Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Danish SEVEN THORNS is power metal in purest style, catchy melodies, fast guitars and blasting drums are the key components on band’s new album “Return to the Past”, released on August 2010. The album will definitely fall into the taste of any metal or rock lover. You will scream along on the epic choruses and blistering guitar solos! Some days ago I had a chance to chat with SEVEN THORNS‘ Lars (Drummer) and Gabriel (lead guitarist), please join our conversation…

Hi Lars and Gabriel, and welcome to Metal Shock Finland! Seven Thorns was formed in 1998 but there was some initial problems… please tell me about those years and about your lineup-changes and reasons.

Lars: Like with many other bands it took a long time to find the right people. Since a band spends so much time together, and have to agree on the style, getting the right dynamics is vital. During the first years we were always missing one or two instruments in the intended line-up. When I finally had a complete line-up, things started moving along well. However, the personal dynamics of the band were all wrong and right after “Artificial Night” won the unofficial Heavy Metal “Eurovision” contest, and the first record was ready, the band fell apart because the chemistry between us didn’t work. I had to start all over again. But then I contacted Mik and defined what it was we wanted and what the criteria should be. Mik and I reconstructed the band making sure that the members were not only good musicians, but also great guys who went along well together and we now have the best line-up ever in the bands history!

And what about the metal-scenes in Denmark?

Lars: Denmark is too small country to have a metal scene, and the culture is not to go out and experience new bands. So to get somewhere with the music it’s a must to get out of the country. And for a power metal band it’s absolutely hopeless… We are the only pure power metal band in Denmark. Sure we have bands like Manticora, Iron Fire and Pyramaze, but they are more prog-power (US style) and true metal.

Please introduce us your band mates and their roles.

Lars: I will start with introducing Mik. He was, as I just mentioned, the one I started the band with again. His roles are many: Composer, to take the main role first. Secondly he is the one I talk to about the strategy of the band – which offers to accept, how we should do this and that and so on. Thirdly he is doing the singing in the rehearsal studio as Erik (whom I will introduce in a minute) is not in Denmark for rehearsals as he lives in Sweden. Mik’s strength lies in his capability to come up with great melodies.

Next up is Gabriel, the first guitar player in the new line-up. A guitar genius and, jointly with Mik, main composer. Mik and Gabriel have found a creative fellowship and they really make a great team. Gabriel studied music at the University of Copenhagen and his big insight in music theory often comes very handy during the whole writing process.

The other guitar player in the band is Christian. He was introduced to the band by Gabriel. They both take lessons from the same guitar teacher. Christian is Gabriel’s equal. We are blessed (hmm, if non-believers can be that) with two fantastic guitarists who fits each other perfectly. When we are in our rehearsal studio he is the quiet one – until he suddenly bursts out the most dirty, filthy, disgusting comment. Christian is also a theoretical nuisance, meant in the best way J When he gets started you have to kick him to make him stop… I wonder if he’s turned on by being kicked??

Around the same time Christian joined the band Nicolaj had been reading one of our ads for a bass player. Although he’s experience in power metal was close to zero he very quickly took on the challenge and has been working extremely hard to get to where he is today – a fully capable power metal bass player! Together with me we form the solid foundation that our lead instrument needs to unfold their full potential. Although our birth certificate says otherwise he is the grown up in the band. Nicolaj is maintaining and updating our homepage as well.

The story of Erik is a bit longer…. When we started the band again Mik and I both knew that we needed to find the perfect singer for this to work out right. So we searched, looked and investigated music pages, zines and other places where music ads are posted in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany. Finally we could call of the search when we found Erik! He had a past in the Swedish band Platitude and a few years earlier, when he was a very young boy, I had the pleasure of seeing him perform with Platitude when they supported the great Sonata Arctica in Denmark. To start with Erik was hired to do the vocals on the Forest Majesty single as he was not ready to join Seven Thorns at that point. The plan was that now when we had some music recorded and released (the single was officially released through Airborne Records) our hope was that it would be easier to find a singer to join the band. But when the single was finished we were so impressed with the result that we talked to Erik about doing the whole album. As he later explained, he felt that it was a very interesting project for him to be part of so he didn’t want to miss out on it. To this day Erik is not a full member of the band by his own choice. He is, however, the singer in Seven Thorns live and in the studio and we are very thankful that he wants to continue singing with us. The thing is simply that he is not economically involved in the band. Erik is without a doubt the best singer I personally have ever worked with. Super professional, a completely perfect voice for our music and at the same time a great guy! Erik also plays bass in an Irish folk music band called Willy’s Peg Leg.

On keyboard we have Asger, the latest addition to the band. Asger and Gabriel studied together in the University (music) and Gabriel managed to persuade him to come down one night when we rehearsed to check it out. I don’t know if he liked what he heard, but since that day he shows up at every rehearsal and concert J. Besides playing piano and keyboards he is also a schooled choir singer. Asger is the vegetarian in the band, which we really appreciate since that means more meat for the rest of us! He joined the band during the final recordings of the album. That’s mainly why he only playing on half the songs.

Well… that leaves me. To keep it short: I started the band and I play the drums! And I have the biggest…

Despite an age difference of almost 20 years between the big guys (Mik and I) and the boys we have a fantastic feeling in the band. Everybody knows what the goal is and what it takes to get there.

THIS can be considered as a real band presentation, I’d say… what if I asked also about your odd habits?… Just kidding ahah …
But how would you describe your genre?

Lars: We play fast melodic European style power metal. Spiced up with some neoclassical parts.

And which bands have influenced Seven Thorns the most?

Lars: Depends on who you ask… I guess that both Mik and I will agree on bands like Helloween and Gamma Ray – as a drummer I have been inspired by other drummers mainly the brilliant Ingo Schwichtenberg (RIP) and later Uli Kusch (both Helloween), Dan Zimmerman (Gamma Ray, Freedom Call) and Stefan Kaufmann (Accept), but also from different metal genres like Louie Clemente (Testament), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and many many more.

I know that Gabriel, Christian and Asger will mention musicians and bands like Yngwie, Olaf Lenk (At Vance), Stratovarius, Heavenly and Metallica (Christian insists that they are an inspiration to him) + a lot of classical music.

Being the only grown up in the band Nicolaj listens to jizz… sorry jazz. And Rammstein! I don’t really know what inspires him… nude photos?? 😉

Your first album “Return to the Past” was released last year… what has been the reaction of your audience?

Lars: To start with it actually gave us an audience… the feedback and reviews have been just amazing. Now we want to come out and present it live!

Tell me about this album, about the songs, themes and sound. And about your songwriting process.

Gabriel: We finished “Return to the Past” in the fall of ’10 and it was released through Nightmare Records in late November. We’ve received countless great reviews from all over the world, and one thing seems to be common: If you like melodic power metal, “Return to the Past” is an album you must own!
When we initially started writing for the album we didn’t want to do 20 songs or so, and then discarding half of them – we worked until we had enough songs for an album and hence spending a lot of time perfecting the individual tracks. So this album represents the best of the current Seven Thorns. We’ve written 9 super catchy power metal tracks that’ll definitely get you off the couch and raising your fist towards the roof! As the album title will tell we are returning to the roots of power metal: No bullshit, just pure power metal.
At the moment we have two songwriters in the band – Mik and I. We often meet to write and work with new material, not finished songs but more like sketches for new songs, and then bring it to the rehearsals and present it for the rest of the gang. From that point everyone contribute to the writing process and we try out different ideas and arrangements. So it’s pretty much a joint venture when it comes to songwriting.

And what about the title track, is it a short of band announce or is it simply a main theme of the album?

Gabriel: The central theme on the whole record could be summed up as “break free of bad influences and of people who are trying to control your being – it’s time to live your life and make your own choices”

Lars: Return to the Past is clearly a statement for me. After all the issues with “the wrong people”, starting up again was like returning to the past, to the sound that I wanted – and Mik as well for that matter. And that also fits in with what Gabriel says – break free from people who tells you how to live your life!

“Return to the Past” has also a guest musician, Olaf Lenk (from German At Vance) who played the guitar solo on the song “Liberty”… how was it to work with him?

Gabriel: One of my favorite bands has to be At Vance, so of course it was incredible to have Olaf to do a solo! We had sort of an “empty” spot at Liberty, so i contacted Olaf and asked him if he was interested in doing a solo. I’m really happy with the result, cus’ it just goes to show what an awesome shredder he is!

Also many of the keyboard parts were played by Mikkel Henderson (Fate, Evil Masquerade)… how you came up to choose him?

Lars: Mikkel and I live in the same town south of Copenhagen. We go to the same pub and we both share the same love for good beer. Mikkel wanted to help us, but due to his involvement in Fate (his primary band) he wasn’t a topic for a position in the band as keyboard player. That’s the short story. And Asger joined the band after most of the keyboard parts were recorded, but did manage to get ready to record keyboard for 4 tracks.

And as you have stated that as an “icing on top the album was Mastering by the legendary, Danish power metal producer, Tommy Hansen”. Tell me about this collaboration.

Lars: Well… we wanted to make a genuine power metal album and for us Tommy Hansen represents some of the best power metal music ever made – it’s of course the Keeper of the Seven Keys p. 1 and 2 we’re referring to. Call us old fashioned but we do not think that the music that was made in the 80’s and 90’s is outdated. Metal never dies! That’s the beauty of this genre – true metal heads still listens to the music that was written long time ago. Metal is not like pop music. Metal is food for the mind, the soul and the heart – build to last forever.

Got a bit carried away here… ;-P

Choosing Tommy Hansen to master the album was a very good idea. We sent the music to him giving him complete control to do what he wanted and his finishing touch has lifted the expression of the music and the album to a level that we didn’t believe possible. It is such a pleasure to work with a true master!

Don’t you worry about off-topics, and as it’s nearly the dinner-time, so food is a good subject 😀 You’ve played together with e.g. Anvil, Jorn, Iron Fire, Gun Barrel, Eternal Reign… which has been the most significant act, and why?

Lars: They have all been – in their own way. We’re still in contact with Gun Barrel and Eternal Reign and we’ve planned to meet with them when we go on tour and if the opportunity shows we’ll definitely want to play with them again.
Jorn is a brilliant singer and a very nice guy (and his band too!) and it was an honor to support him. We wouldn’t mind supporting him again!
Supporting Anvil was when I played with the “wrong” line-up. It had no influence on the fact that Robb and Lips are icons and to have shared a stage with them is a unique experience.

Lars, what about you, I mean, how and when you personally got into metal?

I started listening to metal in 1982 – although I had heard heavy rock earlier (e.g. Kiss – Dynasty). It was bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Scorpions and AC/DC that caught my attention at that point. I am not sure what it was that made me come over to “the dark side” but I liked what I saw and it has been in my heart since that day. To start with I was a listener, I could play any of the instruments used in heavy metal – I played the flute… and Jethro Tull is not metal!! My first LP was Saxon ‘Power and the Glory’ and from that on I started collecting music (=heavy metal). I still have, and listen to, my vinyl collection 🙂
Around 1986-87 when I was in high school, I was approached by one of “the other metal heads” in the school. His band was looking for a singer and he asked me if I knew someone… I didn’t, but something inside me made me say: I can do it. So I started out as a vocalist in a thrash metal band. I do believe that all evidence has been destroyed. In the rehearsing studio was a big drum kit which I would try to play on while the rest of the band was outside smoking joints. So it was only natural to make the change from vocals to drums when I stopped in the band after a while. I did take some time before I finally found my path (power metal). I played with other thrash metal bands, hard rock bands, heavy metal bands before I decided that I wanted to have my own power metal band. I guess the idea was spawned when I heard keeper part I (Helloween) back in 1987, but it took some years to mature. But eventually it did…

To give an idea about your music to those who don’t know you yet, can you give me some youtube links, thanks!

Lars: The video for Liberty (the opening track on the album) can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5QtxxfTFBY

Gabriel has a few videos as well where he shows how some of his guitar solos are played.  They can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t74GSfj1760&, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edFTLP8wI7g& and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWKtrC0yYKM&

Now that Return To the Past is out, what are your next plans for this year?

Lars: We are writing new material for the next album and at the same time preparing for the upcoming tour in July/August with Circle II Circle + Winestock Festival (Germany) and Wacken Warm Up Festival in Hamburg. Dates and places can be found here: http://www.seventhorns.com/index.php?idnr=4. We hope to go back to Media Sound Studios later this year so the next album can be ready early next year.

And to conclude this interview, the word is yours… anything you’d like to say to your fans and to our readers?

Lars: Support your local venues – support the bands by buying the albums! True fans don’t steal the music! We all have one major thing in common: Our love for Metal!

Thanks Lars and Gabriel, for this chat! Kick ass and hope to see you soon on the road! \m/

Thank you Tarja, it has been a pleasure. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the road – check our live schedule on our homepage and let us know that you are coming by writing a message in our guestbook 🙂
And remember: Metal Is Your Destiny!

Interview by Tarja Virmakari