Big riffs, catchy melodies and a healthy dose of rock ’n’ roll attitude. Finnish hard rock band Rimbacher are keeping the spirit of classic rock alive, but they have no intention of simply repeating the past. In an interview with Voice of Noir, vocalist Niko Rimbacher and bassist Reisca Morani discuss the band’s beginnings, their approach to songwriting and what fans can expect from their upcoming second album.

For Rimbacher, rock ’n’ roll has always been more than a musical preference. It is the foundation of a band determined to bring the energy of 1970s and 1980s hard rock into the present day.

The Jyväskylä-based group released their debut album, “High Hopes On The Rocks,” in 2024, establishing a sound built around melodic hooks, powerful guitars and classic AOR influences.

However, the band’s history stretches further back than their debut suggests.

“We started this in 2020, like the new version we had. We had a previous version started in 2016, 17,” explains vocalist Niko Rimbacher.

Following an early single, the project went on hiatus for several years. Personal circumstances and the difficulty of finding the right musicians delayed its development.

That changed when Niko met guitarist Jim Heikkinen during a cover gig. Heikkinen’s interest in joining the band, combined with his home studio setup, provided the opportunity to begin working on original material.

Niko and bassist Reisca Morani had already known each other for years, having previously played together in a cover band.

“We always played rock, but always played like covers, but we are, in our hearts we are like songwriters, so we wanted to do some like real stuff,” Niko recalls.

Finding musicians who shared that ambition was not easy, particularly in a city with a strong metal scene.

“Our roots are in there,” Niko says of classic rock. “In Jyväskylä there’s like metal, death metal, black metal kind of scene, and some indie stuff, and hip hop, but like, no rock’n’roll, so that’s what we wanted to do.”

Turning Lockdown into an Opportunity

The band’s renewed activity coincided with the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While live performances were impossible, the musicians decided to use the unexpected downtime to develop their own material.

“We couldn’t play any gigs, so might as well we use the time on our hands to do something creative,” Niko explains.

The band spent considerable time rehearsing and developing songs, eventually emerging from the pandemic with a strong musical connection.

“We end up being a really tight band without any gigs played,” he recalls.

Morani also believes the pandemic helped inspire renewed interest in playing rock music, particularly among younger musicians in Jyväskylä.

For Rimbacher, the period ultimately helped establish the foundation for their debut album and subsequent live performances.

Classic Rock Sound, Modern-Day Values

Rimbacher proudly embrace their musical influences, but their approach to songwriting is not simply an exercise in nostalgia.

While their sound draws heavily from the 1970s and 1980s, the band are interested in exploring subjects beyond the familiar clichés of classic rock.

“We have a really strong 70s and 80s influence. But we don’t want to talk about cars or girls anymore in that sense. So there’s a deeper meaning in every song,” Niko explains.

According to Morani, the possibilities are practically endless.

“In the world there are thousands of topics you can write a song about. It doesn’t always have to be something about partying and those very surface level things. But it can also go to a deeper meaning, in a way.”

He adds an important qualification:

“But you can still make that hit like a banger.”

The band are not abandoning the fun-loving side of rock music, either. Their songs still explore partying, relationships and everyday experiences, often with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.

However, Niko emphasises that storytelling comes first.

“It’s always the story that is the most important thing in a song. So people can relate to any of those lyrics.”

For Morani, the principle is even simpler:

“Music first.”

A Second Album with a Wider Musical Palette

After the positive reception of “High Hopes On The Rocks,” Rimbacher have turned their attention to their second full-length album.

During our conversation, the musicians revealed that much of the recording process was already complete, although some guitar and vocal work remained unfinished.

The follow-up promises to expand the band’s musical identity without abandoning its rock ’n’ roll foundations.

“It’s going to be a more soulful album than the first one. And it will have a much wider soundscape in general,” Morani reveals.

The experience of recording their debut has also helped the band approach the studio with greater confidence.

“We have learned a lot about the first album, which mistakes not to make, and this time we have the knowledge of how to pull off some things in the studio,” he adds.

Niko is equally enthusiastic about the band’s musical development.

“We have also developed ourselves in songwriting as well. We have more melodic stuff. We actually have a ballad coming in the album.”

And not just any ballad.

“A power ballad. And we have a heavy metal song in there, like garage rock, you know. But it’s still good times rock’n’roll, but it has a wider range.”

The album is expected to feature approximately ten songs, several of which have already been performed live.

As an independent band without a record label currently involved, Rimbacher also enjoy considerable freedom when it comes to deciding how and when to release their material.

At the time of the interview, the musicians were aiming to begin their next album cycle in spring 2027, although a final release date had not been confirmed.

Dream Tours and Looking Beyond Finland

Although the band have concentrated heavily on recording, performing live remains an essential part of their identity.

Without a booking agency, however, arranging concerts requires the musicians to handle much of the work themselves.

When asked which artists they would most like to tour with, Niko immediately mentions one of rock’s most legendary names.

“The ultimate answer with me would be AC/DC, of course. But I think H.E.A.T.”

Morani suggests several other possibilities, including The Night Flight Orchestra and Airbourne, whose musical styles would complement Rimbacher’s combination of Australian-inspired hard rock and melodic AOR.

“Something that suits our whole soundscape of Aussie rock. Like Australian rock and seasoned with some AOR,” he explains.

Ultimately, the band’s requirements are straightforward.

“As long as it’s a good night.”

Sweden also stands out as a potential destination for future performances.

“There’s a lot of great melodic rock bands from Sweden. And Sweden could be a good place to expand our territory,” Niko says.

For now, Rimbacher remain focused on completing their second album and preparing for the next stage of their career.

Their ambitions are clear: preserve the excitement of classic rock, continue developing as songwriters and prove that the genre still has plenty of new stories to tell.

Photographer: Heikki Sulander