The last words: Do svidanija KYPCK!

Doom metal band KYPCK, pronounced Kursk, was buried in their home ground in Oulu, Finland, with a stark yet lofty funeral concert on 10th August 2024. Chaoszine asked for the last words of the group in a memorial interview before the final show. Every member commented the past, the present and the future still as a member of KYPCK.

The article was originally released in September 2024 in Kaaoszine, the Finnish sister magazine of Chaoszine.

The final melancholic notes of “Demon” are echoing through the venue. The rumbling heavy sound is circulating. The “barrel” of Lopashnikov is rising up one last time. There are five confused yet happy looking men on the stage. They are glancing at each other, some of them behind their pilot sun glasses, and the sold-out crowd.

People in the audience are raising their fists in the air out of gratitude and respect. Many of them are hugging each other. Some are holding back tears; some are unable to do so.

The last photo. The last thank you. The last good bye. The last toast – cognac, not vodka.

This was it.

“Vals Smerti” – Death Waltz starts to play through the speakers. The stage is getting empty, but something was left there. Permanently.

This is the burial show of KYPCK, who is known for their rusty doomsday metal sound and Russian lyrics. The band will continue playing together, but under a new name and with new songs. When the time is right.

The muddy road of KYPCK came to an end where it all started 17 years ago. In Oulu, Toppila Klubi, in Northern Finland on 10th August 2024. The group left their fans with three shows; Helsinki, Jyväskylä and finally Oulu.

“It feels more like a loss than a relief”, the guitarist S. S. Lopakka comments after the concert in his straightforward style.

Black

Let us go back a couple of hours. Chaoszine is sitting down with every member of KYPCK; the vocalist Erkki “Eki” Seppänen, the guitarist Sami Lopakka, the guitarist Sami Kukkohovi, the bassist Jaakko “Jaska” Ylä-Rautio and the drummer Antti Karihtala to talk thoroughly about their thoughts.

It is easy to sense that every man is feeling a bit downhearted. At the same time they are excited to play one last time together as KYPCK. The night is going to be emotional and important for everyone. Lopakka describes that he is feeling “fluttering”.

Jaska: “I admit it, I feel wistful. At first I thought that this wasn’t going to be anything else than just going through it, and that’s it. We’ll continue to play music together with the same guys anyway. But to be honest, this is much more than that. This band is coming to its end now. It’s wonderful and sad at the same time.”

Eki: “I was listening to the old songs and the latest album quite a lot in the train. I went through all kinds of things in my head that have happened along the way.”

Kukkohovi: “On the other hand, I’m also grateful that we’re able to conclude this standing proudly as a group. We are going to the full like men, all the way to the very end. The idea is that we will never play these songs again after this gig.”

Ylä-Rautio prepared to say goodbye to KYPCK by dragging his one stringed, army green and self-made Kypcklop bass through a gravel road. The symbolic to the dark situation of the world and the life cycle of the band is obvious.

Jaska: “Oh my, it has taken quite a lot of damage and gotten signs of touring during these 17 years. I’ve dragged it at backstages a bit like that. The rubble was simply calling me! It was nice to listen to and it was vibrating nicely in my hand.”

Lopakka’s baritone guitar Lopashnikov is another iconic KYPCK instrument. It was built using genuine AK-47 assault rifle parts. According to the man it is says, that it is the best guitar he ever had. While Ylä-Rautio is going to hang his Kypcklop on the wall, Lopakka believes he will play with Lopashnikov again live someday.

Karihtala’s drum kit Tsar Bomba is built using, including but not limited to, asphalt, saline water and crushed stone. He might use them in the future as well.

Eki: “I don’t have any instruments in this band, but I have my leather pants! I’ve used them on every single KYPCK gig. They weigh probably like 15 kilos! It’s really hard to get them dry anymore. I might put them to a vitrine or something.”

Kukkohovi: “We will burn them tonight.”

The atmosphere is charged. One factor is that Lopakka and Kukkohovi have buried together a certain other band from Oulu region and Northern Ostrobothnia after a career of almost 17 years iat Oulu’s Club Teatria in 2005. Both bands made their last album as the terminus of their journey and as a testament of the group.

Lopakka: “Of course there are similarities. But if you think about the process itself, back then the reasons were coming from inside the band. This time it was all about external factors. Back then we didn’t have any idea how to continue, unlike we have now. We’ll keep on going with the same group. Then again, everyone knows, including the audience, that this will be the last show. I recognize some of the same ignites and emotions that I’ve had before. They are related, even though we are talking about two completely different cases.”

Crimes against humanity

The ”external factors” are obviously related to Russia’s full scaled, ruthless and cruel attack to Ukraine 24th February 2022. Without it KYPCK would have probably continued with the same concept. The band itself lost all the motivation because of the war.

Jaska: “Our band could be compared to a travel agency that’s offering trips to Russia. Both of them are now pretty shitty ideas.”

Even though the decision to end everything was basically as heavy as the sound of KYPCK, the band feels that it was the right call after all. The group has repeatedly repeatedly pointed out that the fate of one Finnish metal band is next to insignificant compared to all the horrors that have occurred after the powder keg of Ukraine exploded.

Lopakka: “It is undeniably clear who’s the bad guy here and who’s not. It’s important to remember that half of the population of Ukraine is speaking Russian as their native language. There are KYPCK fans over there as well. All in all, we’re going through terrible times in the world.”

It was actually close that “Prestuplenija protiv tšelovetšestva”, the last album of KYPCK, was never going to see the light of day. Eventually Lopakka rallied the group, and the band decided together as one, that the ending of their story will not be written by Kremlin. Perkele. One more album and the last shows.

It may have been the irony of faith or something else, but the fact is, that Ukraine started their offence in Russian territory in Kursk (Kypck) region right before the farewell tour of KYPCK. The band was in a way amused to read the headlines about how awkward and embarrassing the situation of Kursk is to the horrified president of Russia Vladimir Putin.

Jaska: “Our PR department did a great job.”

Eki: “Yeah. It was all planned.”

Kukkohovi: “Well, we had to ‘oil’ certain institutions a little bit.”

“Our band could be compared to a travel agency that’s offering trips to Russia. Both of them are now pretty shitty ideas.”

In any case, KYPCK is now done with the touring. Kukkohovi says laughingly that his friends and family probably just gave a sigh of relief. People around Ylä-Rautio and Seppänen on the other hand were disagreeing at first.

Jaska: “My friends were indeed asking if we really had to quit. We are singing against the war after all. But where would we continue? In Finland? There’s not enough people here to do any touring. It has been pretty much the whole point that we’ve been able to go to Russia, the Baltics and other places to play our music.”

Yeah. At the end of the day, slow doom metal sang in Russian will probably not bring in millions of cash. Even in rubles. The east oriented band has never been interested in commercial success, worldwide publicity or grooming large crowds. The art, doing their own thing and doing it together have always come first.

Eki: “Surprisingly many people have been even more confused than us ourselves about the fact that we’re quitting. For us it’s completely clear, because Russia has been such a big part of this band. We’ve had our biggest audiences there. That’s the reason why we’ve been able to continue for this long. That reason doesn’t exist anymore. We simply can’t go on. The people have understood eventually, when we’ve explained it to them.”

In Seppänen’s eyes KYPCK have scoured quite thoroughly the mental landscape of the band with their five albums. He points out that the Russian literature or music will not turn into shit because the government of the country is doing shitty things.

Eki: ”I have a lot of friends in Russia. Some of them have fled the country. I know people in England who are part of the active externalized opposition. They are doing a lot of voluntary work with the Ukrainians. My personal relation to the language has not suffered.”

Lopakka: “The atrocities of Stalin won’t make the value of the literature of Dostoyevsky any less important. The current situation may distort the cultural history a bit, but they are completely different things. It’s not the language’s fault, if the leader of the country is a cunt.”

Lower

So, the band does not want to go back to Russia anymore. Ever. Then again the feeling might be mutual regarding the bureaucrats of Putin’s government. Yet the memories from all the touring and roaming across the country all the way beyond the Ural Mountains to Siberia will remain.

A large amount of experiences is differing between good, bad and very confusing. For example, the band was banned from Belarus and their show was canceled in 2015 due to “inappropriate content”. The group itself thinks that one of the reasons might have been the music video of “Alleya Stalina”.

Lopakka: “We’re a Finnish band, which has had quite an unusual journey. In this situation of the world, it feels like the tours are something lost in a different universe.”

Eki: “We have so many kilometers and great memories that I’m not leaving with a bad taste in my mouth. We’ve put so much effort and content ito the songs and the lyrics, that there’s a lot to digest in our rocking chairs.”

Jaska: “It would be utterly impossible to make the trips we’ve done without a band like this. Now they feel a bit like a dream, like it’s been an era since we’ve been there. And now we will never be there again. I’m lucky that I got to be a part of this. Every single one of these guys has become extremely important to me.”

Eki: “Even though I’ve traveled in Russia alone and even lived there for a couple of years… the trips and the things we’ve done with this band in the most strangest places, and how weird people we’ve met along the way, are something totally different.”

Jaska: “If I would’ve been driving normally and seen places where we’ve been and spent time as a band, I would’ve just kept going at full throttle, and left as fast as possible!”

Kukkohovi: “This is an amazing group. The trips have been as weird as they’ve been wonderful. Of course we can’t even tell about everything. It wouldn’t be a good idea and we can’t even remember everything. The existence of this band has made it possible that we’ve been able to do pretty neat excursions with wonderful people, and to meet great people somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Great moments. Great shows. Not-so-great shows. We can be proud of what we’ve done.”

Karihtala: “Somehow the set-up has been us against everyone else. From the very beginning. The friendship has been a strong bond the whole time. This isn’t just a normal band that goes to venues, plays the songs and leaves. This has been a package.”

“We’ve put so much effort and content ito the songs and the lyrics, that there’s a lot to digest in our rocking chairs.”

The fact that only Seppänen and the tour manager Dima spoke Russian brought its own humor to the tours. The rest didn’t know which end is up at all. They had no clue what was happening around them, but tried to keep up somehow. At least the clock is read the same way in Russia than in Finland.

Lopakka: “For me this has been a musical journey as well. We’ve found such depths that at least not too many bands have reached. We found our own personal sound pretty quickly and we made it work in live situations as well. Of course the studio sessions and the recordings have played a major role in the band. Good times.”

Names on the wall

The idea of KYPCK was born in the beginning of 2000’s during a studio session of Lopakka’s and Kukkohovi’s previous band. Lopakka and the producer Hiili Hiilesmaa were laughing and jokingly talking about forming a group that is playing slow and heavy “caterpillar track metal” and some “fur cap guy” would sing in Russian.

The idea became reality many years later in 2007. The beginning was peculiar. KYPCK had a recording contract before the members even knew each other. The band is laughingly comparing the forming of the group to “starting a boy band”.

The “fur cap guy” was found, when they realized that Seppänen spoke Russian fluently. He had sung in many rock and metal bands before KYPCK and even better, the man was originally from Oulu.

Eki: ”A pretty surprising band. At first it was just an idea. Nobody knew what was going to happen. How would it sound? Would anyone even listen to it? Then we just started doing our thing and here we are five albums and tens of thousands of kilometers later.”

Even though KYCPK got their start from something that was a half joke, it became an important and deeply meaningful band for many fans straight away when the debut album Tšerno was released in 2008. Lopakka immediately headhunted his namesake Kukkohovi from the previous group as the other guitarist, if KYPCK would ever do any shows.

Kukkohovi sees similarities to how he was recruited to the previous band. At first he was asked to play bass for a single show. The one-time gig eventually turned into a full-time job for many years. Now he was asked to play guitar.

Kukkohovi: “I didn’t need to think about it. Of course I’ll come and play!”

Lopakka: “Kukeli has played every single KYPCK gig from the very beginning. When Hiili left and Antti came in, we thought we should just lock in this line-up. At first Kukeli was resisting a bit like ‘I don’t need a full membership. It’s fine like this.’”

Kukkohovi: “It was the metal festival Nummirock. You dragged me into a van and threatened to beat me up if I refused!”

Lopakka: “Well, we succeeded with our persuasion.”

The new drummer did not need any persuasion, not to mention beatings. Karihtala says that back in the Myspace-times he was listening to the song “Stalingrad” from the first album. Besides the music itself, he paid attention to the personal promotional photos of the band. The first listening hit the man like the force of a power of Stalin’s organ.

Karihtala: “I remember thinking that if Hiili ever leaves, fuck, that job is mine. It wasn’t long until the Inferno Magazine’s editor-in-chief Matti Riekki was writing an article about the first album. I went with him to the office of Northern Tribe and we listened to the album. I was like goddamn, the kind of stuff this band is playing! Is it even possible that the music sounds this good? I was just waiting for the right moment.”

Karihtala brings forth a fun trivial fact. Before he played in the band himself, he went to meet the members of the group in the late small Paska Kaupunni bar in Oulu. He asked for their autographs in the signing session of the debut album.
The line-up was ready. Both Kukkohovi and Karihtala officially joined the band in 2011.

Technically it is not ruled out that the band could release a collection box of the five albums some day. There is a chance for a small batch of vinyl editions as well, but as for now, the band has not lifted a finger to promote them. No promises are given either.

Lopakka: “I don’t know. Could we have a gig for example in Kiev, just for the sake of it, in a different world? But there are no plans at all. For now this is it.”

“Somehow the set-up has been us against everyone else.”

The band is not translating their songs into any other language either. Russian has been such a fundamental part of KYPCK from the very beginning. It is better just to write new songs. It has eased the “separation anxiety” of every member to know, that they will continue with the same group under a different name.

Zero

There is not too much of information regarding the new project. But what can be said is that it is going to be metal. Obviously. It is pretty safe to assume that the trademarks of KYPCK, the rust and the melancholy, will be a part of the new band as well at least somehow. They have not decided on a new name yet, but they have limited the options to a couple of “strong candidates”. The group will sing in English.

Lopakka: “We have to close this door first. It’s very inspiring that, at least at this point, everything is open. What I have is mostly a general vision about it. The sound will surely have elements from KYCPK as well. We’ve tried to make all kinds of music with KYPCK, but it has always sounded like it’s done by this group.”

Jaska: “My instrument will have more strings than just one. I’ve already got a good bass reserved for this project. I also have some new riffs on my phone. Some of the guys have already heard them.”

Eki: “I have some phone recordings as well, but I’ve pretty much kept them to myself. I think we’öö talk and form an idea, on what kind of music each of us would like to play, and what will be the elements from KYPCK that we’re taking with us to the new project. I’ve not thought about it too much. The corpse isn’t even cold yet.”

One major change is that Lopakka will share the responsibility of writing lyrics among Seppänen. He had the role of the main lyricist in his previous band for the last ten years. The lyrics of KYPCK are basically all written by Seppänen.

Lopakka: “I’m guessing we’ll divide the responsibility one way or another, and I think that Eki will welcome it as a relief. He’s written rhymes and lyrics for complete albums with a really tight schedule. It must’ve been a hell of a project.”

Seppänen has a positive attitude towards the idea of sharing the lyrical responsibilities with Lopakka. He describes every album as a little “trip”. He has traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, in the past, and when it became impossible, he has locked himself in a hotel room in Tallinn, Estonia, for writing. With a little help of some local liquid products.

Eki: “They’ve been interesting experiences and I’ve found some new sides of myself. I’ve liked Lorsa’s texts before. I’m sure the new ones are worthy of singing as well.”

The change from Russian to English is also relieving to Seppänen. In the past his lyrics have had a strong bond with Russian culture, language and history. Seppänen has been drawing his inspiration for example from the poetry and the literature of the country. Now there are no similar limitations or “shackles” anymore.

Lopakka: “And it will finally put an end to the never-ending lamentations and whining, how people don’t understand what we’re singing about. Even if we’ve always had the English translations in the booklets, it’s been hard for some people.”

Eki: “Yeah. And the internet is full of shitty translations, where everything is fucked up.”

It is unclear how the new band will share the duties of composing the songs. Lopakka is guessing everything will continue with the same routine as before. Seppänen on the other hand believes it may change a bit. Kukkohovi says he has no clue at all. He is wondering modestly, that maybe he could ”accidentally” write something usable as well.

Kukkohovi: “I have no idea what’s going to happen here.”

Eki: “We got a cowbell for Antti! Maybe we could use that?”

“It will finally put an end to the never-ending lamentations and whining, how people don’t understand what we’re singing about.”

All about us

It is not hard to see the friendship, or comradeship, between the members of KYPCK. They are talking about each other with respect and appreciation. They all have the same kind of sense of humor – and it does not matter, if other people consider it good or bad.

Jaska: “We’ve been in such tough situations and spent a lot of time away from home. We have not traveled in a comfortable bus, but in trains and tiny vans. You get to know your band mates pretty well. I can see from a slightest movement of an eyebrow how the other guy is feeling. And the others probably can do the same, if they look at me.”

Eki: ”This band has been some kind of an example for me, how I’d like all of my projects to work. Antti put it well. There’s more to it than just playing the songs and going home. It’s more than friendship. Maybe it’s closer to a relationship? It’s deep stuff.”

Lopakka: ”This is a very close unit. That fact is present in everything. It’s a privilege that we can go together and end this the way we want to. I’m grateful for these years, this endpoint and the new beginning.”

Kukkohovi: “It’s all about the trust. I can really count on these guys. If they promise to do something, it will be done. They’ll keep their word.”

Karihtala: “For me this is about the team spirit and friendship. Even though this is our last gig, I know, that in the end I won’t lose what really matters. Sure, playing these songs, but the group will stick together.”

Time for the last words.

Eki: “I’ve gone through surprisingly deep emotions during these last shows. Jyväskylä eventually had a lot of people in the audience as well. It was important for them to see the band one last time. It feels good.”

“Farewell.”

Kukkohovi: “It was great to see how important a band KYPCK has been to some people. I’d like to thank everyone who came to see our shows and told us how they found the band. Farewell.”

Jaska: “I’ve met people throughout the years who have followed us from the very first steps. I had a good conversation with a couple of people in Jyväskylä. They were really emotional about the fact, that they had never seen us playing before, but they knew the lyrics of every song. It was wonderful! Feels good. We’ve given a lot of our time for this and we’ve done it with a big heart.”

Karihtala: “Thanks everyone. The music will live on. It’s not going to disappear. People just have to listen to it from the albums.”

Lopakka: “This last leg of this journey has included people from Japan, Italy, Belarus, Poland and Germany. It must mean something, if they are taking such long trips just to see KYCPK. Thank you for these years, good bye and see you around. Not farewell.”

Spasibo I do scidaniya, KYPCK!