Where Angels Fall
Where Angels Fall
Hi there, how are things in Norway this summer?
Right now things are pretty cool (except from the heat), our latest gigs went well and our new album will be finished in the next few days. So basically everything is good at the moment.
Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you are in Where Angels Fall?
My name Is Ole Kristian Løvberg and I play the drums. I am in Where Angels Fall because me and André Bendigtsen got together with a common idea about how we wanted to make music.
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be great as well!
Well besides me on the drums, we have André on guitar, Eirin Bendigtsen on vocals, and last, but not least Kristian Andersen on bass guitar.
How and when did Where Angels Fall begin?
Like mentioned before the band got started when myself and André found out that we had a common vision about how we wanted to channel our musical ideas. We got together in December 2003 and after a few tryouts of different musicians we found our current line-up with Eirin and Kristian.
What do you want to accomplish with the band?
We basically want to take our music as far as we can, and hopefully reach as many people as possible.
You released your debut, the EP "Dies Irae" last year, how has it been received?
The overall reaction has been very positive, but as with all bands we have also had a few bad reviews, but that's just a part of the game.
How do you feel about it today?
I am very happy with it. Of course, there's always a few details that I wish could have been better, but that is always the case with music.
How has the band progressed since the making of "Dies Irae"?
We have grown both as musicians and friends. We have become a tighter group both musically and socially, this you will definitely hear on our new album.
You have just finished the recording of your upcoming full length album, what can you tell us about it?
Well, first of all, it's more of everything; the sound is heavier, the music is more complex, and our skills have improved substantially. We have great faith in this album. We believe this album will be well received by fans of the symphonic/gothic metal genre.
What about the lyrics on the upcoming album, what can you tell about them, topics, themes etc…?
I will let Eirin (the poet) answer this one.
Eirin: The songs are based on very common issues. I think it is all about being alive and reflect upon it. Love is one theme, 'The Game' is a song about searching for love, 'Trusting You' is about holding on to what you have and 'Dies Irae' is about letting go. Some of the songs are about finding yourself, 'Shining path' is one of the songs about the process of making a distance to your roots, 'Lux Aeterna' is about being strong. 'Save Myself' is a very sad song. I don't think I can explain it.
What does inspire you when you write music?
I get inspired from a lot of different things; it can be as simple as a word or just a thought. It could be anything.
Do you have to be in any specific mood when writing music and do any specific events trigger anything etc?
As mentioned above, I can get inspired by anything, I don't need to be in a special mood, but as a drummer I tend to beat out my frustrations when I play! I remember when we were recording the drum tracks to one of our new songs called 'The Game (Fooled Again)', Kristian managed to draw out something extra in me by getting me really frustrated. I ended up pounding the shit out of the drums on that one! Hehe!
How do you work on the lyrical side of Where Angels Fall?
Well, since I'm not a really good poet, I will let Eirin answer the questions about the lyrics.
The theme on "Dies Irae" is love/lost love… do you write the lyrics from personal events or are there a bigger message behind them?
Eirin: Some of the songs are based on personal events, and some of them are just themes I have reflected upon.
What triggers your inspiration for writing lyrics?
Eirin: Hmmm… being sad is a good trigger, but I am not sad that often anymore, so to reflect upon incidents or themes are a good starting point. I often come across themes from texts I study at school.
On the "Dies Irae" album there are 2 songs where you use latin, why have you chosen to do so and is it something you will continue to do?
Eirin: Yes... We like the sound of the latin choirs, and the meaning of these is just another way to look at an issue. We use latin less on the new album, but maybe we will continue to do it. It depends on the rest of the music.
Why did you choose to name the EP "Dies Irae"?
When we were recording "Dies Irae", we all agreed that this would be a good title, given the mood of the EP.
Why did you end up with the name Where Angels Fall, and what are your thoughts behind it?
I believe André came up with the name when our old name was to similar to some other bands.
What would you like to accomplish with your upcoming album?
Personally I hope the listeners will embrace our new album, and to come and see us live!
What is the ultimate goal you could reach with Where Angels Fall?
To make a living of doing what I love.
When will you reach it?
I wish I could tell the future, but sadly I am not a fortune teller.
How much do you play live and what will people see at your shows?
We play as many shows as possible. When we are on stage we give it our all, and hopefully the audience will see, hear and appreciate that.
You just played Gothcity Live/Clubquart… How did that go?
It went well except from a minor technical problem.
A show where you gained a lot of new fans, or was it the "regular" audience?
Actually we got some new fans out of it and a great experience for us.
It seems like you'll go to Denmark in the fall, with your label mates Aloop, are you looking forward to that?
I am looking forward to come down there and play some great shows for great people, and I am really looking forward to some cheap and good beer!
Tell your fans down here what to expect, so they can be geared up when you come!
You guys can expect a rollercoaster of emotions and maybe be surprised that a band in this genre actually can kick ass on stage! You can expect pounding drums, a crazy bass player, a beautiful and enticing singer, and a riffmeister!
Why do you play "gothic" metal?
We didn't set out to play any specific type music, we just ended sounding like this.
The style is pretty washed out, due to many bands sounding the same at a point, and people loosing interest in it… How do you keep your head high and play what you believe in?
We don't look to others, we just make the music we want to play.
How far can you take Where Angels Fall and the style of music you play?
I hope we can bring something new to the scene, and that people will like what they hear; only the future will tell if we succeed.
How do you look upon the future regarding both the band and yourself?
At the moment the future of the band looks very promising, as for me, I hope I can continue to evolve as a drummer and a person playing in this band. And of course drink a lot of beer!
Will you share your 3 all time favourite albums with us?
This is a very tough question, but to name 3 I would definitely have to put Samael - Passage at the top followed by Enigma - MCMXC a.D, my nr 3 would have to be Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness. I could go on and on, but then I would never finish.
Thanks a lot for answering this interview, if you have anything to add, feel free to do it now!
Thank you for showing your interest in us, see you soon at a venue near you, feel free to pay us a visit at our website and drop a line! SEE YA!
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