Hi Mikko, first of because this is our first interview, tell us some information for The Coven?

We formed the band with three guys back in autumn 2004. Intention was to play doom metal slowly and painfully. We began without a drummer but found during the next winter. We had lots of disagreements inside the band, thus we decided to fire our second guitarist due to many reasons, two guitars didn?t even serve our ideals. It was lot easier to go on as a trio. So, summer 2005 we got the pieces together, played few gigs and things started to happen?

Why you choose this name for the band. It sounds doom?

In my opinion, you need to make it sound doom by playing successful doom under it?s banner. I think this name was chosen because it was clear to me i?d like to write songs about Witchcraft and Witch-hunting. I?ve been fascinated by them and it also happens to be some sort of doom tradition. But with a double meaning, without choosing sides. Thus, THE COVEN.

Before few weeks you released your debut demo Cd, tell us some words for the recording sessions?

Well, it was our first time in studio. So it was learning and just trying to make it as natural as possible. We overdid it, I think. Sounds could be better and production was poor. Songs are decent. There?s lots of positive things, also negative, but that?s just learning curve. Especially recording vocals was difficult process back then. With some of them, I am satisfied, with some, definitely not. Good memories though.

Also in your website you have put for free download a whole live show from you with a special guest, right?

Not exactly. That?s our older gig at the same venue, back in last year. Seems that people mix it with our last gig, where Albert delivered the vocals to our version of “Cromwell”. It?s available because it was well played and I personally like listening to live recordings a lot. Even this, haha.

You come from a country that has the best, in my opinion, underground metal scene, do you believe that this thing gives you some points or you think that you have a heavy weight to carry?

I don?t think about it. There ain?t much bands in our style anyway. Finnish doom metal acts I know: Reverend Bizarre, Minotauri, Spiritus Mortis, Oak, Threshold of Your Womb, Fall of the Idols, Lord Vicar, Garden of Worm, The Puritan, Saturn?s Children- of course Finnish scene is wide and tough, but I don?t think about such things as competition or pressure. Besides, doom is still a weird and grey area among metal media, so I find it difficult to make comparisons.

If someone comes to your live show, what he/she will see?

Three guys giving their blood and sweat for the sake of pure doom metal and all people who love it and have come there to share that experience.

Tell me the first five words that you have in your mind when you hear: Candlemass, Reverend Bizarre, Black Sabbath, Doom Metal.

Heavy, Graveyard, Witches, Cross, Power.

Which are your future plans in order to support your latest demo Cd?

Well, there?s been some distribution for it, but we recorded new promo last weekend (June 2006), and I feel we can build more on this. We are eager to play live, and I hope with this new release we can open more doors. New material is quite crushing and I feel this band is starting to head for it?s total fruitition. Future might be bright.

If you music was one or even more emotions what would be?

Strong will. Dark desires. Criticism of mankind. Faith.

Honestly, which is your wildest dream for The Coven?

Releasing full-length album with serious distribution and promotion or being on long tour and not having any problems, lol, that?s a true dream I am not that demanding. I just want to make my way. Okay, let?s get serious. True dream would be touring with 70?s Black Sabbath, but…

Do you like the music that some bands have while they combine doom metal with more extreme sounds like sludge etc?

Well, I like some sludge acts, like Dream Death, Fleshpress, Frogskin, Stumm. Then again, this “Doom-Death” thing doesn’t?t appeal to me at all. I?ve always felt they just want to make doom a big thing by relating it with bands that don?t really offer anything but slowly played death metal. “Funeral Doom” is even less my thing.

If I push the play button on your CD player, what I will hear?

Depends on the mood I?m in. Today I have listened mostly to Mercyful Fate, Death SS and great doom classics, by Pentagram and Saint Vitus. I listen everything from black metal to gothic rock.

Thank you for your time Mikko and close the interview as you want .

Thank you Antonis, I hope we?ll talk again and have a heavy summer. Everybody interested in pure and heavy DOOM METAL, visit www.the-coven.org and tune into apocalyptic madness. Our first demo-EP is still available from me, only some copies left. New promo-CD available soon. DOOM OVER THE WORLD!