Estonia's METSATÖLL have been crafting an exciting blend of Heavy Metal, old Estonian Runo-singing and Estonian Folk Music on traditional instruments since 1998. Having released a re-recorded version of their debut album, "Terast Mis Hangund Me Hinge", last year, METSATÖLL have been catching the eye of a great many Folk Metal fanatics with their highly unique sound.

Why did the group feel the need to re-record the "Terast Mis Hangund Me Hinge" album?

"In the year 2005, or 10218 from the birth of our land, was METSATÖLL completely different band, compared to first 'Terast Mis Hangund' times, musicians and ideas had changed and also, the original version of 'Terast Mis Hangund' was released on the CD-rom and its quality was quite bad… but the songs themselves were good, so we decided to record them, as we play them on our gigs."

Do you think that there will ever be a reissue of the original version of the album?

"I think not, but you never know."

Are there any plans for getting a North American licensing deal?

"We have very much work to do and very little time. The idea of making music is now our main goal, what follows it and how. I think, we find a good man for doing such deals. But right now we are way too busy with our projects. For example, on Friday we play great compositors; Veljo Tormis's and METSATÖLL's songs with National Male Voice Choir of Estonia in Pirita monastery - it's very big project and takes a lot of work and time."

Tell us a bit about the home made instruments that the band uses.

"Home-made!? Of course, all traditional instruments are handwork, cause you can’t buy those instruments from music shops. Some of them are my handwork - like for example electric channel, what I made, because acoustical instruments are very hard to amplify in Rock concerts. And of course if you make music instrument, its sound and feel is completely different from store instruments - they are like alive for you. I also play torupill (Estonian bagpipe), made by Ants Taul, one of most famous torupill master of Estonia, parts of this are also my made, cause everything, what moves, breaks. I have also played hiiurootsikannel (a violin-like instrument, originally played in west Estonia by Estonian Swedes) with METSATÖLL, what is also my handwork. And there is also many more different channels and whistles and little instruments, some of them mine, some of others handwork."

What inspired your choice in folk instrumentation?

"Natural way of making music. And of course my grand grandparents and being with them in my childhood."

Tell us a bit about your lyrical content and why your native language is so important to you.

"It is also natural way of living - I have born in Estonia and I speak Estonian, my grand-grand-grand. etc. - parents were Estonians, so, the only way to express myself is singing in Estonian. METSATÖLL also wants and works for it, that our own Estonian traditional culture, language and customs would not die in nowadays globalization and mass culture. We want to stay Estonians and remember our history with honor and give it forward to our children and our compatriots!"

What are your expectations for your appearance at the Tuska Open Air festival in Finland?

"In Finland is always very good to play, our roots are the same and brother Finns also understands a little of Estonian. But expectations!? I hope we can offer to every Metal fan something more than just a usual Metal show. Come and listen us and you are not leaving with an empty and crushed soul! We have stories to tell." [FIN]