Satariel

Posted on Jun 22, 2005

by Anders

When Satariel released their last album "Phobos And Deimos" it was the first time I heard the band and their music. The album was quite good and for some while I hoped to get a new album soon. Though the Satariel was troubled by quite some label problems. But the  Swedes kept on fighting and today there signed to Cold/Regain Records and are ready with their new effort and third album "Hydra". In that connection did I contact singer Pär Johansson and asked him some questions.

 

Hey, will you start off by introducing yourself?

Hi there! Pär, singer of Satariel speaking here!

A small introduction of the rest of the band and a bit of their strong and weak sides will be great too!

Well, we have Robert Sundelin (who once used to play with Necromicon) on drums, Mikael Granqvist ( who once played with the Moaning on guitar, Mikael Granbacke (who I also share band with in Torchbearer) on bass and finally Magnus Alakangas on second guitar. Weak sides? Bah, we don´t have any, haha!

You are now ready with your 3rd full length, after quite some label problems, how does it feel that “Hydra” soon will be released?

It feels just great! Things finally work as they should!

How do you feel about the album?

I don´t think I am objective really so far… It has been something we have lived with for so long during recording now, so…. But I am very pleased anyway!

What do you expect from it?

The usual; sex, drugs and rock ´n roll!

Have you received any reactions to the album yet?

Yes, we have, and it seems we are getting a great reception of it!

When you started out to write the album, did you then have any ideas of where you would take it?

Yes, the aim was from the start to go more melodic.

Did you accomplish what you set out to reach with the making and recording of the album?

Judge by yourself, but I personally think we sure did.

What would you like to accomplish with Satariel?

Again; sex, drug ´n rock ´n roll! Hehe…

How do you work when you write music?

Just sit down with the guitar and decide to write… then record, rehearse a little with the other guys, then make the final recording… simple as that… we never jam songs in the rehearsal room… as we don’t even have such place.

Where do you find inspiration?

Not from any specific band anyway, but I guess the boring answer has to be in everything I hear and find good…

What can trigger you to write music?

Mostly I just do it because I decide to do it…. No sudden rushes of inspiration most of the time….

Can you mention 5 bands and 5 albums that have meant a lot to you personally and for your way of writing music?

Wasp “Wasp”, Anathema “Alternative 4”, Morbid Angel “Blessed Are The Sick”, My Dying Bride “Turn Loose The Swans” and Candlemass “Nightfall”.

The lyrical side of the band has so far been great, though I haven’t had a chance to read the lyrics for “Hydra” yet. So I was wondering if you would tell us the story behind the lyrics and the used lyrical themes?

Really… I spoil the idea if I give away too much, let’s just say they concern the concept of “will”… The rest is up to each of you to find out yourselves.

It will be killer if you would go through the album track for track and tell us how you were inspired to write each lyric and what they are about!

Sorry, but they were all written during quite a long time, so exactly what inspired each at the moment I wrote them is impossible for me to say… As the meaning of them to me personally changes with the course of time also… I mean, I find new views on them that I did not aim for when writing also…

Why was the title “Hydra” chosen for the album, and what are your thoughts behind the title?

It is meant to be an abstract summing up of the lyrical concept… It refers to the Qlipphotic hydra/Satan/Lucifer…

The cover artwork shows, what could be a skull from a hydra, but the artwork is still kind of abstract and cryptic, what do you want to show with it and what are your thoughts behind it?

You are right – and here again I have to say the whole point is that it should be kinda abstract…

Will we see you on tour soon?

We really hope and believe you will, but at this very moment I can not give you any news on this that is certain…

How much does it mean to you to play live?

A lot… it is the greatest thing about being in a band I think!

What is your greatest live experience?

Hmm… hard to say… I think one of the shows we did in Holland in 2003… It was just such a great feeling all the way through it… nothing spectacular though…

Thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to do it now!

Thank you for the interview! Hope to see you soon on the road all you fuckers out there!

Satariel website