Since
the release of Resurrection in 1999, GODGORY
are one of my all time faves. That I have found this album then
was pure chance. The first two albums before I didn't even know.
With Resurrection the underrated lads of GODGORY
delivered a milestone in this genre. An absolutely exceptional
masterpiece. Atmospheric, doomy and dead sad soundrobes, their
unique own style between Doom-, Death- and sort of Gothic metal.
Also the new album Way Beyond is a great masterpiece
again. Maybe, in my own opinion, it has not the same strength
like the previous album, but still wonderful. Reason enough to
drag the guys to light, to bring them and their unique music closer
to you. For that, GODGORY's mastermind Matte
Andersson had to answer a bunch of questions ...
Dajana:
Since a couple of days, Way Beyond
has been in stores. Finally a sign of life again after more than
2 years. You almost completely vanished into thin air. Why? What
have you been up to all the time?
Matte: After we had recorded Resurrection
we took a break from the music for a while. We wanted to have
some time off to think about where we wanted to head our music
next time. We had a lot of trouble finding a studio, we thought
about using studio Fasaden again like we did on Resurrection.
That studio has ceased to exist, then did we call another studio
but that one didnīt seem so serious. Then we came up with the
idea of studio Fredman, it was booked very long in advance so
we took the time he could give us. We really wanted to record
in that studio so that's the main reason why it took us so long
time to give you guys a new album.
Dajana:
If I remember right you only have signed a deal with Nuclear Blast
for distribution. Isn't it time to sign a "big" deal
for all the promotion and tour stuff? To bring you back into the
minds of metalheads?
Matte: No it's not only a distribution deal, Nuclear Blast
handles the promotion and interviewbookings so we are signed to
that label. We have been in contact with different booking agencies,
because we think it's time that we make a tour. We have released
4 albums and never been on tour, so it's about time to show metalheads
out there that they just can't forget about us. If everything
works out like we want it, then you will see GODGORY
on tour in 2002, but keep that in mind nothing is 100% sure yet
but we will do our best.
Dajana:
After this long time of abstinence you almost have to start from
the beginning again. Do you see that as a new chance or is it
more or less like an inevitable evil?
Matte: No I don't think we have to start from the beginning,
because our fans are loyal and Nuclear Blast makes a good promotion
for us, so people know what's going on.
Dajana:
Way Beyond runs over hardly 40
minutes. It is pretty short for my taste. One song more wouldn't
have done any harm I think .... ?
Matte: I think it's better to have a short CD which is great
all the way through, instead of including a song or some songs
that are no good just to get a longer playtime. Way
Beyond is completely in my taste and if you want
more after it's over just press play again.
Dajana:
You have picked up the thread of the exceptional Resurrection
album directly and continued it. Except the fact that keyboards
are more in the foreground and drums more in the background now,
I can't see a real development further. It is still exactly the
same style, just a bit quieter. However, isn't it a bit meagre
after 2 years?
Matte: I think we have developed a lot since Resurrection,
we have brought some new elements to our music like Caressed
By Flames, Holy War and Payback. We also
think that you should not develop too fast and too much. Next
GODGORY CD can give you some surprises, cause
now we have done 4 albums and we got a lot of music to look back
on + that we will develop from Way Beyond.
I guess you have to wait for our fifth album to see what happens.
Dajana:
But though a lot of fans are pretty happy to get this album in
their shelves ( me included, even if I am a bit disappointed ).
Good (re-)starting point though?
Matte: I'm very pleased with Way Beyond
with everything, the atmosphere, the songs our own performance.
It's an good album recorded in a good studio. The reviews and
the response I have taken part of is very praising.
Dajana:
According to your booklet, Erik has changed his drumkit for some
assorted keys. Is there a special reason for that?
Matte: He wanted to play a melodic instrument and he grew
tired of the drums.
Dajana:
Official you are still a duo, but the session musicians are nearly
the same as on the previous album. No time to establish a complete
band? What about musicians for live sessions?
Matte: We really want Mikael to go on tour with us, cause
he's a hard guy to replace and he's been working with us since
our first demo so we know him very well. He's a great musician
and a very friendly guy and his solos are just wonderful. Of course
do we need more people and we will try to hunt them down also,
we have some ideas but see what happens.
Dajana:
There are a few side projects, at least I remember Matte's Grave
Flowers. How are the things going there. Do they affect your work
(destiny) in GODGORY?
Matte: I'm going to record a promo with Grave Flowers, hopefully
before this year is over. I'm going to send it out to labels and
see if anyone wants to sign me. The new material I have written
is way better than the Solace Me material. No Grave Flowers doesn't
affect GODGORY cause I work with Grave Flowers
when there is nothing to do with GODGORY.
Dajana:
How do you handle the songwriting? Is there first an idea and
you decide for which band you can use this idea or do you approach
things more specifically?
Matte: I'm just writing lyrics for GODGORY,
Erik makes most of the music and we have such a different style
in writing music. So if we both wrote music for GODGORY
I guess we would sound pretty schizophrenic (sounds pretty promising,
doesnt it? You might as well try :)- Cal).
Dajana:
Well, you are not really present in the media scenery, there is
not much to read neither about the band, nor about the albums
you already have released (official website isn't updated often
as well). How comes?
Matte: I answer all interviews I get from people and I guess
it's much up to the people that are writing for zines and mags,
if they don't want to do an interview with us we can't force them.
I update our website when something interesting has happen to
the band but I can agree with you that I have been a little lazy
when it comes to that.
Dajana:
What are your musical influences?
Matte: We listen to a lot of music styles, me for example
listen to Dimmu Borgir, Dissection, In Flames, Katatonia, My Dying
Bride, Tori Amos, Counting Crows, K's Choice, Cure, Depeche Mode
Opeth. Erik listens to Sting, In Flames, Dream Theater, Soilwork,
Meshuggah, Yngwie Malmsteen. Erik gets influenced by the music
he's listening to and then he uses them when he's writing music
for GODGORY.
Dajana:
What about the scene around you there in Sweden?
Matte: There is a lot of good bands coming from Sweden. Most
of them are more known outside Sweden cause the lack of support
from the media. There is no good radioshows that plays metal,
they only play trendy fag music. Here in Karlstad where we are
from it's just one pub that have liveshows with heavier music.
A lot of good bands are coming from Sweden but the scene is not
so great.
Dajana:
Will you finally do some live shows? Fans are pretty craving to
see GODGORY finally on stage.
Matte: Like I wrote earlier we have been in contact with various
booking agencies and we will work our asses off to go on tour.
There are a lot of things to be arranged, like session musicians,
rehearsings. It must also suit everyone thatīs involved, so they
are not booked up for something else. We will continue working
hard and hopefully we see you on the road in 2002. (be dead sure
that i'll be there then !!! - Cal )
Dajana:
During the last days you can say the world has changed after the
attacks against America. How do you think about it?
Matte: I think it was a very sad and tragic thing that happened
to America and the people. Totally inhuman and cowardly. My condolences
goes out to the whole United States and everyone that has been
affected by this terrible insanity.
Short
cuts:
best swedish beer
Norrlands Guld
what albums, movies, books you would recommend to aliens, if
they land one day and ask you
Albums I would recommend would be all My Dying
Bride's, Tori Amos, In Flames, Anathema, Dimmu Borgir and Katatonia.
Movies and books would be everything from the Swedish author Lars
Norén and also the movies Falling Down and Bitter Moon.
favourite toy
My guitar and my computer (wow, sounds EXTREMELY familiar
to me *lol* - Cal)
country you would like to visit next future (if possible) and
why
Russia because my girlfriend is from there and lives
there.
coolest event you had have in the past
Must be when Joey De Maio personally called me
up and invited me and Erik to a Swedish festival.
We spent some time with him and Manowar and drank
beer together. One of the highlights in my life for
sure.
your top 5 in music:
My Dying Bride - The Angel And The Dark River
Anathema - Alternative 4
Metallica - Master Of Puppets
Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
Entombed - Left Hand Path
describe a romantic moment or a vision about it
Should be at home with a candlelight dinner in a pretty dark
room, My Dying Bride's music in the background not too loud you
must be able to speak to each other. The food should be
very classy and wine to drink of course and don't forget to eat
slowly. After dinner you can go to the bed and have each other
for dessert. Try it you'll like it.
So.
some last words to the rest of the world ?
Thanks to you Dajana for your support and to everyone out there
who hasn't heard GODGORY, check us out. If you
like good music that are unique then we got something for you.
Also check out our website and donīt forget to leave your mark
in the guestbook.
Take
care from: Matte GODGORY |
