Interview with Masterstroke

How did you come about obtaining the band name?

Janne and Niko came up with it after a brainstorming session where they thought of a name for the band. They liked it and there's really nothing more mysterious to it!


How would you describe your music?

I think melodic metal, with touches of progressive and trash metal thrown in sums it up.


What one thing do you feel sets you apart from the rest in this genre?

The influences from trash metal would probably be one!

	Niko Rauhala 12.05.1979 - Guitar / Vocals Founded the band with Janne in 2002. Mainly influenced by James Hetfield, Roope Latvala, Michael Romeo, Dave Mustaine snd vocally by Marco Hietala, Ronnie James Dio, James Hetfield, Bruce Dickinson and so on.
	Janne Juutinen 02.03.1979 - Drums Founded the band with Niko in 2002. Mainly influenced by Uli Kusch and Mirka Rantanen.
	Markus Kekoni 27.01.1982 - Guitar / Backing Vocals Joined the band in 2003. Mainly influenced by Randy Rhoads, Metallica, Steve Vai and Symphony X.
	Jussi Kulomaa 19.09.1979 - Keyboards / Backing Vocals Joined the band in 2004. Mainly influenced by electronic music (Vangelis, Jarre), progressive rock and metal.
	Marko Kolehmainen 19.09.1979 - Bass Joined the band in 2005. Mainly influenced by Steve Harris, John Myung, Thomas Miller and Sean Malone.

How long did it take to record your latest material?

All together, I think we spent about four to five months in the studio; recording and mixing. Since we started recording every day after work, it took us that long. Had we done it like 'real bands', it would have taken about two months to do everything. Well, maybe. This was the first album for us where all the material was written after the last album. We started writing and rehearsing songs for this album pretty much right after we finished Sleep.


What is the inspiration behind your latest material?

Good music! I can only speak for the lyrics, because Niko does most of the writing for the songs (riffs, basic ideas etc.). I don't know where he pulls out these riffs! At rehearsals he just sometimes starts noodling and then... Hey! A new riff! My lyrics draw mostly from real life, but twisted and amplified in a way, that make them useable in songs. Topics range from inner demons, world politics and birds! I don't write for a particular song in mind, I just write and then Niko decides what to use and where. And then we'll edit if need be.


Any plans for a music video?

Not at the moment.


When you go into recording mode, do you find it easy or challenging?

It's challenging in that we hope to get all the ideas out there in the right way. And then there's of course the challenge of rising up to your standard and maybe even exceed it. Since we have our own studio, we don't have that much pressure on time tables or such. But we do have to keep some sort of pressure on, otherwise nothing gets done!


Is there a particular market or country you are trying to reach?

Anywhere and anyhow! Central Europe as a whole is of course a big market area for metal, so that's obviously a major target. But I leave that to the record label to sort out, I have enough work making music!


What kind of message are you trying to relay to your audience?

We're not trying to force anything down any ones throat. I have some issues I want to address and like to bring them out to people and hopefully, someone will find something to think about.


Who's responsible for the bands artwork?

We have some friends and some surprise contacts have also come up, such as with this new album. Janne ran into JP Ahonen by accident and just started to chat with him and next thing you know, he agreed to make the cover! We're excited, since we like his work on comics and other illustrations. Initially, we had the idea of continuing with the figure on the cover of Sleep and had some sketches drawn up for that, but when JP came along, things started to shape and form into what it is now. The whole mood of the album was what guided us in the cover and JP's background in comics with the inner sleeve pictures of the band. I believe Janne designed our logo... Hmm.. I have to talk to him about it!


How hard has it been to get to this point?

It's been a steady climb, but not a very fast one. Or how would I know, I've never done this before! We haven't had any major falling outs in the band, everyone seems to be pulling together nicely. Of course it sometimes feels like you're banging your head against the wall, but I believe that if you just stick to it and work, it'll pay off in the end. Besides, one-hit wonders are just that!


Where does your main fan base / support tend to lie?

Of course we have a pretty good support in our home town Tampere. The crowds in Italy seemed to be into our stuff, so that would be a nice place to revisit.


What is your favourite venue?

Inside my own head! Haha.. Nah, supporting the Scorpions in that huge bull fighting arena was something I could get used to! Usually the best places have good staff, good back-stage amenities and then the rest just fall into place somehow.

What are some of your favourite local acts? And have you had the chance to play alongside them?

Crystalic comes first to mind. We've played with them and Niko and Janne were part of the band in the early days.


What would be your most memorable gig / performance to date?

It would probably have to be the gig supporting Scorpions. Probably not the best we've played but with the whole atmosphere and all.


Have you got a favourite song you like to play? And is there one in particular you've noticed your fans have started asking for?

They seem to want the old stuff from Apocalypse around here! I've been liking 'Wait for the Fall' from the new album, since it has an emotional impact on me. It gives me goosebumps!


If you were playing at a metal festival, who would you prefer was playing alongside you and where would that be?

Let's see.. Right now for me, in no particular order, Nevermore, Evergrey, Symphony X, Behemoth and Opeth. Wacken would probably be the best right now or Sweden Rock when it comes to the big festivals. I kinda hate these lists, because there's just too much good music in the world!


What kind of instruments do you use? And have you done the 'Rock Star' thing yet and smashed any equipment?

I use one keyboard on stage at the moment and it's too expensive for me to smash it! Maybe if I get a deal?! Haha.. In the studio I use whatever I think fits what I'm doing at the moment. Lots of toys to choose from!


Have you had many chances for signings?

Just the odd fan signings after shows, nothing too fancy. I think we signed a girl's boobies once?! I'm pretty sure we did, but it's a bit foggy!


Have you ever had any Mystical experiences?

One time I was working in a studio and we took a break and were talking in the live room and all of sudden we hear something go bump, like a chair falling over or something and then immediately we start hearing this awful wailing sound coming from the control room. Turns out that one of the reverb machines went berserk for some reason (resetting it fixed that). That was spooky!


Where can people purchase your music and merchandise from?

'Sleep' and 'As Days Grow Darker' should be available at any good record store or online. Good luck finding Apocalypse! Merch can be bought from our labels website or from our gigs.


Fame, fun or finance?

Fun. Would be good if we'd get financed properly at some point! We're not that into fame.


What words of advice can you offer anyone looking to enter the music industry?

Don't do it!! You have to have a passion for music to even think about it, since there's very little reward (monetary, that is) unless you get really, really lucky. Or have an amazing marketing machine behind you!


Anything you'd like to add or say to your fans?

We're heading to Europe in May / June, so if you can, check us out! Also, check our website and MySpace for some good stuff and up-to-date info!  And remember, don't take it too seriously!

LINKS

Masterstroke Website

Masterstroke Myspace

Dynamic Arts Records

Buy Masterstroke from CD Baby

'Interview with Masterstroke' by Dea di Morte © 25 May 2009
Hails! to the lads from Masterstroke for agreeing to participate and taking the time to complete this interview.
All pictures courtesy of 'Masterstroke'.