Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 05:48 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
First of all congratulations for your new album.
Thanks a lot. It means a lot to us every time people appreciate what we do.
What is the feedback for ‘From Beyond’ so far? Are the reactions from the fans similar to the ones from the press?
The reactions from the fans have been tremendous so far. From the press it’s been a little bit back and forth. I guess, the further you get out, the more ignorant people get to hear your music and get to have a say about it. In the beginning we got mostly out to real metal people who really understand what we are doing. But now since we have grown quite a lot since that, it seems people are quite often seeing us as homage to the 80s or accusing us for being un-modern. But I think that only shows on their own ignorance about metal and it makes me laugh a little bit in the back of my mind.
You exist almost 10 years as a band. How do you feel as a pioneer of all this anti-trend underground heavy metal/speed hype you started? Do you accept the fact that some may consider you as the new trend?
It feels really good actually. Would never expect us to release four albums ten years ago so I think that’s the biggest achievement. Creating trends is showing on something creative; following however is for weak people.
Do you feel that the band’s sound has improved? Is this the big step forward?
I think we improve and develop all the time and that’s a basic condition if you will continue and survive as a band I think. With the new album I think we improved in many ways. From Beyond is our most varied album so far. It contains the heaviest and fastest songs we ever done and the most complex song structures aswell. Songs like Mask Of Red Death and Below the Slumber are stuff we never done before. It is a kind of melancholic album, a bit more melodic than Death By Fire but still as fast.
Musically speaking are there any differences between your previous works?
It’s more up to the listener than up to me I would say. But I feel that we have developed in all kinds of way with this new album as I mentioned above.
In your new album one can realize that you have slow down in speed but you gave emphasis in melody. Is this a turning point in your career where in terms of songwriting, speed won’t play the major role or is it something that will return in the next releases?
I don’t agree with you here. We have absolutely not slowed down since ‘From Beyond’ contains the two fastest and most aggressive songs we have ever done; ‘Destroyer ‘and ‘Hell Will Follow’, but we also have heavier songs and songs with a more complex song structure. What we however have done is to put more attention do variety and the way we put songs together in a bigger context.
Everyone is speaking about the sense of melancholy in your melodies. Is this a natural selection or your influences are becoming darker? Maybe some new bands you discovered lately.
That as well I would say is more up to every listener what emotions every song and riff brings. But I can agree that it’s overall a slightly more melodic album than the previous Death By Fire. But I would say we have generally been influenced by some more not-so-cheerful stuff this time compared to in the beginning of our carrier and that has reflected a lot on the songs unintentionally.
Do you miss the days where you were only a singer? Why don’t you hire a new guitarist or bring Adam Zaars back? Personally speaking I believe that Adam was a great composer, afterall he has written the music of ‘Katana’ among others.
No I don’t, I love playing guitar more than sing so I’m really happy to play guitar again. He is a great composer indeed, and TRIBULATION surely shows that as well. But since he was in ENFORCER we have grown differently and I’m pretty sure he has too, so even if he would come back it will never be the same again.
There was a rumor that you recorded a live performance in Greece. Is it true? And why you haven’t released it yet?
Yes we did. Hopefully it will see the light of day some day. Hopefully as soon as possible.
Speaking of lives, in your live shows you often perform ‘Countess Bathory’ and also you have covered Nagazaki in a b’ side single. Do you have any other covers in your arsenal?
Yes, we are all huge music enthusiasts who love to listen to music just as much as we love to play it so we have many covers in the sleeve.
You have played in several places in Greece. Do you feel that the time has come for you to headline a big festival here?
We’re always up for festivals so yeah. I didn’t know it was any festivals in Greece the same way it is in northern Europe, but sure.
Tell me a fresh band that you would pick for supporting you in a tour.
If it was only up to me I would choose LETHAL STEEL. A young band from Stockholm I just finished producing a debut album for. Real heavy metal with the right attitude.
This is your sophomore release via Nuclear Blast. Are you happy so far? Are the numbers giving you extra pressure?
I’m really happy with their works so far. No, the only pressure comes from us within the band. Never cared much about what other people think about the music.
All Enforcer members are participating in other bands or projects except of you, Olof. Is there any contract term that prevents you from forming something beyond Enforcer?
Haha, no definitely not. I just don’t have time right now to put my focus on something different than ENFORCER.
Tell us about the band’s future plans.
We start the FROM BEYOND WORLD TOUR after summer with a massive European leg in September to November. Then the plan is to do Asia before we do a show in Athens the 19th of December 2015.
Closure is yours. Is there anything you’d like to share with your fans via Metal Invader?
As mentioned before we do an exclusive Greek show in Athens the 19th of December. I can already now reveal that it’s gonna be an extremely special show where we play many special songs from these past ten years with a big stage show. I hope to see as many of my Greek friends there as possible. It’s gonna be a blast for sure!!
