Can you begin with a brief history of the start of Zonata? Which was your motivation to create/join the band?

It all began in 98' when guitarrists John Nyberg and Henrik Carlsson decided to play heavy metal together. They were soon joined by Johannes Nyberg who played keyboards and after a while also took over the vocals. After some line-up changes (Michael Hörnqvist joins the band) we recorded our first (and only) demo "Copenhagen Tapes" and that led to a deal with century media. Before recorded the debut album "Tunes of Steel" Mattias Asplund began playing bass in Zonata. The motivation for Zonata has always been to play the kind of music we like and at the same time have fun.

Did you have a lot of fun making the new album? Was it better than the first one?

We had a lot of fun while making "Reality". As a band we avoided all disputes that usually turns up during recordings and tours. We also worked with great people. And YES we think that "Reality" is better than "Tunes Of Steel".

In what way do you think this CD is different than the previous one?

Well, we have better and more mature songs and a much better sound than "Tunes Of Steel". If you listen to the songs itself on both our albums I think that the difference isn’t that big even if there are a difference but the production makes the new album sound so much better. What I am trying to say is that our first album could have been much better if we recorded it in this last studio we recorded "Reality". Another difference is that we had more time during the "Reality" recordings. Most groups that plays the same music as us usually has double studio time that we have. But when we recorded "Reality" the producers let us work at night alone in the studio and without that extra time we probably would have sounded as on "Tunes Of Steel".

Could you please tell a few comments about each song on the CD?

"Reality" A perfect intro song. A strong, fast tune with direct lyrics that tells listener what will happen if we don’t stop this madness. "Divided we Stand" A heavy song with melodic chorus. Lyrics are about the fact that our earth resources are about to come to an end. Instead of saving them we’re fighting to gain acces to them and while doing that even more resources is wasted. "Illusion of Madness" A calm intro that leads you into a fast song of madness. Typical metal lyrics about doing the right thing. "Hollow Rain" Mid tempo track with a very cool instrumental part. Lyrics about persons who ends up in bad company because of a bad childhood. They are so lost that they don’t (or will not) find a way out of it. They are used to live a life in dispair and maybe never will take part of our "normal" society (one of our social systems weak points). "Symphony of the Night" A standard speed metal song. Fast and easy to like. Lyrics about dangerous leaders and politicians who belives in what they think so hard that they forget all about common knowledge and standards. The kind of leaders that’s make this world the way it is. But one day they hopefully meets the truth, the truth of reality. "Forever" Speed metal more in the vein of Judas priest, Accept etc. but still with a touch of Zonata feeling. Lyrics about belive in who you are and what you are doing. "Wheel of Life" A powerfull song with great melodies. Lyrics about the state we humans is in. We think that what whatever we do with mother earth everything is gonna be allright. Maybe we belive that somekind of a god will come down from the stars and rescue us, but it will not be that way. We have to manage it ourself, before it is to late... "Dimension to Freedom" Epic intro but then turns to a great melodic piece with wonderfull vocals. Lyrics about reaching your goals nomatter what you’ll up against. "Evil Mind" Fast song with a headbanging intro. Great vocals and melodies. Lyrics about don’t messing with things that was meant to be left alone. "Life" A strong ballad that blossoms into a instrumental flower with a lot of good rythm and melodies. Lyrics about life. Why are we here. Why am I here. What does everything mean. Something we’ll never find out or do we.

What is the Nr.1 goal you hope this new album will accomplish?

To gain alot of fans and to spread the name around the world. To play some festivals and a Europe tour.

You have been working on a video of the new album... Any inside details you could provide regarding this?

Well, the day we were supposed to shoot it was too cold (we should have been in a old facility without heating and outside it was -20ºC). And we haven’t heard anything about it since.

What bands have you toured with?

We have never been on a tour but we have played with Therion, Lefay, Stratovarius and many other less known bands in different gigs and festivals.

You will be playing with Nocturnal Rites... how did that come about?

I think our manager contacted them and the fact that we are on the same label made it easier.

How would you describe a live Zonata perfomance? Do you usually play covers in shows?

We are a band that consentrates more on what we play (and sings) than on banging our heads. Because our music is so hard to play and the fact that we are only 4 guys in the band. We have also very hard vocal arrangements. But I think we are more and more used to play live and then it’s easier to run around and bang your head. Live we never play covers (I don’t know why) because we are so hot to show the audience our own songs. We will not be famous because we play someone else songs good.

Who would be the ultimate band to tour with, active or not?

Well I can only answer for myself (Mattias Asplund). Even that is very hard. But Dream Theater would be great. I’m pretty sure that Michael (drummer) would say Metallica. Johannes I think would say Iron Maiden and John would probably say Yngwie Malmsteen.

How is the scene in Sweden? Is it easy for a young band to become famous?

It’s certainly seems that way. But Sweden is a good country to raise musical kids. We have very good music schools and it’s easy to find some where to play if you got a band. Our metal scene is Sweden is very good but as we are a so small population it’s very hard to gather metalheads to one place (it’s a long country to travel through). I don’t think many people would agre with me when I say we have a good metal scene, but if you look at it in percent per inhabitant I think we have kind of a good scene.

What are some of your favorite new metal bands that you think are having a major influence in the metal scene today?

Well I don’t really listen to new metal bands anymore. But I guess Blind Guardian, Helloween are a big influence to many bands today. Also Dream Theater is a huge influence to progressive bands today.

What are your hopes for Zonata in the future?

I hope we are going to be one of the leading heavy metal bands in a couple of years. I think our records will be better and better and that will lead us to alot of touring.

And finally, add something if you like...

I hope all the readers will give our music a chance and that you will like our music (now and in the future). Keep our Reality alive for a future instead hell.

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