interview by: Roberto Martinelli

This new power metal band from Finland's debut album has the distinction of not only being an excellently played one, but also being original, which is rather unusual indeed when considering that so many bands out of Europe, and especially Finland, are content with mindlessly emulating the styles of the two or three largest groups in the genre. I was curious about this "cannibalisation" (as Laurent puts it), and asked Requiem guitarist Teemu Hänninen some tough questions about why he thought things are the way they are. Hänninen was not only a good sport, but also had some insightful things to say.

Maelstrom: I think the thing that grabbed me most about your album, The Arrival, was the production. On my favorite headphones, the first few tracks sounded like they were in a near constant state of explosion, kind of like both bass and treble were maxed out. It was a level of bombast unlike the other over-the-top bands in the genre. Was this the intention? What do you think of the production?

Teemu Hänninen: The production came out surprisingly good, you know the whole album was recorded and mixed in two weeks. We spent one week recording, and the other we spent mixing. A week is really a short time to mix an album of 9 tracks and with dozens of guitars, huge keyboard orchestrations, choirs and backing vocals. I personally like these big sounding heavy metal albums with pounding bass and shrieking trebles. Arttu Sarvanne (the engineer) did a great job.

Maelstrom: I like the album art a great deal. It's warm and crisp and doesn't look like anything else in the genre.

Teemu Hänninen: At first, I didn't want a fantasy theme on the cover, but since I saw the first scethes of the Arrival cover, I was very impressed. Santa Claus with a magical wand in hand climbing the floating stairs made of stone towards the sky-floating fantasy castle!! Jason Juta sure has a sick imagination.

Maelstrom: So the trend in this interview is how you guys aren't like everyone else. It seems that a bunch of bands from Finland that I've been hearing lately make no effort to have any ideas of their own and would rather copy Stratovarius or Sonata Arctica; you guys don't. I think that's pretty great. In fact, I think you're the only band aside from Burning Point that I've heard from Finland that isn't a clone. What's really cool is that you've managed to do something different on your first album. What do you think about this opinion?

Teemu Hänninen: Thanks. I also think that we have our own sound. But all the Helloween copycats also think and say that they have their own sound and don't sound like anyone else ! For example some of the latest finnish power metal acts Dreamtale and Celesty. They both say in their interviews that their music is very original and shit like that. I think it's stupid trying to be something you're not. They are just poor man's everyday powermetal clones. Period. In fact they have copied some riffs note to note from Helloween, Stratovarius and Gamma Ray.

Maelstrom: Speaking of Burning Point, what impresses me the most about that band isn't necessarily the music but more that their power metal style isn't what seems to always come out of Europe: happy, peppy stuff with sing along choruses. Rather, their style is much more like power metal bands' from the US. Why do you think there is such a division between the styles and why are Euro bands make such happy music? Objectively I think it's remarkable considering that metal originated as a dark and largely negative musical genre.

Teemu Hänninen (left): I don't know... It's quite funny actually.. First, listen to for example Blacks Sabbath's song Black Sabbath, and then something from Sonata Arctica or Stratovarius. Quite a difference. It must be because the German folk music is really happy, and maybe that influenced the early Helloween and so... Well I'm not a music historian, and I don't try to sound like one, but if you listen to Mozart and Beethoven, even some Bach and Vivaldi, lot of their material, especially by Mozart, is written in major keys. And classical music is something that influences us all. I mean, you hear classical music almost everyday, for example many TV commercials use classical music as their backing score.

Maelstrom: I think it's kind of a contrast that some of the happiest sounding power metal comes from Finland, a country that is known for it's stern, hardy and grim people.

Teemu Hänninen: I think that the finnish power metal acts sound happy, because they all are trying to make the Keepers of the Seven Keys III. They all just copy Helloween, Iron Maiden and so on.. I'm bored of talking 'bout that psychological shit about the gloomy finns in every interview, we are not as grim you think. The winter is long, dark and cold, but we can handle it.

Maelstrom: Speaking of the great differences in style between the US and Europe, the European power metal sound is catching on more and more here. Bands like Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Edguy and Angra (who are Brazilian but have a Euro style) have recently come to play in the US for the first time in their long careers, and are doing very well. I remember that not too long ago it was perceived that such metal would never sell (or sell out) in the US as the music was too happy or "gay," and that American metal fans preferred heavier, more extreme stuff. Do you have any comment on this?

Teemu Hänninen: I don't really know a lot about the US metal scene. All I know that you have a great progressive metal scene there really. Many of the top-of-the-line progressive metal bands come from US, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Magellan, Cairo, Explorer's Club.

Maelstrom: Speaking again of a lack of originality or adventurousness, why do you think that so many power metal bands feel that their albums have to be fantasy, sword and sorcery stuff? Can power metal be fantasy without rehashing the same knights and dragons themes?

Teemu Hänninen: The most cliché stuff is the easiest stuff to write. Even if you have absolutely no talent in writing lyrics, it's still easy to put together some Might and Magic shit.... Don't get me wrong, I really like fantasy oriented computer/RPG games and fantasy art, but if you listen to the Rhapsody lyrics, they're just plain stupid!! I think Symphony X has handled this area quite well, they have fantasy lyrics, but it's not that childish stuff like most power metal acts write. Maybe that's because English (American) is their native language.

Maelstrom: What do you think of bands like Primal Fear and Gamma Ray?

Teemu Hänninen: Primal Fear, I've heard maybe two songs.. Great singer, great sound. Gamma Ray is one of the best power metal acts, tho I really don't listen to power metal stuff so much.

Maelstrom: Does the Euro power metal genre owe everything to Helloween?

Teemu Hänninen: Yes, and to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar and many many others.

Maelstrom: Please tell us about Requiem. How do you feel your band is moving along as a unit and what goals do you have in the music that you make?

Teemu Hänninen: Our band isn't moving at all. Not much has happened after the release of "The Arrival". I hope we get to record our next album as soon as possible and then gain more opportunities and fame. My personal goal is to get to the point I can earn my living with music. Of course it would be more than great if we got to do some touring around the world. So, see ya on the world tour, hopefully within ten years!!

Maelstrom: Thanks for taking the time to respond to these questions. The Arrival is an excellent debut. We hope to see your career move along successfully!

Teemu Hänninen: What is this magazine this interview's gonna end up in? If it's a printed mag, please send us six copies of it, if possible, or at least one copy to me? OK?

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