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Peter:
- First of all, congratulations with your debut album “Nosferatu”.
Who has produced and mixed the album? And Are you pleased with the
result?
Tomas
-
Thanks, the album was produced by me and Fredrik Bergh, and mixed
by Per Ryberg at Studio Soundcreation (
Bollnäs
,
Sweden
). We are very pleased with the result, the production turned out
very cool. The complexity of the arrangements and the fact that
not a single track on the album has got less than 100 channels
made it a very challenging and difficult job. We had to “make
place” for each and every instrument by adjusting the frequency
(bass, middle, treble) so they wouldn’t collide or vanish in the
mix. The result is a very crisp and detailed sound, very hifi. The
album really comes alive in a pair of expensive headphones.
Peter:
- Many people still don't know the history of BLOODBOUND. So could
you give us a short wrap-up of BLOODBOUND so far?
Tomas
-
Me and Fredrik Bergh formed BLOODBOUND back in the summer of 2004.
We had been playing in bands together on and off since the early
nineties. We had the same vision and wanted to start a metal band
with a focus on melodies and song writing, but still heavy, fast
and raw. We immediately started to write songs and found that we
really complement each other when it comes to song writing. We
were later joined by Urban Breed (ex. Tad Morose) on vocals and
the talented Oskar Belin on drums.
Peter:
- How did you get your name BLOODBOUND?
Tomas
-
We are a tight unit and the band always comes first, so wanted a
name that symbolizes just that. One day Fredrik and I was sitting
in my apartment trying to come up with a name and all of sudden I
said “It should be blood…something…” and then Fredrik said
“Bloodbound” and we both felt it was the perfect name for us.
Peter:
- In what words would you describe the music and moods of
BLOODBOUND for someone that has not heard you yet?
Tomas
-
The music is very melodic, direct and “in-your-face”. I think
it’s the combination between melody and attitude that makes it
interesting. We try to focus on good song writing. If you like big
intros, twin guitar melodies, great vocals, catchy choruses, fast
guitar solos, a lot of attitude….pure metal I guess ;), you will
probably like it.
Peter:
- If you should suggest one single song to understand the full
BLOODBOUND music potential, which title would you choose and why?
Tomas
–
“Nosferatu”: I think that song has got all the elements a
great heavy metal song needs. The intro sets the mood of the song
and kind of prepares you for what to come. The twin guitar melody
that gives you the ride of your life ;) World class vocals with
lots of attitude and a chorus that will stick in you’re head the
first time you hear it.
Peter:
- Where does the inspiration for the lyrics come from?
Tomas
–
“Nosferatu” is a concept album basically about the balance
between good and evil. I usually write lyrics at night or in bed
before I go to sleep, it’s a way to clear my head I guess. The
inspiration can be anything from a movie, book or a story to
something in real life. I have always been fascinated by the
balance between good and evil, heaven and hell, light and dark,
whatever you want to call it, it’s in all of us. I wanted to get
my thoughts on the subject on paper and the album “Nosferatu”
is the result. Urban wrote the lyrics for “Behind the Moon”,
“Metal Monster” and “Desdemonamelia”. Fredrik and I
co-wrote “Midnight Sun” and I wrote the rest.
Peter:
- How many tracks did you do in total for the album and will any
from those that didn’t make the album show up on future releases?
Tomas
-
We had almost 20 songs in mind for the album, but we had to narrow
them down to 11. A lot of good ideas did not end up on the album.
I’m sure “the good stuff” will end up on our next album in
one form or another.
Peter:
- Do you feel that you sound will evolve in some different
direction, in the future, or you will still follow the same path?
Tomas
-
Well that’s a difficult question, I’m sure it will evolve, but
I think more in the way that we will write better songs and become
better musicians. That is our focus. I don’t think we’ll
change the style of our music that much and become Slipknot or
something hahahaha…..I hope…
Peter:
- Which bands from then and from nowadays have their influence on
BLOODBOUND?
Tomas
-
We grew up with all the great bands of the eighties. But we are
into a lot of new stuff as well, after all a good song is a good
song, it’s just a little bit better if it’s metal ;) To name a
few: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Metallica, Helloween, Thin
Lizzy, Dream Theater, Rush, Journey, Queensrÿche, Audioslave,
Meshuggah, In Flames, Ozzy…the list goes on…
Peter:
- Who has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to
have a great cover?
The
album cover was created by the great Mark Wilkinson, known for his
album covers for bands like Iron Maiden, The Darkness, Judas
Priest, Marillion etc... We really wanted a great cover and a
symbol for the demon Nosferatu (the face of the devil). We are
very pleased with the result; it is truly a great piece of art.
Peter:
- “Nosferatu” has already been released in
Asia
; tell me about the response you got so far?
Tomas
-
The response has been great! The statistics on our website has
gone through the roof! The reviews are great but it’s all in
Japanese….so we don’t understand a thing accept the score
hahaha. It’s a bit too early to say anything else; we’ll get a
report from the label at the end of January.
Peter:
- Do you have any touring plans?
Tomas
-
Yes, we’ll go on a tour as soon as we can get everything
organized. We are all very excited about plying the new material
live. Can’t wait to hit the road! Don’t know exactly when it
will be though, but soon…
Peter:
- Let's speculate - you have been granted a free slot on a tour of
your own choice - who would be your ideal touring partners?
Tomas
-
Iron Maiden or AC/DC! They would kick our asses but we would give
it our best shot (In my dreams).
Peter:
- What are your favourite old and recent bands?
Tomas
-
Iron Maiden and AC/DC.
Peter:
- Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Tomas
-
I’m trying to be a good person and do my best, its tuff
sometimes but in the end it’s worth it.
Peter:
- What are you doing besides BLOODBOUND, job wise as well as
hobbies?
Tomas
-
I’m a computer engineer and run my own business. I like to fish
in the summer and snowboard in the winter.
Peter:
- If someone told you tomorrow that you can't be involved in music
anymore, what do you see yourself doing in 5 years from now?
Tomas
-
Deep
Sea
free diver.
Peter:
- I 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 - a tip, a recommendation or a thought for the
future?
Tomas
-
I want to thank Peter and Powermetal.dk for doing this interview
and everybody who took their time to read it. I hope you’ll like
the album “Nosferatu”, and who knows, maybe we’ll see each
other on the road…
Visit
us at www.bloodbound.se
for mp3-samples and further info.
Thanks,
/Tomas Olsson
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