Chad Bowar: How has the band’s sound progressed from Irons to Victory Songs?
Sam Hinkkai: Of course new people bring their own sound to the band and we used more real folk instruments than ever before but still its 100% pure Ensiferum.
What are your expectations for the album?
Expectations are very high because we are very satisfied to the album and hopefully we get to play lot of gigs.
What inspired the lyrics for Victory Songs?
Nordic mythology, nature, (fantasy) literature and movies...
How did you decide to work with producer Nino Laurenne, and what was your experience with him like?
Actually we have worked with him before. He recorded our Dragonheads EP and everything went well so we decided to record the new album with him also. Nino focused on recording and Janne Joutsennimi was the main producer.
What’s your writing and recording process like?
Slow! Markus (Toivonen, guitarist) is the main composer for Ensiferum (like he has always been) so usually he brings some raw riffs/songs to rehearsal and we start to arrange them together to whole songs.
Do you have plans to tour in the US?
There have been some discussion about it, we really hope can get there ASAP.
Do you have any pre concert rituals?
Everybody has their own rituals, but one we have in common is painting war paint and trying to create good/furious spirit for the gig.
What's the strangest item in your tour rider?
We are a pretty “easy” band so we don’t have any freaky stuff in our rider; just food, booze and water.
What are the largest and smallest crowds you've played in front of?
The largest would have to be Wacken 2005; I heard that there were nearly 20,000 people. I think about 50 is the smallest crowd so far since I’ve been in the band. But actually we don’t care if there are 10 or 10,000 people; we always want to give 110% and usually so do our fans. We must have the craziest fans in the world!
Any tour horror stories?
Yes we had some major problems with equipment, but who hasn’t? I have couple of horror stories about the music business and dishonest people who are involved in it, but I think I won’t go there. I just want to say to all new bands, be careful because there are lots of (jerks) in this business but also some very professional and nice people, so try to find them.
What band did you have the best time touring with?
So far every tour has been great. So no bands named, none forgotten.
Did anybody treat you poorly on tour?
Like I said before there are people in this business that don’t play “fair game” but on last two tours everything has went just perfectly.
How did you get started in music?
I personally started playing over 18 years ago but Ensiferum was founded 11 years ago by Markus. He wanted to have a band of his own.
Who are some current artists you admire?
Iron Maiden.
What are your all time favorite metal albums?
This is always so hard:
1. Iron Maiden – Live After Death
2. Amorphis – Elegy
3. Dark Tranquillity – Gallery
4. Timo Rautiainen ja Trio Niskalaukaus – Lopunajan <erkit
5. Moonsorrow – Kivenkantaja
How is the metal scene in Finland?
I think it’s ok. I’m not really the kind of person that knows every new band and goes to every gig in town. But there are many metal bands here that are pretty famous outside Finland: Children Of Bodom, Nightwish, Amorphis, HIM, so I think the Finnish metal scene is doing great.
What do you think of the success of your countrymen Lordi?
I’m very happy for them. I don’t really like their music, but I like the attitude that if you are going to make something then do it 110%.
