|
1.
Hi, first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album
"9 Elements Of Inner Vision". How does it feel to
finally have an album out in all the World?
Con
- Thank you, it feels fantastic. Although we have been around
for a while it all feels new. We have a great label in Massacre
and management in Intromental looking after us and most
importantly a very stable line up.
2. To new
fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it all?
Con
- Well,
Eyefear have been around
now for 10 years. Unfortunately though line up changes have really
put a hold on the band in the past. We recorded our first album
back in 95 titled "Edge Of Existence" and an ep titled
"Dawn … A New Beginning" in 98.
Both were independent releases but EDGE really got us a lot
of attention, but line up problems probably cost us from getting a
deal earlier and getting our music out to the people. As for
"9 Elements", it’s an album we are really proud of. We
started recording early 2002 and finished early 2004. With the new
album which we have already started writing, it definitely won’t
take as long to record and release.
3.
What are your expectations for the new album?
Con
- Not sure to tell you the truth. We have had some fantastic
response from the media, but you never know just how the public
will take to it.
4. How has
your new album been received by the media?
Con
- We
released a 3 track promo, which we sent out to media and labels,
which was only roughly mixed and the responses especially from the
media was amazing. You are actually the first, to do a review for
the finished product!!!!!
5.
When I listen your music, I think of it as old US metal with bands
like Lethal and Deadly Blessing springing to mind - have you been
influenced by stuff like this? And how would you describe your
music yourself?
Con
- Not
really, from the US I am more influenced by the Death Metal scene
especially from the late 80s to early 90s era. Although I do like
bands like Symphony X, Nevermore, Zero Hour just to name a few. I
find it very hard to describe our music. Because I am influenced
by some many styles of METAL. I think that our music has a bit of
everything. It is heavy, progressive, melodic, fast, slow. I look
at it like a road that has a lot of twists and turns.
6.
Sadly I don't have a lyric-sheet, so I have to ask you about what
topics you deal with lyrically? And what influences you when you
write lyrics?
Con
- Our
lyrics are mainly about feelings and emotions we all feel in some
way or another. The purest of emotions I guess. Rob actually
writes the majority of the lyrics, but usually especially myself I
get inspired by our music.
7.
On the album you have re-arranged and re-recorded 2 out the 3
tracks off your "Dawn - A New beginning." EP, but have
left out "Evermore" - why? And how do you feel about the
new versions compared to the old ones?
Con
- Originally
only "Illumination Fades" was suppose to be on "9
Elements" because it was a fairly new song. The "Dawn"
ep was recorded because we wanted to show how the new line up
would sound with both old and new material. "Dawn (A New
Beginning)" was a last minute inclusion on "9 Elements"
only because Danny and Sam really liked the song and gave it a new
lease of life. I am sure those that will hear them now will tell
you that they sound so much better compared to the old versions,
which were a little lifeless.
8.
The album was recorded in Australia (produced by Endel River), but
has been mixed in Sweden by Andy LaRocque - how did this
co-operation come about?
Con
- It
was supposed to be mixed by Endel originally, but we felt that we
wouldn’t quite get the mix we were looking for. I really liked
what Andy LaRocque had done with the Evergrey,
so I got in touch with him and
asked if he would be interested in mixing our material. I sent him
a couple of tracks to see what he could come up with and he got
back to me with the same vision as we had. A big yet clean
sounding mix. I flew over to Sweden and mixed it with him. It was
quite an experience.
9.
How do you feel about the end-result of your album?
Con
- It’s
exactly what we wanted. Everything from the the whole production,
the artwork and the songs of course. We wouldn’t change a thing.
The only thing we probably would have liked is maybe spent a
couple of more days on the mix. But that’s probably getting a
bit too fussy.
10. Mattias
Norén has done the arkwork - I think it's great - what's the idea
behind the cover concept? And how important do you feel it is to
have a great cover?
Con
- The story behind the cover is a pretty simple concept.
It’s basically about being torn between the darkest of emotions
and tranquillity (peace of mind). Cover art work is an important
tool for a band because it gives the fans just that little extra
when they buy a CD. You can’t download off the net a good cover
and booklet!!!!
11. Any
chance you might tour Europe - or maybe the Festival scene in
Europe next year?
Con
- I guess that all has to do with how well the album goes. We
would love to of course. With all the music piracy on the net
these days it does make it harder for a band so far away from
Europe. At the end of the day it’s up to the fans to support not
only EYEFEAR but the rest of the METAL scene.
12. "9
Elements Of Inner Vision" is your first album on Massacre
Records - what are your expectations for the co-operation with
them?
Con
- Massacre
have been fantastic to us and we really look forward to working
with them on our next album. They are a big label with a great
reputation and they have shown a lot of faith in our music. It’s
very important to have that sort of support.
13.
The internet is a very important source for many metal fans - how
do you use the internet and how important is it for you and other
bands?
Con
- The
internet has been a fantastic tool for all bands to get closer to
the fans. Unfortunately though some people have abused it and
although they don’t realise it they are killing the scene.
14. When
people are talking about Aussie metal, all they know is AC/DC, but
how do you see the scene at the moment?
Con
- We
have a great scene especially here in Melbourne. Bands like Black
Majesty and Without End are cool bands and close friends of ours
and are both signed. Then there is Enter Twilight, who you should
look out for next year as they have just finished recording their
debut CD and it sounds killer. Then there is Vanishing Point and
Pegazus, whom I am sure you all know. We have had a lot of
international bands tour the past few years and they are quite
surprised as to how strong the scene is over here.
15. To
finish things off, could you pls. make a Top 5 over the 5 albums,
that have had the biggest impact on you?
Con
- This is so hard, but here goes.
1.
King Diamond - Them
2. Death - Spiritual Healing
3. Evergrey - Recreation Day
4. Kreator - Extreme Aggression
5. Memento Mori - La Dance Macabre
16. And a
fun Top 5: Aussie beers?
There
can only be one MATE!!! VB (Victoria Bitter)
Con,
guitars, EYEFEAR
Thanx
mate, I just love their new album, and I am sure it'll please
quite a few metal heads out there as well ... support the
undeground!
|
