Page 8 - ISSUE 9

PAGE 8 A: That’s a great question! ROCKNATION ISSUE 9
KELDIAN Picking the right opener is www.myspace.com/keldian
keldian.com
very important. You want
the kind of reaction you
Exclusive Interview with Christer Andresen a song that can elicit just
described right now! To
of Keldian by Brian Rademacher the point, catchy, heavy.
We usually discover the
Q: Hello Christer and Welcome to Rockna- pretty quick turnaround since you released opener quite early on. I’m
tion. So when you started working on your your debut last year. Recording the new obsessive about running
debut CD "Heaven's Gate" you released it CD, was there anything you did differently order, so I always start
as a demo in 2005. After that, the project from your debut in the recording process? thinking about that way
was put on hold for about a year. What A: Arild worked really hard on creating a too early. But we re-
was the reason for the delay? great sound, fatter bottom and majestic ally know when we hear
A: We did a demo in the summer of 2005, soundscapes. I’m really pleased with the the song. We set high
really just to see if we could write and re- sound of this album. And we also wrote standards for ourselves. It
cord metal tunes because we always loved songs differently. On the first record Arild needs to kick our asses if
that kind of music. We wrote and recorded and I came in with a bunch of completed it’s going on the album.
5 songs – "Crusader", "Requiem for the songs each, but this time we came in with Q: "Lords of Polaris" is
Light", "Heaven’s Gate", "Beyond the Stars" a bunch of parts each. So we sat down and another phenomenal track
and "Plains of Forever". It probably still one of us would say "I think this could be that has a feel of religious
exists somewhere and some of the record- a great chorus" and the other would say Goth. I really enjoyed this
ings actually ended up on the album. We "Yeah, I think I’ve got an idea that would fit track and it gives an uplift-
liked what we heard, so we decided to write there". It was a lot more fun, really! And I ing spirit feeling. Can you
more songs and make an album. think the songs got a much cooler vibe that give us any background
Q: You came back together in early sum- way, because we both reacted to the ideas on this track?
mer 2006 and reworked some of the tracks on the spot. It was fresh for us, and we A: At the moment this is my favorite on the loween, and Stratovarius. Have many fans
and also omitted some. Did you omit songs managed to give every single song great album. I think it’s a good example of the of those bands e-mailed you with there
because you had other tracks now that you attention and give each of them a unique way we’ve opened things up a bit, let a little feelings of Keldian music?
thought were more of a priority? atmosphere. more air into the arrangements. We knew A: Many people tell us we remind them
A: We kept all 5 demo songs, and added Q: Is there also a bonus track for a Japa- we needed to go a step further with this of those bands, but the really cool thing
another 5. I still think those original 5 Kel- nese release? record, and "Lords of Polaris" was a great is that no one says we sound exactly like
dian tracks really stand out. They might be A: The album will be out in Japan, but I example of how this manifested itself in the anything. People seem to feel that Keldian
the best songs on the first album, I think. don’t know about a bonus track yet. We’ll studio. We had the chorus, but wanted to has created a unique sound that blends a
We re-recorded most of them, and added have to wait and see. do different stuff for the verse and middle lot of classic metal influences, and that’s
5 new tunes, and that became the first Q: You once again used Maja Svisdahl eight than we usually do. Just drums and really exciting. It’s important to us that we
Keldian album. [http://www.myspace.com/msvisdahl] on keys on the verse? Yeah, cool! Gregorian build our own thing, because there will be
Q: "Heaven’s Gate" was finally released on "Journey of Souls". What elements make chants leading into the chorus? Sure, man! at least 10 Keldian albums, I promise you!
Perris Records in 2007 and received great her special on this album? We really wanted to build a picture, where Q: Is Keldian basically a studio band or are
reviews. The CD was then released in Ja- A: She has a really soothing voice that you could visualize barren snowscapes and there plans to play live shows?
pan. On the Japanese release you added lends a rich texture to the sound. We’ve northern lights flashing across the sky. I A: We’d love to! But our focus has been on
a bonus track called "Hope." Were there used many different singers on this record love the song. creating good records, because you need
any other differences in the two releases? to create a specific sound for each song, Q: Will there be a video made for a particu- great music to build a following on. Putting
A: "Hope" was the Japanese bonus track, and it’s always great to have Maja’s voice lar tune? a show on the road would take work and
and then "Plains of Forever" was edited on there. People will recognize her. A: "Lords of Polaris" is a likely candidate. money, because we won’t do it unless we
and slightly remixed for Japan. Q: You also have Jorn Holen, drummer for And "Reaper" might also work. There will can give you a great show. If the records
Q: When you signed to Perris Records the Norwegian black-metal bands Vreid be a video. keep doing well, and people want us to
were you at all skeptical that Perris was and Windir. Do you feel Jorn brings in the Q: I really can’t pick a favorite song off the tour, we’ll certainly listen.
getting involved in different genres when Helloween comparison that I read in so new CD (there’s too many), what’s your Q: What is the goal you hope to achieve
they were very strong on eighties rock? many reviews on "Heaven’s Gate?" favorite track? with the "Journey of Souls" record?
Not a label known for power metal or other A: Well, the songs are what they are, and A: What I know is that I’m happy with all A: We hope that it sells well! And we hope
genres? some are probably reminiscent of Hellow- of them. On the last record I thought there that the fans feel that we are building
A: That didn’t bother us at all. We knew that een. But Jorn can play any style of rock was stuff we could have done differently on something good here, and that they want
Perris was a big indie, which means good and metal music, there is really nothing he certain tracks, to be more inventive. This us to keep making this kind of music. Be-
distribution. And Tom Mathers at Perris saw can’t do. He has always been great, but time I’m happy with the attention given to cause we’re eager to go on making Keldian
that Keldian could have appeal for people this time his playing had gotten even bet- all the songs. I’m curious to find out how records.
who were into AOR and more melodic ter, which really blew my mind! He nails it people react to the more epic songs, like Q: Rocknation would like to thank you for
things. We hadn’t thought about that, so we quickly and is a true professional. We also "Memento Mori", which is almost 10 min- taking time out to talk with us and "Jour-
probably thought the album would appeal had the pleasure of having another 2 drum- utes long. That one is a favorite of mine. ney of Souls" is one helluva release. The
the most to metal fans. Perris made us mers on this record: H-man from California Q: Seems that Keldian always has special musicianship is extreme, the arrangements
realize we could have a crossover appeal, who has played with LA Guns and The effects on their releases, like rain drops are top notch, Keldian fans should rejoice
which was great. Black Crowes, and Per Hillestad, who has or other sounds, is that done to give the and hurry to get this one. If you like some
Q: What do you feel was the strongest played with everyone important in Norway, songs a certain feeling? tasty keyboards, riveting guitar work and
track on "Heaven’s Gate?" including A-Ha. They both delivered awe- A: Definitely! We try not to overdo that stuff, phenomenal songs, this is it. Would you
A: I love "Plains of Forever". That song some drumming. but I think Arild is really good at finding like to end with some parting words?
stands out for me – the writing, the playing Q: Now let’s get down to some of the tracks atmospheric effects that contribute to the A: It’s so cool that you like the record, be-
and singing, the production. It all adds up on "Journey of Souls." The opening song mood that the music and lyrics are commu- cause we really put in a lot of work to make
to a really special vibe. That is something "The Last Frontier" is killer! It’s melodic, yet nicating. But it’s important to balance it just this one great. It’s important to us that
we have tried to develop further on the has the power to drive the song with some right, and sometimes we take it off. we try as hard as we can to make great
new record, creating atmospheres with the great guitar and I totally understand why Q: "Journey of Souls" has such an array of records, and we hope the people out there
songs. you use Jorn Holen. The guy sure does different directions going from power metal, give it a listen. If you’re into classic melodic
Q: Now in 2008 you’re ready to release kick it up on the tracks. What is the process folk metal, rock, but every song brings a metal of some kind, Keldian is trying to
please you! Thanks for the talk, Brian.
your new CD "Journey of Souls," which is a when picking a song to open your CD with? new turn. I hear sounds of Europe, Hel-
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