Rockezine.com interview with Sinamore on Mar 01, 2006

with Mikko on Mar 01, 2006

Sinamore pleasantly surprised a little while ago with their debut album `A New Day`. Time to ask vocalist/guitarist a couple of questions.
		First of all, can you introduce the band to our readers? The band was formed in the end of 1998, truly based on frienship between Mikko Heikkilä (vocals, guitar), Jarno Uski (bass) and Miika Hostikka (drums) and just having fun and make something creative together. We started to practise our skills by playing cover songs from bands like Metallica and Nirvana, stuff like that. In 1999 we started to compose our own songs, so we recorded our first demo at the same year. Tommi was found just before the recordings of our fourth demo Sleeping Away as a second guitarist. The promo Follow Into The Cry was recorded in 2004, and you could say that that CD was the key to start business with Napalm Records. Our musical style is rockin` metal with gothic influences and melancholic melodies. Some people might call it just goth or dark metal rock. But the main thing for us is just express our depressive feelings through the music... in that way comes the sound of Sinamore.
		How do you end up at a label which is mostly known for its more brutal releases? Early 2004 we signed a record contract with a Japanese label. For some reason, after the album recordings, they informed us that they were unable to release our album. So it was like very expensive "demo" for us. Anyway, we made a five song promo all by our own by useing that "demo" and we sent those promos to many different labels. Napalm Records was really interested to do business with us almost right away. And the contract with Japanese label was already cancelled, so we didn´t have any problem with that either.
		How is the cooperation with the label? Very well so far, thanks for asking. Nothing to complain about. We recorded our album and it has been released in Europe and United States, so I´m very happy about that. Just have to hope that we could record more albums under their carrying wings.
		How are the reactions on the album? First I was suprised for such great reviews, but as you know you can`t please everyone. We are not so very well known even here in Finland, so it feels a little weird because most of the comments are from foreign countries. But I hope it will change during this year and since the album is released, it will be a lot easier to perform with a full length album in your backpocket than a couple of songs and demo CDs. I`m really looking forword to the tour in Europe and here in our home country, because that`s the reason why we`re playing this music. Finally answering your question: the reactions have been more rewarding than I ever could even thought. Hope this will continue...
		You state that your music is a combination of beautiful melodies and dark rocking metal riffs and name bands like Katatonia, HIM and Bon Jovi. In my review I added the later Paradise Lost and Depeche Mode (vocals mostly). What do you think of that? You are right about that. When I started listening to music, Paradise Lost was the one of the greatest band I`ve ever heard. At some point it`s true that their sound has effected our style in one way or another... with their bitterness and coldness. On albums like Icon and Draconian Times the sound is really dark and melancholic and I like to keep listening to those albums even in these days. Talking about Depeche Mode, I have to admit that I really don`t know (or never heard) about that band, so it`s hard to say something about that... But it`s the same the most reviewers have said.
		Can you tell our readers what lyrics are about? Are they influenced by the Finnish landscape? Or do they just spring to your mind? I like to write songs about loneliness and sadness, dark things of human life. Our songs are like sweet dark stories of the ordinary world. Love is a theme that I try not to use so much, because I think that goth bands do it all the time. If everyone is singing about love, there´s not any sense at all. I´ve never written love songs and I never will!
		How is life in Finland? Cold and dark at this time of year, still not freezing to death. I`m just waiting for the spring to have a little warmer weather here. And how am I doing; work, work, work. But not on weekends though. At the end of week we usually are rehearsing if we don´t have to go up on a stage. Very busy...
		What was the first album you ever bought? Honestly I can´t remember, but the first album I got as a present was Scorpions Collection Still Loving You (kind of shame). No, that´s not my thing. The first metal album I ever bought was Metallica`s Black Album. That`s the main reason to start making music of my own. That was the reason to form this band.
		What was the first concert you ever visited? Megadeth on stage in an icehall in Helsinki. That I will remember for the rest of my life. I remember that feeling when I saw them on stage. Something what I never will forget!
		What is your favorite band at this moment? I really can`t name any certain band. There`s so many that I´m listening to. I like to listen some Finnish metal bands and others like In Flames and Soilwork.
		Any last words to our readers? Please visit our official website and give us some feedback with your wishes and don`t be afraid. Still somewhere there`s a hope that keeps crying for you. I hope we`ll see you on tour!!
		(Lars van Bergen)