TIME REQUIEM |
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To me TIME REQUIEM's debut disc is one of the very best releases of 2002, a superb mixture of neoclassical heavy metal and progressive power metal. A little email interview with keyboardist/composer/bandleader Richard Andersson was definitely in place... ;
Interview by Claus Jensen |
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1. Hi Richard - thanks for a superb gig the other day in Malmö. I really enjoyed myself. And it was also nice to meet you after the concert. Let us start this interview by talking about Time Requiem as a band. Although it's the same members (more or less) as in Majestic, there is a big difference in the 2 bands … to you, what are the most important differences?
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"Nice to meet you the other day Claus. Sorry we couldn't sit down have a beer or two. The gig was only rehearsing for us since we are heading for Japan in two weeks. The show in Halmstad the day after Malmö was very cool. Club Diezel is a real rock club with lots of metal heads.
About my music: As you probably already know I decided to put Majestic one ice for several reasons but Time Requiem and Majestic is still not the same band. When it comes to Martin, his departure had to do with the fact that the music became more progressive. He couldn't really handle that. Martin also wanted to go for his job as a computer technician. So there were no hard feelings there. I've chosen to continue to work with Apollo Papathanasio, Magnus Nord and Peter Wildoer as they are the people I want to play with. As I'm happy with them, why should I look for other players? Apollo is about the only great lead singer totally with out an ego I know. Magnus Nord is a guitarist that I have a lot in common with music wise. We like the same sort of music and have both a lot of knowledge when it comes to harmonies and chord chemistry. Magnus is able to play those very difficult keyboards written parts I give to him. A lot of guitarists would refuse do that, and insist on playing them their own way, the way normal guitarists would do. And Peter Wildoer is a monster of a drummer. I don't think it's confusing or strange that I'm using a few of the guys from Majestic for this new band. Look at Whitesnake, Rainbow, Sabbath, Dio and all those British bands in the old days, it was they same bunch of people who went from one band to another all the time. Also it´s not easy to find good people. Time Requiem is much more progressive, tight and fast. You still have these certain melodies but that's because I have composed all the music. As far as I concern Majestic was more Hard rock music and Time Requiem is more like heavy metal." |
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2. At what point in time did you realize that the music you were writing wasn't really "Majestic" any longer?
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By the time I arrived home from the European tour with Symphony X. I was inspired by the way Michael Romeo trying to reach beyond arrange limits. So! Basically I wanted to do something I also for along time have had in my mind: Compose totally free from expectations. For me it doesn't matter if people say my music sounds like this or that just as long it's good music. Today my music is seen as good progressive neoclassical metal with ingredients from some other bands. It's very difficult to create music none have done before.
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3. We all know that a main reason you left the "Majestic" name behind, had to do with your old management as well as your record label … but was it a deliberate choice or do you in some way feel that you were forced into changing name?
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Not at all! Only I made the decision. Today I'm extremely happy since I only work with competent and nice people. I'd change the studio, band, producer, management, production company and record companies. I'm on my own right now and feel satisfied with that.
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4. It is usually like starting all over when a band changes name and sign deals with new labels etc. But in your case it seems like everybody (fans and media) accepts it, and see Time Requiem as a continuation of Majestic. When seeing you live, I also noticed that you still play a good deal of Majestic tunes. Is this something you think will always be part of Time Requiem?
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Yes that's right! I haven't heard a single bad word about starting all over again. I suppose the Majestic fans will like Time Requiem as well, as I'm the one writing it all. For me my music is united. It really doesn't matter if I do songs in Time Requiem, Majestic or Space Odyssey just as long I separate everything in a good way. I do not want to mix any of these bands and their spirits.
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5. The style of music you play is very BIG in Japan - how come?
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I guess they have a good eye and ear for music coming from west. Maybe it's exotic in a strange way. I admire the Japanese audience since they are very dedicated and faithful to you and your music. They never say a single bad word about you. That's the way it should be. If you don't like someone's music, just don't bother throwing shit on the band or the artist. Just leave it there.
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6. Do you think that it will ever reach the same level in Europe? USA?
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There are many countries in Europe with several cultures and stuff. I think it would be hard to sell 20.000 copies in Austria for an example. The record though has sold very good in Europe and is still going good since the release has been drawn out during several months. Another great thought by my record company Regain Records!!!. Release the cd at the best time.
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7. I've heard critics yell "rip-off" when referring to you, based on the strong resemblances between several of your songs and other songs by Symphony X and Malmsteen. How do you deal with these critics? And does it matter to you what other people think?
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I don't care at all just as long as you compare my music to good bands like mentioned. Symphony X, Yngwie or Dream Theater are very good bands.
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8. In this genre - is it possible at all to do something completely original?
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No! All music that's out there is only a plagiarism of old music. You can do it better or equal. I though think there always will be room for good music even if it's a copy or not. Just as long it's good!
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9. You're getting ready to go on tour in Japan now with Time Requiem. What do you expect of it? It's not the first time you're there, but with Time Requiem, it's sort of a debut for you…
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I really am looking forward going to Japan. The schedule is very tight and intensive. We are doing a couple of shows as well as we are doing very, very much promotion (TV, radio, magazines etc.). I expect only but good from the tour.
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10. You've also started a new project called Space Odyssey. Tell us about it…
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Basically I felt kind of frustrated when the Time Requiem cd was completed. What to do now? I had dinner with guitar player and old friend Magnus Nilsson which I personally think is one among the best guitar players I've ever played with. I've been with Malmsteen for a couple of weeks in his studio and he is good. Magnus though is almost just as good. We sat down and discussed the possibilities doing something together. The result two months later became something very much coming from the heart. Great songs in veins of late Black Sabbath, Malmsteen, Rainbow and great musicianship. This could be the channel for me to let my melodic veins speak. I am very satisfied with the result and have just heard that the Japanese record labels are fighting over getting their hands over the project. There will absolutely be a follow-up on this debut Space Odyssey record. When I got the time!!!. Time Requiem is priority number one for me.
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11. What will be the main difference between S.O. and T.R.? I downloaded the song on your homepage, and to me it sounds like T.R./Majestic, but with a different singer …
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Oh no! The song Despair and pain that you've heard sounds a bit like Malmsteen but the other songs are very slow (Sabbath TYR cd) with not that much of progressive movements. There are no strange rhythms and stuff like that. I see it as a cd I would have bought myself. Straight good hardrock music with a brilliant singer.
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12. From my personal point of view, I think it's kinda fun the connection there is between you and me, without us ever meeting face-to-face (except of course last Friday), seeing that you've been playing one song with ZooL, you'll be playing all keyboards on Evil Maquerade, your singer from Time Requiem (Apollo) is also in Meduza, and the singer from your new band Space Odyssey (Patrik) is also in Wuthering Heights. I guess that means that you and I have the same taste, hahaha … Any comments?
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Interesting thought! I have a good explanation for this phenomena: If you pick the guys from the old bands like Rainbow, Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Sabbath they contain almost the same type of members. You know! When you are involved in a certain kind of music then you are dealing with the same sort of people. I see it more as a big happy family lending you good musicians every now and then. Hughes and Turner are doing all sorts of old songs of theirs, from Rainbow to Purple in different combinations.
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13. After Japan, will Time Requiem be touring anymore in Europe this spring? What are the chances of seeing you at Sweden Rock?
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The chance to seeing us at Sweden Rock is very big. My record label is very close friend to the people handling everything concerning Sweden Rock. Right now we are trying to arrange a tour in Europe. I really much would like to go on touring in Europe. We probably go as a supporting act with a bigger band like Rhapsody or Sonata Arctica.
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14. Anything you'd like to tell us?
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STAY METAL an see you guys on tour. One last thing: You guys have the best beer in the world SORT GULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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