EMQs With Rhino Proof
EMQs With Rhino Proof
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Finnish Hard Rock/ Heavy Metal band, Rhino Proof. Huge thanks to their guitarist/ songwriter, Rane Riikonen, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Rane Riikonen, I play guitar and I’m the main composer. Rhino Proof is a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band that started up in Joensuu, Finland 2016. We released our first album in 2018 and a single called ‘Strong Enough’ in 2021.
How did you come up with your band name?
I think that describes me the most, gray, short-sighted and quick-tempered 😊
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Finland and as we know this is a real Metal country.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We released the single ‘Deeper Form of Love’ on March 31st, 2026.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Judas Priest, DIO, Accept, Deep Purple… Oh, there are many of them.
What first got you into music?
As a kid, I heard a band called Slade on the radio. It sounded so good that I wanted to learn to play.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Maybe Joe Lynn Turner, he’s a nice guy.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Tuska Open Air.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t received any strange gifts, just jewelry and stuff like that.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Please, support Live Music, go to the gigs, our gigs too!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Let’s say Phill Lynott.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Playing is great, especially live. I’m an impatient person and I don’t really like things to go slowly.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
In our country, the music business is in the hands of a few big players and it is impossible for a band like us to get any visibility here. It is not enough to know how to play or make good songs, you have to be of a certain age and have good looks. I would turn that into fair play.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Deep Purple – “Made in Japan”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
There is a place for all of them.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Let’s say that the gig as Blackfoot’s support act in Helsinki is memorable, just like all the others on those tours.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Photography could be fun.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My daughters and sisters.
What’s next for the band?
Next single coming out 30/4/2026.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rhinoproof
Bandcamp: https://rhinoproof.bandcamp.com/
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
Here in Finland it is a biscuit!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for your interest, it was a pleasure to answer your questions. Have a nice spring!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
