They're
young, hot and up-and-coming. They're Danish (hot, I told ya!),
and they play theatrical metal with all the great elements that
come with the style. Whoppin' guitar solos, neo-classical shredding
and keyboard/guitar duels, as well as impressively dramatic
vocals. One cannot simply not love them. Guitarist, composer
and band founder Henrik Flyman took the time to answer a few
short questions. By the way: He is a mighty cool dude. Now read
on.
Alex:
Tell me about how the band came into being? Was there a lot of
alcohol involved?
Henrik Flyman: For me it started with a long period of
nasty dreams, which in time got more or less scored, kind of like
a movie. EVIL MASQUERADE is a realization of
that. I found Brockmann in a blues club in Copenhagen. He was
up on stage with some local guys. We started talking and yes...
drinking. Later on we ended up in my studio. Next morning a couple
of tracks were recorded and we were happy with the outcome. The
next thing was to find the other musicians. I contacted Dennis
and Kasper to hear if they wanted to join. When they heard the
pre productions they said yes right away. If there was a lot of
alcohol involved. Hmmm... I guess it was, looking at it from a
Danish perspective. But being a Swede I think it was the normal
thing. No absinthe though.
Alex:
How long have you played the guitar, and which persons would you
count as influences?
Flyman: I have played for about 15 years. I’m not
influenced by any special guitarist. I have never sat down and
tried to learn how others do what ever they do. But one of my
favorites are Ritchie Blackmore. The reason being his own unique
way of playing and of course his songwriting skills. I’m
mostly interested in instrumentalists having a personal style.
If it’s possible to know who plays the guitar, drums, bass
or whatever... just from hearing a song, it’s pretty impressing.
Alex:
How did you hook up with Kasper and Dennis? They're very talented
guys, but I've never heard their names before, so what's the story?
Flyman: I saw Dennis for the first time when he was playing
with his former band Sinphonia. I was impressed and thought right
away that this guy would be great to play with. That was several
years before EVIL MASQUERADE was even in my mind.
So when I needed a drummer I knew immediately who to call. Kasper
is also known from Wuthering Heights and Manticora. I met him
when I needed a bass player to join ZooL live on tour. That never
happened, but we have kept in touch after that. He was my first
choice when EVIL MASQUERADE was coming to be.
Alex:
A question for Henrik Brockmann: You have a kick-ass, clear voice,
somehow reminiscent of ... well I don't know. I can't compare
your voice to anyone else's, which is a good thing, I guess. But
which singers do YOU admire, and count as your influences?
Henrik Brockmann: Thank you for the nice words about
my voice. Actually I try to make my own sound and I don’t
compare my voice to anyone else. So therefore I'm happy to hear
that you have difficulties to find other singers that sound like
me. I try my best to make some variations in my voice to make
the story more interesting. On this album we worked a lot with
the expression to make it sound more like musical in some parts,
just to turn it all around and go back to a more classic metal
or hard rock sound.
I have always loved the voice of singers from the older hard rock
bands such as: Ian Gillan, David Coverdale, Freddie Mercury and
Robert Plant, but at the same time I also like to listen to some
of the newer singers from bands like: Dream Theater, Malmsteen,
Audioslave and Pretty Maids. The most important for me when I
listen to a singer is that he tries to put some feelings into
it and not just use techniques and high notes. It’s more
interesting fore the ear to listen to in the long run.
Alex:
How did you come up with this theatrical / symphonic thing, as
far as image goes?
Flyman: I think it’s a good thing to make the visual
image an extension of the music. Therefore it came rather natural
for as to dress up for the masquerade.
Alex:
I take it you're into classical music wholesale. Do you think
Beethoven and Bach would have dug metal, had they been alive today?
Flyman: I not only think they would have dug it. They
would have played it as well! Remember, they also had long hair.
Alex:
Are you planning on taking in a full time keyboardist to the band,
and are there any names available at this time?
Flyman: We would very much like to have a permanent keyboard
player. But it’s important to have the right guy behind
the keys. Therefore we haven’t decided anything yet. We
have several interesting names, but I don’t want to say
too much right now. One thing certain is that there will not be
a problem for us, performing live. Someone will be there, and
he will be good.
Alex:
If you could choose any period of time to live in, which one would
you choose?
Flyman: How about the present? But I would be absolutely
delighted to live in the future as well.
Alex:
Touring is a must. Any festivals one could hope to see you at
in the near future?
Flyman: Yes, touring is great fun. I don’t know
about when or where at the moment. We have some gig promoters
working on that right now, and I haven’t heard anything
just yet.
Alex:
Hailing from Denmark, you guys surely must drink a lot of beer...
Tuborg Gold, Carlsberg... I could go on and on. Do you party a
lot after shows?
Flyman: I never say no to a large beer in good company.
Alex:
A BIG FUCKING HAIL FROM SWEDEN, TACKAR TACKAR, HEAVY METAL ON
YOU ALL!
Flyman: COPENHAGEN SALUTES YOU TOO! VARSÅJÄVLAGOD!!!
666 |
