Mark: How are things with Equilibrium these days?
Equilibrium: Fine! We're very happy that
the Sagas album finally is released! It was a
long way which brought many personal stresses,
but now we can sit down and see whether the people
like the stuff - or not. But it looks good, haha!
2. Let’s start with the rise in folk metal
bands these days. Fans worldwide seem to be taking
to the sound of bands like yourself, Korpiklanni,
and Finntroll. What do you think is the reason
for this? Is this the sound of the modern working
class?
E: I really don't know the exact answer.
Maybe the people just wanted to have something
new ... after Black Metal, Nu Metal, Hardcore
... I don't know. But I think that this kind of
metal offers a huge empathy, especially to young
guys who make a bulk of the so called "Pagan
Metal Scene" here.
3. How much of a role does the natural environment
around you play in your music?
E: Well, most of the music is written
by René alone. Once I asked him where all
the inspiration comes from. He told me that he
fills up his computer monitor with pictures of
nice landscape and nature. This is his inspiration.
But of course, a picture on the computer is nothing
more than it is. So we all go out and get inspiration
under the wide sky. I considered lots of the Sagas-lyrics
while jogging along the Isar River.
4. What made you feel that Nuclear Blast was
the right home for Equilibrium?
E: Hey - they are the biggest!! We really
had our experience with a small fucked up label,
and it was not a good one. So we said "if
they want us - we want 'em, too." It was
not a very hard decision.
5. Sagas, sound is a bit more aggressive than
a lot of the folk metal bands out there –
how do you go about deciding how much of each
song will be folk, how much will be metal, and
so on?
E: You think so? Hmm, I always find it
a little bit more easy listening than lots of
the other bands. But it really depends on the
song. Something like "Verrat" (Betrayal)
has very few keyboards, for example. Therefore
we call this song lovingly "Barney."
I think this mixture is the recipe for the success
of Equilibrium.
6. One of the most interesting things about your
sound is the way you use the keyboards. Most of
the time their sound is very upfront and powerful
(the band Europe came to mind throughout the album).
Was this a conscious decision to use the keyboards
in this way? What role do you feel they play in
your music?
E: An important role I'd say. Imagine
Equilibrium without any keys... this would sound
strange, wouldn't it? It is the style of the music
that just demands the keys. All the epic moments
could not exist without it, at least not in Equilibrium.
The style of the keys has developed over
the years. It started with really synthetic sounds.
Now it has changed to real orchestra samples or
even guest musicians, who played some parts on
"Sagas".
7. “Verrat” is one of my favorite
songs on the album. Would you mind telling our
readers a little about this song and the ideas
that inspired it?
E: Ha, we once said "Oops, we don't
have any real hard song!!" Then René
came with two riffs in the rehearsal room and
we found it nice! It is meant to be a fist in
your face, haha!
The lyrical concept is very personal. It is based
on something that happened to me some years ago
... has to do with my former girlfriend and another
person I don't like very much. He's a sucker and
inspired me to the title: Betrayal.
8. Is there a particular song, theme, or idea
that you feel captures Sagas best? If so, why
did you choose that as a representation of the
album?
E: Some people say that it is "Blut
im Auge" (Blood In The Eye). I would not
agree but on the other hand, I wouldn't know a
better song. I think this one really sounds like
the first album, lots of strong melodies and a
happy mood. Many people associate this with Equilibrium.
9. Do you have a personal favorite track on Sagas?
E: Yes, "Unbesiegt" (Unconquered)
and "Mana." The first one just kicks
ass and is meant to propeller up your head. I
liked it from the first time I heard it.
"Mana" on the other hand is
a very epic song. And maybe because of the fact,
that it is an instrumental, it has the power to
send you on a long, long journey. If I have time
and hear this song, it is very relaxing to me.
10. How does it feel to know that you have the
privilege of living in the very place that created
Oktoberfest? That must be absolutely awesome.
E: Urgh! How does it feel to live in
a city that is once a year full of vomit and completely
drunk people? Unfortunately in the line crossing
the Oktoberfest, a girl sat in front of me, sweating
(and looking) like a pig. I was reading and suddenly
she started puking - on me. I stunk like hell
- and was still supposed to go on stage like this.
Not really awesome, haha!
I prefer drinking at a metal festival,
Wacken for example. At least people know how to
drink there. And the music is better!!
11. Thanks so much for your time. Do you have
any parting thoughts you’d like to leave
our readers with?
E: Prepare, prepare, we will visit you!!!
|
