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MM -
After being together for over a decade with various members, why only
four albums?
Harry - Well, in the early years we were not a
full band, that happened just prior to the recording of our first
EP which was released in 2003. Another reason was of financial nature,
with no label at a time when Heavy Metal wasn't the hottest thing
in the music scene I spent my last savings to buy equipment to be able
to record "Forced Entry". However, the most important
reason is of course that we won't rush things just to get a new
album out. We prefer quality over quantity.
MM - Is it better to make an album or to go out on tour, which do you
enjoy the most?
Harry - On tour, if it is well planned,
you can just go with the flow and be relaxed. Even if touring
sometimes can be tough, it's most of the time great fun.
To make an album is more of a struggle as
it involves the whole creative side and performing as well. A lot of
decisions have to be made and so on. We have a saying "it is
not the destination but the journey that counts".... but with
an album, even if it's not a pleasant journey all the time, I'd
say both the journey and the destination counts so therefore, I have to
say making an album is greater than touring. But that does not mean I
don't enjoy touring. I do and I want to tour every possible corner of
the world.
MM - Have you
achieved all of your goals as a band for 2011?
Harry - Far
from it, but we look forward instead. On the other hand we managed to
shoot our first official video for the song "Flame of the
Tyrants" in a quite short time and we were
a little surprised we pulled it off considering this was not a long
planned project.
MM - If not, what haven't you done?
Harry - We didn't release
an album this year but as I said we look forward and I believe the time
for the release, January 2012 is good for us. It's a good
beginning of the year.
MM - What are your goals for 2012?
Harry - Releasing a new
album of course ... check! Play as many gigs and festivals as possible,
hopefully in new countries for us, and keep writing songs for the next
album.
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MM - Has there ever been a point where you have just wanted to give up
playing and go back to a normal life?
Harry - No! Had
you asked "Has there ever been a point where you have just wanted
to give up a normal life?" the answer would most likely have
been - Yes.
MM - Who would
you say influenced you the most over the years?
Harry -
Musically that would be Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden,
Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Michael Schenker. In life, people
who walk their own path, people who keep their dreams alive, people who
don't conform just because society asks for it.
MM - Is there any form of music you wouldn't play/listen to (like polka,
pop, r'n'b, etc.)?
Harry - I wouldn't play any form of music
if I didn't feel honest doing it. It also has to have a purpose,
for me. The music I play today has a purpose and I feel honest. The sound might change over the years but the identity is there and
there will be no change of identity. Regarding music I listen to,
it's still the same stuff as I grew up with. |
MM - When it comes to song-writing, is there one person who does it all
or is it the whole band?
Harry - I usually have a skeleton
for a new track with or without a vocal melody, riffs or chord
progressions that are either a verse and chorus or bridge and chorus or
possibly an intro or solo section. Oscar writes some riffs and melodies
that I try to figure out on the guitar. He usually also have the lyrics
for the songs. Daniel might play a riff that could come in handy when
putting the pieces together. In the future Tobias will be involved as
well I hope.
MM - What has
been your favourite gig as part of the band so far?
Harry
- I believe I have to say one of the gigs in Spain 2004. German
festivals are also great moments.
MM - Have you
ever had a moment where you felt it could not get better as a band?
Harry - No, not yet. I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.
We have of course had great moments as a band but I have never thought
of it that way. When you achieve something great you want to be
even better next time.
MM - What is
your defining memory as part of the band?
Harry - For
me that would be our first gig or our first release.
MM - Do you
think you'll still be rocking when you're old and grey?
Harry - If I get old and grey I hope I will be rocking. I will for
sure write music.
MM - Any words
of wisdom or parting messages for our readers?
Harry -
Stay Metal and see you on the road! Interview
by: Kerry H
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