Cloudscape - Entrevista

1 – This new album is more into Progressive Metal than the debut, but also more melodic. It just came out like this or did you really wanted to write it this way?

We didn´t have a certain formula for “Crimson skies” except for making it a bit more progressive, dynamic and varied. In general I think “Crimson skies” is more melodic, atmospheric and progressive compared to our debut. I also think that we have created a unique sound for Cloudscape with “Crimson skies” that resembles our musical base. However, I think and hope that the people and fans who liked our debut will like “Crimson skies” as well.

2 – “Cloudscape” included some songs from your early days as a band, but this new record was entirely composed now. Does this affected the way you composed the songs and how the final product sounds?

Well, we composed the new songs for “Crimson skies” the exact way like on the debut but, we have found ourselves musically and we feel more comfortable in our songwriting now. We were also more inspired in the studio during the recordings of “Crimson skies” because of the fact that all songs were “new”. On the debut there were as you say a few songs that were quite old and, we were kinda tired of those songs due to all years of rehearsing. They did turn out great in the studio and we are very satisfied with them but, it´s funnier to perform those songs live compared to playing/practising them in the rehearsalstudio.

3 – How would you say this new album differs from the debut?

The musical style is the same but, “Crimson skies” is more thoughtout, varied, melodic and dynamic. Still as heavy as the debut thou.

4 – The cover artwork was once again made by Mattias Norén. Did you loved the debut’s artwork and wanted him to do the new one, or did you wanted to maintain a sense of continuity with a similar artwork?

We love all of Mattias work so, choosing him to do our new artwork was obvious. We will most likely hire him to create our third album artwork as well.

5 – You are also preparing a side project called Planet Alliance to be released soon through Metal Heaven. How did you started it, what kind of style has the band and who is in the band?

The style is also melodic metal but, not as progressive as Cloudscape. In general I think fans of Cloudscape will like the “Planet Alliance” album as well. It all started by German label “Metal Heaven” contacting Anders “Theo” Theander at Roastinghouse productions and asked him if he could put together a projectband with me on vocals. Me and Theo discussed what musicians we wanted to include in the line up so, me and Magnus Karlsson started to compose songs for the album and Bob Daisley and Janne Stark provided with a few songs as well.

The line up in Planet Alliance are:

(Me) Mike Andersson (Cloudscape)

Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande Project, Starbreaker)

Bob Daisley (ex Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore)

Anders Johansson (ex Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Hammerfall)

Carl-Johan Grimmark (Narnia, Rob Rock)

Magnus Rosén (Hammerfall)

Janne Stark (Locomotive Breath, Overdrive)

Jaime Salazar (Allen/Lande Project, ex Flower Kings)

And special guest: Mattias “IA” Eklundh (Freak Kitchen).

6 – What kind of subjects did you used for the lyrics in this record?

Everything, hehe. There´s no red thread on the album lyrically. Each song has it´s own story. The song called “Hope” is about how a parent survives the loss of a child. “Psychic Imbalance” is about a person who suffers a mental breakdown. “Shapeshifter” is about humans living side by side with replicants/aliens but, without being aware of it. The lyrics I write are often about things that people can relate to while Roger Landins lyrics are more “fantasy/horror”.

7 – Do you have a tour already prepared to promote the record?

Not really. We have a few concerts booked but, no tour confirmed yet. A German booker is trying to organize a small tour in Germany later this year but, that ain´t official yet and we don´t know whether it will happen or not right now. We really hope that we will get the opportunity of touring in as many countries as possible to promote “Crimson skies” so, we have to keep our fingers crossed;).

8 – Nowadays the heavy and power scenes are stronger, with lots of new bands, the older ones are reuniting again. What would you say that Cloudscape have to offer that some other Heavy Metal / Power Metal / Progressive Metal bands can’t?

New fresh metal, hehe. Basically our music is influenced by the metalbands from the seventies and eighties but, we do it more “updated”. Francly, I don´t see “music” as competition since it is based on “moods” and “emotions”. We compose the music we love and hope that our fans and listeners will love it as well so, I think it is up to our fans to figure out what Cloudscape can “offer” that older bands don´t;).

9 – Do you want to leave a final message to your fans?

Absolutely, I´m delighted to!!We love you all. Without YOU this would be meaningless. Thanx for all Your support and keep up supporting us:) If you have missed out on Cloudscape please check out our new album called “Crimson skies” and our self-titled debut released in 2005. Please visit us on the internet and say “hi”:

www.cloudscape.se / www.myspace.com/cloudscapemetal
Cheers and stay metal….SPREAD THE WORD!!!
Yours sincerely: Mike Andersson

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Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistado: Mike Andersson - Vocals
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Metal Heaven: www.metalheaven.net
Cloudscape: www.cloudscape.se
GerMusica: www.germusica.com