Interview with Stergio Kourou and Kosta Vreto of WARDRUM

 

 

 

 

We are in pleasant place to present you a full conversation with Stergio Kourou and Kosta Vreto from Wardrum. The talked about many interesting things. After you finish reading this the best you can do is go and check their new album "Desolation". Enjoy it!

 

.Hello Stergio and Kosta, I welcome you to Metalfields. How are you?

Stergios: Hi! Right now I’m great because I just got the “Desolation” CD in my hands but I’m also very happy for this first “Desolation Interview”, thank you deeply for giving us this chance to present Wardrum in Metalfields. Your review for our new work was already a good dose of positive energy to us and a nice reward for the work we did to make it real.

Kostas: Hello. It's nice to be here! I am truly excited since right now we have just released the new Wardrum album and life really couldn't feel any sweeter!

.Second album and a really great one for Wardrum in two years. What are your feelings?

Stergios: Thank very much! I think we managed to find our own way of working fast and effectively. Most of us were together for many years in other projects and bands, each member knows what it needs to keep the pace of the band in a reliable fast mode, we have our working map, we know where we want to go, our souls are full, our eyes are open, everything else is a matter of chemistry between the members and lots of hard work.

Kostas: As I said before, it's such an amazing feeling having all your efforts coming to a point where you can share your inner self and connect with everyone through music!

.”Desolation” is according to my ears one step and a level higherthan“Spadework”, especially in the powerful sound. When did you begin synthesizing this material and what were your thoughts?

Stergios: I could assume that the working of new material started right after the release of “Spadework”. But you know, composing is one among a hundred parts of the overall work that needs to be done to have a new release out in only one year. From my point of view, the real hard part of the job is the pre-production and production phases. That’s the real hell for me. Recordings are also considered as fun…

.How come and you didn’t do some live shows for the promotion of “Spadework” apart from your supporting performance in Crimson Glory?

Stergios: Yes, something is missing here. We didn’t manage to push our debut album with live shows. That’s a really bad thing! To me, the only way to prove you are a real band, is to hit the road and play live. Our gig with Crimson Glory was supposed to be the starting point of the Greek Spadework Tour but some things could not go as planned. I don’t want to get into more details around this, but I can say that it certainly won’t happen again! You know, there’s so much energy in the band that after the gig with Crimson Glory, we had to do something. If we can’t go on tour, then we should start the recordings of the next album. We already had enough songs to choose and start the preproduction and that’s what we did immediately.

.Are you planning right now to do any shows in Greece or even in Europe, so that people who don’t have any idea of the band see you on stage?

Stergios: Of course we do. We have an offer for a couple of gigs in the summer and also a tour that we’ll have to wait until September to be able to announce anything. Greece is surely the starting point and hopefully we might be able to do some traveling abroad. Stay tuned about more details soon…

.What happened and Piero Leporale left the band?

Stergios: This was really a hard time. Piero is a brother to us all, during our collaboration we got very close and his singing abilities where really great. But there where other problems regarding the bands flexibility in some vital issues that made us part our ways. We still communicate and kept our friendship and that means a lot to us.

.The new guy Yannis Papadopoulos is one of the best voices in Greece . How did he enter the band and is he going to be there any time for Wardrum? I am asking this because he is the singer in other two bands, Until Rain and Crosswind.

Stergios: Yannis is certainly one of the best voices in Greece ! We knew each other, we met in many occasions even jammed together in local stages but the connection for the Wardrum’s frontman position was done by our record label Steel Gallery. Yannis did a couple of Wardrum songs in a demo and we liked him a lot. We met, spoke about our needs, found our common ground and agreed to work together. One week later he was already recording the album. He’s really great and we are very happy to have him on board.

.Stergios in the songs of “Desolation” you have a characteristic way of playing, whether we have to do with technical songs or just heavy/power. How easy is for you to follow and keep this rhythm?

Stergios: I love drums and I surely like to experiment on the instrument. But first of all, I am a listener and I love to play what I feel the song really needs. Many times I come up with cool things that could fit to songs, sometimes they do work for the song, sometimes the simple stuff wins. But what I love and do most of the times is to try and be technical without sounding technical. I mean If you are not a drummer, you will pass it by because it does not sound strange.

 

 

.What kinds of songs do you like playing most, technical or simple?

Stergios: Both! I like to play beautiful songs that inspire me and make me feel good. I need a hook, whether it’s a nice melody or a technically challenging musical content. If I got them both in one song, it’s great. But theoretically, if I had to choose between melody or technicality, the winner is melody!

Kostas: Well, is not that I'm trying to push anything into one direction. Music is after all a way of communication and expression. So at first there's the music, the melody and than comes the technical part. Still that comes as a package with who you are, so to speak. I am not rushing anything into the songs. That's just the way it feels right!

.I understand that you have a specify way of playing and this is really good, because you are not heard like someone else nor it’s something we hear in every album. Are you going to play more technical in a next album, is there any possibility?

Stergios: Thank you very much! But you know, I probably don’t sound like someone else, due to the fact that I got too many influences in my playing. I probably sound like 15 or more other drummers together. About the next album, the only thing sure is that we will try to have good metal songs. That’s what we tried to do, that’s what we’ll keep on trying…

.Kostas are Wardrum the band through which you can play the music you really want?

Kostas: Of course we are. I mean, that was from the very beginning our perspective. To play the music we love, in the way we feel it through our guts… For certain we can imagine the music as a painter’s palette, full of colors of different kinds and shades, but on the other hand Wardrum can be seen as the rainbow, the final result of all those colors coming together.

.How much do you like King Diamond or Andy LaRocque? At least in two songs you bring the atmosphere of his playing especially in the solo of “No Retreat”.

Kostas:You know it's a funny thing. The first time that I ever thought of this, was when I read you review for the Desolation album… Sure I love the King and Andy as well, I grew up listening to "Them" and " Conspiracy", but I never thought of bringing that atmosphere to the songs or a particular part of a song. I guess it waited under my skin all these years, just to get out under the right circumstances! After all that's what influences are, right?

.How important is for a guitar player to keep his inspirations and in the same time creates songs under his personal seal?

Kostas: I know it can be tricky for a lot of people, but I always had a principal in this matter. Listening to a LOT of music and guitar players is a must, still you should always, and I can't point this merely enough, try and play and think in your own personal way. Pass the music through your filters and way of thinking…I mean, we are all taught at school the laws of grammar but we all talk in a different way.

.Are you thinking of recording a new solo album after “Skin On Strings”? I believe you are a guitarist full of great technique, but still you are young and you do better things as you all the time yours. Is there anything specified you want to evolve more than anything?

Kostas: First of all thank you for your kind words. There is coming a new album in September called "Pictures of a broken heart" again by Steel Gallery. As for the guitar part, there is always room for improvement and evolving. Guitar is a pretty young instrument still and of course music in itself is endless. I just consider myself lucky enough to be playing with musicians that love challenges and are always eager to find new ways of approaching music. Good luck and chemistry, what else can anyone ask for?

 

 

.Will we see any new video from the album, or you haven’t thought of it? By the way what’s your opinion for the video clips, do they help the bands, especially the upcoming?

Stergios: Videos help a lot, new or already famous bands. That’s certain. Shooting a video for a song is a must for every album. New bands like us need exposure, people do not know us and we need to spread the word. We believe in our music, this is what we do and we will support our work in any possible way.

.What made three guys set aside a band (Horizon’s End) and make a new one (Wardrum)? Is there anything in the previous band that couldn’t be archived and you felt that a new band would offer this to you?

Stergios: What we do with Wardrum has nothing to do with what we did with Horizon’s End. That’s a completely new thing, completely different. Also, with Horizon’s End, we never said that we give up. We never said it’s over, we won’t play again or whatever… To me, it’s a monster that sleeps and hopefully will weak up soon to fill our hearts with great music again. I hope they’ll prove me right!

Kostas: Horizon's End have been for quite some time in a pause, way before Wardrum were formed. So it wasn't really a choosing thing, one band or the other. One day Stergios came to me and said, I have some new songs, can I count you in? And the rest is history…

.Are you satisfied with the Greek metal scene? If not at all, what do you think should bands or labels or any other due to turn things into the best side?

Stergios: The scene is great! We all need to be more professionals. We should respect our own efforts before anybody else. If we don’t see it this way, then nobody will. We should work more and speak less. What we do is only what happens!

Kostas: We have some kicking ass bands here in Greece and that's a fact. All over the country bands are emerging in a faster and faster rate. Still there are some issues concerning all the links of the chain (bands, labels, venues and audience). There's still a tendency of past ideologies and working schedule. If you don't see your music seriously and professionally, no one will. If the labels are seeking only a fast profit, they won’t last. If the venues don't support bands (playing their own music and not covers), bands can't reach their fans and finally if the audience isn't supporting their home bands, after a while there won't be any bands and so on…

.Stergio and Kosta I wish you the best for you and the rest band, thank you very much for this pleasant interview, we will meet sometime. Do you want to share any message to the fans?

Stergios: The pleasure is all mine and I thank you deeply for this conversation. We are a restless band and hopefully we will get the opportunity to speak again face to face. I would like to take this opportunity and thank all the people who support us in any way, who buy our music and look forward to meet us on stage. Thank you all and stay tuned to www.wardrum.gr for all our latest news. Cheers!

Kostas: Thank you for your time. Was really nice talking to you! Keep true to yourself and stay METAL!!!

 

Interview by Dr. Feelgood for Metal Fields

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Interview mit Olli Klump von MINOTAURUS

 

 

 

Sprechen wir erst mal über das letzte Album "The lonley dwarf", das
über Curzweyhl 2009 veröffentlicht wurde. Mit Chris Bay von Freedom Call hattet ihr auf dem Song "Illusions" einen tollen Gastsänger.
Erzähl uns doch mal, wie es zu diesem Beitrag kam.

Servus Volker, also das war eine ganz witzige sache. Wir überlegten was wir so an Überaschungen noch aufs Album packen können (Gastmusiker) . Und da wir kurz vor unserem Studio Termin ein Konzert besuchten von den Mannen von Freedom Call und der Chris ja ein absoluter Hammer Sänger ist beschlossen wir Ihn einfach zu Fragen. Gesagt getan und Chris der super nett und unkomliziert war, hat nach einer kurzen Hörprobe in unsere Letzte CD einfach jupp mach ich, klar gern gesagt.

Und so geschah es dann auch, mit dem bekannten ergebniss Hammer oder!!?

Übrigens har er auch noch backing Vocals beim Song Edge of a Rainbow beigesteuert.

An dieser stelle nochmals ....vielen Dank Chris.

Den Titelsong habt ihr für das Team von Ehrlebnisfilm
(www.ehrlebnisfilm.de) geschrieben, die den Kurzfilm "Der einsame Zwerg"
zur Zeit in Arbeit haben. Auch für den Dreh zum Videoclip "The lonley
dwarf" sind die Jungs verantwortlich. Wie entstand die Zusammenarbeit und
weißt du wann die Kurzfilm- Persiflage zu "Der Herr der Ringe" erscheint?

 

Also Kevin Ehrl von Erlebnisfilm hat mir versichert das der Film (Der Einsame Zwerg) dieses Jahr fertig wird und wohl auch aufgeführt. Ihr werdet es von mir Erfahren wann genau verprochen!

 

Nun ja  zu unserer Zusammenarbeit kam es eigentlich auch ganz einfach, sie kannten den Clip Warriorhearts der ja von LaGaraffa gedreht wurde und waren recht begeistert sowohl vom Song als auch vom video. Daher haben sie uns kontaktiert und wir sind uns sehr schnell einig geworden. Was für ein Glücksfall für beide seiten denn mittlerweile sind wir sehr gute Freunde geworden dem Schwenker sei dank!

 Das Line-Up hat sich seit 2009 auch verändert. Nach dem Abgang vom
Bassisten Uwe Elbert und mittlerweile auch vom Nachfolger Michael Steger
ist der Posten am Bass auch wieder offen. Außerdem
hatte die Band sich vom Rhythmusgitarristen Tommy Mayer getrennt. Können
sich noch zwei Musiker Hoffnung machen oder sind die Plätze schon wieder
vergeben?

 

Ja ..ja leider das ist wahr es gab diese wechsel und jeder wechsel tut weh da man sowohl Menschlich als auch Musikalisch immer etwas verliert. Und jede menge Zeit die uns dann auch leider fehlt um Zeitnah eine neue CD zu veröffentlichen und Live adäquat präsent zu sein.

 

Aber jeder Neuzugang  ist auch eine große Chance wenn man offen ist für Ideen und visionen der neuen Gefährten. Um zum letzten punkt dieser Frage zu kommen, wir sind seid einiger Zeit wieder komplett "Holla die Walfee !! Ja !  An der Solo Klampfe steht jetzt Sebastian Bach (ex seven Hell) und am five string ist Richard Kinzel  ( ex Ignis Fatuu) unser neuster Axtschwinger. Wir sind über glücklich den die Chemie passt Musikalisch wie auch Menschlich perfekt!! Ihr werdets erleben.

Mit Julia Feser hasst du jetzt einen weiblichen Gegenpart auf der Bühne,
obwohl sie fast nur "Backingvocals" singt, bereichert sie die Band. Wird sie
in Zukunft mehr Soloparts übernehmen?

Ja und Ja  die Jule ist auch eine riesen Bereicherung mit ihrer tollen Stimme und Einfühlungs vermögen in die Songs. Wir Harmonieren wirklich prima auch auf der Bühne klappt das bestens. Ja sie soll und wird in der Zukunft auch mehr solo mit eingebunden und vielleicht auch den ein oder anderen Song komplett alleine singen. Da hab ich Live prima Zeit ein Bierchen zu schlürfen he he. Aber spass bei seite das wird kommen. 

Bei euren Live-Auftritten sind auch immer viele kleine Showeinlagen
integriert. Für diejenigen, die noch keine Show gesehen haben, was erwartet
den Zuschauer?

Nun das kommt immer auf die Größe des Events und dem Abend an. Aber das geht vom Rosenritter bis zum Leibhaftigen

Minotaurus einigen betrunkenen Legionären aus der Legion Noir bis hin zu einem Illusionisten und Feuerspucker. Das machen wir wirklich sehr spontan und Individuell. Und es kommen immer neue verrückte Ideen dazu. Ich sage nur kommen und sehen das Lohnt auf jeden Fall denn du bist mitten drin in unserer show!!  Minotaurus 3 D so zu sagen he he .

Als Vorband von Subway to Sally zu spielen, war bestimmt eines eurer
Highlights in der Bandhistory! Gibt`s dazu was interessantes zu erzählen?

 

Ja wobei es da schon noch so einige andere gab. Aber das war schon echt der Hammer mit den Sallys im Colos-saal in Aschaffenburg. Zu erzählen gibts nur das Subway (und auch ein bisserl wir) das Colos-saal

 

 

 

mächtig gefüllt hat. Und das das Publikum absolute spitze war, denn wir dachten schon das uns vor so einer Band möglicher weise gar keiner hören will, das Subway  Fans auch nur Subway hören wollen eben! Falsch gedacht es ging ab dem ersten Song richtig gut ab da unten, und das bis zum letzten Lied wow was ein Abend. Erik kam kurz nach unserer shwow dann auch mal kurz in unseren Back stage teil und gratulierte uns für die coole show, das war schon was! Danach feierten wir richtig klar auch mit einigen der Sallys .

 

Ich hatte satte Kopfschmerzen am nächsten Tag ujuijui .

 

Mit "Tears of a hero" und "Warriorhearts" hattet ihr in der
Vergangenheit schon zwei weitere Video`s gemacht. Darüber hätten wir
natürlich auch paar Stories gewusst.

 

 

Das würde den Rahmen sprengen das alles zu erzählen, aber was von Tears of a Hero  (Eigenproduktion) immer erzählt werden muss das die Produktionskosten imens in die Höhe gingen bei der Szene wie wir das (meiiiiiin Schwert!!!)  Schwert im See versenkten. Da noch heute dort 2 Exemplare im schlamm nach ihrem Besitzer Trauern. Und eine Szene in der mir fast der Kopf gespalten wurde, weil mein Kampf partner die Schlagabfolge vertauscht hatte. Nochmal danke Patty das du nicht durchgezogen hast!!

 

Nun und bei Warriorhearts war einfach der Aufwand den LaGaraffa da abgefackelt hat einfach der knaller und die Partys danach. Ohhh Lady Evelyn  schluchz... 

Bis jetzt habt ihr drei Alben und vier EP`s eingespielt, auf was können
wir uns 2012 freuen?

 

Nun viel viel tolles, wir sind gerade mitten in den Vorbereitungen zu unserem  neuen Video-clip  den wir sebstverständlich wieder mit den Freunden von Ehrlebnissfilm machen werden. Den Song haben wir im Studio schon fix und fertig gemacht. Dann Arbeiten wir parallel dazu unsere Neuzugänge für unsere Live Aktivitäten ein, und machen last but not least auch noch die Neue CD fertig so der große Stier will.

 

 

 

Also kurz neue CD neues Video und ein paar ausgewählte Live Gigs und es wird in kürze auch eine völlig neue und deutlich verbesserte Home Page geben clickt rein es wird sich lohnen.

 

Ach was da nicht fehlen sollte, suchen wir gerade Aktuell nach der trennung von uns mit Curzweyhl ein neues Label !!!!! Also Interessenten bitte melden. Das reicht doch oder??! Hö hö 

Mit "Holla die Waldfee", dem Minotaurus-Schlachtruf, war der erste
deutschsprachige Song auf dem letzten Album. Wird dies auf der nächsten
Scheibe auch wieder der Fall sein?

Jupp nach den durchweg positiven Resonanzen unseres Erstlings habe ich mich dazu breitschlagen lassen. Ich war eigentlich früher eher dagegen , aber es passt also weiter gehts. Es wird sogar zwei geben und aus einem wird das Video gemacht ohhh hooo  also es wird spannend! 

Dann noch abschließend noch die Frage, werden wir auch wieder
Gastmusiker zuhören kriegen?

 

 

Ich denke schon nur wen oder wieviele kann ich bis dato nicht sagen, da es noch nicht raus ist wer wirklich Zeit hat und auch mit macht. Aber wir geben uns wie immer große mühe .....versprochen.

 

Und zum abschluß Euren Lesern und Hörern ein fettes ...zwo drei..vier.....Holla die Waldfeeeeeee  

 und danke Metalfields für euer Interesse

 

Interview by Metalvurry for Metal Fields

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Interview with TARANTULA

 

 

 

Hi, thank you for doin an interview for Metal Fields !!

Your latest album „Spiral of Fear“ was produced and released first in 2010. What was the idea behind a new release as special edition with Ice Warrior Records ?

 

First of all, i thank you too for this interview, hope you like it.

Well, as far as I know, after the release of “Spiral of Fear“ in Portugal, Ice Warrior Records was interested in the band and wanted to release the album in Germany which we thought was great.

The idea was to add some more stuff to this edition and so it was decided to include an exclusive recent video of the band promoting the first single of the album, “Dark Age“.

 

As I've been right informed, „Spiral of Fear“ is your eighth album so far since 1987. What do you think was the most successful album in that more than 20 years.

 

Yes, it’s true, “Spiral of Fear“ is our eighth album.

The “Dream Maker“ album is probably the most successful, so far. At that time it was a big step forward, working with Tommy Newton was very exciting and very challenging for us. In fact, this is one of my favourite albums.

 

What is the „Spiral of Fear“ ? Tell us more about the story behind this album.

 

The spiral of fear is nothing more than a mere reflection of what the world is facing right now. Musically we wanted to sound a bit darker and heavier and the main concept is related with fear as we are going through a very unstable period of time.

 

 

 

How would you describe your music ? Power Metal like some magazines name it or more a kind of dark metal ?

 

To be honest we never think about this. From album to album we try to improve here and there and try to sound fresh and exotic without being radical with what we’ve been doing musically. In my opinion we are just a Heavy Metal Band.

 

Your drummer Luis Barros was also producing the album. I think, he did a good job. Is it your deal to produce by yourself or only a question of high costs if working with an external producer?

 

Thanks, I agree with you. In fact Luis did a great job and we are very happy with the album. I think both situations are very important in these days in order to avoid high costs with producers and studios. We are very fortunate to have our own studio and Luis Barros as a producer, he knows the band like no one else.

 

The metal scene in Portugal is not known much in the metal world. What would you say where the metal music in your homeland stands today ? Are there other bands we should know too?

 

I guess metal music in Portugal stands like in any other country although we are a very small country with a very limited music market. So, as you can imagine it’s not easy to “keep the flame alive“ for many years. There are bands that deserve to be mentioned each one in its style like Iberia, Ramp, Moonspell, Attick Demons, Drakkar, Web and many others.

 

Cause of your deal with Ice Warrior Records.....do you think with that deal there is a chance to show more presence in germany with touring ?

 

Let’s hope so, who knows? We are looking forward to returning to your country and to share our music with the German audience...

 

In the song credits for „Spiral of Fear“ we find the whole band. Only your bassplayer Jose Aguiar is never named there. So...how is work shared in Tarantula. Who is responsible for the music, who for the lyrics ?

 

Usually, Paulo and Luis are responsible for the music. I am responsible for the lyrics and for the vocal melodies. This time, José could not be present in the whole process but he added some good bass lines.

 

 

 

As told before.....“Spiral of Fear“ is an album from 2010. So...can we expect a new release soon now 2 years later ?

 

To be honest, i can’t tell you when. Right now Paulo Barros is working on a new solo album. I confess that i’m already studying the subject for the next album.

 

Do you work in any civil jobs besides your work with Tarantula ?

 

Yes we have and they are all related with arts. In my case I also have a career as an art painter and give vocal lessons. Paulo and José are both guitar and bass teachers, Luis is a producer and also works as a stage director in one of the most important venues in Portugal, the Coliseum in Oporto.

 

„Thunder tunes from Lusitania“...is a slogan from your websites. A statement please about that.

 

Well, the meaning of this is the same as “Thunder tunes from Portugal“. Lusitania was and is often used as an alternative name for Portugal.

 

Any tour planned in 2012 you can tell us here ? Or even some festivals ?

 

Recently, we’ve been playing in several Portuguese festivals. As for a foreign tour, we are waiting for some contacts in Spain and in The US but nothing is yet confirmed.

 

When I listen to the last album I can hear out some different, maybe darker vibes than in the releases before. I mean...I think you are not limited in your music and try to find new ideas in arrangements everytime. Can you agree with that and what does it mean for the upcoming works?

 

Thanks... I am very pleased with your point of view and i completely agree with it.

I mean, our goal is always to improve and give the best of ourselves. We try to bring some exotic elements into our music, adding some new atmospheres to the songs according to the subject. We always feel addicted to new sounds and new vibes, so, it’s a continuous challenge.

 

Anything you want to tell us as finishing this interview ?

 

Thanks to Metal Fields for the interest in Tarantula.

All the best from Portugal. Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Interview by Kerbinator for Metal Fields

 

 

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 Interview with TOMMY VITALY

  

 

 

 

Hi Tommy, thanx for spending some time for an interview with Metal Fields.

 

Tommy, „Hanging Rock“ is your second solo project album. What is the hanging rock ?

-Hanging Rock is a place in Australia.But the inspiration for the title come from a 70's movie called “Picnic at Hanging Rock“.It is a surreal story, with lot of mistery.It takes place at Hanging Rock in Australia.I love that movie!

On the album we find nine new sound pearls based on your brilliant guitar play. Any song you like most on your newest release ?

- Well, I love many songs on the new album.It's hard to choose. But I have to admit the ones I always listen are “Hanging Rock“ , “Forever Lost“, “Misanthropy“ and “Run with the Devil“.

The last song of the album is called „Icewarrior“. Maybe you have been inspired by your label IceWarrior Records ?

- Yes. When “Just me“ was out in 2010, Franko of Icewarrior label asked me to write a song for his label called “Icewarrior“. I thought it was a great idea! And so i started writing this song.This is an exclusive track for the label.And I had the honour to have Zak Stevens as singer on it. Franko got in touch with him,and Zak did an amazing job!

 

Lots of guest musicians again on your new album....for example Mats Leven, Carsten Schulz, Ferdy Doernberg or Zak Stevens. From different bands and different lands. How did you get the contact with them and was it easy to make them working with you ?

-I contacted them all by email,except Mats Leven, who I met inStockholm personally in 2011.It was a great experience.I've met with Carsten Schulz and David Defeis in person too.But most of the work was done by email.Actually it was not easy to put togheter all the pieces of the “puzzle“....you need a lot of patience for it, because these are all great pro-musicians, and they have their times.So you have to worry to get in touch with them, but I have to admit I've found a lot of great professionality in them, and great guys, with very good attitude.They sent me the vocals/instrument tracks and I putted all togheter in the end.It was nice! Andrea Torricini, the bass player , recorded in my home studio, because we live in the same town.

There are two instrumentals on „Hanging Rock“. Is it an important thing for you to show what can be expressed only with instruments instead of words or vocals ?

-Yes, it is very important, because music speaks deeper and louder than words, for sure.But it is more difficult to share emotions with music than with words.And it is harder to place an instrumental album in the music business than a vocal one, because most of the people prefer songs and not instrumental tracks.But I have to admit working without singers gives you more freedom and less problems! Ahahah! ;)

Besides your own solo band. Are there any other actual projects or things you are working with?

- No.Actually I have no time for other projects except “Tommy Vitaly“, it would be too hard to work 100% at another project.I think this year I will work at some guitar instructional videos......But I have a dream...I would like someday to put togheter some music for a musical, that's what I would like to do beside my project if I had the time.

Are there any plans for live shows or even touring ? I mean...it will not be easy to play shows with that amount of guest musicians, right ?

-Well, I think it would be really impossible to play live with the album line up.About touring, today it is hard to put togheter a real tour!You could do the opening act for some major band tour, but you should pay a lot of money for it, and I can't afford it.I will try to find some date for some live show here in Italy with an italian line up band, and then I'll see if I can find some more gig outside of Italy.

What impressed me too on „Hanging Rock“ beside the great quality of the songs was the production. Tell us something about the producers process. Who worked on that and which studios did you use?

- As I said before all the singers and musicians recorded at their own studios.I recorded the guitars, keyboards,piano and bass at my home studio.But the magic was made by Roberto Priori, the engineer who mixed and mastered the album in his own studio called Pri-studios, in Bologna, Italy.He did a great job, yes!

Tommy, in the back you were a part of the power metal band Seven Gates. Do you know if this band still exists and do you have still contact to the other bandmembers?

- I know the website is up for sure.I don't know if the band still exists or if THERE IS A BAND (?).I know Marco Moroni (the guitar player) keep the website alive, and the past year he told me maybe in the next years he could try to put togheter a band for SevenGates.I wish him all the best.I still have contacts with them, even if, the more we grow older, the less we get in touch.

 

As told before...your albums are published by IceWarrior Records from Germany. How did it come to work with a german company and how is this work going?

-I came to work with Icewarrior Records with SevenGates.After the release of “The Good and the Evil“ I got in touch with Franko, and I told him about my solo project. He was very happy to work with me, and so we started our collaboration. I am very happy about how Icewarrior works, beacause he is very clear and honest, and it is more friendly than tons of other record labels asking only money without caring about music (listen to “Betrayer“ song and you will understand what I mean!ahah!)

Do you write the lyrics of your songs all by yourself, or are there maybe also some „ghostwriters“ behind the curtain ?

-Nice question.I wrote most of the lyrics.But in “Hanging Rock“ my friend Todd LaTorre wrote the lyrics for the song “Hands of Time“ (he sings on it too), my friend Luca (who is the webmaster of my website too) co-wrote with me the lyrics of “Icewarrior“ song, and a dear friend of mine called Andrea helped me with the lyrics of “Heavy Metal God“.

What does playing guitar still means for you in the today's music scene? Any advise you can give to younger or new guitar players? I mean....“Guitar Heroes“ as a video game will not be the future of music, ha ha.

- mmmmm.....it means a lot, beacuse it is very important for every rock/metal band or musician, but I don't like the idea many rock/metal guitar players have of being a rock guitar player.I mean they think playing metal is play with the heavier sound you can have and the faster you can.That's not it in my opinion. They should first know what is Music,and study a lot the instrument, then trying to reach their own style,I listen to hundreds guitar player, technically perfects, but without emotion, without a good vibrato.The guitar has to sing, not to do million notes without sense.About Guitar Heroes, I never tried it, but who knows, maybe sometimes I can try and be a champion! Ahah!I love videogames!

What are your plans next and what guests you hope you can invite for upcoming releases ?

-Now I have to care a lot about the promotion of my new album, and see if I can get some gigs.I don't know if in the future I will invite so many guests as for “Hanging Rock“, but there are many I would like to collaborate with....for example Rob Rock,Mike Terrana,Jeff Scott Soto, Jens Johansson, there are soooo many!

At last....anything else you want to tell our readers ?

I would like to invite you to visit my website www.tommyvitaly.com and to buy the album if you like it!This would help my for my future releases! And thanks to you for this interview! I really enjoyed doing it!

Thanx a lot, Tommy.

 

Interview by Kerbinator for Metal Fields

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Interview with Markus Ullrich of LANFEAR

 

 

 

 

Hi guys, we are really happy having an interview with you. How are you?

 

Pretty good so far. Reviews and all reactions are fantastic and though we make music for ourselves it's always cool to get some positive feedback.

 

First of all congratulations for your new album, it's really great. What are the first reactions from the fans?

 

They really seem to like the new stuff but we never had problems with that. Would be interesting to attract more fans this time, though :)

 

As the creators of this album are you satisfied with it, is there anything that you would like to change?

 

There's always a point where you have to stop and be satisfied. This time we wanted a heavier production and we managed that. The mix was done one year ago and I'm still very happy with it. For the first time there's really nothing I want to change. But I also have to admit that I'm not one of those persons who look back. I'm more interested in what happens next.

 

Who are responsible for the lyrics and who for the music?

 

I wrote the music for all songs except for "Word Not Spoken" which was written by our keyboarder Richie. Of course there're always some changes when we rehearse the songs so everybody is integrated in the process. Our singer Nuno did the lyrics, I think that's how it should be.

 

Whose idea was to combine those mexican/spanish guitar parts such as in "The Reverend" and in "Camera Silens" with the main prog/power ideas? I must tell that it was a successful result. And about the jazz touch in "Colours Of Chaos"?

 

Hehe, this was my idea - glad you like it. I always try to integrate new influences. The parts in "The Reverend" and "Camera Silens" were pretty easy and it was a natural process while writing the stuff. The jazzy part in our opener was more difficult and we tried dozens of different ideas in the rehearsal room. I really wanted a kind of swing feeling. At first it always sounded as if a metal band would try to play jazz and that's what we wanted to avoid. The more simple we played, the better it sounded. Of course it's also cool that I don't play the guitar in that part so there's enough time to drink some beer while the other guys swing...

 

What was your inspirations while you were preparing the songs, especially the lyrics? Is there anything that annoys you in our world?

 

I'm not the guy who writes the lyrics but I can tell you that there're lots of things that annoy me and the same applies to Nuno. I can assure you :D There's no special mood I need to write music, there're always some melodies or riffs spinning around in my head.

 

 

 

 

Who loves most Fates Warning in the band? You achived to put them very gently under your personal sound.

 

I think we all like them but Ray Alder definitely is one of Nunos biggest idols. When in a certain mood sometimes they sound very similar. I mean you really can't compare the vocal melodies. It's more the style of singing. There're two parts on the album which really sound as FW but this was pure intention - a kind of hommage. Nuno is more into the later stuff while I'm more a fan of the early phase - can't speak for the rest. To say that FW were our biggest influence would be totally wrong, though. They're one out of thousands bands we love. Sometimes people compare us, sometimes not. Some people compare us with Dream Theater or Symphony X which I really don't understand at all. Maybe they don't know other bands, don't get it :D

 

What are the plans right now, are you in any tour, are you going to visit some countries? Or are yougoing to gather ideas for a new material?

 

We'd like to do some gigs and then we play the Prog Power festival in Atlanta later this year. Some festivals would be cool but until now nothing's confirmed. There'll be no tour but if anybody's interested to book us feel free to contact us.

 

You have six albums 'till now. How many others do you plan to record, or you prefer to think more open and not making plans that may be overthrowed?

 

There're absolutely no plans.

 

Which is you favorite album from those six?

I'd say no. 5 and 6 simply because these two albums contain the best songs.

 

Now I want to ask you something really important. Why do you believe that Lanfear don't have yet a place among the big names of prog/power? Actually I don't think that there are many names apart from Symphony X. For example I was very excited when I heard your new album, that I said everywhere that I found the best prog/power album for 2012 by a band that can be as high as Symphony X and someone told me "stop saying that". Why is this happening?

 

Really can't tell you that. Most fans seem to don't know anything else than the big names and sometimes I think they also don't want to know more. It's more interesting to bash other stuff instead of being open minded and actually listen to it. It's also not that easy to for a German band in Germany. I mean we released album no. 6 and we always delivered quality stuff and received fantastic reviews. Did you see our name on the billing on one of all those big summer festivals? No. Why not? I don't know...I mean we play the ProgPower in Atlanta this year but have no single offer in Germany. A bit strange, at least :D Sometimes it's a bit frustrating but in the end we don't play music to be successful. We play music because we want to do so - that's it :)

 

What's your opinion about the metal music scene nowadays? Are you satisfied, is there anyhting that should be different, may with the labels?

 

I think labels are not as important as they were 10-15 years ago. What bores me to death is all that retro shit. I mean there're bands with guys who are 20 years old and pretend to live in the 80s. Most of them are copycats and there's one small problem with that. Copycats are never as good as the originals! It's a kind of trend to be "underground" with the exception that all those bands don't really know what underground means. Another thing: Lots of festivals, always the same bands...how boring is that?

 

Tell me about your thoughts of the artworks, how important do you think they are? I am asking you this because of your beautiful artwork in "This Harmonic Consonance". Should the bands have artworks making them in computers or by hand?

 

Depends on the stuff you like or the stuff that fits. I think there's no master plan. This is the first artwork of all our artworks I really like. Of course you always hope for something that really fits to the music and this time we had all the luck :)

 

 

 

 

Lanfear exist since 1993. How much has the band changed and what you personally have learnt from your career until now?

 

Don't believe anybody :D We really haven't changed as persons. We're better musicians, better songwriters and old farts but in the end the motivation is the same. To write good songs and record good albums and to have fun.

 

More and more new bands are being created and try to do their best. What do you suggest to the new musicians?

 

Rehearse! Learn to play your instruments before entering a studio. For me it's sometimes horrible to listen to those new cult bands who simply are not able to play and with singers who simply aren't able to sing. I mean I'm the first one who says "feeling over technicality" but hey! You should be fucking able to play your own songs :) Listen to other stuff, learn to arrange, train your ears! You don't have any influence on anything else what might happen, so this is the only thing I can suggest.

 

Well, thank you again very much for your interview in Metalfields and I wish to you and to the band the best. Is there anything last you would like to add or to send a message to the fans of the band?

This is always the last question and in the meantime I'm afraid of this question because I tend to repeat myself :D Thanx for your interest, check us out and be true to yourself!

 

Interview by Dr. Feelgood for Metal Fields

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Interview with

Stelios Tsakiridis of EMERALD SUN

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Interview with

Micke Larsson of COLDSPELL

 

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Interview with

Killhelm of PLECTOR

 

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Interview with

Dibih of TIBERIUS PROJECT

 

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Interview with

Maria of RAMPART

 

 

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Interview with

 

Phil and Maria of GLASS WOLFE