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Interview with Emil Norberg - Persuader
After winning the Young Metal Gods competition and getting signed to Noise Records, the young Swedish Metal heroes in Persuader are ready to conquer the world with their new excellent album, Evolution Purgatory. Guitarist Emil Norberg took the time to answer some of our questions via E-mail!
Congratulations on winning the Young Metal Gods competition! Can you tell us a little about the competition, how did you get involved in it and how was the day of the band battle?
The whole thing started when Jens read about it in Sweden Rock Magazine. We had just finished a promo that we were going to send out to labels. But we ended up just sending it to the YMG competition. Everything went well with the votings and we got to the finals. We were pretty relaxed on the band battle day. Drank some beer and hung out at the hotel. We felt that we could only do what we can and hope for the best. There is nothing better than Jäger to calm the nerves.
Now, that you've won a record contract, do you feel some sort of pressure on your shoulders, concerning your first release, Evolution Purgatory?
Of course we want the album to be appreciated but you can´t force someone to like it. We enjoyed recording it and we are satisfied with the songs as well so... we can just hope for the best. Personally I feel more pressure to make the next album better than this one.
How would you describe the sound of Persuader?
Hard power metal with some speed/trash/death elements as well. It is hard to describe your own music. We try to blend both melodic stuff with more trashier riffs here and there. And get a good balance.
Some people have compared your sound to that of Blind Guardian. What are your thoughts on that?
If there is one question I am tired of answering it is that one.. (already =) ) but I think there is a point there absolutely. However it is not intentionally, we do not listen to BG or hold them as "heroes". Jens has a similar voice register that helps with the comparison but frankly, would a song on Evolution Purgatory be on a BG album? NO! I think we play very different kinds of metal, however, blind guardian is a good band and if people think that we sound like them that must also be good. I guess...
You're playing some festivals this summer (Sweden Rock, 2000 decibels), what does that mean for you? Do you have other plans concerning playing live or touring?
SRF and 2000 decibel will certainly be a great time and opportunity to get out and play some metal to lots of people. As far as other gigs/tours nothing is planned yet except for a gig on a festival called Nordfest together with Nocturnal Rites and Naglfar. We´ll see what Noise has in store for us later on. We definitely want to tour this album.
If you could choose freely, who is your dream band to tour with?
Right now I´d love to go on tour with Masterplan. I am a big fan of Jörn Lande so that would be great. Nocturnal Rites would be fun as well.
What other immediate future plans do you have for the band?
Rehearsing for upcoming gigs are the most prominent plan and we have started writing some new material as well.
You're first record, The Hunter, was only released in France before Loud'N'Proud records went out of business, so it's very difficult to get. Do you have any plans about re-releasing that album?
We are talking about it. It would be great to get it more accessible to people as we get a lot of mails inquiring about that album. We´ll see what kind of solution we can come up with. There are some stuff that needs to be taken care of before we can release it.
Who writes the music and lyrics in Persuader?
The lyrics are mainly Efraim and Jens´s field. When a song is completed they sit down a writes lyrics and melodies for the vocals. The rest of us come up with suggestions how things can improve and so on.
I have not had the chance to read any of your lyrics yet. Do you have any specific topics for lyrics on Evolution Purgatory?
As we were completing the album we found that most of the songs had some kind of same theme to them. They dealt with different sides of human kind like greed, manipulation, hate and other sides of humanity that we don´t like to acknowledge are in us. Hence the album cover and title. It kind of talks about how we will destroy ourselves with the same qualities that made our species so successful on earth.
You have also had one track on the Metal-rules sampler, and I think that has helped to get your name known also outside Europe already at this point. Do you think the sampler was a success for Persuader?
Absolutely, all publicity is good publicity. However, we haven´t got so many reactions from it as it is mainly an American site.
You also made a music video for the song The Hunter, which is available for free download on your site. Judging from the video, my guess is you didn't exactly have a big budget for it?
Hehe, the video was just a good laugh making. We didn´t have a plan that we were going to distribute or something like that. It was just a fun thing we did to have a good time and try out our new digital camera.
Why choose to make a video already after one album?
I don´t know. Maybe because we are cool?
Okay, that's all! Do you have any final words for the readers of RevelationZ Magazine?
Hmmmm kick ass in the name of Emiiiiiiiiiiil. And say hello to your boyfriend from Persuader!
Thanks for your time, and I'm looking forward to see you play at Sweden Rock Festival!
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Written by Nina - 2/17/2004 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Arch-Enemy (Anonymous) - Saturday, December 3, 2005 | POWER TO PERSUADER!
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