The conditions were a bit hectic. We should have recorded C.F.B. already last winter, but we found ourselves short of a few songs. We started writing songs already in 2005, but I was a bit slow with the lyrics and everything. It's possible that I was a bit tired after the previous year I had with NIGHTWISH. By the summer 2006 we started to have all the material together, but I also had to start rehearsing new material with NIGHTWISH. So I was rehearsing and recording demos with two bands, starting to record an album with TAROT straight after demos, and also doing live shows with TAROT on summer festivals. We had booked those at the time when we thought we would have an album out already.

Like I said, the writing was a bit slow, but when we found the right parts and structures for the songs, then the finishing touches, harmonies and nuances came quite easily. Some of the music in very raw versions have been around since S.O.P., and, for instance in Grey there's music that was written already in 1996.

Well, everyone of us was a bit surprised, but pleased of course. We had felt that there was a good interest about the band, but really didn't expect this much.

Whaddya mean? EUROPE? (Ed: of course not!) That would probably be too much for us, no offense. We've just kept an open mind with the times, and we just like to see what kind of contrasts we can create by mixing for instance modern Metal guitar work with 70's Hammond organ.

I guess we could have installed him as a fulltime member already at the times of S.O.P., or even earlier. It was just a matter of realizing that we have an asset here, and we should utilize it to the full. And like you said, he's been around with us for a long time already, so the personal chemistry is already there.

I think some people already said that. We're in a band. It's a team.

I had a hard year in 2005 with NIGHTWISH, as everyone probably knows by now. That might have affected my songwriting, but not in a conscious way. In TAROT we also write songs quite democratically with Zac and Janne, so C.F.B. reflects their musical preferences too. This is what we came up with, and when we realized that this album would be really heavy and dark, we thought: We like heavy stuff, let's go for it.

I don't have expectations about those albums. I think it was already worthwhile to have them remastered as a documented history of the band, and because they did well here in Finland already. Of course I'm pleased that the hardcore fans in other countries now have a chance to order them from for instance in our Netshop.

King Foo is responsible for Finland. They've lisenced C.F.B. to Nuclear Blast so that they can release it in rest of the Europe. We're still looking over things in some places like Japan and North America.

We took the name in the end of 80's when we got our first record deal. We just thought it would suit a Heavy Metal band. To my opinion, everyone has a right to believe in what ever one wants. Of course political, religious and today the commercial extremes are responsible for the most of the human suffering. In many cases they're the same.

No. I've been around this business long enough to keep my feet on the ground, and take good things as they come and forget about the bad.

Maybe I've doubted it on the way, but due to whatever strange happenings here we are, and that's great!.

Downloading without permission sucks! I spent my last 50 marks on METALLICA's Master Of Puppets in 1986, and drank tea for lunch and dinner for a few days. I may be better off these days, but what about the people in the CD factories, promotion offices, record stores etc.? It's their salary you're stealing also when you download stuff.

We shot a video out of Ashes To The Stars. It's made in the spirit of 60's or 70's Sci-Fi movie. I liked it a lot. You can see it on our website.

That depends on the price and the quality of the video, and the channels you have in bringing it for the people to see. I think Nemo did a great job for NIGHTWISH.

We should pay attention to what the people and the fans say, but we shouldn't take things too personally. If I stand behind what I've written or done, then it really doesn't matter if someone else says that it's commercial or crap or whatever. Someone still may occasionally hold a mirror to you and your doings. It's up to how honest we are in the first place. Of course forums and media are infested with people who know everything better. I wonder why they don't lead a band into intergalactic success.

It's because we're smaller and also a bit more backwoods than for instance Sweden. They've had the 'know-how'of music business about 10-20 years in advance. Aside from that, we do have a more slavic streak in our nature. Darker sense of humour for one thing..

I'm interested in all things 'Metal'. I've heard all of these bands as well. I don't necessarily go out and buy an album from any band, but I think I recognize real strength when I hear a song, for instance, from TRIVIUM. PANTERA was great of course, but my roots are in the 70's and NWOBHM in 80's.

Depends on the material these reunions actually produce. The reunion gig of BLACK SABBATH at the end of 90's in Helsinki was a happening where everybody had a smile on their faces. The band too. If you can make 6000 people feel that good, it can't be wrong.

Thanx to you as well, take care and all the best!