Silentium interviewed
Silentium (previously called "Funeral") are a Finnish Gothic metal band, who formed back in 1995 in Jmsnkoski, Finland.. Their current album "Amortean" is out soon on Dynamic Arts Records. and you can
buy the album @ Amazon.M4L says hallo to Silentium as our Ten Questions goes up to 11
M4L: Who are you and how would you personally describe your music?
S: I am Sami Boman and I'm answering these questions on behalf of Silentium. Our music is some sort of mixture of different metal music styles. What's the unifying factor in all of our music is that it's always melodic. Usually the songs embody features of melodic and sometimes progressive death metal, some atmospheric doom, symphonic aspects and aerie hymns. The proportions of these different features may vary greatly from song to song, but still these are the main building blocks of our music.
R: Im Riina, the female vocalist of Silentium. I would describe Silentiums music as heartfelt, sincere and atmospheric, as well as impressive and beautiful.
M4L: When writing, where do you begin?
S: Anywhere. Sometimes a harmonic pattern comes first, sometimes a riff and sometimes a melody. Sometimes even the lyrics are the opening factor of my creative process. I don't write lyrics myself, I write only music, but sometimes I get a text from Matti (our bass player and lyricist) and then try to capture it's feel through music. There is no one place to start, at least not for me.
R: I begin by looking in, isolating a feeling or a thought or a matter that needs resolving. I usually write lyrics first and then sit at my piano, looking for the right notes. Melodies often come easy, when the right mood is found with the right chords.
M4L: Which groups, artists and/or bands inspire you?
S: Oh my, there are so many. To name a few I have to mention Mikael kerfeldt an Opeth, Cavanagh brothers and Anathema, Ihsahn and Emperor, Tuomas Holopainen and Nightwish, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Rush, John Williams, Hans Zimmer. The list could go on and on.
R: Im greatly influenced by bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Opeth must be mentioned as well. Tori Amos has also made a mark on me, her honesty and capability to cope with terrible things through music really impresses me.
M4L: Are you influenced by art and literature at all?
S: But of course. Arts are so powerful form of manifestation that I don't think anyone with a tendency towards creativity can not be influenced by great pieces of art. I especially get my kicks out of the romantic and realistic genres.
R: Somewhat, yes. I am a movie freak, many movies awake such strong feelings and epiphanies in me, that I would imagine they somehow transfer to our music too.
M4L: Are there any songs/tracks that you have heard and thought, I wish I'd written that?
S: 'I Remember' by Damien Rice. It's perhaps one of the best musical pieces ever written, especially the live version from Mr. Rice's concert in Four Seasons.
R: Well.. no. Not to say there arent some amazing songs out there, but I think each should have their own.
M4L: Do you push yourself to write, or do you have to wait until you're inspired?
S: Yes, now and then I push myself to write. The results can sometimes be really poor but sometimes it forces out something that wouldn't come otherwise. These are the times when through some fortunate coincident something extraordinary is being born.
R: I wait. Pushing might be a good idea sometimes, but at least for me, lyrics cant be pushed out, music might but Ive never tried.
M4L: What was it that made you go into into making music?
S: A compelling need to affect and the pleasure to create something. Writing music is simply my passion. Getting shivers down your spine is one of the strongest positive sensations you can experience through some external stimulus. I have had that sensation through music so many times, that I have an urge to share it to others.
R: I dont know. Somehow it was always clear. From very early childhood. I suppose people are drawn to things that are essential to their growth, for me it was always music and singing in particular, as a means of self expression.
M4L: Do you feel the internet is a good way of helping/promoting your music?
S: Of course it is. I consider any media that has hundreds of millions, even billions of users who all have access to practically any content you can create a good way of helping and promoting our music.
R: Yes, absolutely. Im quite the geek my self and I know what an awesome power the internet can be when used correctly. Besides, there are so many people out there who have no other means to get their hands on our music.
M4L: Has the computer age, and its use in creating, editing and manipulating music helped you in any way?
S: It has given us practically all we have. From the first days of the band we have written our music with computers. We started with these mid 90's tracker softwares and are now writing with the latest, most sophisticted and advanced sequencer programs. Our music has always been so multilayered, that to get it organized as smoothly as possible the computers have been a vital part of our survival.
R: I think this question is more for Sami...
M4L: Give me three good reasons why someone should buy your CDs, barring threats of bodily harm?
S:
1. If you value music beyond it being just elevator music played on the background and want to be affected, touched and moved by music, you really should get our cd. This is by far the best reason to get it. If you're only into some easy listening shit, don't bother, then it's not for you.
2. We are a band that is evolving all the time. There are more safe bets on the market, but they can be a boring purchase. If you want to spread your view and think outside the box, you should get our cd.
3. Why not, what's there to lose?
R:
1. They rock.
2. We embrace with love every new arrival to the land of Silence.
3. Everyone who buys Silentiums music rocks!
M4L: Finally, If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you?
S: But of course. We are the most jolly bunch.
R: Yes, I think I would. I try to be as good a friend as possible, and I go to extreme lengths to protect my friends wellbeing. Although I would NEVER live with me, since Im hopelessly messy
Thanks to Sami and Riina for taking the time to talk to us. You can keep up to date with all Silentium happenings at
their website and at their
MySpace page. You can
buy the album @ Amazon.
Stuart A Hamilton 2009
