INTRO: Ok...what makes those fins great is the pure nostalgic feeling
that will twist your stomach with the filthy sound of the REAL metal! Call it
speed, thrash or heavy - it really doesn't matter. Scorching vocals, violent
speed and a lot of double leads over the hammering bass sections. It's uglier
then the rotting Jacko's corpse, bringing memories of the old Razor, Whiplash
and Agent Steel! The band unlashed 2 demo tapes and the debut MLP is still hot!
So, let's have a little chat with the chaps!
MEDAROV: So, let the interrogation begin! Who are the rangers? Share the
line-up and some brief history notes.
RANGER: We are skull shocking metal unit from Helsinki, Finland. Dimi on
bass and vocals, Miko pounds the drums, Verneri and Jaakko share the guitar
duties. We got together in 2009 and there's been a few minor changes in line-up
like Miko switching from drums to guitar and Dimi picking up the bass. Verneri
joined after the “Metal Gear” demo to satisfy our hunger for double lead
guitars.
M: Why did you changed your name from Turbin to Ranger? Turbin sounds
also cool...
R: We didn't have a real name, so we just called our band Turbin for
awhile. We knew it wouldn't last forever and then came RANGER.
M: So, I was totally obsessed with both of your demo tapes - where did
you record those little monstrosities? How much copies were made and what was
the feedback?
R: "Metal Gear" and "Combat Metal" were recorded at
the Long Bridge Militia headquarters aka. our rehearsal place. We lost count
after doing 300 of both of them, we'll keep doing more until the MLP is out and
after that maybe a compilation tape that includes both tapes so all the maniacs
who want to get those can! Feedback has been great, there's even a japanese
pressing of "Combat Metal" out on Record Boy.
M: Where do you rehearse right now and how is the process of creating
songs going in your gang? I mean, is there something like a "boss" of
the band or everyone contributes?
R: RANGER and FORESEEN (insane crossover band, check them out!!!) shares
the rehearsal flats under Konala ice hall at Helsinki. We work together a lot,
but Miko's a real riff junkie who comes out with insane stuff all the time. He
always brings new ideas for us to start working on. Dimi does most of the
lyrics by himself.
M: What is the lyrical content of your muSICK?
R: Post-apocalypse, HEAVY METAL, Sci-fi, 80's action flicks.
M: "Knights of Darkness"...well, well, well! I can smell the gem
that little MLP will become! Promote your devilish deed, if someone is totally
stranger to your music how will you describe your debut release?
R: "Knights of Darkness" is an overdose of skull fracturing
1000 mega watts metal nightmare. It's sounds like the real deal HEAVY METAL
music should sound with drums that pounding like a freight train, vocalist that
rips the night apart with he's screams and guitars that melt your face with
double hot metal attacks.
M: Where did you record it and who was the producer? Which label
released this and are you happy with the overall result? Also, what equipment did you use to
create this ancient feeling incorporated in your songs?
R: It was recorded at Black Floyd's Analog Soundhouse and we produced it
by ourselves. Ektro records are putting it out in September we are totally
satisfied with the sound and look of this release. We used only tube amps,
everything was analog, recorded and mixed on tape.
M: Looking to some of your live stuff on internet and seems like both
the crowd and the band are pretty excited on those violent gigs. How is the
typical Ranger show? How many concerts have you played and which ones were the
most attended, brutal and so on...have you played outside Finland?
R: The typical Ranger show contains blood upon the stage, metal rushing
through veins, stage dives, crazy fanatic Ranger maniacs tearing the place
apart. We've played Helsinki a lot and some shows outside, like Tampere two
weeks ago which was great! We have some dates booked abroad as well, like a
couple dates with the Obnoxious Youth in Sweden on August!!!
M: How do you find the scene in your homeland? In Terozin #2, I have had
the pleasure to talk with Forced Kill - they are fucken nuts! Recommend us some
unknown incoming acts from Finland.
R: We love Forced Kill, they are total maniacs for skull splitting metal
and they borrowed their guitarist Konsta to fill in Verneri's boots on couple
of shows during this summer!! Finland has a great scene and here's some bands
for you to check out that we really recommend: FORESEEN, SPEEDTRAP,
MAAILMANLOPPU and LORD FIST!!!
M: Now...the inevitable - your top-5 LPs of all-time? Which are the
Ranger influences?
Alright! Dimi: Judas Priest - Defenders of Faith, Anvil - Metal on
Metal, Slayer - Hell Awaits, Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time, Exciter - Heavy
Metal Maniac
Miko: Motorhead - Bomber, AC/DC - High Voltage, Judas Priest - Stained
Class, Destructor - Maximum Destruction, Deep Purple - In Rock
Jaakko: Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak, Motorhead - Bomber, MC5 - Kick out the
Jams, Judas Priest -
Sad Wings of Destiny, Exodus - Bonded by Blood
M: So, what's now in front of Ranger? Working on a full-length, I
suppose? Gigs? Wanking...whatever...
R: Writing songs for future releases, playing shows, hanging out,
parties and concerts.
M: That's it motherfucker! I'll be watching you. Any last smartass
words?
R: !!! SUPREME EVIL - SURPRISE ATTACK !!! Listen to Judas Priest !!
http://rangerheavymetal.bandcamp.com/