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Interview
Deutsche VersionInterview mit Susperia (13.04.2007)
HH: Hi, how do you feel short time bevor the release date? A little bit nervous or of good cheer?
Memnock: Hi well I'm a bit excited about the release. It has been a while since the last one, three years to be exact. Unlimited was and still is a very good album , so to out do this is not going to be easy. We got lots of nice reviews for that one so it is going to be intresting to see how the new album will be received by the press and the fans !!
HH: What are the main differences between Cut From Stone and Unlimited?
Memnock: The main difference would be the way the whole album was put together. This was a joint effort through the whole album, which was a little different to Unlimited. Every one was working like hell to get this album done. We did pre-production on every song, and then we would go back and do it again if we were not satisfied. So it took long time.
HH: Cut From Stone was mixed by Daniel Bergstrand, who made a good job. Why did you change? Are you not comfortable with the work of Patrick J. Sten and Fredrik Nordstrom?
Memnock: We changed because everyone uses Fredrik and it is becoming a trademark on some bands, which we don't think is very good. The band should be recognized for their music and image rather then who did the mix. It helps to have someone with a good reputation to do the mix, but it should not take over the whole band. It is too common now, that bands get a big hype just by mixing their album in certain studios. Not that Daniel is unknown, but everyone uses Fredrik, so we figured that it was time to do something new for Susperia !
HH: You started up as a Black Metal Band, but changed your style during the time. What was the reason for this change?
Memnock: Why not? heheheh Susperia started out as an experimental band and we hadn't decided what kind of music we wanted to play. We were never a black metal band it was just a starting point from some of the bands we had played with. There has been change, but that was a natural process for us. We didn't sit down and say, "hmm I'm a bit bored today so lets change our style". No it just happened naturally. Nothing more to it than that !!
HH: Norway is well known for its Black Metal scene. How would you describe this scene nowadays? What are the main differences between today and how the scene was in the past?
Memnock: Aaarrggh! I hate this question. The scene is nowhere near what it used to be. The bands who really had an agenda with the message in their music are gone. Nowadays every one wants to play black metal, everyone wears spikes and drinks blood, it's a f*****g circus and has nothing to do with the "real thing"!
HH: Cut From Stone is a great Thrash Metal album. But two songs are different from the others, "Distant Memory" and "Release". Especially "Release" with its catchy melody is very different to the rest of the songs. It's not a bad song, don't get me wrong, but it's not a Thrash Metal song. What is your opinion about this song?
Memnock: In my opinion it is a great thrash metal song. The riffs and the way it is put together is right in your face. It has a nice build up before it kicks in. I love that song!!
HH: How did the recording process proceed? Quite busy or relaxed? Have all the songs been finished before entering the studio?
Memnock: The recording was a busy process. It felt like it took forever. The songs were more or less finished, but there are always things that are altered during the recording. You wouldn't even recognize some of the songs from the pre-production recordings. We are always looking for perfection, which I know is impossible, so there are always last minute changes going on.
HH: What are the songs about? Just fiction or do they belong to reality?
Memnock: Mostly the songs are reflections of real life experiences and occasionally fiction. Nothing deep about them but sometimes personal :-)
HH: What kind of reactions did you receive so far?
Memnock: Good reactions so far, which we are happy about. But it is early days yet so let's wait and see!!
HH: Every band says, the actuall cd is the best one in the band's history. So, what seperates your statement from the statements of the other bands?
Memnock: That this really is the best album we have done so far!! It's a cliche to say it and people think it is said to hype a new album. I don't really know how it can be said differently. It's what we truly believe. What else can I say.
HH: When can we see Susperia live on stage here in Germany? Or maybe on some festivals?
Memnock: Hopefully we will tour Germany soon as hell but I realy don't know when. Our immediate plans are supporting WASP in the UK, Norway and Sweden. Then back to the UK for a tour with Onslaught.
HH: You've been now into the music business since 1998. Where do you see Susperia in another ten years?
Memnock: Hmm... world domination would be nice :-) To beecome the biggest band in history would be cool. We want to keep building the band and getting more people into Susperia. In another ten years it would be good to look back and say that the hard work paid off.
HH: How do you spend all the money (millions...) you make with Susperia? :-)
Memnock: ...I'm saving it all for my new Ferari! :-)
HH: Which gig will be forever in your mind and why?
Memnock: It has to be from when we were touring with Dimmu Borgir a few years ago. I passed out and had to be carried off stage. That was scary man!!! Don't do it at home kids I'm a professional!!
HH: What kind of nightliner-secrets can you tell us? How do you spend your time during waiting for the show?
Memnock: Nightliner secrets – they are called secrets, so that nobody gets to find out. There is a rule that what happens on the road stays on the road. So I'm not saying anything. Maybe one day I will tell a few stories :-). Otherwise I spend my time watching videos, playing X-box, training, drinking, farting, eating, arguing, sleeping, calling our loved ones and so on !!
HH: Thanks for answering my questions, the last words are up to you.
Memnock: Drink when you are thirsty, eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired and life will be good for you man!! Thanks for the interview. Regards Memnock