INSANIA : Agony - Gift of Life

Insania was founded in 1992 by two guys - Mikko Korsbäck (drums) and Henrik Juhano (guitar). The goal was to write and play music in the vein of Helloween, Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian. Henrik had earlier played in various garage bands. In the band was also bassist Tomas Stolt, who left the band after a short while, to play in with other acts, but returned in 1996 and has been with the band since. Mikko knew a guy from school whose name was Niklas Dahlin, and he became the second guitarist of the band. After keyboardist Patrik Västilä and vocalist David Henriksson from the northern parts of Sweden had joined - (Mikko had earlier handled the vocals, but wanted to concentrate on the drums from now on, since singing had become to tiresome) - the line-up was complete. The first studio album (after having released two demos) was released in 1999, and was called World Of Ice. One year later, the second album Sunrise In Riverland was released. The album was recorded in Finnvox studios with renowned producer Mikko Karmila. After the release, several gigs followed in Sweden. In 2001, after a short tour with Saxon, David Henriksson decided to leave the band and return to his hometown in northern Sweden, since he did not feel any motivation to continue anymore. After a short search, the band found a new and very talented singer in Ola Halén from Nacka. Returning to Finland, the band started recording their third album. Mikko Karmila was once again recruited for the producing duties, and Fantasy - A New Dimension was released in February 2003 - almost half a year after the recordings. At the end of 2002 came the next hard blow: Keyboard magician Patrik Västilä told the band he wanted to quit, to focus on his studies. The band found a new keyboardist in Dimitri Keiski, who was recommended by Ola Halén, who knew him since earlier. As if the band hadn't faced enough challenges, shortly thereafter, both guitarists Henrik Juhano and Niklas Dahlin left the band for personal reasons. Was a future for the band really possible now? Luckily, yes. The thirty-one year old Peter Östros from Haninge (suburb of Stockholm) picked up the left over guitar, let his fingers fly over the strings, and Insania had a new guitarist. It was decided to continue with only one guitarist, so as to give more space to the keyboards. A new demo was recorded in December -03 / January -04, with four new songs, showcasing the abilities of the new line-up regarding the composing of songs and the versatility of musical skills. No one knows what the future holds for the band, but no matter what, it's going to be melodic. To be continued...

Ola Halén - Vocals
Peter Östros - Guitars
Tomas Stolt - Bass
Dimitri Keiski - Keyboards & backing vocals
Mikko Korsbäck - Drums

http://www.myspace.com/insaniametal

Hope - Insania

Since you’ve been gone
I’ve seen your picture in my mind each and every day.
Why is it so that one must leave and one must stay?
It happens every day.

I keep on wondering why. Why is it so?
Someone please tell me because I just need to know.

All I can do is hope that I will see you again.
But ‘till that day I know I’ll just have to wait.

When we were young
Life was a game and we just laughed,it seems like yesterday.
Sometimes I dream that you are here, but then again
When I wake up you disappear.

I keep on wondering why. Why is it so?
Someone please tell me because I just need to know.

All I can do is hope that I will see you again.
But ‘till that day I know I’ll just have to wait.

[Solo]

There certain things
That I can’t learn to undersand even if I try.
And ‘til that day when we will meet again my friend.
I keep on asking my self why.

I keep on wondering why. Why is it so?
Someone please tell me because I just need to know.

All I can do is hope that I will see you again.
But ‘till that day I know I’ll just have to wait.

All I can do is hope that I will see you again.
But ‘till that day I know I’ll just have to wait.

(This song is about loosing a friend and the memories that are haunting you. I dedicate this song to my dear beloved cousin Leif Rikard Keiski. R.I.P)

Facing my destiny - Insania

As I am thinking my destiny;
Never knowing what will be.

Facing the things that I have done,
It would be easier to run, but to face them makes me free.

So I’m not proud but now I’m strong,
And I’ve waited for so long.

Before I was blind but now I see,
That you cannot win a victory, if you don’t fight and that’s for sure.

Now I’m moving on,I won’t cry no more.
I’m leaving the bad things I have seen,
And walk into my dreams,
Now I’m facing my own destiny.

I’m not proud but now I’m strong,
And I’ve waited for so long.

Before I was blind but now I see,
That you cannot win a victory, if i don’t fight and now I will.

Now I’m all alone, and I’m moving on,
I’m leaving the bad things I have seen.
And walk into my dreams,
Now I’m facing my own destiny.

[Solo]

Now I’m all alone, and I’m moving on,
I’m leaving the bad things I have seen.
And walk into my dreams,
Now I’m facing my own destiny.

Now I’m all alone, and I’m moving on,
I’m leaving the bad things I have seen.
And walk into my dreams,
Now I’m facing my own destiny.

(Thoughts: This song is pretty much about taking the step to break free from something that doesn’t make you happy anymore. Lot’s of issues appear, and you lose your strength somehow. The important thing is to stay strong, and that’s why some of the lyrics appear twice in this song. /Mikko)

Times of glory - Insania

When I’m thinking of the life that we have lived,
I realize that times are gone.
When words were spoken out, but little was achieved.
But now a new life has begun.

Cause deep inside our hearts, a feeling is growing strong.
That we have so much left to show.

We’ve lived in Fantasy, in Illusions and in Dreams.
And we’ve been fighting for this life.
We’ve seen the sunrise shine, and Hope is what we feel.
We have one chance to change our lives.

We burn the bridges down, and leave the past behind.
Cause new dimensions waits, and now it is our time!

Cause you don’t know how far your eyes can see.
And that your life turns out to be just the way you see it.
So we try to change our destiny,
Knowing that we all could be facing times of glory.

Maybe you’re too blind to see….

[Solo]

We burn the bridges down, and leave the past behind.
Cause new dimensions waits, and now it is our time!

Cause you don’t know how far your eyes can see.
And that your life turns out to be just the way you see it.
So we try to change our destiny,
Knowing that we all could be facing times of glory.

Fight for life - Insania

All your life you’ve tried to smile.
But something warn you to die.

There’s just things hard to explain.
I will keep on asking why.

You can call it what you want.
There’s a reason I wont try.

There’s just things hard to explain.
I will keep on asking why.

It must be an evil pain.
But you keep on struggling.
It’s hard for you to explain.
You’ve got to fight for life.

I once saw it every day.
But you had to walk away.

There’s just things hard to explain.
I will keep on asking why.

It must be an evil pain.
But you keep on struggling.
It’s hard for you to explain.
You’ve got to fight for life.

[Solo]

There’s just things hard to explain.
I will keep on asking why.

It must be an evil pain.
But you keep on struggling.
It’s hard for you to explain.
You’ve got to fight for life.

Dreams - Insania

I have been searching for the answers many times.,
In time we will learn the secrets of life.
The rules that are written will they show wrong from right?
The good from the bad, the rich from the poor?

Thoughts keep running through my head.
The feeling of solitude in this everlasting game,
But in the end we will see,
The gates of heaven may be our final destiny.

In my dreams I travel to a place far beyond reality
I let my mind fly free
This sets me free for all eternity, you can’t imprison me.
My dreams are waiting for me.

When tome has run out and they carve your name in stone,
Our maker will judge us for our deeds in the past.
Relieved we may enter the realms of afterlife,
But don’r ever forget the way could go down.

In fire, our souls would cry out,
Forgiveness of sins committed in life.
A place in heaven is denied,
An ages the darkness will consume our lies.

In my dreams I travel to a place far beyond reality
I let my mind fly free
This sets me free for all eternity, you can’t imprison me.
My dreams are waiting for me.

[Solo]

In my dreams I travel to a place far beyond reality
I let my mind fly free
This sets me free for all eternity, you can’t imprison me.
My dreams are waiting for me.

In my dreams I travel to a place far beyond reality
I let my mind fly free
This sets me free for all eternity, you can’t imprison me.
My dreams are waiting for me.

My dreams are waiting for me.
My dreams are waiting for me.

(This song is about all the demands that you encounter during life and the wandering about where you go after life has ended. Laws, rules and social stress keeps you in chains and the only place where you truly can be free is in your dreams)

To live another day - InsaniaIs this what I had in mind, when I tried to see the sign?
The best days of my life just when away.
With tears in my eyes,years are passing by,
I’m getting older every day.

So please help me see, the best things that life can give,
Cause I wanna be free.
I wanna live some more, there’s so much to explore,
“Hey Life!”, please let me feel.

Why am I scared to live tomorrow?
Why am I scared to leave today?
Will the future bring me joy or sorrow?
Is there time enough for me to pray, and live another day?

What if life could treat me well and cast away the spell,
That always has and still is haunting me.
I have to stand up strong, be brave and carry on,
Not to lose my pride and dignity.

What if i could change my life, add some light into the night,
Cause I wanna be free.
I wanna live some more, there’s so much to explore,
“Hey Life!”, please let me feel.

Why am I scared to live tomorrow?
Why am I scared to leave today?
Will the future bring me joy or sorrow?
Is there time enough for me to pray, and live another day?

[Solo]

Why am I scared to live tomorrow?
Why am I scared to leave today?
Will the future bring me joy or sorrow?
Is there time enough for me to pray, and live another day?

(Thoughts: This song is about the fact that we do get older every day. Suddenly you start to regret the bad things you’ve done in the past and you realize that you’re just as fragile as everyone else. /Mikko)

Gift of life - Insania

In the end of life I’ll be falling, that’s what I have been told.
When ancient voices are calling, it’s time to go.
Only god knows where I am going, cause I have not been foretold.
All the good and bad will be showing. Then I will know.

[Keiski:]
But I cannot fall from down below
Can’t escape from my own hell.
And I don’t know when I’ll have to go
The end of life depends on what I am.

I just have to change my life and find away,
To see the light beyond tragedies, and take what life is giving me.
I know that I’ll find my way to paradise.
Now I see with open eyes, and reach out for the gift of life.

My life is passing before me,but all the bad things are gone.
Maybe all my prayers erased them? Cause there are none.
When the end of my life approaches, how come I am not scared?
Cause I will meet all my loved ones.they’ll all be there.

[Keiski:]
I believe that we will meet again,
Where it’s bright and always day.
An inner voice just keeps on telling me,
The end of life depends on what you’ve been.

I just have to change my life and find away,
To see the light beyond tragedies, and take what life is giving me.
I know that I’ll find my way to paradise.
Now I see with open eyes, and reach out for the gift of life.

[Solo]

I just have to change my life and find away,
To see the light beyond tragedies, and take what life is giving me.
I know that I’ll find my way to paradise.
Now I see with open eyes, and reach out for the gift of life.

I just have to change my life and find away,
To see the light beyond tragedies, and take what life is giving me.
I’ll find my way to paradise, and reach out for the gift of life.

[Keiski:]
Well I don’t know why I’m still crying.
Cause I have seen the day,but the light won’t dry my tears away.
And deep inside I just keep on dying.
Could someone show the way, to give me strength to live and pray.

(Thoughts: These are the feeling that came to me when I lost my mom. Dimitri sings the thoughts that kept spinning around in my head, and Ola the words that I spoke out loud. The angels choir is the thing I wanna hear when it’s time for me to resign…But ‘til then: -Rock on!!! /Mikko)

Bonus !!!

Master Of My Mind - Insania

No one should tell me to lose or prevail,
when to move slower or when to set sail.
I'm the master of my own mind.
And no one should tell me the biggest surprise,
comes when our leaders cannot compromise.
There's more than greed and ego to find.

They're lying, I'm crying
Deep inside I'm sacrifying
A lot of tears so hear my cries...

JUST TAKE A LOOK UPON THIS WORLD,
A LOT OF PRAYERS STILL UNHEARD,
WE NEED TO TRY...
TO TURN AROUND AND FACE THE EARTH,
AND MAYBE GIVE IT A REBIRTH
BUT IS THERE TIME?

I see the panic in your eyes.
You know your life is short,
but still there is time.
So please don't listen to all lies.
Just be strong
and show them that you rule your mind.

They're lying, I'm crying
Deep inside I'm scarifying
A lot of tears so hear our minds cry out...

JUST TAKE A LOOK UPON THIS WORLD,
A LOT OF PRAYERS STILL UNHEARD,
WE NEED TO TRY...
TO TURN AROUND AND FACE THE EARTH,
AND MAYBE GIVE IT A REBIRTH
BUT IS THERE TIME?

Dangerous Mind - Insania

[Intro solo: N. Dahlin / N. Dahlin & P. Vastila]

To climb the highest mountain needs a higher sky, oh no.
To dive the deepest ocean needs a clever mind, and a sign to follow.

[Bridge:]
Always a pressure to the edge, from my dangerous mind. Years passing by, I'm playing the same
old game- And it's always the same.

I'm searching for a challenge, I never beware. Oh no- I'm guided by fear. Wherever I go,
whatever I try, my dangerous mind is always so clear.

[Bridge:]
Always a pressure to the edge, from my dangerous mind. Years passing by, I'm playing the same
old game-And it's always the same.

Well, i'll keep on living, The same old way that i always lived.
And i'm still believing, That this world has more to give.

[Solo: Both / P. Vastila]

Well, i'll keep on living, The same old way that i always lived.
And i'm still believing , That this world has more to give.

[Solo: N. Dahlin]

Heading for Tomorrow - Insania

Waiting for something to come and fulfill my dreams.
By taking away the days from my early years.

[Bridge:]
Feels like I'm running through eternity.
Right now it's time to find the key.

I'll take a ride on the wind, like a bird i'll spread my wings.
I will search for tomorrow, and the end of our time.
When i fly through the sky, might get little higher.
No one can save a world of this kind.

I can't believe all the things I've seen in my dreams.
The future lies close, far away from insanity.

[Bridge:]
Sometimes I wonder if I'll end up in heaven or hell.
I'll ask the old man, he will tell.

I'll take a ride on the wind, like a bird i'll spread my wings.
I will search for tomorrow, and the end of our time.
When i fly through the sky, might get little higher.
No one can save a world of this kind.

[Solo: Both / H. Juhano / N. Dahlin]

I'll take a ride on the wind, like a bird i'll spread my wings.
I will search for tomorrow, and the end of our time.
When i fly through the sky, might get little higher.
No one can save a world of this kind.

-ANYMORE !!!

Carried by Wings - Insania

Open your eyes, don't be so blind
Be ready to face our reality
Live free and die, someday you'll find
What's hiding in your fantasy.

Don't waste your life and give up your dreams.
Open the door and tell me what do you see
Inside your heart made of fire and steel.

I SEE AND DREAM VISIONS OF HOME
LANDSCAPES ALL COVERED BY ICE AND SNOW.
I'M GUIDED BY AN EAGLE ON MY WAY,
AND A RAINBOW PAINTS UP THE SKY TODAY

Fight, fight for the things you believe in
Never give up, fly your own way.
New life begins and lights coming your way
Open the gate and fly through the day

You've gotta live, and follow your dreams
Open the door and tell me what do you see
Inside your heart made of fire and steel

I SEE AND DREAM VISIONS OF HOME
LANDSCAPES ALL COVERED BY ICE AND SNOW.
I'M GUIDED BY AN EAGLE ON MY WAY,
AND A RAINBOW PAINTS UP THE SKY TODAY

[SOLO: Juhano / Dahlin / Vastila]

[SOLO: Dahlin / Juhano /Both]

Don't waste your life and give up your dreams.
Open the door and tell me what do you see
Inside your heart made of fire and steel.

I SEE AND DREAM VISIONS OF HOME
LANDSCAPES ALL COVERED BY ICE AND SNOW.
I'M GUIDED BY AN EAGLE ON MY WAY,
AND A RAINBOW PAINTS UP THE SKY TODAY

bonus tracks :
Carried by wings from World of ice album
Dangerous Mind & Heading for Tomorrow from Sunrise in riverland album
Master of Mind from fantasy album