1. Hello Sir, it's an honor for DEATHINMELODY to have you with us today. We are really privileged to have your precious time, how are you doing?
Sneck : Greetings! Nice to have a talk with you. All is fine in Finland, everything is blossoming since winter is stepping away and spring rolling in.
2. As we all know, you have been inspiring many around the globe as a musician. Sometimes young musicians who are on the learning process becomes frustrated easily. Can you tell something about your childhood, about your very first band Ferocia and your journey afterwords?
Sneck: I saw a rap-duo of my age in the TV when I was a teenager and got inspired to play and make music myself. Loaned a minikey-sized Casio from my cousin and started pressing the keys. Eventually learned some melodies and started making my own. I think this was in 92 or something. In 1995 my friend asked me to play keys in a band called Dark Divine, later named Ferocia. Style was something like Cradle of filth, well atmospheric dark metal anyway. When in -99 I moved to Oulu I got in touch with many bands. Since then, it has been mostly Metal.
3. What are your favorite things or hobbies you do on your leisure time except music?
Sneck: Is there something besides, haha! Well, family-stuff like wife and dogs. Also I'm into computer stuff. I do some gym too if motivation is on, not lately though…
4. Besides rock and heavy metal, are there any other genres or styles of music that you blend your taste into?
Sneck: Progressive and classical music. Radio hits of pop and whatever style works for me too.
5. As we all know, you have continued a long journey with Kalmah, can you tell us some of your memorable Kalmah moments?
Sneck: Live shows, like a couple of tours we did in Canada, were great since people went crazy on concerts and were super nice overall.
6. If there's a song to pick from Kalmah as your favorite, which song would you go for?
Sneck: This would be "they will return". My absolute favorite. The previous keyboardist Pasi had a nice, different style than my own. Btw, if you want to hear a solo duel between me and Pasi, search for band Burning Point and song ”holier than thou”.
7. My favorite Kalmah solo has been the keyboard solo in the song Sacramentum, can you tell us something about that or the philosophy behind writing it?
Sneck: As I wrote the song, I wanted it to be EPIC so to speak. The solo needed to fit that atmosphere. It ended up having nice melodies and of course some shredding aswell.
8. Which song of Kalmah you enjoyed the most while playing live shows?
Sneck: Besides "they will return" I would pick "heroes to us". People went crazy every-time playing it. Like the beginning of the song, its very powerful and just demands your hands in the air!
9. As we all know you had been working with Poisonblack where the band had recently announced the its stop last year. Can you tell us something more about the decision?
Sneck: It was a journey for 15 years, so a long great trip. We were a band that got each others backs, in that sense it was very special. I think Ville who founded the band wanted some time to think what he wants to do with music.
10. What will be your favorite song from Poisonblack?
Sneck: There would be many, but "Only you can tear me apart" would be on the top of the list. It also has nice soloes in it.
11. What are your thoughts on Scandinavian melodic death metal scene? is it the same like it used to be ?
Sneck: It has so much more variety than like 15-20 years ago. Natural evolution I guess. Its easy to hear what is scandinavian made. Theres always a certain ”ring” to it. Going strong and why not.
12. If you are to define the term "Melodic Death Metal", what would be your statement?
Sneck: I'd say the power of it is in ear-candy melodies combined with fast-pace and aggressive instrumentation.
13. What do you like the most from the Melodic death metal suub-genre? Can you name some of your favorite melodic death metal artists?
Sneck: Not sure what fits the genre but to name a few, Amon Amarth and Wintersun would be something to listen to.
14. Can you tell us something about the recent crisis artists are facing due to piracy? Do you prefer digital distribution (which is easily reproducible) over physical releases?
Sneck: I'm a cd-guy myself, like if I make an album or my favorite band releases an album, I need and want it as in form of cd. Of course it’s also good to have it in digital form. Times are harsh but you just gotta adjust to it. Waiting for new innovations to come.
15. Can you tell us how you manage your time when band routine conflicts with your personal plans?
Sneck: So far I've managed to do 99% of the music stuff. It takes some good planning and focus and of course understanding from the people close to you.
16. What are your favorite gears and gadgets that you like to use?
Sneck: I've been using Roland gear for many years. My set up used to be a master keyboard controller and some modules because not many devices were able to do seemingless sound change. Currently I use the latest workstations of Roland. My aim is to have only one keyboad that can make it all happen.
17. Tell us something about your current activities with Afterworld, Stargazery and THE MAN-EATING TREE (TMET).
Sneck: The third album of Afterworld has been in the making for so many years, hope to finalize it soon. I parted ways with Stargazery last year, but we did two great albums of kind of 80's melodic metal. With TMET we have began to set our eyes to the fourth album. Its on very early stage at this moment though.
18. You have also worked with Maldivian Nothnegal, what were your experiences with them?
Sneck: It has been great time, very nice guys these islanders! For example we shot a music video and played a show in Male. Also did a festival show in India and an european tour supporting Finntroll. Great memories!
19. There's a huge number of fans of you in Asian countries and where I come from, Bangladesh. Are you familiar with the scene ?
Sneck: I've noticed this and its great since the people seem to be young and enthustiatic, so future is secured and that is good. Musically I dont know many bands from this region. Ionic bond is one that I remember, have you heard of it? haha!
20. What are your future plans?
Sneck: Besides these mentioned bands, I have been preparing a kind of my own band consisting solely of my material and songs. Its been pretty much recorded so I’m trying to finalise it all. Musically its my dearest genre, like neoclassical symphonic power/fantasy-metal. Hope to release more info as soon as possible!
Sir Marco Sneck has been a very dominant musician in the metal world. He has been active in Finnish metal scene and has worked with many prominent bands. Besides Kalmah, and the aforementioned metal acts, he has also appeared in the Guilt and Regret song from Sentenced album The Cold White Light in 2002.
Deathinmelody team feels privileged and honored to feature such enthusiastic big name and prays for the long life and prosperous career of Marco.
Interview dated: April 2nd, 2016
Interviewer : Mir Hisham
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