Thunderstone

With the new release The Burning from Finnish Metallers THUNDERSTONE, I got the chance to offer some questions to Nino Laurenne, guitarist of the band. Here's what he had to say!

Alex: I noticed that your songs are heavy, yet melodic and with varied vocal arrangements. How do you approach songwriting? Who writes the songs, and how do the various band members contribute to the whole sound?
Nino: Well, mostly I write a drum beat using my computer, after which I come up with a riff that I add to the rhythm. In the beginning I also focus on which tempo and the direction the song is going in. I also come up with a vocal melody that I use while I write the lyrics. Then the whole band arranges the song together.

Alex: As Finns, how do you like to differentiate yourselves from other bands in the same genre; what would you say is the trademark of THUNDERSTONE?
Nino: Well, mostly we just want to have fun, to play metal, to express feelings and be open to interpretation.

Alex: The lyrics are personal and not the usual fantasy bullshit. Are they influenced by real life, so to say self experienced?
Nino: Most of the songs are based on real experiences. Some are too personal to talk about. You're supposed to make your own interpretation, but for example: Mirror Never Lies is about getting old.

Alex: How did you get together as a band? Did you have a common goal?
Nino: Again, we just wanted to have fun. Most members are over 30, so...

Alex: What about education. And how was THUNDERSTONE formed?
Nino: THUNDERSTONE was formed in 2000, and in the beginning it was a solo project of mine. I own and work in Sonic Pump Studios, and have always been a fan of Melodic Metal. I also used to play in a band called Antidote, which was mostly Thrash Metal. We released three albums.

Alex: What kind of input did you get from metal labels?
Nino: We got great input, actually. Nuclear Blast wanted to sign us just two days after having received our demo, and also Timo Tolkki helped us out in the beginning, getting us in touch with NB and stuff like that. That was in the summer of 2001.

Alex: Do you have any favorite musicians, idols or role models?
Nino: Yeah, before 1993 I was a big fan of Pantera. Nowadays I kind of get tired of metal, since I work with it everyday. Michael Romeo (of Symphony X) is a great guitarist, though. He plays a solo on Drawn To The Flame on the new album! As for other inspiration, I must say I love the book Mötley Crue: The Dirt, but not because of the drugs, he he...

Alex: Favorite beer?
Nino: Karho! But any brand is ok, really...

Alex: As for touring, are there any tours planned, either as a stand alone act, or as part of a larger package?
Nino: Yeah, we're going on tour with Iced Earth! The tour starts on the 18th of March in the Netherlands, and we're going all over Europe. Also, we've been confirmed for Wacken Open Air 2004. We know the Nightwish pyro guy from our tour with Stratovarius, so expect a great show...

Alex: If you could play any venue in the world, with any musicians, where and who would you choose?
Nino: Madison Square Garden, with the THUNDERSTONE guys of course!

Alex: Finally, how do you say 'let us all unite under the lovely flame of metal' in Finnish?
Nino: Yhtykäämme kaikki ihanan metallin liekin alla, even though this is just a straight translation, since it is not something you'd normally say!

Alex: Thank you for your time Nino, and good luck to THUNDERSTONE!