Reviews / Interviews

Sami Hinkka, talented finnish musician, known for being bassist of Ensiferum, has released the industrial metal EP ssSHhh.
Lets talk about it!

[ Words and questions : Emma Bauer - Interview with Sami Hinkka on Oct 16th 2020 ]
EP: ssSHhh – 7 songs - release: oct 30th 2020 Style: Industrial Metal – Artist: Sami Hinkka -

Since march 2020, the world is under an invisible threat with this global pandemic and the world of live music as stopped, leading us all, the metal community, to a certain sorrow.

But, this weird time has also been a very productive period for musicians, locked down at home or in the studio. Amongst the numerous recordings and new releases, one has been a good surprise. Multi-talented Ensiferum bassist among other skills, Sami Hinkka, has released a solo project EP. The 7 tracks of ssSHhh are the first part of a long-time seeding project for Sami.

I was curious about the construction and the backstories, and had a very nice talk with the man himself.

When did this solo project start?

Sami: As long as I can remember, there was always a wish to produce some personal music, I think something like 20 years ago. Even if I enjoy being part of bands, and touring with great professionals, there is a part of me, as a musician, that lead to the wish to write some more personal music.

It was quite surprising to hear you in this range, a very good surprise, but unexpected solid industrial metal. I sensed some influences, a slight Turmion Katilot's rythm, Rammstein arrangements, a bit of Equilibrium, Deathstars, and a hint of Static X, some inspiration of the best of indus.... What are your influences of the genre, what do you dig?

Sami: I’ve been listening lately to the Prodigy, told myself how much they were ahead of their time! As a young musician, I've been into Marilyn Manson of course, and Nine Inch Nails, stuff like that. So it may somehow have had an influence on me.
But yeah, I can understand what you mean with Rammstein, I heard that from friends too...

How did you start writing the EP, lyrics or instrumental first?

Sami: Well, even if I had some riffs or arrangements in mind for some parts of the music, it was the lyrics first.

What was the main inspiration for the lyrics?

Sami: well, the lyrics came pretty easily, the topics naturally inspired by all the actual context worldwide, then layed the instrumentals matching with each song, and finally wrapped up the mixing.

What is the proportion of original instruments and electronic or mixing in the process on the EP?

Sami: Of course, I did the vocals, and bass, but guitar too. The drums and keyboard lines are electronic and have been added in the mix, and I'm ok with it. There is a certain amount of mixing. Esa (Esa Orjatsalo) who worked with me on this EP wasn’t sure, but I thought it was pretty accurate with the genre!

7 songs was appealing but a bit short, is there going to be a full album?

Sami: Ah! You know it was an EP so... And there will be another bunch of songs I'm still working on, that may be released in the following months! I'm even working on a video. If I can go forward and finish it, it will be quite gloomy...
For the EP it’s not like an album release, properly. We've seen this more like what the industry does mainly with pop, one single at a time. Maybe it’s nowadays thing. But I'm fine with it, these songs are quite different to each other, it’s not like in a Power Metal album, where you have a story, like in a book, and each song is part of the construction of a whole. For example, Metal De Facto’s first album was built like that. The storyline was here from the beginning…

Among the songs, I've been especially digging “the beast within” and “away with you”, but the acoustic version of “I consume” is parting from the other songs. This bluegrass, very “roady style” give it an american tint. Was it intentional on that very song? Like a gentle criticism about American consumerism? Or maybe I'm overthinking? (Laughs)

Sami: No, no! You do otherthink! (Laughs). I thought it was just interesting to have something totally different with this acoustic version.

When I saw an acoustic song on the EP, I was figuring, from a Finnish musician, a bit of Nordic Folk sound…

Sami: Well, I chose to give this bluegrass tone to it because I thought it was fitting pretty good on acoustic. It was interesting for me to prpose one song recorded and sounding different from the rest of the EP.

When this crazy time is over, and its possible again, would you plan on touring for your solo project?

Sami: This is quite hard to say, it’s such a messed-up period worldwide, but if I have the opportunity to join someone’s tour to perform these songs live, sure! I would have to find the musicians as well, to join me for live version, but yes, I’d love to!

For example, as a support on an Ensiferum tour? Any news about it by the way, or about your other band Metal De Facto?

Sami: We'll see, Ensiferum is still looking forward to tour for Thalassic album that we released lately, we haven't been able to play it live yet, so...
And about MDF, well, yes! there is some new music in the process already....!

I thank again very much Sami for his time and kindness, explanations on the writing process of ssSHhh, and wish the best to this EP and cannot recommend enough for you to discover and enjoy Sami's solo work.
And looking forward to upcoming songs....

”ssSHhh” recorded in March-April 2020 by Sami Hinkka
Produced by Sami Hinkka and Esa Orjatsalo
Mixed and Mastered in TADAA Studios by Esa Orjatsalo
Cover and booklet by Guyla Havanchák