Doomed Confessionary: AV Vedenpää (Holy Life)
Photos by Henri Jankola
Holy Life is a four-piece stoner/doom metal band hailing from Lahti, Finland.
Finnish stoner doom titans will release their new album »C.B.D.V.« this year through 918 Records to celebrate the band’s ten year anniversary. The new album will include seven songs and the musical range varies from stoner doom to thrash to noise.
Holy Life are AV Vedenpää (vocals), Marko Lehto (guitar), Samu Pusila (bass) and Hannu Väänänen (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Holy Life is a ten year old stoner doom band from Lahti, Finland. We started as a small project to have fun and to make a few songs and maybe a gig or two. Ten years, four released albums and one ready to be released album later, we are still here. and been doing alot of shows in Finland, Sweden and Estonia.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
it took us a while to start recording again. We had tens of hours of demomaterial of new music but nothing seemed to click the right way. In the end, all it took was a decision that we could not care less, what was expected of us. we did a different record that we are all very proud of.
What can you be most proud of so far?
we are proud of ourselves as a good solid working unit that can pull things off when it really needs to. even though we are a bit lazy guys, we tend to have a good work ethic when we get around to it. also everyone contributes to the art and that is what makes us the band we are today. Also the tours we have done abroad are always been awesome and we have made alot of good friends and new fans.
What was your biggest regret?
During covid we had alot of shows cancelled as did the rest of the world but two of the biggest bummers were the cancelled tour in Sweden with The Obsessed and the Gloomy Days Festival in which we would have had the opportunity to play alonside Integrity and such…
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
I would have to say that the best show we’ve done so far would have to be the show we did in Stocholm with High On Fire and Martyrdöd. The huge venue was packed with likeminded people, we did a great show, sold alot of merch and people really seemed to love us. Also the guys from High On Fire were true gentlemen and they treated us as equals even though they were the obvious headliners on that tour.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I love the people in this scene but still, the one thing that has always bothered me and suprises me still, is the fact, that how much the city or region you live in or hail from effects on the way people treat you professionally. it should not matter but it does. And this is over thirty years of experience talking.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We have very different musical tastes amongst the band when it comes to music but what we love during our times on the road are as follows: Frank Zappa, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, High On Fire, Entombed, Om, Misfits, EyeHateGod, Conan, Pungent Stench, Grave, Black Sabbath, Miles Davis.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Lahti?
The scene here in Lahti is very good in deed. alot of different styles combined into one healthy scene.to mention a few locals to keep your eye on: Swarm, Betelzeus, Taser, Dimm, Fogteeth, Lightsucker, Sarvas, This Is Sirius… to name a few. sorry if i forgot someone. There are also a few newer bands coming up that I’m aware of but the don’t have even names yet so we will hear about them in the future.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
we have a few shows booked here in Finland and we are planning a tour in Sweden in the fall, as soon as out next record is released. you can keep up on our adventures by following our Instagram and facebook pages.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We have already started to work on some new material for the sixth album but other than that, gigs, gigs and more gigs. we would love to play in Denmark, Germany and the UK… Well basicly, if you book us, we will come. We love to play. Especially outside of Finland.
How can people best support your band?
Probably the best way to support us is by sharing the knowledge about Holy Life and if you know a promoter or are on, book us. All of our merch and records are completely sold out but you can listen to our music on Bandcamp, Spotify and what not. Support is booking a show or coming to a show that is booked in your hometown. That is what keeps the venues and the scene alive. And be there for all of the bands, not just for the headliner.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We love what we do and we are always glad to meet new people all over the globe who love the music we love doing so much. So thank you! Doom is love, love under will! Iä iä iä!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well