Interviews: Perpetual Rage

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal band Perpetual Rage from Finland. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or came out like that?

Petri: The band's name reflects our attitude towards making music. Endless passion, if I may say so. And it came just like that; there was no need to plan it so crazily.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Petri: My fascination with this heavy music genre started as a child in the late 1980s. So it was natural to start playing myself. I was initially interested in drums, but then the guitar became my chosen instrument. It's that raw power that always attracts me. I like the challenge of the genre and the fact that you can do whatever you want with your creativity.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Petri: I am the only original member. I knew bassist Ari from before, so his joining the band in 2011 was easy. I already knew a vocalist, Juha, from the Kuopio music scene, so according to him, coming in 2023 was a natural fit. We didn't know drummer Ilkka before. I found him through an internet announcement in 2023. It quickly became clear that the guy can play and is a good dude, so he fits in well with the group.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Petri: For me it ́s Nevermore, for Juha it ́s Blue Öyter Cult, for Ari it ́s Black Sabbath, for Ilkka it ́s Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Petri: From the early years, it has been sci-fi, horror, and fantasy books and films that have inspired the songs. And specifically texts on songs. That won't change, and why should it? Sometimes there are topics that come from real life, so reality is also represented, so to speak. All those topics are endless sources for me, or at least that's how it still feels. Sometimes I can make a song out of one word. Sometimes it takes a little bit more. Of course, sometimes I have so-called “empty paper syndrome”, but it goes away with time. Imagination is everything; without it, it is difficult to make good rock or metal.

6. Where was your last gig?

Petri: It was 9/8/2025 here in Finland, in Jyväskylä, the New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal Alliance event with 2 great NWOFHM bands, Highway Queen and Everlore. The summer here in Finland was still hot at that time, so it was hot as hell on stage too. It was an energetic and intense gig!!

7. Where would you like to act?

Petri: Anywhere with good opportunities and good conditions. In Finland, of course, the most. If and when the financial matters are sorted out, of course we are really interested in working abroad, indeed.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Petri: Of course, with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Manowar, Queensryche and so on, hahaa!! Well, in reality, actually, with all the rock and metal bands who are good guys and know how to do this live performance thing and set up. Here in Finland, we have this New Wave Of Finnish Heavy Metal alliance, so there are really good bands to do shared gigs with ,etc. Check out the alliance pages!

9. Whom not?

Petri: Well, I think there's really no one in this genre we couldn't feature with. Anything is fine for us.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Petri: Of course, there's always stage fright. It's part of the game, and without it, it would be weird to do live shows. That stage fright gives us so much strength and energy that without it, we would be lost. Practicing the songs well and believing in yourself will at least help you with that. Concentration is also an important part. Before a gig, I start to concentrate by warming up my fingers with guitar exercises and so on.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Petri: A question four above already reveals a lot. For me, it's Nevermore and Pantera in the metal scene. I also like hard rock like Dokken, Ratt, Winger, etc. Traditional heavy rock/metal like Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest, etc, are the ones that always give me kicks. Progressive bands like Symphony X and Rush are tough stuff! In short, all kinds of rock and metal bands inspire me, as do blues, jazz, and the world of classical music to some extent.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Petri: I can't remember anything weird that was asked. Usually, the audience is more or less drunk after the gig, which is strange enough in itself, haha!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Petri: Of course, I think of the fans with warmth. It's really great that there are people all over the world who like what we do. We are always grateful for that!! 

14. What do you think of our site?

Petri: It's really important that sites like Breathing The Core exist. Without you, there would be significantly fewer of these channels to introduce people to different rock and metal bands globally. I really appreciate your wonderful work, thank you for that!

15. Something to add?

Petri: Enjoy good rock and metal music, make love, not war, and live life to the fullest!! Thank you for reading this!