ENSIFERUM's HINKKA: 'Finns Are Melancholic And Quiet But I Wouldn't Say That We Are Angry'

Washington Post Express recently conducted an interview with bassist-lyricist Sami Hinkka and founding guitarist Markus Toivonen of the Finnish folk-metal band ENSIFERUM. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Express: Why do you think so many Scandinavian metal bands sing about their heritage, whereas, say, U.S. metal bands aren't singing about being Daniel Boone or stealing the country from Indians?

Hinkka: We learn about our heritage in school but I wouldn't say that it's a big part of the mainstream culture nowadays. I really can't answer behalf of all metal bands but for ENSIFERUM traditional instruments and melodies are the main thing. Of course, folklore and beautiful Finnish nature inspire us also. Hopefully someday we will have a [live] show with at least some of those folk instruments for example kantele, nyckelharpa, recorder and so on. Maybe a 20th anniversary gig? Who knows?

Express: Are your face paintings reproduction of Nordic war paints or are they original creations?

Hinkka: [Laughs] No, they have nothing to do with Nordic war paints. I'm not absolutely sure when Markus and old members started using them but for me it is like a ritual before the show. One of those things that helps me get into the right mood.

Express: In America, we have Civil War re-enactors. Are there events like this in Finland for Nordic sagas, and do any of you participate?

Hinkka: I haven't heard about that kind of stuff in Finland but sounds like a fun idea!

Express: Do you guys play "Dungeons and Dragons", or do you play online games like "World of Warcraft"?

Hinkka: I play "WoW" on tours since there is usually a lot of spare time. Like on this tour I have read already three books and seen at least 10 movies. But on this tour we have focused on writing some new material so I haven't been so much online. First things first.

Express: You are the main lyric writer for "Victory Songs". How did you go about writing the lyrics and do you do any research?

Hinkka: I had lot of lyrics ready before we even had all the music for "Victory Songs" and same thing is now also when we write new material. I read pretty much. Not just fantasy stuff but, for example, Stephen King, Dan Brown, etc. On last few tours I've read "American Psycho" — much better than the movie — "Three Musketeers", "Kalevala" and I also like books by Finnish writer Esko Valtaoja. Of course, good movies can inspire to write. I think good lyrics — I am not saying that mine are [laughs] — are good metaphors.

Express: I wanted your opinion on the nature of Finnish people as characterized by your former keyboardist: "We are so melancholic. It's so dark in the north. We are all pissed off of life in the north, in Finland. ... Nobody is happy in Finland. We are angry people. That's why there is so much heavy metal and dark music. It's our nature."

Hinkka: Well, I'm not pissed off to live in Finland [laughs]. Of course, Finns are melancholic and quiet but I wouldn't say that we are angry or unhappy. Our ex-president just won the Nobel, so how angry a nation can we be?

Read the entire interview from Washington Post Express.