With nearly three decades of sonic exploration behind them, Finnish metal act …And Oceans returns with The Regeneration Itinerary—an album that embraces both the roots of their symphonic black metal beginnings and the boldness of experimentation. We spoke with Timo Kontio and Mathias Lillmåns about the band’s evolution, the darker tones of the new record, and the philosophical depth behind the journey toward existential rebirth. Whether you're a longtime follower or just now discovering their eclectic soundscapes, this interview offers a deep dive into the mindset and artistry of a band that never stops transforming.
Serial Metalbums: ...and Oceans has a long and fascinating history, evolving through different musical landscapes since your formation in 1995. Looking back, how would you describe the band's journey and transformation over the years?
Timo: It has been a long run. Can’t say that we started where we left off in 2017. More like going back to the roots of this band. Exploring the sound of the 90’s. Now we did two albums more or less sounding the way we did in the 90’s. With AMGOD we started to explore more different sounds and styles even. One could say that we are doing the same now and that is true in some way. For me it is not that drastic a change as back then. We have implemented different keyboard sounds and rhythms now as well, but the overall sound for me is in the same vein as our two previous albums.
This is more or less the thing with this band. If we feel like exploring, we do it. Now was the time for that, but we don’t know what the future holds. I have done a bunch of riffs, but too early to say what the direction is with full songs.
Serial Metalbums: Your music has constantly pushed boundaries, blending black metal with industrial and symphonic elements. What drives this experimental nature, and how do you decide on the sonic direction for each album?
Timo: I think we as a band like to try our different things. It keeps this thing interesting. We have always had keyboard players who like different kinds of music and from there quite often these inputs come. It is easier to approach different sounds and rhythms with keyboard and samples etc. than with traditional guitar. So my input quite often still is the more traditional black metal or symphonic/melodic black metal. Even though I did quite a lot of different kinds of riffs for this new album.
We don’t decide the direction beforehand. We check songs individually more or less and see if they fit the overall picture of the whole album. Like we have quite different sounding songs on this album, but for us they still fit just nicely together when considering the whole package.
Serial Metalbums: Your new single Inertiae marks the beginning of a new era. What does this song represent in the larger context of The Regeneration Itinerary?
Timo: For me it somehow gives a picture of what to expect from this new album. It might be a bit darker in a way than before and also has this twist in the middle of the song. All in all this is not how the rest of the album sounds, but it is a hint that there might be some different solutions made with the songs.
Serial Metalbums: The album title itself suggests a theme of renewal and transformation. What concepts or ideas lie at the heart of this record?
Mathias: This album is a journey. A journey towards existential rebirth through struggle between light and dark elements. There’s also this realization that within the light there are always hints of the dark and vice versa. The two opposites form an intricate pattern where it is sometimes almost impossible to distinguish them from each other.
The Regeneration Itinerary serves as a guide book through this complex and intricate pattern. A story of what the filters of our mind and body have to pass through them and sort out in order to become what we are now. Be the final form good or evil, copper or mercury, ethereal or corporeal, or any of their nuances in between.
Serial Metalbums: How would you compare the atmosphere and approach of The Regeneration Itinerary to your previous album Cosmic World Mother?
Timo: Previous album was As In Gardens, So In Tombs, but compared even for that one, this new one is a bit darker, maybe even heavier. At least riff are different to a certain extent. That was my approach, at least semi intentional that is, to make a bit different riffs and thus get a bit different feeling to songs. Sure there are the sounds and riffs of our previous albums too as they are the trademark of …And Oceans.
Serial Metalbums: Can you give us some insight into the songwriting process for this album? Were there any particular challenges or breakthroughs along the way?
Timo: No bigger challenges at least not for me and maybe not for the whole band in the process of finalizing the songs. For me that was the same thing as before. Making a lot of riffs, putting them together piece by piece and trying to make a whole song of them. At this point still using ready made drum patterns from different applications available. Nowadays I even make them hit by hit with this one application. I think it was Bogren digital Krimh drums. Then Antti is fixing all the needed synths for my songs. That goes the other way around too, Antti makes a ‘ready’ song with keyboards and I add guitars on it. then at some point we check these as a band and naturally all have their own saying about the songs and structures etc. We make changes if needed. At some point Kauko will fix real drums on our demos as well. Then Mathias will come with lyrics at some point at the end of the process.
Mathias: For me this album posed a bit more of a challenge than usual. The riffs, melodies and synths were screaming for something a bit different than what I have done earlier. I had to spend quite some time in my own studio to figure out parts of this album, while other parts just hit me in the middle of the night, but in the end it was worth it. This album is easily my most varied and complex work so far!
Serial Metalbums: Many of your past albums have explored themes of philosophy, nature, and human existence. What are some of the lyrical themes that listeners can expect on this new release?
Mathias: At the heart of the theme is a journey towards existential rebirth. A journey through light and ldark, through copper and mercury, through ethereal and corporeal realms, and all their nuances in between. The Regeneration Itinerary is a guide book through these elements, how to travel through the intricate patterns they make to take your final form.
Serial Metalbums: The Finnish metal scene has always had a distinctive sound. Do you feel that your music is still rooted in that tradition, or do you see The Regeneration Itinerary as more of a departure?
Timo: In a way we have always been an odd bird in the Finnish metal scene and we still are. Of course we have a lot of friends and friend bands, but still we are a bit loners so to speak. Maybe because most of us live in smaller cities and we don’t hang out with others that much. Only when having a gig etc.
But sure we still have our roots in that which you could call a Finnish sound.
Serial Metalbums: What message would you like to share with your fans—both those who have followed you since the early days and those just discovering ...and Oceans now?
Timo: We are so happy to see our old fans and chat with them when touring Europe and at the same time so nice to see people who have just discovered our band. We truly appreciate you both!