinheads attacking us in New Zealand. I am going to write a book one day for sure.

AoP: And finally, what do you see in the future for Impaled Nazerene?

ML: I see mushroom clouds over blood red skies!!!!!