Could you please introduce the band Ripe to the readers? Ripe is a melodic heavy metal band with personal powerful songs. We are 5 guys, who really like what we are doing, and are very passionate about playing metal and music in general. I guess you could call us a true metal band, although the word "true" is held in the sense, that we have a very honest approach to what we are doing. Where did the name Ripe come from and what is the meaning behind it? Ripe is something that is there for the taking. Something that is ready. I guess the name Ripe came up, because it's such a different kind of band name. It sounds good too hehe The band was already founded in 2001, why did it take that long to release your debut? The band went through several line-up changes and, I guess that some plans were delayed due to that. With founding member Bob Thunder in the band you have a very experienced musician; did he write all the songs for this album? Bob is more like the spiritual leader of the band. Bobs contribution goes more in the vein of knowing, when we are doing it right, because the album was actually written by our guitarist Jacob, our drummer Peter and the lyrics written by Michael. But with that said, everyone in the band works as a unit, so the other guitarist Jeppe, and everyone else in the band has a say in the process. The way things worked out on this record might differ next time, so you never know. In my review I made musical comparisons with Dream Evil. Not that you are a look-a like, but in my opinion there are similarities. What is your opinion about that? Dream Evil is a cool band with great songs, so I think that we should say it is a compliment, if that the kind of similarities that you are referring to hehe - But Ripe definitely are a band on its own. Ripe has other themes going on and our music differs on some points as well I think. But, it's nice to be compared with someone as gifted as they are. Your singer Michael Bastholm Dahl has a very powerful voice, has he been singing in other metal bands? Yes, Michael did sing in other bands before he joined Ripe, and when he joined, he decided to make Ripe his only band, so all his strength could go into it. The music has a very 80’s metal approach, but with a modern touch, what are the bands main influences? Uh, a whole hell of a lot! Hehe - we are all old metal fans, but we are also keeping in touch with the new stuff. There are so many great bands we could mention, but the main influences is probably bands like: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, In Flames, Megadeth, Iron Maiden etc ect. All the old "Gods" hehe Any message behind the title: 'A Moment of Forever'? Yes, the title is referring to several things, but one of them is, that a record is a moment caught in time. Whenever you are buying an album, it speaks to you from a certain period in time and lets you into this capsule that holds feelings and melodies, so we thought it would be fitting to call our debut record "A Moment Of Forever". Also, on a lyrical level, it's about a feeling you can have, where you feel time stops and you have slight glimpse of eternity. This is our first moment of forever, and hopefully we'll have many more! Who is responsible for the lyrics, and what are they about? Michael Bastholm Dahl is responsible for the lyrics. Their main themes is personal issues like broken promises, heartache but also things like finding your path in life, sex and inner strength. On the cover we see water flowing out of a painting flushing on a couch, what is the message behind this? It's your inner world invading your real world! - The lighthouse in the background has been seeking and maybe are seeking still. The water is feelings and the couch is a place where you seek rest, but in this situation, the feelings that you haven't faced are now coming for your - which in the end will give you a release, when you have heard the record, and exorcised the your demons. You signed a deal with Mighty Music, a new label founded by Target (Denmark), how did they get interested in the band Ripe? At the time, when the album was finished, we were looking for a label, and so we would send a promo version out to all we possible could imagine would be interested. Mighty Music called us and following we had a very positive meeting, which made the deal. The production of the album was done by the band (a job well done), didn't you trust your baby to an outsider, nor was it a money question? Hehe, hmm, it wasn't a money question, but we felt, that the sound we had on the album, was the sound we wanted. We actually tried other producers as well. You already joined the stage with Blaze and Pretty Maids; can we expect the band outside of Denmark for some gigs? Hopefully! - I can't promise you anything right now, but we would LOVE! To play anywhere possible - inside and outside of Denmark! I know you just finished this album, but are there already ideas or songs ready for the next album? If so, what can we expect? Yes, we already have a lot of ideas, and the lyrical side of it is also quite well underway, but we are still too early in the process to be able to reveal anything. Although, what you can expect, is more Ripe metal, more heavy riffs and more intense songs coming your way! What are in your opinion the 5 (or more) metal albums that every metal fan should have in his/her collection? 1) AC/DC - Highway to Hell
2) Slayer - Reign in Blood
3) Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
4) Motörhead - Ace of Spades
5) Black Sabbath - Heaven & Hell/Master of Reality
6) Deep Purple - Made in Japan
7) Dimmu Borgir - Enthrone Darkness Triumphant
8) Metallica - ...and Justice For All
9) Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
10)Mercyful Fate - Don't Break the Oath Anything else you want to share with our readers? Thank you so much for supporting Ripe! - and thanks to Power of Metal for giving us this possibility and exposure! Check out our website at: www.riperocks.dk And have a look at our cool EPK and listen to some of the songs from the album! Stay true and stay metal! Ripe Thanks for answering the questions and hope to see you somewhere on tour! Greetings,
Reinier de Vries | 
