Antony Hämäläinen [Nightrage] Recaps 2009

It's already been a whole year, since the last time I bugged Antony with a year-end list of questions recapping all his trails of awesome. The difference is, this is not only the end of the year, it's also the end of a decade!

Nightrage had a eventful year, releasing their fourth studio album "Wearing A Martyr's Crown" to great reception (Kerrang! 4/5, Rock Hard 8.5/10 and Metal Hammer's 5/7 among many other rave reviews).

The band is currently writing material for their 5th studio album! which by default will make 2010 another great year for the melodic death metal heavy weights and for the metal scene.

I ask Antony about sharing the stage with one of melodic death metal's forefathers Tomas "Tompa" Lindberg, his favorite albums of the year as well as the decade, and a lot more.

Here's how it went:

TMR: 2009 Saw the release of Nightrage’s latest studio album “Wearing A Martyr’s Crown” which was your first recording with the band, how has the experience of being the band’s front man been so far?

Antony: Its still great as it was 3 years ago. Nothing has changed. Everyone has given me (and the band) so many positive reviews. Its a really amazing thing to be a part of still.

TMR: Tomas Lindberg shared the stage with you to perform one of Nightrage’s classics “The Tremor” would there be a chance of hearing the both of you on future Nightrage material?

Antony: Yea that was an amazing experience for me. He is one of my personal heros kind of. And we got a nice chance to talk before the show while in the rehearsal. We have some nice things in common besides being in the same band. So it's always nice to just be real people and forget about this "larger than life" image to have on people sometimes. It was a great honor and if you would have told me 3 years ago I would share the stage with him I would have thought you were crazy (laughs). To get to the other part of your question yes of course I have thought about having him in on a song for the next album. I'll find out more soon. I'll have Marios ask him about it, they are still tight so I'm sure it would be easy to do.

TMR: 2009 has been a great year for metal; what are some of your albums of the year?

Antony: Dark Funeral, Hypocrisy, Struck By Lightning, Slayer, Napalm Death, Converge, Enslaved, Amorphis

TMR: Now that the decade is coming to an end, what are some of your favorite releases in the 2000s?

Antony: I'll just do a top 5 for this one.

1. Nightrage - Sweet Vengeance
2. Dark Tranquillity - Damage Done
3. Hypocrisy - Virus
4. Napalm Death - Smear Campaign
5. Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness

TMR: The global recession has been a very effective step back for a lot of events, and festivals. Did the recession effect your state of metal?

Antony: Not for me really. I only go to shows in the area I live a friend is in town. When I'm home I don't really go out for much. Just hang with friends and drink. So for me this didn't hurt metal. Nothing will ever hurt this music.

TMR: What’s the craziest encounter you had this year?

Antony: I got to speak with Andreas from Sepultura when we were doing a festival in Portugal. That was very cool. He is a very nice guy and down to earth. It was a shock to speak with him since I have been a big fan since I was 11 years old. That's the best encounter I can think of.

TMR: What are 3 things you’d like to change about the past decade if you had the chance?

Antony: Nothing. You learn from everything you do. If not then you are not paying attention to life.

TMR: How many tweets have you tweeted so far in 09?

Antony: I think like 5. I don't really use the thing. I got it for the band really. It's not really something I keep up with. This facebook and email thing is enough headache for me (laughs).

TMR: Thank you so much Antony for taking the time to answer my questions, and for always being so kick ass! would you like to add anything?

Antony: Thank to you as well. I always love doing these awesome questions you have! Well only thing to add is that we are already writing the next album while on this break before some touring. We are currently at 7 songs done! The songs are shaping up more brutal and straight forward than WAMC. So I hope you all enjoy it! Thanks again!

[TMR sidenote]: I'm already getting extremely pumped up!! about the next Nightrage album... excuse me while I go punch random pedestrians in the face!

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