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Interview with lead vocalist
Chrigel Glanzmann
March 2008 : By Joe Florez |
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Say what you will about the folk/pagan/Viking
metal scene, but despite artists like Eluveitie, Korpiklaani and
such may be getting the respect that they deserve and the fifteen
minutes of fame that they are receiving, music composed like this by
countless metal bands from around the world have been doing this for
a long period of time. Diehard fans will know this. While the band
has only one other full length to their credit, they play like
seasoned veterans and combine a killer mix of Gothenburg melodic
death metal with Celtic nuances and the end result is nothing less
than smashing. This hybrid of genius was crafted by growler,
acoustic guitar player and performer of several other instruments
Chrigel Glanzmann. The one thing that surprised me was the fact that
this music didn’t come from the northern climates of cold, but
rather Switzerland. If listening to the disc isn’t enough for you,
the be prepared to catch the eight piece live as part of the Pagan
Fest tour beginning in May in North America. Chrigel explains his
formula for success.
Every scene seems to have been given the spotlight for fifteen
minutes plus give or take. And even though that folk metal has been
around for a long time, it seems like it’s really hot right now and
this band is no exception. What is that drew you to create folk
metal like you make today?
When I founded Eluveitie it was just a long year dream of mine to
combine the two kinds of music, that I love the most: Melodic death
metal and traditional Celtic folkmusic. Since the beginning it was
very important that both “ingredients” of our sound are realized in
a elaborated and authentic way and that both are on equal footing. |
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I
noticed on that on Slania the folk elements are very Celtic. Out of
curiosity, does Switzerland have a distinct sound or are you doing
the Celtic thing because that is what you enjoy?
Yes, musically as well as lyrically it all is very Celtic, haha.
Because we exclusively focus on Celtic culture. And well, since
Switzerland is a Celtic country, or better said, one of Europe’s
countries with Celtic roots, it’s very natural that we do so.
Our little country is also called “Helvetia” (which is, for example
still written on our stamps. Or also if you visit a Swiss website,
you might notice the extension “.ch” which stands for “Confederation
of Helvetia”). That name hearkens back on the Celtic tribe that once
inherited this land: The Helvetians. In fact the Helvetians were one
of the largest and most influence Celtic tribes of Gallia (what the
Celtic regions on the European continent were called like). It’s
true; today most of the cultural Celtic “export goods” comes from
the isles, especially from Ireland. It’s mainly in the most western
parts of Europe (Brittany in France, Galicia in Spain and |
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| the UK
countries), where the Celtic culture “survived” until today or
better said: Flew into today’s cultures. Mainly because the Roman
Empire didn’t expand that much into those areas. But in fact wide
parts of western Europe (western Austria, Helvetia, Southern
Germany, France, northern Spain and parts of Belgium and Holland.
“Belgium” also still wears the name of the Celtic tribe that
inherited the land: The Belgae) were Celtic land and are affected by
Celtic culture still today. Actually the “heart” of Celtic culture
was on the mainland, in todays Switzerland, western Austria and
central France. That’s for example why the heyday of Celtic culture
is named after a village in todays Switzerland: The so-called “La
Tène period”. But however: Of course Celtic music is also something
I keenly enjoy. :)
Much like other groups, Eluveitie started
out as a project more or less in 2002 and released the E.P. Ven in
2003 independently. In 2004 you sign a deal with a small Dutch label
and re-release it with some songs on there re-recorded. Was that
mainly cause you were simply dissatisfied with the production and
perhaps you have grown in a year’s time and wanted to include new
elements that you didn’t do the first time around?
Eluveitie was founded in winter 2002/2003, right. Regarding the
re-release of “Vên”: We didn’t re-record any song on there, but some
single tracks in some songs, which weren’t recorded that well the
first time. But actually that was not the reason for the re-release.
Fear Dark, the label we signed to back then, was quite convinced of
“Vên” and they wanted to re-release it (our independently released
edition was sold out). But they found that it should get a new
mastering. We liked that idea of course and jumped at that
opportunity and re-recorded the choirs as well as one fiddle-line,
which both weren’t recorded too well the first time.
You are the main man in the band that sings
the growls and I notice that you are very talented. Not only do you
play guitar, but you also manage to play wind instruments like the
pipes, whistles and for the record what is the Bodhran?
The Bodhrán is just a Celtic frame drum.
Spirit was your full length debut. Does that
record differ much from Slania or are they similar in sound?
I don’t think that there are many differences regarding our style.
Of course we develop as a band! But this development is a very
natural one. The songwriting gets more “mature” and mellow and so
on. So, to me “Slania” is the logical consequence after “Spirit”.
Yet, of course we always like to try out new things. For example
there’s a childrens choir in one song (Slania’s Song), which isn’t
that common for a metal band, I guess. :) What also clearly gets
better from release to release is the mixing and the production.
Mixing a line-up like ours definitely isn’t the easiest thing. It’s
quite tricky to get all of the overall 15 different instruments
(without the different vocal lines & choirs!) heard - it’s something
that needs experience. And so we learn to do it better from album to
album. As well it was a good thing to produce together with Jens
Bogren, who is a very able producer indeed. |
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When you listen to the opening track
Primordial Breath, you notice a more than Gothenburg sound that is
akin to At The Gates combined with Celtic influences. What made you
decide to include these two styles?
As mentioned above, it was just kind of a dream to combine melodic
death metal (in Swedish vain) and traditional Celtic folkmusic. It’s
hard to say, why I came to that. I mean, I just always loved both
styles very much.
What I like about the music is that even
though this is heavy and fast there are plenty of melodies and hooks
on here that makes it for an easy listen. For instance, “Inis Mona”
has these really catchy guitar riffs and the bag pipes add a cool
touch too.
Thank you! I think so too, actually. I mean, this is kind of an idea
behind Eluveitie. And I also think that this is an idea of
traditional folkmusic itself! It might actually be quite complex,
but it’s always catchy and “danceable”.
Apparently, there is a lot going on here and
with eight members in the band how do you compose the music to make
sure that everyone gets a chance to play or sing on here?
Well, all of us are totally involved in what we play, but
nevertheless: To give everyone a chance to play or sing is not what
it is about! It’s about music only. We’re a band and not a “caring
organization”, haha. ;) The most important thing is always the music
and the question on each instrument and each song is: Does this
instrument fit in here? Does it serve the song? Does it make the
song better? If not it should not play.
Finally, the folk/pagan/Viking scene is
getting a tour all their own and you are part of the Pagan Fest
package that will make its way to North America in May. Are you
nervous at all about this?
No, we’re not nervous. But of course we’re thrilled and really
looking forward to finally play live concerts for our fans in the
States! :D
The record is simply phenomenal and one that a
true music fan shouldn’t miss out on. Are there any words you would
like to say to all the fans out there?
Well, thank you for these “flowers”! :D And of course we really
thank all our American fans for all their amazing support and their
interest in our work! We raise our horns!
www.nuclearblast.de |
www.eluveitie.ch |
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