Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

EMBER’S FLAME is a rock band from Finland playing melodic rock with 2010’s sounds and due respect to 70’s and 80’s traditional classic rock. The band released debut single (She Said) in 2009 and has been making the debut long play since the summer 2010. Recording, mixing and mastering have been completed. The album is produced by Andy McCoy. But let’s learn more about EMBER’S FLAME, some days ago, Sami Toivonen, the band’s singer and guitarist, told me this…

Hi Sami, I’m Tarja and welcome to Metal Shock! what’s up?

Hi Tarja and thanks! Everything is cool down here in Finland. Even the last piles of snow are melting and the sun is shining warmer by the minute. We’re really in the middle of several things at the moment, e.g. arranging record deal and booking gigs to support the new album.

Please present us your band members and tell us how and when everything started?

I am the lead singer of the band. Someone has said that you can recognize me from the strong, unique voice but you can also spot me from the white Les Paul that I use for rhythm guitar on the gigs. I prefer both black and white in outfit and in other meanings too..

Jouni, our drummer is the youngest and the cute guy in the band. Pete plays solid bass with years and years of experience and he also does backing vocals. Pete also loves Italian food as you can see. . Actually he loves Italy. Teme plays guitar and does backing vocals as well. Despite he is so young (laugh) he has already played guitar for more than 20 years.

It all started when Pete and Teme – who were acquaintances – decided to jam together a few years back. It proved to work well from the day one and soon there were some material written together and things led to other and so on.

You play Modern classic rock, please explain it with more details, thanks…

Well, that’s one definition. As we all know it ain’t too easy to describe the musical style of a band in detail with just few words. Anyhow we aim to build people’s expectations as close to the real deal as possible. You could also say we play melodic rock with fresh’n modern sounds and due respect to the classic rock of the 70’s and 80’s.

And what about the band’s name? How you came up to this choice?

I think Ember’s Flame describes our band pretty damn well considering the musical style, general vibe and our age distribution. In addition, the name particularly carries on some connections here and there.

From where are coming your influences?

We all are bit different when it comes to our musical backgrounds and influences. With proud we can name check quite a different bands like Thin Lizzy, Chuck Berry, Guns’n Roses, Hurriganes, Ramones, Hanoi Rocks, early Whitesnake and Motörhead from the classic rock genre and e.g. Metallica, Volbeat, Foo Fighters and Buckcherry from the more modern side.

You release your debut single (She Said) in 2009, how it was welcomed by your audience?

The feedback has been overall positive. Some of the most encouraging comments have been that there are not many bands like us around. Also reviews have been terribly encouraging, especially abroad. However, our debut single was an indie release and thus not very largely distributed.

How’s your songwriting process in generally? and some words about the song topics…

Everyone in the band participates and brings in to the song writing process. Every single piece is arranged by the whole band. I am the busiest guy writing lyrics even though both Pete and Teme write lyrics as well. When it comes to composing there is more cooperation and we often work on a song or someone’s idea together from the beginning. In any case some tiny adjustments are usually done since we want everything sound as good as possible.

Our lyrics always carry a story inside them. Whether it is something we have seen or gone through ourselves or watched aside. I guess I can’t ever stress too much the importance of lyrics to me – even though you’re singing rock’n’roll and not in your native language. There are already too many ‘rock yeah, baby come on, baby’ -lyrics written, right?

Last year you started to work on your debut long-play, how it’s proceeding?

We can proudly say the album has been completed. We did recordings through August-October and finalized mixing in December. Then we went to mastering studio early this year. It is all ready to be published.

It’s produced by Andy McCoy, tell me about this collaboration…

Teme knew Andy and had worked with him before and decided to ask if he was interested producing the band. After listening to demos and giving some early comments both Andy and the band were convinced on the cooperation. Working with Andy is a lot of fun. He is creative workaholic that can mean lot of things: e.g. looking at songs, riffs, sections, arrangements and lyrics with a different mindset, bringing in some insanely creative ideas, working in the studio till the early hours once the exact idea has been captured.

Can you reveal already something about the songs and release date?

There are 10 badass and hard rockin’ songs equally so strong that any one of them could be released as the first single. So, it’s 10 killers, no fillers. Songs include 8 up or mid tempo and two slower ones. Other one of the slow songs has even Celtic style mandolin and violin tracks on it – real, not synthesized. As to the release date we hope it will be put out during the summer.

How this new album is different from your debut single?

One major difference is the quality of production. We had executive producer and top notch studio engineers in the game that means everything from the pre production to mastering was thought thoroughly and done professionally without any compromises. The results will show.

What are your expectations about this new baby?

We actually believe all the hard work will pay off and the album will get all the recognition it deserves. It’s gonna be one of the most remarkable rock albums from Finland this year. Thinking of our targets we of course are not only looking for Finland, but also abroad.

And what next? A tour to support it? Other plans?

Currently we are rehearsing our band engine for a top live condition and playing live gigs. Mostly in Finland, but Sweden is in plans for the late summer as well. Of course we are planning a video and proper tour to support the album when it’s released.

Talking about your gigs and tours, what has been, so far, the most significant one for your career? And why?

Club Rock Hell RETURNS party night at Bar Bäkkäri Green Room in Helsinki a few weeks back. Great crowd and venue and it were nice to work with other bands as well, especially the Milestones. All in all, great experience despite our video cam got stolen, that is yet another story…

Anything you’d like to tell, that I’ve not asked you?

That you haven’t asked me… err, you haven’t asked me out yet.. 😉 Well, <changes voice> Are you guys planning for album release and tour in Italy? <changes voice back> Yes, we are. We can’t wait to hit the stage at some Italian rock clubs. But that’s all at a very early stage so we can’t confirm even any planned time at this point.

What are your regards to your fans and our readers?

Hello Metal Shock readers out there in Italy and where ever you might be! Our upcoming album will be something worth all the waiting. Believe us, it will kick some serious frigging butt!

Thanks Sami, and thanks Ember’s Flame for this interview! Keep the Flame on!

Interview by Tarja Virmakari – Photos by Keith Corcoran, Live-photo by Ilkka Johansson

New Ember’s Flame album produced by Andy McCoy