Hello Henrik, will you tell us everything there's to know about Evil Masquerade?

Tough start [laughter]. It started sometime 2002-2003 when I more or less isolated myself from the outer world to focus on what really matters to me. Music. I’d been surrounded by different kinds of incompetent business people for too long, so I simply said: No more. I wrote and recorded lots of music and just archived it away for only myself to hear. But as you’ve already guessed, one thing led to another and in 2003 a band was formed. We recorded eleven of the songs I’d written and shopped the material to some good labels. Before long we got a couple of really fine deals and the circus was started. The debut album received lots and lots of good reviews and positive words from all around the world. It was also on several journalists “Best album of 2004” lists. I immediately started writing the second album to continue what had already been started.

Evil Masquerade's new album "Theatrical Madness" is being released  these days. How has the reactions been so far and how will you compare this album to your debut album from 2004 entitled "Welcome to the Show"?

We haven’t had the chance to get as much response on the new album as on our last, because the release is so new. But judging from the reviews I’ve seen so far, and by the fan mails, it looks very promising. A couple of journalists have already chosen “Theatrical Madness” to one of the best releases 2005, and since it’s only the end of April right now one has to think good of the situation. The artistic differences between the two albums are that we have a bit less focus on what was considered neo classic on our debut. I would like to think that “Theatrical Madness” offers broader spectra of songs, while still being very Evil Masquerade. The new album was just the natural development. I also think that we now have raised the expectations for our third album even higher. That’s as good motivation as any when I start writing new songs. I’m sure Evil Masquerade will continue surprising by not doing exactly what people thought we would do.

You go under the term "Theatrical Metal", would you care to eloborate more on that description? To me, Theatrical Madness sound like power progressive/avantgarde metal and the title track from this new album always give me associations to Arcturus from Norway. Am I correct when I think that the "La Masquerade Infernale" album by Arcturus has inspired you?Which other bands have inspired Evil Masquerade in general?

Perhaps “Theatrical Metal” is just a shorter form of “Power Progressive/Avantgarde Metal”. I’ve heard so many terms for our music by now, so I don’t know what to call it any longer. But that must be a good sign since it probably means we have a unique sound. I think “Theatrical Metal” is pretty good, because it’s short and it leads people in a direction where we’re lurking in the woods. I’m sad to say that I don’t know the Norwegian band Arcturus. But now you made me curious so if I see their record I’ll probably give it a spin. I’m not sure which bands have inspired Evil Masquerade the most. I’d say we’re inspired by small potions of so many bands, that it’s gotten too hard to tell them apart. I’m personally inspired by good melodies in any form. The other guys are also very musically open-minded and add a lot of different inspirations to the collective. I think it’s fair to say that we are very inspired by any good music out there. We put the inspirations in the Evil Masquerade cauldron and let them boil for some time. And there you have it.

'Theatrical Madness' as well as 'Welcome to the Show' feature

excellent session keyboard members. I especially have a weak spot for Richard Andersson (Space Odyssey). What's the reason for not adding a permanent keyboard player?

We couldn’t find the one we needed in the band. A permanent band member should have Evil Masquerade as his first priority, but everyone we knew we’re already in other bands. Luckily enough we are friends with some of the finest keyboard players in the world, so we invited a couple of them as special guests. But now we have added a permanent keyboardist to the band. It’s Mikkel Jensen, who also can be heard on the album as one of the special guests.

Will you do a tour in the near future to support this album?

I really hope so. That’s up to our business associates to put together. I hope it can be realized. But anyway it goes we will play live. Hopefully a tour, but otherwise several separate concerts.

In your opinion, why should people unknown to Evil Masquerade check your band out?

Because there aren’t 1000 other bands doing what we do. If you’re interested in more variation in your CD collection, Evil Masquerade might very well be the cure. We also have very talented musicians performing on our albums. I enjoy hearing the other guys play anytime. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Henrik, you have released two albums for Evil Masquerade in two years

and you're also a member of the folk inspired power/progressive metal band Wuthering Heights who released an album in 2004 as well. How do you look upon the feature? You still have plenty of ideas for new material and what inspires/motivates you to constantly pen new songs?

I’m very fortunate because inspiration has never been a bottleneck for me. My greatest motivation is that I’m always sure I can make something even better than my last creation. Sometimes I succeed right away, and that’s a real booster to immediately start on the next song. Sometimes it’s a hard struggle. Than I get a bit sulky, try harder and keep on going till I’m finally satisfied. I’m writing music all the time. If I don’t, I feel inharmonious and get in a bad mood.

How do you look upon the Danish metal scene? I must admit I was pretty

unknown to Danish metal bands until Wuthering Heights and Manticora released their latest albums. I personally think the Danish metal scene is underrated; what is your take on this? Why is this scene more or less in the shadows of the Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish scene?

Beats me. But I think this is now all changing to the better. In the last couple of years several Danish metal bands have made their international break thorough. It seems like the red and white flag is waving prouder than ever all over the globe. But one should also beware of that Denmark is a whole lot smaller than Sweden. Therefore it’s only natural that a smaller population also means fewer artists in number. Even though it, expressed as a percentage, might be a more equal figure.

After listening to "Theatrical Madness" there's no dobut that you are a truly gifted guitar player. How did you get into music initially and what guitar players have been your heros during the years?

Thanks a lot. As far as I can remember I’ve been a music addict from my first flute at the age of 9 till today when I’m more of a guitar player. On the way I also stumbled over a piano and some drums. I have never been especially interested in guitarists, gear, magazines and tricks. I’ve been more drawn to composing and listening to good music. But to mention a few guitarists I think are good would include Ritchie Blackmore, Frank Zappa, Brian May, Yngwie Malmsteen, Carlos Santana, Gary Moore and Angus Young. There are so many more to mention but they were the ones first popping up in my head. The reason why I like them is that they play music I enjoy hearing and because they have their own unique style. What really matter are the songs. If the songs were missing, I wouldn’t listen to any of them.

Any recent Evil Masquerade news you would like to share with the readers of Scandinavian Metal webzine?

The most recent news has to be the new album. So go and get it if you haven’t done so already. “Theatrical Madness” holds the most interesting Evil Masquerade updates right now. Besides that, we’re now focusing on the preparations for the new live set. That’s what we’ll be doing in the nearest future. And a lots and lots of interviews. I’m totally overwhelmed by the number of interview requests this time. That’s really flattering.

What's the best atmosphere for writing a song? And also, are all the lyrics you write for Evil Masquerade just fictional or do they have a special meaning to you?

The absolute best atmosphere for song writing is found in solitude late at night. Preferably after midnight. The main reason for that is the silence and because there’s only a minimum of risk of being interrupted. No telephones that need to be answered and no sudden important situations that need to be dealt with. This, together with some black coffee, offers a nice harmonious sanctuary ideal for creativity. Most of the times I try to give the lyrics at least two layers of meaning. First and foremost I want them to sound fictional and a bit timeless, because I personally see music as great escapism from daily life. That’s why I don’t want to write those kinds of things on the forehead of the listener. But I think it’s intriguing to deal with reality in the lyrical subconscious.

Do you feel game to give us your top 5 albums released byScandinavian Metal bands only?

Since I don’t have a top 5, I prefer to come up with 5 very good Scandinavian metal albums instead. No particular order.

Richard Andersson’s Space Odyssey - The Astral Episode]
Jorn - Out To Every Nation
Yngwie Malmsteen - Marching Out
Europe - Wings of Tomorrow
Royal Hunt - Eye Witness

What's the pros and cons about being in a band?

The good thing is the strength of being many. The downside is probably co-ordination issues due to the same fact.

Thanks for doing this interview Henrik. The last words are yours if you have any!

Good questions and thanks for taking the time.

[This interview was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]