Your previous album was released 3 years ago. How did you spend this time?
When did you finish promote „Immunity zone”, and when did you start writing new one?
Hi! Martin Hedin (keyboards/production) here!
Well… it takes a long time to write, arrange, rehearse, record, mix and
master the kind of music that we create. Also we all have daytime jobs
and some of us have kids, so the time we have to work together is kind
of limited. Unfortunately.
I missed the moment you changed bass-player. What happened, that Andromeda changed a man behind the bas?
Fabian lives quite a long way away from Malmö, and has a lot of other
things going on. I think it was a mutual feeling that his heart wasn’t
in the band anymore. We miss hanging out with him, but this was probably
for the best. We’ve known Linus Abrahamson a long time, he was the
natural choice when Fabian left. He’s very talented and ambitious, a
winning combination!
You changed label once again. Why did you choose Inner Wound
Recordings? I suppose their distribution isn’t better then your previous
label (to tell you the truth in Poland it’s impossible to get the
records, we always import it from US or so.).
Well, we’ve had some ups and downs with labels. I can’t promise you that
the distribution in Poland will be better now, but we feel that Inner
Wound has a genuine interest in the band, and they will do their best
promoting „Manifest Tyranny”.
I read at label preview, that „Manifest Tyranny” is your darker
album. But it’s also much melodic in my opinion. I also got the
immpresion, the keyboards are hidden a bit in the backgrounds, and the
immpression is the record is much guitar oriented – do you agree?
I’m not sure if it’s darker than „The Immunity Zone”, but it’s
definately broader. We’ve taken things in all directions. You’ve never
heard us this angry before! But there are also more quiet parts than the
other albums.
I agree that the guitar is more prominent in the mix, but that’s just a
sound thing. Johan Reinholdz (guitar) and myself do most of the writing,
actually I think I’m more responsible for this one 🙂 But I wouldn’t
say that the album is keyboard oriented either. When I write, melody and
structure always comes first. Each song takes its own path so to speak,
and we try to follow it wherever it leads.
What about lyrics at your album, are the themes of the tracks
connected? There are some politics speeches in it… so is there any
leading subject?
It’s a concept album. Manifest Tyranny is a reference to the 19th
century expression „manifest destiny”, the belief that the U.S was
destined to expand and to spread democracy and new technology. The only
thing that has changed is that you don’t hear them call it „manifest
destiny” anymore.
The concept of the album is angry lyrics covering subjects like the war
in Iraq, the corrupt banking system, false flag operations, the
complicit media etc. Things that bother me deeply. I guess writing these
lyrics is a way to deal with the sick society that I find myself living
in.
I would like to ask you about the cover artwork. There ale some
writings on the stone rocks at the picture – what are their meanings,
and what about the text at the title – Manifest Tyranny document?
There’s a lot to be said about the mysterious Georgia Guidestones. They
seem to be a message to the survivors of a future apocalypse. The song
„Chosen by God” deals with the arrogance of our political leaders and
the power elite that they represent. In the song, the actual inscription
of the stones is recited – along with my translation, trying to make
clear that they don’t have the people’s best interest in mind.
The text on the document is a famous quote by president Theodore
Roosevelt from 1912: „Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an
invisible government, owing no allegiance and acknowledging no
responsibility to the people.”
I guess some of Andromeda’s latest covers was done by vocalist himself. Why did you hire Markus Sigfridsson this time?
David Fremberg (vocals) did the layout of the booklet once, not the
actual cover. Niklas Sundin did „Extension of the Wish” and „Chimera”,
Mattias Norén did „II=I”, and my sister Maria Hedin did the cover for
„The Immunity Zone”. With the exception of our first album, I’ve always
worked closely with the artist to make the artwork match the music and
lyrics of the album. It was great working with Markus Sigfridsson and I
think the result fits this album well! Johan’s girlfriend Sofia Bennrup
did some amazing illustrations for the booklet.
What are your promotion plans, are you going to play concerts this fall/winter?
We plan to do as many live shows as possible in 2012, so far some
festivals are confirmed. Check out our Facebook-page for updates!
I found your new videoclip at your FB-profile. I like it a lot,
but why did you decide to record so simple clip (just band at the
rehersal room). Didn’t you consider doing a clip with a scenario?
Why did you pick the heaviest song of the album to promote it?
Glad you liked it! „Preemptive Strike” is a very short song, but the
lyrics represent well what this album is about. It’s an angry outcry
against the injustice of western world government, from ordinary people
like ourselves.
What are your memories from your visit in Poland, when you recorded your DVD?
We had a great time in Poland! David shot and edited a short and funny
video of our trip in 2006. It’s included on the DVD as bonus material.
Be sure to check it out 🙂
I hope – you will visit Poland once again in the near future.
I wish you luck in promotiom of the album – it’s briliant IMO!
Thank you very much! It’s been too long, we sure hope to return next year to meet all our fans there. See you then!
Questions: Piotr Spyra
Najlepsze, w polskim internecie, miejsce dla fanów rocka!
