Interviewer Rudi Hauptmann spends some time with Silentium’s female vocalist Riina Rinkinen.
First, let me say thanks for agreeing to be interviewed. If you’d like, you can take a moment to tell the fans a little about yourself.
Hi! Thank you so much for asking me to do this, it’s always a pleasure. So I’m Riina, the lead vocalist of Silentium. I’m gonna turn 27 this October and am a music enthusiast. Besides music my passions include protecting the environment, animals, cooking, reading, acting and movies. I’m pretty sensitive, sometimes too much so, which I guess does come handy in writing and interpreting melodies.
How long have you been a Metal fan and what attracted you to it?
I have been a Metal fan since elementary school. The first song that really got me was, surprise, surprise! “Poison” by Alice Cooper. After that someone made me a copy of Metallica’s Black Album and “Sad But True” became my favourite song. I can’t really tell you what the attraction was. It was something inborn. I learnt to read when I was 4 or 5 years old and by 6 I was reading the books my father got from the library – which happened to be Stephen King and such. I was always very fascinated by “the dark side’ so I guess it was pretty logical that this was the genre I ended up in. Despite all that, I want to emphasize that in my opinion, all of us should aim at being good, empathetic and caring people. We are all in the same boat in this more or less fucked up world.
What other genres of music do you enjoy listening to?
I love the Oldies but goldies. Progressive Rock is really close to my heart, and I think you can hear that in Silentium’s music. Also, I’m really into old Jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald.
What bands/musicians/singers have influenced you most?
OK, this is easy. Tori Amos, Freddie Mercury and Mike Patton. Those are the singers I look up to because of their range, interpretation and emotion.
Are there any other bands/projects that you’re currently associated with?
Yes, my long-time favorite is a project called Dionysian Arts Perform’d and a new one that I’m particularly excited about is called Elect’Rock, which I hope all of you will hear from rather sooner than later.
Are there any musicians out there that you dream of being able to collaborate with?
Arjen Lucassen and his Ayreon project. Human Equation was an album that just absolutely blew my mind and I think he’s an absolute genius. A lot of others of course but that one sprung into mind right away. I have to tell you that, while I’m writing this, I have a really high fever so my brain isn’t working at full capacity at the moment, so sorry about that.
Aside from music, what are some of your other interests?
Part of that was covered in your first section I guess, but my main goal in life is to be the best person I possibly can. And by that I don’t mean gathering shit loads of unmeaningful attributes to my persona, but to really contemplate on humanity and what it means to be a good person and how to help those around you, less or more fortunate.
Female fronted bands are often compared to Nightwish. Do you think that has harmed or helped Silentium?
Tuomas Holopainen produced the album previous to the first one I sang on, so the connection obviously cannot be denied. But in my opinion, as a journalist, if you classify us in the same category as Nightwish, you obviously haven’t done your homework. (And I don’t mean you per se!) Just as a trivia note, Silentium has been around longer than Nightwish. I think it has its pros and cons. Not for me to say, or to influence, so I’ve figured it’s just best to leave the whole subject alone.
Considering how many lead singers Silentium has already had, what motivated you to join the group?
I loved the music. The guys were great. I felt at home from the first training session. And now they’re all like my big brothers. (Yes, I’m the youngest one)
Do you think Amortean is Silentium’s best album?
Yes, I do. It wasn’t received as well as Seducia, but I feel it is the best one.
What is your favorite song from Amortean and why?
“Storm Sight Solicitude”. It’s mainly an intro for “Embrace The Storm” but I bled my heart out in that one, I was crying and singing in the studio and it’s mainly improvised. It somehow holds a lot of emotion and memories in it.
Why should Metal fans check out Amortean? What makes it unique?
It’s an album that was made with so much effort and emotion. I think the music will speak for itself.
What do you think separates Silentium from other Metal bands?
Our sound. No matter the song, you can always tell it’s Silentium.
In your opinion, what does the future hold for Silentium?
A lot of great, unique albums I hope! And on a selfish note, amazing trips and occasions with each other, cos I have to say, I love my guys…
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