Random Eyes

What makes Random Eyes unique as a Finnish melodic metal act are the band's international and multi-cultural influences. The group draws influences from the musical cultures of countries ranging from Uruguay to Egypt to Sweden to Finland. The band's appealing line-up is just the icing on the cake however.

Random Eyes' third album will be released over the spring season of 2011. Full of music and vibes that will move your body, envigorate the soul and make you dance, the group's upcoming effort promises to be amazing. Random Eyes prove that even though a band plays metal, you can still be sleek and sexy, enjoy life and even shake your booty!

From Carrasco to Finland

To truly understand Random Eyes, we must look to the town of Carrasco in Uruguay, where group frontman Christian's father immigrated as a missionary back in the day. Christian's father married a local girl from Uruguay, and she bore two boys, Christian and Selim. Christian's father enrolled both of his sons in piano classes early on.

Christian proved to be a multi-faceted musician, playing the piano, guitar and drums in the the churches of South America. The conservative-minded locals were befuddled by the pastor, whose son had long hair. Christian went on to tell the locals about his vision, to perform at big music festivals which no one had ever heard of before.

Christian moved from Uruguay to Finland when he was 20 years of age. He immediately entered the Finnish Army, where he had to lose his long hair and learn the Finnish language. As Christian sang away in the army barrack showers, his musical skills were noticed by others. A fellow by the name of Timo Kuusijärvi, also serving his term with the Finnish Army at the time, asked Christian to come aboard his band as vocalist. A few years later, the fruits of their combined labors became known as the debut album of Random Eyes in 2002.

Over the years, Christian has fathered Random Eyes like his own child, both musically and as a performer. The band's line-up today is professional in every sense, a passionate group of good looking musicians who know their craft.

Christian Palin - Vocals

Born in Carrasco, Uruguay 1978 chris

"I am an impulsive and daring personality. I hate cucumbers and crappy musicians."

Christian was schooled in classical piano and graduated as a piano teacher. Christian moved to Finland with his family when he was 20 years old.

Christian's incredible personal gifting in the musical arena and his Finnish-Latino personality make him a truly intriguing, outgoing personality. This multi-talent plays whatever instrument he wants wherever he wants just about anytime he chooses.

Christian writes all of the music and lyrics in Random Eyes. At times, composing songs proves to be weary work. When the spark of creativity ignites however, Christian can be found writing music at all hours, from morning throughout the night.

Random Eyes in everything to Christian. The band is like his own child, one which he has brough up and seen grow over the past near ten years. Christian is arguably one of the best vocalists that Finland has to offer, and his voice leaves no one cold. This detail has also been noted abroad, when French progressive metal band Adagio asked Christian to join their group in 2008. Christian toured across Europe and even into Africa with Adagio during 2009-2009, and in 2009 Adagio played on the main stage of the immense Hellfest Festival in France. However, fronting two different bands in two separate countries proved to be too arduous for Christian, and thus Christian chose to concentrate solely on his own band, Random Eyes.

In the spring of 2010, Christian shocked everyone by taking part in Finland's X Factor TV reality contest show. He ended up in the finalist group of competitors, but opted to drop out of the show, placing seventh in the overall competition.

Christian's musical influences reange from artists like Michael Jackson to David Coverdale to Alice Cooper to Skid Row.

Christian loves sports and plays soccer regularly, plus weight training at the gym and jogging. According to Christian, his interests and passions include sauna, dancing and freezing cold ice water swimming in the winter time.

"I would like to travel to Miami. It would be interesting to see what kind of Latino culture resides over there."

"I BELIEVE IN LIVING A HAPPY, CONTENTED LIFE, REMEMBERING YOUR CREATOR WHEN YOU ARE STILL YOUNG, MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES ALONG THE WAY, BEFORE YOU GROW OLD AND TROUBLESOME."

Rolf - Drums

rolf

Rolf is a positive and skilled bundle of energy. Even though he is still relatively young, Rolf has already proven his prowess in several bands. In addition to Random Eyes, Rolf drums for Status Minor, Beyond The Dream and Solution 45.

Rolf studies music at Helsinki's Pop and Jazz Conservatory. He works as a freelancing musician and a music teacher also. Rolf also has a keen eye for artwork, as he has extensive experience in his family's graphic art company, operating as a salesman.

Rolf's rolemodels are Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Tony Williams, Jack Dejohnette, Vinnie Colaiuta, Ari Hoenig, and music from the 1930's to the 1990's.

"Getting to know other cultures has made me more open and tolerant as a human being. I have gotten a lot of different musical vibes to my own style through various cultures like Africa. I dream of making a musical expedition to New York because of its rich music culture, especially in the Jazz arena."

Voitto

vode

Born 1977 in Heinola, Finland

Voitto is a poker game pro, and he has travelled the world plying his trade. Voitto plays electronic drums and guitar in addition to his normal duties on bass. When training on his own time, Voitto's favorites to jam along with are Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Dream Theater. On his free time, Voitto likes to go to various gigs and hit the movies. Voitto has also played bass in an extreme metal band named Renascent.

"I'd like to travel to Brazil or Japan for a change. I've pretty much see all there is to see of Europe."

Voitto has a vast understanding of various cultures: "Becoming acquainted with other cultures has taught me that people have the same inherent needs regardless of background or society. It's better to focus on that which is of common interest and need to us all, instead of tearing each other apart."

Sami - Guitar

sami

Born 1981 in Iisalmi, Finland

Sami is a Swedish Finn and speaks three languages fluently: Finnish, Swedish and English.

Sami own two cats, Yngwie and Eicca.

"The reason I picked up the guitar was Yngwie Malmsteen. I first heard him play when I was like 9 or 10 years old, and it lit a fire under me immediately. Malmsteen's playing was out of this world! I rehearsed Yngwie's chops, my fingers bleeding, morning til night, day after day. I have no idea how many CD decks I wore out back then."

"Later on I got acquainted with other guitarists like Steve Vai, Michael Romeo (Symphony X), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jason Becker, Joe Satriani, Guthrie Govan and Greg Howe. In addition to these guitar heroes, I have picked up influences from the classic side as well. Niccolo Paganini, J.S. Bach, L. V. Beethoven, T. Albinoni, W.A. Mozart and Wagner have all played a role in my development. I also have picked up some good ideas from movie soundtracks."

Sami has studied classic guitar at the music conservatory. He now operates as an independent guitar teacher. Sami would like to travel to New York and Los Angeles. Sami is stock-full of rockstar attitude, but he reminds us that we have to retain our grip on the realities of life: "There's no use in making an issue over small, insignificant things. After all, things could be much worse off than they are. Plus, there are things that we take for granted in a place like Finland, that aren't at all readily available in other parts of the world."

Karim - Guitar

karim Born 1989 in Jyväskylä, Finland

Karim is a part Egyptian and part Finnish guitarist from Jyväskylä. At the moment, he is immersed in business economics at a local career college. Guitar playing, gigs and hanging out and having a good time with friends are the things that Karim enjoys.

Musical influences read Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Paul Gilbert and Michael Schenker. In Karim's perfect world, it's always blaring 80's music with gorgeous girls everywhere. Karim's favorite artists include Iron Maiden, Edguy, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Trivium, Dokken and Finland's own Chisu.