The Rasmus to superstardom or the milktrain?

The Rasmus is finishing their upcoming album at the studio, when a bunch of the record company's presenters arrive. Will they find the hit that will keep up the Finnish bands success from this pile?

On a sunny spring Thursday evening on the stage of a Stockholm bar, is a opportunity legend Glenn Danzig, dressed in black. Lauri Ylönen from The Rasmus listens to the tattooed Americans playing, with interest. For once Lauri has the opportunity to be totally in peace, and he also knows how to enjoy the relaxed moment. Still Ylönen hasn’t been a normal music fan amongst others for years now. Lauri is a mega class star and is used for the long looks in both Finland and Sweden. And Italy, Britain, Mexico etc.

"Phew, the band played really loud, it'll be ringing in my ears maybe even tomorrow!! Danzig really is a dude in the meaning of the word. He even held the mic so that his bicep expanded as impressively as possible", Ylönen mumbles in the taxi on the way to the trendy Södermalm.

Gigs, like Danzig, short relief moments are real luxury for Lauri. Months have gone by at gigs, training house, in the bowels of the Stockholm recording studio or with new lyrics. The whole summer will pass at promotion gigs around the world. The Rasmus's world tour starts in Autumn and the band wants to play everywhere. "Success doesn't come for free, you have to do some sacrifices. There are a lot of targets ahead", Ylönen thinks.

On Friday the sky is blue, but in the schedule, there isn't time for a picnic. The Rasmus's coming album is one of the most expected European publications this year. The record company Universal wants to know the Finnish bands songs in time.

There are some cars driving to the front of the Nord-studios in Stockholm, and there are German and English record companies presenters coming from the cars. The record studio, near Bromma, has become really familiar for The Rasmus, because the band also recorded their INTO and Dead Letters albums in the same building with the same Swedish producers Martin Hansen and
Mikael Nord Andersson.

Lauri: "For a while we thought that we would make the album with totally different producers. But very soon we came to the conclusion that we better continue with the same men. The decision was right, because our whole team has again taken a step or two forward. We play better than before and there are great ideas coming from the producers."

"I was a bit sick when I played my parts. Well, Mikael and Martin laughed that, you are playing better than ever before couldn’t you always have a flue", the drummer Aki Hakala smiles.

The familiar surroundings and work partners still haven't driven The Rasmus to too safe waters. From the upcoming album you can find loads of catchy pop melodies, but again the band plays also in the heavy, Metallica or Nine Inch Nails feelings. The cellos of Apocalyptica, 80’s soundings and possibly a female singer bring more colour to the album.

"I've written a new music for a long play with our guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi. The oldest song Immortal is probably about two years old, so yeah, we have been gathering this entirety with passion and love", Lauri compliments.

At the listening quarters of the studio rings out the new songs of The Rasmus. Dead Promises, Dancer In The Dark, Sail Away etc. The Love song Shot appears to be the favourite of the presenters of Universal. "I'll take the shot for you" - chorus stays in your mind from one listening time". The bassist Eero Heinonen still thinks, that should the song be the first single
to be released.

"In a way, Shot would be a safe choice, because the song sounds like Dead Letters material. But on the same time the song gives a wrong impression of the entirety. Hide From The Sun anyway is a many-sided album." "Of course the acceptance of the fans is exciting but on the other hand Hide From The Sun is a good album. We are very satisfied and that is the very beginning", Lauri decides.

Lauri and Pauli are building a studio

Last year The Rasmus spent about 250 days on road. Lauri Ylönen and Pauli Rantasalmi still aren't bored of each others features, because the men are building an own studio into Helsinki. "An own studio has been our dream for a long time. Then we'll be there sitting on the couches and sketching out for new songs with acoustic guitars. I can hardly wait", Lauri smiles. "The furnishing work is on it's way. According to the original schedule the studio was meant to be ready in July, but we had to re-think that. At the latest it will be ready in Autumn", Pauli says. "I can hardly wait for the Midsummer gig at Himos. The festival is arranged at a great place, and it's been a while since our last performance. Will see if we will play some of the new songs at Himos", Ylönen thinks.

thanks to Dead.Letter