The Finnish heavy metal scene is no stranger to slow-developing projects, taking years to form, hone their sound, and finally emerge with something unmistakably their own. Themata is one such rare example. What began as a distant idea among old friends in the early 2000s has gradually evolved into a fully realized creative force. With their debut EP, Riven, released last year and their first-ever concert in Pori on May 23rd, the timing couldn’t have been better to catch up with singer Juuso and guitarist Ville-Veikko.
We had the opportunity to discuss the band’s long journey to its founding, the creative process behind their music, and what the future holds for them.
Hey guys, how are you doing?
Juuso: We are doing well. Today we are playing our first show ever here in Pori, so it is a big day for us.
How did the band originally come about? What were the early stages of its founding?
Ville‑Veikko: The roots of Themata actually go back to the early 2000s. I was playing in a stoner‑influenced band with our drummer Ville back when he still lived and studied in Pori. After he graduated and moved to Helsinki, that band ended, but we stayed in close contact and always had the idea that one day we would start another project together. Eventually Ville joined Dö, and I became involved with Atlases. In 2018, Atlases and Dö played a joint show, and that’s when the idea resurfaced. I had written a bunch of songs, and we started discussing who could join. Early on, we had members from Besra and Callisto, but everyone’s main bands kept taking priority.
I wrote more songs and we tried again, this time looking for musicians closer to us, from Dö and Black Royal but again, schedules got in the way. Eventually, Ville and I decided to record the EP ourselves and then find the right vocalist afterward. A couple of people were involved briefly, but they disappeared from the picture.
Finally, Ville asked Juuso from Grave With A View if he would be interested in handling vocals. He liked the material and joined. That is how the debut EP Riven was created recorded by the three of us: Juuso on vocals, me on guitar and bass, and Ville on drums.
How did the band approach you, Juuso, to join?
Juuso: I have known Ville for a while. He came to see a show of another band I was singing in, and afterward he sent me the material and asked if I’d be interested in making a demo. Things just spiraled from there.
And you felt the music spoke to you right away?
Juuso: Yeah. There are a lot of elements in it that resonate with me. The material speaks to me in its own way.
What inspired the name Themata? Does it have a specific meaning or story?
Ville‑Veikko: Coming up with a band name is always tricky. Karnivool’s album Themata caught my eye back in 2005, and the name stuck with me because of its mystery. For us, Themata means theme or subject, something open, something that does not confine us. It gives us the freedom to create without limits. So while the name is taken from Karnivool, to us it represents artistic freedom and the ability to explore visions we couldn’t realize in our other projects.
How would you describe the musical and lyrical themes of your EP Riven?
Ville‑Veikko: Musically, we wanted to keep things simple and give space to the production. The goal was to create something heavy, dynamic, and appealing to a wide audience. People have told us that Themata feels like something new in the metal scene. We call our style modern sludge, which fits the sound well.
Lyrically, we wander through gloom, where even the smallest glimmers of light feel like the last ashes of an extinguished ember.
Where did the EP recording process take place, and how did the environment affect the final sound?
Ville‑Veikko: The EP was recorded in three different locations across Southern and Western Finland. Each of us worked in our own environment, and that shaped the final result. The energy we got from each other’s contributions was strong. We were able to work entirely on our own terms and schedules, and the sound world emerged naturally heavy, crushing, and exactly what we aimed for.
What can you tell us about your latest single “Monochrome”?
Ville‑Veikko: Monochrome was written in the aftermath of Riven, but it expands on the EP’s atmosphere. It was recorded in different locations, and mixed and mastered by a different team. It is a step toward an even rawer sound, but still part of a natural continuum. There is no specific message, Juuso interprets the curse of being thrown into endless darkness, where death is born in perfect symbiosis with oneself. The cover art is by Niilas Nissilä of Sepulchral Curse. Mixing was done by Oskari Hakala‑Rahko from Themata live collective, and mastering by Miro Kiiski.
Juuso, were you able to write anything for this single?
Juuso: No, Ville‑Veikko wrote everything. That is how the band works, that is how we split the tasks. I arranged the lyrics and the vocals.
Where did you record the vocals?
Juuso: At home. I have a small studio setup, so I do everything there.
So it is easier without studio pressure?
Juuso: Exactly. And I live in the middle of a forest, in the middle of nowhere, so it works perfectly.
You all play in different bands. How do you find time to rehearse and coordinate?
Juuso: It is difficult, there are a lot of moving parts. For this show, we rehearsed maybe three times. But we’ve all been playing for a long time, so everyone knows what they’re doing. We practice individually and then make sure it works together. Time management is tough.
If you had to describe Themata’s music to someone who has never heard it, what would you say?
Juuso: To me, it is both beautiful and absolutely horrific at the same time. It has a heavy, oppressive quality, and that is what drew me to it.
Are you working on new music now?
Juuso: Yes. Ville‑Veikko is writing new material, and we have talked about doing a full‑length album. We already have a lot of material ready, and some tracks recorded in the same session as Monochrome. We will release those this year.
Ville‑Veikko: More new music is coming to support our autumn gigs.
How was the reception to the EP last year?
Juuso: I think it was received well. I did not hear any negative feedback. Overall, the response was positive.
How did it feel doing soundcheck today for your first gig? How was the synergy?
Juuso: Normal in a good way. I have played with our bassist Oskari for a long time, and Iha ve known Ville‑Veikko for years. We are all friends, so it is easy. No stress. Everyone trusts each other.
How do you prepare before a gig?
Juuso: Vocal warm‑ups, lots of water, and getting into the right headspace. It depends on the band I am performing with, each one has a different ritual. Honestly, it is pretty boring. Just the basics every singer needs.
How did you learn the vocal techniques you use?
Juuso: I can not even really remember. I did backup vocals for a while, then ended up in a band where the vocalist quit, so I had to take over. It was trial and error, losing my voice a million times and getting it back. But I have been doing it for a long time now.
So you learned how to manage it over time?
Juuso: Yes. And if you are playing a lot of back‑to‑back shows, you have to take care of yourself. Otherwise you won’t last.
So a full‑length album and more gigs are coming. Anything else? Any music videos planned?
Juuso: We do not have any videos planned at the moment. Maybe we will do one, you kind of have to, but I am not a big fan of music videos myself. Right now we are focusing on gigs, writing, and recording. We will probably record early next year once the writing is finished.
We’re at the end of the interview. Anything you’d like to say to your fans and the people reading this?
Both: Thank you for listening to Themata.