Doomed Confessionary: Kyy, Petteri, Jape & Marko (Gehenna Sour)
Photo by Matti Autio
Gehenna Sour (the so-called Monster Magnet of Manse) is a rock band from Tampere, Finland. Their sound has echoes from dusty deserts and the pinnacle era of the Sunset Strip. The fuzz overdrive screams at eleven but hooks catch like a virus.
Gehenna Sour was formed in 2020 and has been gigging actively. The members have played previously, or still play, in bands such as Rückwater, Doris Molli, Tundra Fever, Nitrokiss and Good Lookin’ Society.
The newest release, more than seven minutes long epic »I Am One With The Sun«, dropped on March 20th, 2025. Lyrically it may tell a story about the traditional Finnish spirit Koskenkorva, or then again, it might not. All the same, the story gets a massive accompaniment. Fuzz guitar rattles the fillings out of your teeth, but the delicate and emotional chorus paints a more beautiful, even hopeful picture.
Gehenna Sour are Kyy (vocals, guitar), Petteri Aartolahti (bass, backing vocals), Jape Makkonen (drums) and Marko Sirén (guitar).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Kyy: Great choruses and basic going-ons.
Marko: Soundwise: the desert meets the Sunset Strip.
Petteri: Yeah, we got buzzing fuzz guitars combined with big, catchy choruses. And four super-handsome morons.
Kyy: It’s beautiful.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Marko: The biggest challenge is to make even bigger choruses.
Jape: Matching the band life with the civilian life. It makes things hell of a lot more complicated.
Marko: It would be easier if we were unemployed.
Petteri: Matching everyone’s schedules together is a pain in the ass. Another thing is that there are so many other active bands out there that actually landing a gig has become much more difficult than what it used to be.
Kyy: The biggest challenge is to play pesäpallo. It’s always about baseball.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Kyy: The two new singles that sound awesome.
Marko: Yes, the two new songs and the current line-up.
Petteri: Yes. Having me in the band is something to be proud of.
Marko: Also the fact that we are writing new songs all the time.
What was your biggest regret?
Petteri: No regrets!
Jape: There hasn’t been much time to have regrets, yet.
Photo by Teemu Tanhua
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Petteri: All the gigs are great. Some in different ways than the others.
Marko: With the current line-up the gigs have gotten better gig by gig.
Jape: That one time in Turku was quite something. All I could hear was my drums and Kyy’s vocals.
Kyy: It depends on the river.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Marko: How small the Finnish music scene is. Everyone knows everyone.
Kyy: Ass and titties.
Petteri: Maybe we too should show some skin to get more listeners.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Marko: Jolly Jumpers. Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark and Sturgill Simpson – country music and boots! Max Forström Band.
Jape: Manowar.
Petteri: Cemetary Skyline – Nordic Gothic, Dharma Guns – Ex-Generation Superstars, Charon – Songs For The Sinners, Sentenced – The Funeral Album.
Kyy: Warrant.
At this point the vocalist leaves for Benidorm for a “promotional trip”.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Marko: Remember to tune your guitar and change the strings.
Jape: Don’t take it too seriously.
Petteri: Do what you love and what feels right.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Marko: Popeda.
Jape: Manowar.
Petteri: No such thing! What is good is good, no point in being ashamed that you enjoy something.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Tampere?
Petteri: At the moment there are quite a few active like-minded bands in Tampere, even though we all have our own sound. Kingwhip, Rückwater, Roost, Skeleton Shortage. All great bands.
Marko: Yeah, we all share the same undertone. The rock scene is vibrant. Tampere is a rock city. There is good spirit between bands.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Marko: Around Finland. Hopefully in Slovenia one day too! Get us a gig!
Jape: And hopefully elsewhere in Europe, too. Central Europe would be nice.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Jape: Time to list those classic answers here.
Marko: More gigs, making new music. Great riffs.
Petteri: New releases, be it singles, an EP or a whole album. And of course as many gigs as possible.
How can people best support your band?
Marko: By listening to and sharing our music. By coming to see us live.
Petteri: Exactly, spread the word if you like what you hear!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Marko: May the fuzz be with you.
Petteri: Stay tuned for our upcoming single »Hollow Ground« and an accompanying music video in late May! And in the meantime, blast »I Am One With The Sun«!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well