Hi guys, Alex from “The Metal Observer” here. How are things in the REQUIEM camp?

Fine, thanks, we are now promoting “Mask Of Damnation” and looking for new business contacts.

Compared to "The Arrival" you have incorporated some more progressive elements into your sound. Was this a conscious move to get away from the typical Power Metal or rather "coincidence"?

I think "The Arrival" was more progressive. When we we're choosing songs for “Mask Of Damnation” we decided to make a more guitar-oriented album than "The Arrival" which was more orchestrated. That was the only conscious decision we made, the progressive elements just came along the songs, we did not meant to make a progressive album. About the Power Metal thing, I think we are far away from being a typical Power Metal band, even if we tried to make a typical Power Metal album, it just would not happen.

Jouni's very own and very theatrical voice is getting mentioned in almost each review of REQUIEM, sometimes positively, but many times also negatively. How does he react to criticism like this and does he consciously try to sing differently or is that his natural style?

I don't quite understand this discussion around Jouni's voice, to me it's not sooo different than all the others. Some people hate his voice just because he does not always hit the right notes right away, he more like slides to the right notes, you know, like a good blues guitar player would play the melody lines. I think Heavy Metal music is not about perfect technique or flawless singers, it's more about feel and groove, and having fun. About Jouni, I don't think he takes the criticism too seriously. Reviews are just opinions, nothing more. Of course he wants to improve, like we all want, but it's not because of what others may think.

In your own words, in which way does REQUIEM differ from the regular mainstream Power Metal out there?

First of all, I don't think us as a Power Metal band. To me we're Heavy Metal. If people want to label us Power Metal, that's ok too, but I'm not personally into Power Metal at all. I like some Power Metal bands, but to me, "Power Metal" is a bad word. There's so much talentless, worthless shit released under "Power Metal" label that it's not even funny. I think that if we just write albums that are good enough, we will be remembered, whilst the losers shall be forgotten. That's the evolution of music.

"The Mask Of Damnation" is your second album with a very interesting cover. Who is the guy behind the covers (also of "The Arrival") and which information did he work with to create it/them?

The artist is called Jason Juta. He was hired by Sound Riot. He heard the album title that was a starting point for the cover. Then he presented his sketches and ideas to the band, we gave him feedback and finally the cover was ready and we approved it. That's about it.

Even though my promo unfortunately does not have any lyrics, I can't shake off the feeling as if "Mask Of Damnation" is based on some sort of concept. If so, what is the lyrical foundation?

It's not a concept album, though some lyrics may have some similarities. Still the topics of the songs are very varied, I would say there is 50% fantasy and 50% real life situations in the lyrics. It's funny that many have thought “Mask Of Damnation” is a concept album. Maybe there really is some kind of concept after all. You know, hidden messages and stuff like that.... Maybe our all albums will finally form one giant concept album, who knows.

Finland is one of those countries, where there are not only countless other Metal bands, but where these groups also enjoy quite some success. What is the status of REQUIEM there?

We don't even have a status here. For a reason or another, we are totally ignored in Finland. Even some of my friends don't know a shit about REQUIEM. You know the story, no promotion - no success. No success - no promotion. Maybe that will change to better with time. We'll just have to wait and see.

And what do you think is the reason, why there are so many great Metal bands from there, is it something in your water or so?

Aren't there great Metal bands in every country? Just think how many really really great Metal bands are in Germany? And about Sweden? Tons of amazing Metal bands. So after all, Finland is no better than others, of course I admit there are some good Metal bands, but the status of Finland as an ultimate Metal country is a bit overrated. It's not about country, it's about individuals.

With Sound Riot you are under contract with a rather small Portuguese label. Now how does a band from Finland get in touch with a label like that (Spinefarm would be a more obvious guess ;) and how satisfied are you with how things are going so far, taking into consideration that they are not exactly a big label?

In 2001, they surfed to our website and listened to mp3's, they were blown away and wanted to hear more stuff, so we send them CDs, after they heard them, they just could not resist! They offered us a deal and we thought it would be better to make some real albums instead of demos, and so we made a deal with them for 2 albums. Things have actually been better than I expected, there have been many disappointments too, but you must remember they are not the biggest label on Earth.

Jouni also is part of ALTARIA, while Henrik is with SONATA ARCTICA, are there any more side bands/projects that you guys are involved and isn't there always the danger that the main band suffers from too many side activities?

Yes, there is a certain danger, and because of that, Jouni actually left ALTARIA. I think that was a very good decision. Now he can concentrate only on REQUIEM. Jari and Pasi also have some little projects, but I don't think they affect REQUIEM in any ways.

There also is a Swedish Wave/Rock band with CANDLEMASS fronter Messiah Marcolin named REQUIEM around, have you heard of them and do you fear any possible problems due to the fact that the names are the same?

I know there are more bands called REQUIEM, but there has not been any problems with that this far, I think that all the REQUIEMs can live in co-existence. But, if some serious problems will occur, it's OK to me to change the name. For example, we could change our name to REQUIEM XIII or just about anything. It will be no problem.

As you are from Finland and from the Power Metal scene, what is your personal opinion about the whole STRATOVARIUS line-up re-shuffling and the ensuing answers interview and that? Have you heard the new singer yet?

I think it's very interesting! I like the fact that Timo Tolkki has the guts to speak his mind and do some risky moves. I haven't heard the singer, I wonder what kind of album they will do.

To close off my interview, my traditional last question: What is your favourite question about REQUIEM that you have never been asked before, but would finally like to answer?

Hmmmm, nothing special comes to my mind right now, but my least favorite question is when the interviewer asks something about the band's history like "would you tell us how did you start" or so. They could find the same info from our website's bio.