1. Although this new record seems to be a blend
of everything you did in the past, it is certainly a companionship to records
such as “Gothic”, “Icon” or “Draconian Times”. When it comes to writing new
songs, do you deliberately take a turn towards the type of album you want, or
does it just come naturally?
Generally when I come to write a new album, I look at it from the point of view that we are a brand new band,have no history or releases and what do we want to hear right now.
I find that is the only way to have any enthusiasm for what we write.
If we thought too much about our past releases it would hinder the writing process in my opinion.
2. This is the first album with Adrian Erlandsson as a drummer, although he’s been playing with you for quite some time. What kind of input did he have in the record?
Well it was nice to be able to send tracks to him as and when they were written for him to mess around with and get used to.
Like you say,he has been with the band a while and apart from feeling very comfortable as part of PL now,he really wanted to make an impression as it was his first PL album,and I think he did that.
3. “Tragic Idol” was produced by Jens Bogren. It is not the first Paradise Lost album he’s involved in so, he’s quite familiar with your sound. The record sounds pretty much… Paradise Lost. Do you think it is important having a producer that actually knows the band (and the musical style at some extent), instead of a big name that will just impose his/her style into the music and, ultimately, ruin the record?
I think it is important that the producer listens to and understands the band,and then takes their sound and enhance it.
Too many "big name" producers at the moment don't have any interest in the band they are producing and just give them the "signature" production,which is bullshit as well as lazy.
Generally when I come to write a new album, I look at it from the point of view that we are a brand new band,have no history or releases and what do we want to hear right now.
I find that is the only way to have any enthusiasm for what we write.
If we thought too much about our past releases it would hinder the writing process in my opinion.
2. This is the first album with Adrian Erlandsson as a drummer, although he’s been playing with you for quite some time. What kind of input did he have in the record?
Well it was nice to be able to send tracks to him as and when they were written for him to mess around with and get used to.
Like you say,he has been with the band a while and apart from feeling very comfortable as part of PL now,he really wanted to make an impression as it was his first PL album,and I think he did that.
3. “Tragic Idol” was produced by Jens Bogren. It is not the first Paradise Lost album he’s involved in so, he’s quite familiar with your sound. The record sounds pretty much… Paradise Lost. Do you think it is important having a producer that actually knows the band (and the musical style at some extent), instead of a big name that will just impose his/her style into the music and, ultimately, ruin the record?
I think it is important that the producer listens to and understands the band,and then takes their sound and enhance it.
Too many "big name" producers at the moment don't have any interest in the band they are producing and just give them the "signature" production,which is bullshit as well as lazy.
4. There’s a promo video for the song “Honesty In Death” which shows some
artistic work and care, instead of a regular “band in playback” kind of video.
Tell me something about the production and shooting of this video.
Well I had worked with the director before on my other project Vallenfyre. So
we saw his skill and vision on that. With PL we also had a bigger budget so we
knew he would be able to do something special.
None of us are very into the usual metal performance video as it's just boring
and overdone.
We like miniature movies. Especially miserable ones.
There was quite a big crew on the shoot which happened over 2/3 days in and
around the area where we were formed.
I think the cinematography is beautiful and the acting is great.
It is probably my favourite PL video and I would love to work with Matt Green
again sometime in the future.
5. Having such a long career, you experienced a little bit of everything in the
music industry. From the tape-trading era to this mp3 file-sharing; from the
traditional labels to the digital labels; from good will people to the
malicious bastards… How do you see the evolution of music industry and the
future for it?
Personally I think it has deteriorated significantly over the last decade.
People generally don't buy music,know the names of songs,care about artwork or
packaging etc.
When we started out our scene felt like a family. Now it seems very splintered
and everyone is just into self promotion instead of helping each other out.
I just sound like a dinosaur moaning about the good old days.
6. There is a tour already aligned to promote this record. How is it going so
far?
Earlier this year we did the first leg of a European tour,which was very
successful but we had to then concentrate on summer festivals for a while. At
the moment we are touring the states and as soon as we return we continue on
the 2nd leg of the European tour which strangely enough begins with 2 shows in
Portugal.
7. What are your plans for the future?
I try not to think too far ahead. I find it fruitless and depressing.
8. Do you want to leave a final message to the Portuguese fans?
See you on tour soon. Keep it fucking grim!!
PARADISE LOST - HONESTY IN DEATH (OFFICIAL PROMOCLIP)
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