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THINK MOST OF THEM SURVIVED
First off congrats for the album “At least we will die together” ,
whose second part is really awesome. But, before speaking about this album (the listening have offered to me many points of discussion), I would like you to introduce the band to our readers!!
Thank you. Allfader was conceived in Norway and has existed for nearly six years now. At first the band had only two members (myself and Finn), and we recorded our first demo a few months after starting up. That demo, ‘Nightfall’, landed us a deal with the
British label Rage Of Achilles and we released the MCD ‘From the Darkest Star’ through them. Along the way we picked up more members and eventually expanded to a full five-piece lineup. The cooperation with Rage of Achilles did not last long, so we were back to making demos for some time. Finally we decided to enter the studio and record an album ourselves, with hopes of getting signed with a finished album in hand. Our scheme worked, and the album is now out with the help from the great Osmose Productions.
So, indeed: debut album with a particular romantic/cruel cover art where two (lovers?) are bound by a last kiss before killing one another (or being tempted doing so) . Judging only by the cover art and the title, it seems that the concept of a kind of ritual suicide may surface….
Is it true? And if yes, in which measure the music solves the question through the notes?
Your observations are correct, to an extent. It’s not a concept carried throughout the album though, and we’re definitely not endorsing suicide. You can draw lines between the cover and the last track, ‘Cursed Chemistry’ if you read the lyrics.
I have listened with much attention to the promo and, honestly said, in my opinion, the second part the CD really takes off in a noticeable way. Maybe with the exception of “Hate is my Creed”, it’s from the song “Born to Serve”, to the final “Cursed Chemistry” that we are on another and major level, with the presence of a brilliant vein of composition . Ideally, it almost seems that the cd is divided in 2 parts, being the second one the more brilliant. Were these two segments “written” and prepared in two different moments or not?
Interesting view. Well, we never planned for the album to be
perceived as two parts. The music was composed at roughly the same time, and the playing order was decided after everything was recorded. I guess you just happen to like those particular songs more than the others.
We can say that, as Norwegian, the band is certainly acquainted with Black Metal (:D ;)), but concerning the Death Metal factor, which is your inspiration? Does the era begin where Norway too will be producing more Death? How is seen Death Metal up there North, in the country of the Black Metal Celebration?
Hard to say. Norway has been a steadfast bastion of Black Metal for many years, but of course through all this time bands of all other metal sub-genres have existed. I have no idea if there will be a death-boom in the scene. I guess Death Metal is as popular here as anywhere else, though it might perhaps be a tad overshadowed by our vast Black Metal legacy.
Impressive second part of the album, I was telling, where “Born to Serve” is a brilliant track of Melodic yet fiery Death mixed with Classic burning Black Metal. Both guitar and drums- work are giant. Do you agree with me that the influence from Immortal, Illdisposed and Dissection is not totally stranger here?
I wrote that song, and I’ll gladly admit I’m a fan of both Immortal and Dissection. I’ve seen Illdisposed live once, but I’ve never really listened to their albums so I really don’t know where that likeness, if any, comes from.
The very fast “Hevnen” follows “Born to Serve” maintaining the rhythm of the album extremely high, at this point, concerning quality too. Another beautiful song, that also confirms the dual vocal attitude between screams and growls and agile and cutting moments of lead guitar. Starting from that, the question is: is that true that the
hybridization Black Death, when one starts from a good compositive idea, is the best one among all
hybridizations? The more natural and logic?
We just write, really. Some songs end up more black-ish and others more death-ish. We don’t put much thought into what kind of genre we’re leaning towards in this or that song. The important thing is that the song has structure, flow and makes for an interesting listening experience.
“One thousand Days of Poison” is another jewel of violent and sinister darkness: 4:45 mins of absolute pleasure and summoning which goes on with Cursed Chemistry that offers also passages of fantastic pounding uptempo and valuable solos. Is there a connection between two songs beyond the music.
Actually there is no connection whatsoever here. ‘…Poison’ was written by me and Finn, whilst ‘Cursed Chemistry’ was written by Per. I did the lyrics for both, and they revolve around completely different subjects.
The 8 minutes of Cursed Chemistry (maybe the best track in absolute of this album) deliver one of the best mixture between Black fiery Melodic Death in such a delicious way that it is impossible to say when the first ends and the other component begins, it’s a wonderful multi- layered experience in 360°, and played very well, with an appealing melody. Superb and delightful. It is coherent for me to ask why don’t you have entitled the album “Cursed Chemistry” indeed….
I think we had that up for discussion but we decided it was a tad cheesy, hehe! Also, we wanted a title that could sum up the entire album instead of singling out a title track.
For certain bands it is said that the last song of a album lets understand with anticipation which could be the direction of the next effort. Can we say the same for Allfader too? Would be the next album very “Cursed Chemistry” oriented?. If yes, I think you “are here to stay”!!
Impossible to say at this time, and maybe impossible for me to answer anyway because I do have problems viewing the band and listening to the music from any other perspective than my own. Our next album is going to crush as well though, make no mistake about it.
The fast monstruous moshing evoker “Hate is my Creed” definitely saves the first part. Have you already seen the reaction of the crowd when this song is played live? If yes, how many have survived? I would sell my grandma’s underpants for attending it live!! (hoping that someone buys them of course ;P :D).
It’s a cool song, but we’ve only had the chance to perform it live one time so far. It’s a compact, headbanger-friendly song and the crowd response was good as far as I remember. I think most of them survived, but you never know what will happen next time. And before you ask: No thanks, keep the underpants.
Which are your projects for the future?. And how is your cooperation with the French label Osmose Productions?
Hopefully we’ll get out there and tour in 2007. Either way we’re working on bits and pieces of new material and eventually that will be our main priority as we start preparing for the next album.
The production and the sound quality of the album is of first class….who has worked in it?…… how much time did you spend in the studio?
The album was produced by Jacob Hansen in Hansen Studios, Denmark. Absolutely fabulous studio and Jacob is a fantastic guy. We spent two weeks on the whole thing, from recording to mixing.
Do you believe in anything? In yourself/selves at least?
Of course we believe in ourselves, otherwise this album would never have been written – mush less released. I used to believe in Santa Claus and trolls when I was younger.
Which are your opinions about videoclips in general? And how was born and worked out your video of the opener “We will go”?.
Generally speaking, most music videos are worthless trash and they are made for the sole purpose of promoting and selling an album. In my view, a good music video has artistic quality and a story to tell. It doesn’t help how polished and pro-shot the video is if what you’re conveying through it is crap. In our case with ‘We Will Go’, the story thing was simple. The song is about the allied invasion of Normandy, and we were lucky enough to get permission to use quite a lot of old footage from the war. We spent a day shooting it and several weeks editing it. Stein Elvestad is the mastermind behind the final result, and we’re grateful for all his dedication and hard work.
What does it mean the expression “dark” for you?
The lights are out? The sun is now a white dwarf? I’m dead?
Which bands would you like to play with and why? Who are, in your opinion, the “secret” Titans of Metal?
We’d love to play with a lot of bands…but as a dream tour package I wouldn’t mind sharing the bill with Nile, Amon Amarth, Nevermore and Mastodon. The secret titans of metal are of course
Allfader.
Ok let’s speak about Mo i Rana… oh wait …it is common knowledge (I don’t know how much it is really true) that in Bergen rains a lot…so, following the same register, what could we say for Mo i Rana? Which is the most peculiar characteristic of the town? What is more enchanting for you: sea or mountains? Does the place where you live bring some effect ton your musical activity?
Your spot on, it rains all the time in Bergen. Here in Mo i Rana we have the full spectrum of weather, from spring to warm (but short)
summers, windy autumn months and finally a big-ass winter with temperatures down to 25 degrees below zero. This town is surrounded by mountains on one side and sea on the other. I like both. Finn is into diving so I guess he would opt for the sea. The greatest effect this place has on the band is when it has snowed like hell so we can’t get our cars to our rehearsal building.
Which are the characteristics you notice first when another band plays live? What is the biggest fear and the biggest joy Allfader feel when hitting self a stage?
The first thing I look for is movement, how they are acting up there. Secondly, it’s a combination of sound quality and playing skills – how tight the production is.
For me, the greatest fear is technical stuff. Amps blowing up, monitors catching fire and other things that could stop a show. The greatest part is the connection with the audience and just being there screaming my guts out. It’s fun.
A question I usually don’t ask in order to avoid terrible delusions. But this time I dare… do you listen to commercial pop music? (please say no…..!!!)
Hell no.
Obviously, Allfader too, as a band interviewed for the first time by our zine, must undergo the bloody Game of The Tower. On a cursed, dark and infamous tower 3 bands are waiting for you. You have to kick down 2 of them saving only one. The bands are:
Dimmu Borgir, Exodus, VON
Kick Dimmu Borgir, kick VON. Exodus owns you all!
A message for our readers now!
Thanks for reading this far, we hope you’ll check out
myspace.com/allfader and have a listen to a song or two. Then you skip down to your local music dealer and buy the album! At Least We Will Die Together”
Thank you for your time!
The same. Stay metal.
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