Exclusive Interview with Lanvall and Sabine ‘Edenbridge’

Solitaire was the title of the seventh album of symphonic-power-progressive metal band from Austria, Edenbridge. The album has been officially released on 2 July 2010 by Napalm Records. It was planned that they should make concerts in Indonesia on 8 July (in Jakarta), 9 July (Solo) and Malang 12 July 2010. But, unfortunately the concerts are failed to be made. In order to make clarification upon the suspension of the mentioned concerts, two Edenbridge personnel, Arne Stockhammer aka Lanvall (guitar, keyboards) and Sabine Edelsbacher (vocal) came to Indonesia to meet promotor, some media and fans. On July 11, 2010, uncluster.com luckily got a privilege to interview the Edenbridge’s personnel in Bandung, Following is our interview.

What are the reasons actually that made Edenbridge concerts in Indonesia are suspended? Whereas, there are lots of fans waiting for Edenbridge to make concerts here in Indonesia, as well as listening to new songs of Solitaire album alive.

[Lanvall]  We are very happy that we can come to Indonesia, meet the fans. Unfortunately, the planned concerts must be cancelled as a result of technical matters. We even had to revoke our flight tickets bookings as well as our concert to be made in Yankees Rock Show. Last Saturday 10 July, we were in Jakarta and made a press conference inviting some media to explain the suspension.

Can you ascertain when the Edenbridge concerts in Indonesia would be taken place?

[Lanvall] We hope our concerts would be success in Indonesia, and we’ve planned them to be held in November 2010, therefore we could prepare for it a better.

Talking about your new album, Solitaire. What kind of concept that you suggested on this album? Is there still combining symphony, power metal and progressive?

[Sabine] We present a concept that obviously tells life, our own experiences and everything has been happened in this world.

[Lanvall] About the music. It is absolutely right on what you have said, that we still play symphonic metal, because symphonic style is a marvelous element in music for us to play and we have been still playing it ever since the first album, Sunrise in Eden.

What is the advantage of this album in compared with the six previous albums?

[Lanvall] I think this new album is extremely different than those of previous albums. In the new album we played very progressive, both in music and sound. It is the very first time for me in playing a 7-snares guitar as well as the orchestra within, which finally enriching the music we made.

What is the theme that you offered in this album?

[Lanvall] Basically, the theme that we wanted to offer is all about nature. During recording and mixing processes we tried to produce more natural sounds, either in music arrangement and guitar playing styles.

[Sabine ] A magic moment, if it is required hahaha…….

Any difficulties found during the making of Solitaire album?

[Lanvall] The most complicated one in making this album was determining the idea that may strengthen characters of each song. In addition, we have to spend more expenditures in order to get more fixed and maximum recording result.

You assigned Mika Jussila to accomplish the mastering process of this album. As we know, Mika is the sound engineer of Finnvox Studio, Finland and he has done mastering works of other famous bands, such as Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, Children of Bodom and Edguy. What kind of satisfaction did you get in collaborating with Mika?

[Lanvall] It was not only with Mika, we also worked with Karl Groom from English progressive metal band, Threshold, in mixing process. Because mixing process is the most important one of the whole recording processes we have done, you might not decide everything before mixing is done. To me, Mika Jussila is the best mastering engineer in the world, and in any work he always does it excellently and optimal. Moreover, he is able to make differences between results of mastering among one to another band, hence there are many metal bands in Europe have always trusted mastering process to Mika Jussila.

The two most recent albums were released by Napalm Records, while five other albums were released by Massacre Records. Is there any reason that made you to change your record label to Napalm Records?

[Lanvall] Basically, we had a great time during collaboration with Massacre Records ever since our first album was released. Without them, we might not to be just like now and we will never forget what Massacre Records has given to us. However, we found weakness in promotion, where they did a less promotions, and as a result, our five albums were not distributed widely.

[Sabine] To me, Napalm Records is indeed a small recording company but they able to promote our albums better to a wider reach, even up to USA.

What kind of strategy that has been enacted by Napalm Records in promoting as well as distributing your album?

[Lanvall] Until now, they have promoted us through magazines who are widely known have dwelled on metal by sending sample track, promo tour schedules, newslatter, video clip and to radio stations.

[Sabine] In addition, they also have promoted our merchandise through EMP Merchandise which is located in Germany. Moreover, we’re glad that the Solitaire album will be released in Indonesia by Semax International.

In Skyline’s End you are heavily influenced by Middle East ethnic music and I am very attracted by the lyrics of it. What actually do you want to express through the song?

[Lanvall] Through the song, we want to express freedom in term of friendship, opinions and enjoy what the world’s has. The Middle East ethnic music is actually nice to be heard and beautiful to be combined with music we created. Skyline’s End was one of our best songs in Solitaire.

Which one of songs in Solitaire that would be a single?

[Sabine] We will choose “Higher” as the single, because the song is one that most representative of the entire songs within the album and the single is very feasible to be chosen one  with a video clip and radio sound, therefore all people—mainly youngsters—can listen to the song.

Lanvall, who is the guitar hero that inspires you in music?

[Lanvall] The one I like most is Dream Theatre’s John Petrucci’s style, since he has excellent melodies and he is a good soloist too. In addition, I also admire Karl Groom of Threshold who actually mixed the Solitaire album and Jason Becker, who has once made a duet with Marty Friedman in Cacophony.

Last question, do you have any message for Edenbridge fans in Indonesia?

[Sabine & Lanvall] Listen to our songs in Solitaire album, and don’t forget to come to our Indonesian concerts in next November. We will give the best for you in the concerts. (Translated by Rizkal Dicky Satriadi)

Filed Under: Interviews