Finnish progsters Trauma Field released one of the most pleasant releases of 2016 that I’ve listened on quite a few occasions so far. Their second album, “Changing Tides,” is certainly a great addition to the melodic, more melancholic spectre of the progressive genre.

Jaakko Pessu (vocals, guitars) and Antero Jokinen (keyboards) answered my question about their work. Head over the band’s Bandcamp page, hit the play button and enjoy reading this interview while “Changing Tides” takes you on a journey through vast.

What made you go for the name Trauma Field?

Jaakko: Trauma is a powerful and somewhat scary word. The name can make you wonder, what is a trauma field and how does it look like. And then you have a picture in your head. At least that’s how it worked for me in the beginning. Also it describes our themes well. Trauma field is inside ones head, and that’s where we dive on our albums.

How do you usually describe your music?

Jaakko: Atmoshpheric, melodic and somewhat progressive. The goal is to deliver emotions and feelings and to do that, all tools and spices can be used.

What is your writing process like?

Jaakko: I usually get a small idea from somewhere. It can be a melody, a riff or a chord progression. Immediately after that I try to recognize the feeling in it. That feeling is the guideline to make the rest of the song and the lyrics. But of course every song and every process is different.

Who or what is your inspiration, if you have any?

Jaakko: I find inspiration from everywhere. Usually it’s other music, but it can be a movie, a photo, etc. The lyrical theme of Changing Tides is the progress of growing and maturing through good and bad days. I have thought about these things for a couple of years now and it was kind of natural to mold these thoughts into an album.

What is your favourite piece on the “Changing Tides” album?

Jaakko: My personal favourite is High Tide. It was fun and painless to make and contains some elements I’m really proud of, like the use of the theme melody in different time signatures. The best thing about this album is that everyone has a different favourite.

Antero: My favourite piece changes from time to time but I have to say I’m very happy to have a proper ballad on the album! I mean Hope For Rain of course.

What makes “Changing Tides” different?

Jaakko: It is a combination of easy and complex things. The melodies are clear and easy to follow, but there’s more in the songs. I hope that a listener wants to hear the songs again and again to hear and understand new things.

What should music lovers expect from “Changing Tides”?

Jaakko: A musical journey to yourself. Everyone should think these themes at some point in their lives. Musically it’s full of feeling and emotion to dive into.

What kind of emotions would you like your audience to feel when they listen to your music?

Jaakko: Depends on the song. Most of the time it’s some shade of melancholy, but there’s always a positive side to it. I’m small, but I matter. Today it rains but the sun will shine tomorrow.

Which do you like most, life in the studio or on tour?

Jaakko: We have never been on a longer tour, but I guess the studio wins. It’s nice to try different ideas and hear the music form in front of you. You can never hear it quite the same while playing.

Antero: We would like to have a some kind of tour of course but sometimes I wonder how some bands can do it for almost two years straight.

Pick your three favourite albums that you would take on a desert island with you.

Jaakko: Today’s choice would be: Boxer by The National, New World Shadows by Omnium Gatherum and Appeal to Reason by Rise Against. An album for each mood.

Antero: I have to say Unia by Sonata Arctica because the album is so complex  and you can find new things in it on every listen. Other two might be Once by Nightwish and Addicted by Devin Townsend Project.

Check out Progarchy’s review of “Changing Tides” here.

Trauma Field is an progressive metal group hailing from Jyvaskyla in Finlad, who recently released their second full-length album “Changing Tides.” All songs (as well lyrics) on “Changing Tides” were written by singer and guitarist Jakko Pessu. The album was recorded between 2015 and early 2016 and was tracked by the band and Joonathan Jaakownaho, who also did the mix.

Welcome to the beautiful nightmare world called “Changing Tides.” With a very focused release to the band’s opus, Trauma Field created an album that has all the potential to push them into upper echelons of charts.

As “outsider” as it feels, “Changing tides” is something that masses can easily identify with. It rather feels as a band with the drive and unfettered ambition to create a standalone marvel which not only awakens the ghosts and cliches from alternative and progressive music’s pompous pasts, but it entirely adds its own voice. And Pesu’s voice is intelligent and familiar, his cold grandiosity spreads out like wildfire as the album plays out.

The opening, title track is going the furthest in imitating feelings of desolation. “Aeons,” “Black Haze,” and “Reborn” are the sharpest-sounding tracks on “Changing Tides.” There is everything here to make Trauma Fe

Field big — ethereal melodies, soaring melodies, and a bombastic sense of “epic” that makes the band’s sound both memorable and powerful.

“Changing Tides” covers a wide range of emotions. There is great songwriting, great performances and an epic quality that is rarely found in alternative rock. Trauma Field have a way of magically turning a quintet into the sonic equivalent of a rock orchestra, and giving strength and bite to their music.

Is this band going to meet a criticism from metal fans? Unfortunately, yes. They are very progressive based, which many would consider a far cry from actually being prog. While there is definitely a feeling that Trauma Field are never going to be full-out prog band, they incorporate prog music into a more accessible songwriting style that is enjoyable, although the music tends to flow in a depressing direction in terms of style and feeling. The band integrates progressive (innovative) ideas into a more accessible sound. But that also doesn’t mean that this is mainstream. It is simply a marriage of two schools of music, and there are certainly enough strange ideas in the music to keep the album fresh for many listens.

In general, Trauma Field have impressed me with their songwriting. They succeeded in making an album that is dramatic, bombastic and larger than life from start to finish. “Changing Tides” is one of the nicest discoveries in terms of new music in 2016.

“Changing Tides” is available from Bandcamp here. Like Trauma Field on Facebook.

Hey hey! ‘sme with some news again. As you may know, I’ve left House of Prog recently (if you haven’t read my statement yet, you can read it here). I got a lot of responses and sweet messages (mostly on Facebook) from friends, colleagues, readers, listeners, and even artists! I would like to thank everyone for […]

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