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Vengeance
is back, loaded with a brand new album entitled: "Back in the
Ring". We have put a few questions together for them to learn
just why they've decided to return to the scene now...
Hi,
first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album
"Back in the Ring". This is your first album in a very,
very long time - why now?
Vengeance - That is a hard question
to answer. I didn't and wasn't planning this, it just happened to
be presented to me at the right time. My bass player Barend
Courbois called me to ask if I was interested in doing a new
Vengeance record. The moment felt right.
Comebacks have been quite popular for many 80's bands lately,
what made you return?
Vengeance - Like I said, I was jumping on
the revival bandwagon. I was asked to do this, it seemed right.
And judging by the result, IT WAS!!!
The album has been out some time now, how has it been received
by the fans?
Vengeance - The fans have been great.
Judging by the sales and the reactions, especially at the Bang
Your Head festival. They went crazy at that show - something we
never expected!
The album has received excellent reviews in the media, did that
surprise you and how does it make you feel?
Vengeance - Really
surprised. I didn't know what to expect. We just went into the
studio to cut a real, old school vengeance CD. No pretences at
all. It came out the way I wanted it to, with the help of Barend
and Michael Voss of course. My new band kicked ass on the
recording and the guest musicians were awesome. Our label gave us the
freedom to do this. We weren't expecting the praise the press has
thrown our way. Unbelievable! I am thrilled.
If your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
Vengeance - So
many! Pain, anger, frustration, joy, happiness, laughter you name
it it's all in my performance. But all done with a big helping of
humour!
Was it hard to re-create the old magic of Vengeance?
Vengeance - No,
not at all. Vengeance was always a natural thing for me. So I
never had the feeling I had to re-create something. It just comes
out! I don't have to think about it at all!!
The album cover is very symbolic as well as the title - who
came up with the idea? And how important do you feel a striking
title and good album cover is these days?
Vengeance - The
title was originally going to be something else, I can't remember.
Our manager pointed out that the title of this song said
everything about this come back. It’s simple to the point and
covers ALL the bases. After that the CD cover was a straight
forward thing. It describes the title and the power of the music!!!
Titles are important, but the best ones are the most obvious.
Sometimes it takes an outside opinion to spot the obvious!!!
The sound on the album is very good, where did you record it
and who has produced and mixed it?
Vengeance - We
recorded it in
Munster
at Michael Voss studio Kidroom music. Michael Voss produced and
mixed.
You took part in this years Bang Your Head festival - how well
did that go, and do you have any touring plans for 2006?
Vengeance - We
will be out on the road in
Germany
in September supporting Axel Rudi Pell, and hopefully we will do a
headliner tour in the beginning of 2007! We have some support
dates in
Holland
with UFO and Y&T and a few headline dates also.
Let's speculate - you have been granted a free slot on a tour
of your own choice - who would be your ideal touring partners?
Vengeance - Personally
I'd love to support Status Quo - my all-time favourite band. But
anything from AC/DC to ZZ Top.... and all bands in-between!!!!!!!!
The internet is a very important source for many music fans -
how do you use the internet and how important is it for you and
other bands, and what's your opinion of Napster, file-sharing and
so on?
Vengeance - I
think if you get a 'burned' CD from someone, just to listen to,
that OK, as long as you buy the original if you like what you hear.
But people burning CD’s instead of buying are not only killing
the music industry, it is robbing the artists of the very LITTLE
income they get of CD sales. So ultimately, bands won't have the
finances to pay the rent, let alone finance a new record or tour.
THINK about THAT the next time you copy a CD. And feel proud you
are doing the right thing when you buy a legitimate CD!!
Name an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on
your life - and why?
Vengeance - Status
Quo. There music just covers the basics. That’s what I like
about Vengeance too.
If you want to kick back at home and relax, do you put on music,
turn on the TV, read a book or?
Vengeance - I
like to have a beer with some friends......usually the band!!
Thank you very much for participating in this interview and
sharing this information and your thoughts with us - these last
lines are entirely for you. Any final words you would like to
round off with?
Vengeance - Thank
you for asking the questions, maybe next time we can do it face to
face! To all our fans, old and new - thanks so much for letting us
back in to your lives - see you on the road.
Interviewed
by Kenn
Jensen
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