Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C
Encyclopedia
Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! is the fifth studio album by Waltari
that combines death metal
with classical music. Originally, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was written as a stage show. After the show's premiere performance in 1995 at the Helsinki Music Festival, it was recorded and finally released in May 1996.
between 1992 and 1995. By the end of 1994, Hatakka got in contact with Riku Niemi, a Finnish
conductor
, composer
and leader of Avanti! symphony orchestra. After Niemi became involved in the project, Hatakka finalized the work and Niemi arranged it for symphony orchestra
. The premiere show was performed by Waltari on 22 August 1995 at the "Taiteiden Yö
" festival in Helsinki
(Helsinki Music Festival), Finland
together with Avanti! symphony orchestra, conducted by Niemi.
After the stage show, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was recorded between September and November 1995, and in May 1996 the album Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C was released in Germany
, Austria
and Switzerland
. Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was performed once again in 1997 in Turku
, Finland, supported by Turku Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately this was the last live performance so far, although a lot of fans all around the world (e.g. Brazil, India, Japan) would love to see it on stage. A video recording of the premiere show is available on Waltari's 'Waltari Fun Club Video Part 2'.
(played by Kärtsy Hatakka
) whose life is being controlled by machines, specifically by a central "computer brain" (played by Tomi Koivusaari
). An angel
(played by Eeva-Kaarina Vilke) wants to help John Doe, and together they defeat the computer brain. However, without this controlling force, John Doe feels lost. He changes his mind and decides to save the computer brain. The story comes to a good end; the libretto
states, "everybody simply decides to vanish into thin air and disappear into the pages of internet!"
In terms of style, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! is quite different from Waltari
's regular work. The music is mostly inspired by classical music, and modern elements (not limited to metal) have been added. The album features long passages of purely classical music, inspired by composers such as Beethoven
and Sibelius
. However, for most of the album, the music varies between "symphony orchestra with a backing death metal band" and "death metal band with a backing orchestra".
Waltari
Waltari is a band from Finland, known for its diversity and combination of music styles, frequently combining alternative metal, progressive metal, death metal, hard rock, heavy metal, hip hop, industrial, pop, punk, rap, symphonic metal, techno and thrash metal.Most of the band's music is written...
that combines death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
with classical music. Originally, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was written as a stage show. After the show's premiere performance in 1995 at the Helsinki Music Festival, it was recorded and finally released in May 1996.
History
Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was written by Kärtsy HatakkaKärtsy Hatakka
Kari Arvo Ilari Kärtsy Hatakka is the vocalist and bassist for the Finnish music group Waltari, which he founded in 1986. In addition, he wrote the soundtrack for the video games Max Payne and Max Payne 2.He is known for his unique vocals...
between 1992 and 1995. By the end of 1994, Hatakka got in contact with Riku Niemi, a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and leader of Avanti! symphony orchestra. After Niemi became involved in the project, Hatakka finalized the work and Niemi arranged it for symphony orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
. The premiere show was performed by Waltari on 22 August 1995 at the "Taiteiden Yö
Night of the arts
The Night of the Arts is an annual event held in several major cities in Finland, in late August. It is one of many White Night festivals held worldwide....
" festival in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
(Helsinki Music Festival), Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
together with Avanti! symphony orchestra, conducted by Niemi.
After the stage show, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was recorded between September and November 1995, and in May 1996 the album Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! Death Metal Symphony in Deep C was released in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! was performed once again in 1997 in Turku
Turku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Finland, supported by Turku Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately this was the last live performance so far, although a lot of fans all around the world (e.g. Brazil, India, Japan) would love to see it on stage. A video recording of the premiere show is available on Waltari's 'Waltari Fun Club Video Part 2'.
Content
Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! features one main story encompassing the album. The story of a certain John DoeJohn Doe
The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
(played by Kärtsy Hatakka
Kärtsy Hatakka
Kari Arvo Ilari Kärtsy Hatakka is the vocalist and bassist for the Finnish music group Waltari, which he founded in 1986. In addition, he wrote the soundtrack for the video games Max Payne and Max Payne 2.He is known for his unique vocals...
) whose life is being controlled by machines, specifically by a central "computer brain" (played by Tomi Koivusaari
Tomi Koivusaari
Tomi Koivusaari is the rhythm guitarist and former vocalist of the Finnish metal band Amorphis.He started playing at the age of 12, his first band was Violent Solution formed in 1987, with him on guitars and vocals, Esa Holopainen on guitars and Jan Rechberger on drums. The band played thrash...
). An angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
(played by Eeva-Kaarina Vilke) wants to help John Doe, and together they defeat the computer brain. However, without this controlling force, John Doe feels lost. He changes his mind and decides to save the computer brain. The story comes to a good end; the libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
states, "everybody simply decides to vanish into thin air and disappear into the pages of internet!"
In terms of style, Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die! is quite different from Waltari
Waltari
Waltari is a band from Finland, known for its diversity and combination of music styles, frequently combining alternative metal, progressive metal, death metal, hard rock, heavy metal, hip hop, industrial, pop, punk, rap, symphonic metal, techno and thrash metal.Most of the band's music is written...
's regular work. The music is mostly inspired by classical music, and modern elements (not limited to metal) have been added. The album features long passages of purely classical music, inspired by composers such as Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
and Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
. However, for most of the album, the music varies between "symphony orchestra with a backing death metal band" and "death metal band with a backing orchestra".
Track listing
- "Part 1 Misty Dreariness" - 7:41
- "Part 2 The Sign" - 8:33
- "Part 3 Deeper Into The Mud" - 4:57
- "Part 4 The Struggle For Life And Death Of 'Knowledge'" - 3:35
- "Part 5 Completely Alone" - 12:08
- "Part 6 Move" - 4:45
- "Part 7 Time, Irrelevant" - 7:56
- "Part 8 The Top" - 6:06
- "How Low Can U Go?" (bonus track)
Personnel
- Kärtsy HatakkaKärtsy HatakkaKari Arvo Ilari Kärtsy Hatakka is the vocalist and bassist for the Finnish music group Waltari, which he founded in 1986. In addition, he wrote the soundtrack for the video games Max Payne and Max Payne 2.He is known for his unique vocals...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Tomi KoivusaariTomi KoivusaariTomi Koivusaari is the rhythm guitarist and former vocalist of the Finnish metal band Amorphis.He started playing at the age of 12, his first band was Violent Solution formed in 1987, with him on guitars and vocals, Esa Holopainen on guitars and Jan Rechberger on drums. The band played thrash...
(of AmorphisAmorphisAmorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include heavy metal, progressive metal, and folk metal...
) – vocals - Eeva-Kaarina Vilke – vocals
- Jariot Lehtinen – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Roope LatvalaRoope LatvalaRoope Latvala is a Finnish guitarist who currently plays with the bands Children of Bodom and Sinergy. He was one of the founding members of Stone, which was one of the first notable bands in the history of Finnish heavy metal.-Biography:...
– guitar - Sami Yli-SirniöSami Yli-SirniöSami Yli-Sirniö is a Finnish guitarist who plays rock and metal. He spent part of his life in Germany and thus has strong ties with the German metal scene...
– additional guitars - Kimmo Kajasto – keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Janne ParviainenJanne ParviainenJanne Parviainen, born 1973 in Finland, is a heavy metal drummer, who plays in the bands Sinergy, Barathrum and Ensiferum. He is a former member of Waltari and Zwanziger.Janne joined Barathrum in 2000, and Sinergy and Ensiferum more recently...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Avanti! symphony orchestra, conducted by Riku Niemi
External links
- jÖrGs waltari world Yeah! Yeah! Die! Die!. Retrieved 29 September 2005. Contains an interview with Hatakka and Niemi as well as lyrics.