DO OR DIE BY ANSSI KORKIAKOSKI
The band name is after free’s song ‘Wishing Well’, which I think is one of the finest hard rock songs ever written. I’m a big fan of classic two-word band names, and I spent some time thinking about the name—all the best bands in the genre use two-word names. We play traditional classic hard rock, so I figured that supports the music as well. Wishing Well is also a magical, mystical source of inspiration and a place where you can make your rock’n’roll dreams come true.
I wanted to do something slightly more aggressive, and I thought OK, this is a fast opening track then let’s write fitting lyrics to that. It’s a statement that we want to rock hard and go there all the way, you’re either with us 100% or not.
I was a child in the 70s, and a teenager in the 80s and classic hard rock and metal is my most significant influence, together with many other things from JJ Cale to Neil Young and from Jethro Tull to Pink Floyd. That classic stuff is an endless well of inspiration. Of course, there are lots of great albums that have inspired me but in world of metal Black Sabbath’s ‘Heaven And Hell’ album is number one for me, if you ask me to pick just one.
Metal is about escapism and living in a dream world, getting shelter and comfort from fantasy. No other style gives you as strong feelings, and it’s all about strong, deep emotions.
Our lyrics mostly deal with my own experiences and feelings about life, hardships and difficulties that you have to fight and overcome. ‘Chasing Rainbows’ is the best example. I also like religious ideas a lot; they have a strong message and feeling.
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