For nearly two decades, Cardinals Folly have forged their own path through the underground, blending heavy riffs, memorable hooks and dark storytelling into a sound that continues to evolve with each release. Since forming in Finland in 2007, the band have built a reputation for mixing classic metal influences with themes drawn from horror literature, the occult and cult cinema, all while remaining true to their own vision.
Now returning with their seventh full-length album, “Let the Posers Fall!”, Cardinals Folly deliver what they consider their strongest record to date. Featuring a more direct songwriting approach, a stronger emphasis on traditional heavy metal influences and the first studio appearance of guitarist Tuomo “Cosmic Doom” Kosonen, the album marks another step forward in the band’s ongoing evolution. In this interview, we discuss the origins of Cardinals Folly, the inspiration behind “Let the Posers Fall!”, the stories and influences that shape the band’s lyrics, and what fans can expect as they take the new material on the road.
Interview
TheNwothm: Cardinals Folly has been active since 2007 and has become a recognised name within the underground doom scene. Looking back, what originally inspired the band?
Cardinals Folly: Originally, the intention was to play music that could ONLY be called doom metal. Our initial inspirations were the Finnish bands playing this style: Minotauri, Reverend Bizarre and Spiritus Mortis. Of course we knew Black Sabbath and Candlemass, and I think I had heard Cathedral’s first albums too. It was 2005 when we did the first doom metal demo, and back then the Finnish doom influence was really strong.
TheNwothm: Your name comes from the Duc de Richleau novels. What was it about that literary world that resonated with you enough to adopt it as the band’s identity?
Cardinals Folly: I saw the Hammer film version of “The Devil Rides Out” (1968), and that inspired me to get the novel as well. I was hooked to Dennis Wheatley pretty soon after reading that, “Strange Conflict”, “The Second Seal” and couple others. Wheatley combines the classic adventure mode well with the supernatural and the occult. Both of those worlds fascinate me, and I see myself a similar adventurer in life as well. That’s why Cardinals Folly.
TheNwothm: Let the Posers Fall! marks your seventh full-length album. Looking back at the band’s journey so far, where does this record fit within the Cardinals Folly story?
Cardinals Folly: It’s the logical next chapter. Our journey towards faster heavy metal started already with the “Deranged Pagan Sons” album back in 2017. Now everything is more varied and we have upgraded the sound a bit as well. It’s partly a fresh new approach to the same old thing. And our best album so far, I think.
TheNwothm: The title track and the album itself carry a very defiant message. Was there a particular moment or feeling that inspired the concept behind Let the Posers Fall! ?
Cardinals Folly: No, it’s more about everything I’ve learned in the past 15-20 years. Especially in the last 5-10, with being more active regarding gigs and in general. After such a long while, you know exactly what kinda posers you are dealing with in this world. LOL
TheNwothm: This is also the first album to feature new guitarist Tuomo “Cosmic Doom” Kosonen. How did his arrival influence the writing and overall sound of the record?
Cardinals Folly: Music-wise, he brought a lot. He has a more clear and punchy sound. More heavy metallic. But that suited the new songs really well. Basically he took Juho’s place and role in the band. We write the songs together just like we did in the past. Lyrics and visuals are my territory, and complete the vision of Cardinals Folly.
Tuomo has played before in local psych/stoner bands like SPIRALISM and POHJONEN. And he also use to drum for AT DAWN THEY SLEEP back in the 90s. He’s a lifestyle musician and as you could imagine he sleeps with his guitar by his side. Music is his life and he’s a great player.
TheNwothm: Horror, occultism and dark literature have always been important ingredients in your music. What drew you towards subjects such as the Zodiac Killer, H.P. Lovecraft and classic exploitation cinema on this album?
Cardinals Folly: They too have been long-term interests of mine. The idea of making a song about the Zodiac was in my mind for about 5-6 years. I just waited for the right bleaky riffs to come, and then it was pretty easy to write the lyrics. HPL has been an ongoing theme for us since the very early days. “New York Ripper” fits the street vibe of the album nicely, along with other gory songs. I’ve always been into the macabre, grindhouse, sleaze movies, weird tales….
TheNwothm: Looking back at albums such as Deranged Pagan Sons, Defying the Righteous Way and Live by the Sword, how do you think your songwriting has evolved leading into Let the Posers Fall!?
Cardinals Folly: There always is more or less of an evolution going on. Otherwise making 7 albums from the same mold would become boring. On “Deranged”, we found more heavy metal. On “Defying”, we added some extreme metal and punk influences to it. On “Live by the Sword”, the sound grew bigger and some anthems were found, like Luciferian”. Now there is even more heavy metal and variation of all our influences, and that combined with a fresh and more direct approach to songwriting and a new guitar player, has opened the door to this result.
TheNwothm: How eager are you to bring these new songs to the stage, and which tracks from Let the Posers Fall! do you think will be particularly powerful in a live setting?
Cardinals Folly: I actually think they all might be! Or at least most of them. We just came from Poland, Lithuania and Latvia and had 4 gigs there. It was our “East European Attack”, that started the tour that promotes the new album. So far we have played Hitch-Hike, Let the Posers Fall!, New York Ripper and I Am The Zodiac live. But I definitely want to play Luchador, Stallions and Cultist Highway too! And I’m sure that we will test them all live. That’s how it usually goes. We also try 1 or 2 of them already way before the album is out. Just to get that feeling about how they work in a live situation.
TheNwothm: Your statement accompanying the album speaks about authenticity in a world dominated by trends. Do you feel that staying true to your vision has become more difficult in today’s metal scene?
Cardinals Folly: Absolutely. Look at the industry – everybody is just trying to survive. Most people listen to Spotify, records don’t sell at all compared to 90s for an example, and big festivals do well, while smaller venues and bands totally struggle. It’s not easy out there. And everyone needs to think how to manage. But we have still decided to stay on sour own path, evolve our music according to what WE would like to listen and hear from a band. This alone classifies as stubbornness in the era that we are living. I guess you could call us throwbacks in this sense… and probably in many other ways as well.
TheNwothm: Are there any touring plans, festival appearances, or special album release shows that fans should be watching out for?
Cardinals Folly: We’re talking about several international festivals for 2027. And before the year is out, we’re playing in Finland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Poland. Follow our live dates from our social medias: instagram and facebook. Many shows are coming. Still in 2026 and even more in 2027.
TheNwothm: Having built a reputation through both studio recordings and live performances, what do you think defines a great Cardinals Folly show?
Cardinals Folly: Wild people, loud shouting, some beer and sweat… and three guys giving their all on the stage in the name of metal!
TheNwothm: Where can fans grab hold of your music, merch and follow you online?
Cardinals Folly:
cardinalsfolly.bandcamp.com – for merch and albums
@cardinalsfolly on instagram – to see everything that’s going on
And our facebook page – for the same things.
TheNwothm: Do you have any closing thoughts?
Cardinals Folly: Keep it real and listen to heavy metal! We will. While we’re longing back to an era where metal felt dangerous and induced panic across the world. Check out the new Cardinals Folly album “Let the Posers Fall!”, out on Cruz Del Sur Music since October 9. I’ve put my whole life force into it. That must be enough.
Thanks for great questions, see you somewhere on the road!
Mikko
