The title Katharsis wasn’t chosen lightly. In fact, it was one of the very last pieces to fall into place. After several years of lineup changes, production challenges, and searching for the right sonic identity, the word came to represent exactly what the band had been through. “When we looked back at how long the whole process took and what we went through, that’s when we came up with the name Katharsis. It really represents what we went through with this album.”

That journey included finding the right producer, something that proved far more difficult than expected. After experimenting with different producers and even looking abroad, nothing fully clicked until the band reunited with Jarno Hänninen, who had mixed their very first album back in 2009. Working in their own studio environment helped unlock something crucial. “We didn’t even know what was missing. Jarno found that little missing piece and built that,” Saku explains. The result is an album that feels bigger, more cinematic, yet still rough and unmistakably Fear of Domination.

Vocally, Katharsis also marks a shift. Saku leans more into clean vocals, not as a gimmick, but as a conscious artistic choice. “We wanted to challenge the whole beauty and the beast thing,” he says, pointing out that some songs demanded a different emotional texture. The closing track, “Feel,” is fully clean — a song years in the making. “It’s really meaningful for us. If we added distorted vocals, it would totally change the mood we were looking for.”

One of the most talked-about tracks is “All Is One,” a bold, ’80s-tinged song that initially felt almost out of place — and that’s exactly why it stayed. “We’ve always wanted to poke people a bit,” Saku laughs. The UV-light-soaked video and classic metal vibe were deliberate curveballs, and live, the song has already become a standout moment. “When you look at the audience, it’s one of the best live songs right now. There’s just a vibe in it.”

That sense of spectacle ties into Fear of Domination’s long-standing emphasis on visuals. Masks, UV lights, and theatrical elements are not just aesthetics — they’re part of how the band communicates. “People listen with their eyes,” Saku says. “It has to be a show. Something that makes you question, wonder, think about things.” For him, the visuals also shift the focus away from individuals and toward the collective identity of the band. “It’s not about me. I’m just a messenger for the music, the band, the whole thing.”

On stage, Katharsis is already proving its strength. While new songs still bring some nervous energy for Saku, the crowd response has been unexpectedly immediate. “Usually it takes time for people to really react to new songs, but now the energy is there straight away. It feels like people have really done their homework.”

Looking ahead, 2026 may also mark a special milestone: nearly 20 years since Fear of Domination first came together in a garage. The band is considering anniversary shows in Helsinki, possibly with guest artists, friends, and even revisiting early material. “Maybe re-record something really old — even stuff that was never released,” Saku hints. For now, though, the focus is simple: enjoy Katharsis, play shows, and let the next chapter unfold naturally.

As the conversation winds down, Saku leaves with a characteristically reflective note: “The moments that really matter are rare. When you find yourself in one of those moments — really cherish it. And of course… come to our shows.”

Links