All Interviews
Highland Glory
Highland Glory
Posted on Jan 22, 2006
by Anders
Highland Glory released their second album "Forever Endeavour" on Massacre Records last year, in that connection I hooked up with guitarist and composer Jack Roger Olsen, to get a chat about the album and what was driving the band, though he wasn't as chatty as one could desire, so he delivered a bunch of short answers, only going in the depth once in while, but still delivering some info about the band and the release.
Hi there, will you please start off by introducing yourself?
Hi, my name is Jack Roger Olsen, I'm the guitarist and composer of Norway's premier power metal band Highland Glory!
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be great as well, together with a bit about what they contribute to the band with!
The rest of the band is Jan Thore Grefstad - vocals, additional keyboard and composing, Lars Andre Larsen - keyboards, guitar and composing, Knut Egil Tøftum - bass and Morten Færøvig - drums.
You are soon ready with your new release, how do you feel about it?
We're very excited about this release, we were very confident that we had an album that really would convince people, but it's great to have it confirmed as well, as everyone seem to think we've exceeded the debut.
What do you expect from it?
We expect it to take us to the level we rightly deserve!
When you started out to write/compose new material, what did you then want to accomplish with it?
It's always rewarding when you get feedback from people, which say your music means a lot to them. That is what I wanted to accomplish, but of course you also want to accomplish great commercial success too, but pleasing ourselves is most important.
Do you feel that you have accomplished that?
Creatively yes, commercially - not yet!
Where do you find inspiration when you write music?
An idea may strike one, from nowhere when you least expect it!
Is there anything specific that have influenced the writing process to the new album?
No, we just work on our inspired ideas, as usual.
Can you mention 3 bands that have meant the world to your way of writing music?
My all time favourite bands are Iron Maiden, Marillion and Running Wild, and I guess some of my inspirations shine though in my music, that's only natural, but I also think we have our own sound within this genre.
What do you want to bring the world with your music and how do you want people to receive your music?
As I mentioned I want my music to touch people in some way.
Will you initiate us in the lyrical universe of the band, which themes do you touch etc…?
Jan Thore wrote the lyrics for this album, which deals with a theme of surrealism. He really is the one who should explain this (honestly I don’t think he can either).
Where is the inspiration for the lyrics usually found?
Again, Jan Thore is the one to ask about this, but speaking for myself whenever I have to write a lyric it usually feels like a necessary evil at first, but then you get off on inspiration and end up with more words than you need!
Will you pick out your 3 favourite tracks from the new release and guide us through the music and lyrics, and tell us how you got the idea for the music and lyrics, etc…?
I like them all but if I have to choose 3, then it'll have to be... 'Demon Of Damnation' - I think we really captured what we had in mind, it's atmospheric in a dark way, and ends the album perfectly. I think it has an epic horror feel. I brought this track almost complete to the band, Jan Thore added the lyrics and the verse melody on top of it, and Lars added the slow mid section, and voila! - A masterpiece was born! 'The Sacrifice' - a beautiful, atmospheric and epic ballad, which Lars wrote almost on his own. 'Spirit Of Salvation' - The first song written for the new album, right after the first album was released. I immediately knew this was going to be the next album opener, it just demanded it. A perfect album opener. Lars had the main ideas, Jan Thore added the verse and bridge melody and I came up with the dreamy mid and end theme.
How important is the lyrics compared to the music?
Quite important, but in this genre the music is the most important thing obviously. I just like to stay away from those typical heavy metal lyrics.
How do you look upon the future of the band?
Bright!
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with our readers?
Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Marillion - Seasons End
Marillion - Clutching At Straws
Running Wild - Death Or Glory.
Thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanks for your interest in the band, and I would like to wish all you passionate metalheads all the best, hope you'll check out our albums, cheers!
Hi, my name is Jack Roger Olsen, I'm the guitarist and composer of Norway's premier power metal band Highland Glory!
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be great as well, together with a bit about what they contribute to the band with!
The rest of the band is Jan Thore Grefstad - vocals, additional keyboard and composing, Lars Andre Larsen - keyboards, guitar and composing, Knut Egil Tøftum - bass and Morten Færøvig - drums.
You are soon ready with your new release, how do you feel about it?
We're very excited about this release, we were very confident that we had an album that really would convince people, but it's great to have it confirmed as well, as everyone seem to think we've exceeded the debut.
What do you expect from it?
We expect it to take us to the level we rightly deserve!
When you started out to write/compose new material, what did you then want to accomplish with it?
It's always rewarding when you get feedback from people, which say your music means a lot to them. That is what I wanted to accomplish, but of course you also want to accomplish great commercial success too, but pleasing ourselves is most important.
Do you feel that you have accomplished that?
Creatively yes, commercially - not yet!
Where do you find inspiration when you write music?
An idea may strike one, from nowhere when you least expect it!
Is there anything specific that have influenced the writing process to the new album?
No, we just work on our inspired ideas, as usual.
Can you mention 3 bands that have meant the world to your way of writing music?
My all time favourite bands are Iron Maiden, Marillion and Running Wild, and I guess some of my inspirations shine though in my music, that's only natural, but I also think we have our own sound within this genre.
What do you want to bring the world with your music and how do you want people to receive your music?
As I mentioned I want my music to touch people in some way.
Will you initiate us in the lyrical universe of the band, which themes do you touch etc…?
Jan Thore wrote the lyrics for this album, which deals with a theme of surrealism. He really is the one who should explain this (honestly I don’t think he can either).
Where is the inspiration for the lyrics usually found?
Again, Jan Thore is the one to ask about this, but speaking for myself whenever I have to write a lyric it usually feels like a necessary evil at first, but then you get off on inspiration and end up with more words than you need!
Will you pick out your 3 favourite tracks from the new release and guide us through the music and lyrics, and tell us how you got the idea for the music and lyrics, etc…?
I like them all but if I have to choose 3, then it'll have to be... 'Demon Of Damnation' - I think we really captured what we had in mind, it's atmospheric in a dark way, and ends the album perfectly. I think it has an epic horror feel. I brought this track almost complete to the band, Jan Thore added the lyrics and the verse melody on top of it, and Lars added the slow mid section, and voila! - A masterpiece was born! 'The Sacrifice' - a beautiful, atmospheric and epic ballad, which Lars wrote almost on his own. 'Spirit Of Salvation' - The first song written for the new album, right after the first album was released. I immediately knew this was going to be the next album opener, it just demanded it. A perfect album opener. Lars had the main ideas, Jan Thore added the verse and bridge melody and I came up with the dreamy mid and end theme.
How important is the lyrics compared to the music?
Quite important, but in this genre the music is the most important thing obviously. I just like to stay away from those typical heavy metal lyrics.
How do you look upon the future of the band?
Bright!
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with our readers?
Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Marillion - Seasons End
Marillion - Clutching At Straws
Running Wild - Death Or Glory.
Thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanks for your interest in the band, and I would like to wish all you passionate metalheads all the best, hope you'll check out our albums, cheers!
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