30/09/2016 | por: Valentin Gallardos | No hay comentarios | en: Entrevistas
Hello darkness my old friend… Henrik thanks again for taking time to talk to us knowing the new Sonata Arctica album is about to come out, hell will break loose and things must be quite hectic, so we really appreciate it.
Henrik: Well, all hell is already loose 😉
- We would like to start with what will hit us next, “The Ninth Hour”, Sonata Arctica’s latest album that’s about to come out. We already had the chance to listen to two tracks so far, Can you tell us how was the recording process in studio 57, and what can the fans expect for the songs that they haven’t heard yet?
Henrik: This time around we were a bit late getting into the whole thing because we didn’t have enough material ready so Tony stayed at home writing more music while the band recorded the stuff that was ready. As far as the music goes, I think this is a natural step from Pariah’s Child but of course it’s hard for me to describe it since I might be too close to the music at the moment.
- Let’s stay on this new album scenario, there’s always easier songs to record and others that take so much of time because you want to get the perfect sound and feeling through it so, Which songs were the ones that took more of you guys, and which ones were easier? Do you have any track that was sort of like a challenge for you and the keyboard/keytar?
Henrik: I’d say that White Pearl, Black Oceans part 2 was one of the track that took some more time since it’s such a “big” song. Life was also a song that we had several different arrangements off and it took quite some time to figure out the right way to do that song. The easiest ones were probably Rise a Night apart from the solo-section and On the Faultline, on that one I only played acoustic piano, the other stuff and effects are done by Tony.
- White Pearl, Black Oceans II is one of the most expected song from “The Ninth Hour”. How did you guys came up with the second part for this song?, Where you guys waiting for a specific moment to pull this song out?
Henrik: This was a song that wasn’t ready before so no, we didn’t wait “to pull it out of the hat “ or something. It came about during the writing process and since the first part has become an important song for many people it was a bit of a challenge to make sure this 2nd part turned out to be great as well.
- Getting into a more personal territory, besides Sonata Arctica you play in different bands such as Silent Voices and Secret Rule. With Secret Rule you participated in their latest album “Machination” and you also appear on the video “The Saviour”. How did you end up playing with them?, Is there any chance we will see you playing live with Secret Rule after or in between Sonata Arctica’s European Tour?
Henrik: I got requested by the guys in Secret Rule to play on the album so I did 😉 I’m not in the band, since it’s impossible with this schedule to go on tour. We just got lucky that I had some time off when they were filming the video so I flew to the Netherlands and we shot it in one day, which was fun. Time permitting, I wouldn’t mind playing with these guys live at some point but right now it looks impossible.
- About Silent Voices. Is there a new album coming up this year or we will have to wait a bit?, are you currently working on other musical projects, with other bands or different musicians?.
Henrik: You’ll have to wait a bit for the next Silent Voices album. At the moment we have a few songs in the making and eventually we’ll get around to recording but everyone has so much other stuff going on that it always takes some time…eventually there will be a new album though, you can count on that. I finished my second solo album which will be out within the next few months and I also played all the keyboards on my friends album, the band is called Winterborn, they’ve supported Sonata Arctica in Europe amongst other things. Last autumn I also did some guest performances here and there, The Vivaldi Metal Project was one of them….so I’m always doing something when I’m at home, right now when the touring starts with Sonata Arctica it’s a bit harder to have the time or energy to do some extra stuff….
- Let us get into Henkka’s mind. Which are the top 10 songs that must be on your current music set list? And which album would you crown “Best of the Year”?
Henrik: I wouldn’t crown any album the best of the year yet since we still have a few months to go and who knows what will come out but top 10 songs at the moment could be: Any 5 songs from Rush and then Led Zeppelin: Kashmir, Deep Purple: Highway Star, Sometimes I feel like screaming, Pantera: Living through me and let’s say the latest Metallica single could be on the list as well….gonna be interesting to see how their new album turns out.
- How do you deal with composition and the whole creation process with you and your keyboard?
Henrik: It all depends on what the starting point is. With Sonata Arctica Tony makes demos and we take it from there, with Silent Voices there are just guitar bass & drums on the demos so I start from scratch and when I do my solo stuff then I just play around on the keyboard until something interesting pops up. The Arranging part and choosing sounds is always depending on the songs I’m working on, if a keyboard part doesn’t make the song better then it shouldn’t be there 😉
- We have always wondered, what do you guys do after finishing recording an album?, any kind of celebration involved?.
Henrik: Sometimes we have a small celebration but for this album we were already doing summer festivals and finishing the album at the same time so there wasn’t really any time for “extra” parties. I’m sure we’ll find the time to have a Christmas party on the US tour or something….somehow it’s never been a problem to find some time to hang out and have a few beers with the guys.
- What do you think of the South American crowd? We know we are quite different from European or North American fans so spit it out. And more specifically what do you think about the Chilean fans?
Henrik: I think the South American fans are the loudest and craziest, so cheers to that guys !! Chile has been very kind to us over the years and I’m really looking forward to coming back in 2017 and play for you guys !
- On a very serious note. Last year we had the chance to Interview your Keytar (the one you smashed at the end of the Pariah’s Child tour) also known as “The Keytar Adventures” on Facebook and Instagram, you actually took some pictures with Him/It a while ago. Have you seem his adventures?, How’s your relationship with your current Keytar?. (If you want to check the interview or the pictures of his adventures let us know and we will send you the links).
Henrik: I have seen some of the stuff, I think it’s hilarious. At the moment I have two Keytars and we’re getting along quite well, let’s see how it progresses during the tour, I think one of them will be destroyed before the end of this World Tour.
- This is a Bonus track question (I don’t even know if will make the cut but I’ll give it a try anyways). Would you like to have a drink with us (Probably Vodka or any drink of your specific choice)?, and yes, we are the ones inviting (the staff will burn this one on me I’m sure).
Henrik: Well have to see about that the next time we come over but usually I always find some time to have a drink or two after the show 😉
Thanks again for taking your time on this hectic day and answer us, the best for you and the guys in Sonata Arctica on this new tour season, on behalf of Sonata Arctica Chile Official Staff & 4Rock.cl, thank you.
Henrik: Thank you !! …and cheers from the train, on our way to the tour rehearsals right now !!
Interview and translation by Nathalia Lira for Sonata Arctica Chile Official