Published
by : metal-inside.de
Interviewer : XHB
Published
on : April , 2002
Translation : Filipe Faria.
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They are back.... The
Kings Of Metal: MANOWAR. In the 15th
of April the new single will be released. At Wednesday the 18th
the band will play this song in TV Total and in May
the 27th the long-expected
studio album "Warriors Of The World" will finally be
available in record shops. We have talked with Karl Logan before
and we were able to extract some more information from him after
the press-conference in February...
Hi Karl, how are you?
Hi, good, had a couple of
interviews today, but aside from that everything ok.
I wanted to thank you first for the invitation to your
listenings session in Belgium. It was really cool.
Hey, no need to thank us. Manowar always try to keep near
their fans.
I think thats what
makes Manowar what it is. Ok, when you compare your new work
"Warriors Of The World" with "Louder Than Hell",
where are the differences in your opinion?
I think theres nothing similar between the two aside
the fact that both are Heavy Metal albums. Everythings
different, both from a textual and musical point of view. The
production itself went in a totally different way. But still, it
is a Manowar album.
Theres this song "Nessun
Dorma" in which Erics voice rises to opera heights.
Has he learned how to do it?
Thats a question youd better pose to Eric,
because Im not sure how or what hes trained. We made
the track to show what an innovative and versatile singer Eric
is, that he can also step forward in classic opera.
Do you think this song
can also be played live? Will you?
Yes, were definetly playing this song.
Unfortunately, I cant tell you when or where. We played
this song first live at the Gods Of Metal Festival in Milan, as a
thank you to all our italian fans.
Ok, then please tell me a story of one or two songs which you
especially liked.
"Call To Arms" is a classic Heavy Metal song which
is always part of Manowar´s belief. "Swords In the Wind"
tells the story of a dying warrior and his wish to come to
Valhalla, the burial place of the vikings. There, where the
bodies are taken to in a ship through the open sea.
Did actual events such
as the attack at the WTC influence your songwriting in any way?
Hm, this may sound kinda stupid now, but it really is strange:
"Fight For Freedom" had been completely written before
the 11th September 2001 but you can somehow
relate the song to such an event. But Manowar isnt a band
that writes about political things. And then theres also
"An American Trilogy", an original from Elvis Presley
that concerns itself about the american Civil War. We had been
wanting to make the song for quite a while and now seemed the
right time to do it.
Were you also involved in the songwriting?
Yes, Joey and I compose the core of a song, but the other
bandmembers contribute in the rest.
Do you have a favorite song in "WotW"?
Not really, no. I think all songs are good, theyre all
great. I believe in this album. These songs are like our children
and we just cant pick one out and say: this ones the
best.
Is there a Manowar
tour planned?
Yes, we are concentrating on a tour
in Autumn, something like September or October. We also
want to play in some Summer Open Airs in Europe.
Will you have a support band, or will it be just
Manowar?
Those are all things well only be able to answer when
the tour is confirmed. It also depends on who has the time for it
when it comes.
"Louder Than Hell" is 5 or 6 years behind. What have
you done during this time? Were there some side-projects or were
you just travelling?
Many people think of it as travelling, but its wrong.
It didnt take us 6 years to make a new album. During this
time we made all these videos and the double live album. Weve
also toured quite a lot, playing at the biggest, most important
festivals in Europe. We were really busy all that time. It
actually took us about 2 years to make the new album. We can only
say that in two years there will be a new Manowar album. We have
already written some songs and we have a lot of ideas. We want to
do it for the fans.
So, as it sounded,
there was no time for any side-projects?
Joey has a small label with a
couple of other bands. But what he truly commits himself to is of
course Manowar. Maybe there will be some projects in the future,
but Manowar will always be the most important. Personally, I wont
have any side-project. I want to save all of my energy for
Manowar.
How does it look like, your free time, that is, when youre
not at songwriting or on tour? Do you keep in touch with each
other?
Each of us has his own life, of course. We were 4 years together
on tour. Every man needs some time for himself. I believe that
freshens creativity and energy up. But the priority is always
Manowar.
When we were in Belgium, you showed us some parts of the new
DVD "Hell On Earth 2 + 3". Do you know when theyre
coming out?
Well, I cant really tell you that right now. Thats a
business decision and it depends on when we go on
tour and so on. Those are all facts we dont really know for
sure.
Ok, how do you feel about the Internet?
Personally, I havent yet found a use for the Internet, but
neither do I own a computer.
What other bands do you listen to besides Manowar? Maybe non-Metal
bands?
Thats a tough question. Of course I also hear other
Metal bands. And there are also non-Metal bands I like, but I cant
really tell you which. If I said now, for example, I like this
band and that, theres always people who will put you in
this specific closet, even when it isnt so. I
like every kind of true music, true to its own form,
people who write their own songs and stay true to them. I could
care less for stuff like Backstreet Boys and the like. And I also
have something against people who always have to go with the
trend, and I hate Hip Hop and Rap.
Are you interested in american Underground Metal?
Not really. We only really have an Underground Hardcore Scene.
And Hardcore isnt Metal. Heavy Metal is music with good
songwriting and much talent. Also singers who can sing and
guitarrists who can play the guitar. Hardcore is people who learn
a bunch of tones and make noise. Ive heard some of those
bands, but theyve all left me cold.
Is there anything else youd like to tell our readers?
I think this Manowar Album will surprise some people and I
believe we went a step back to our roots, but at the same time a
forwards step towards the evolution of Manowar. Steel yourselves
for our killer-tour.
Ok, thank you for the
interview.
I thank you. Take care Brother.