At
last here is the interview with Dan Fondelius,
founder and frontman of Swedish legends Count Raven
who have turned a new chapter in their legacy with their smashing new milestone
Mammons War, 13 years after Messiah Of Confusion. A great interview who will guide you through
the past,present and the
future of this brilliant powertrio.
A mighty salute to your comeback album, what a
thriller. Mammons War, 13 years have
passed since Messiah Of Confusion, its been a lot of turmoils,
all kinds of positive and negative things, how have you coped with all the
circumstances in this long amount of time ?
Thanks a lot.. and for ”saluting” it. Wow! How
I have coped from all things?I
haven’t. Thats why I write
to you from the other side of the grave. Been dead a while haha.
No seriously, I have always come back even if I have been completly
strcken to the ground. I always find my way up and
fight back. It’s just the way I am really.One thing
that really helped me during my ”silent” period was
the fact that my beautiful daughter Jennifer was born at the same time I left
Count Raven in the late 90*s. Iwas very depressed then,but the fact that I had to take care of her fulltime
made me come back even faster.It was nice just to
leave the music business a while and just concentrate on my child. Best time of
my life.
Playing Mammons War, for me this is the
definitive Count Raven album with Destruction Of The Void and High On Infinity
following close behind, the progress of this album have been 3 years, but
during all this time you must have composed a lot of material and ideas for Mammons War, is the album the final closure of this long
and winding road since you unleashed Messiah Of Confusion ?
I certanly hope it is! That was my intention all along. For
me Count Raven
now begins. The past held nothing but misery for me. And the fact that I always
said, that the past albums,regardless
of the fact that they are all highly acclaimed still were completly
commercial flops.This due to a recordcompany
that sucked the blood out of me as well did my former collegues.
Never again! This times things looks definitly better.
The album have just been unleashed and already it has got a very good
response from a lot of places, during the studio process of Mammons,
did you have all the arrangements already or did you lay down the puzzle while
you were in the studio, fill me in on the process and the progression of the
creation of Mammons War ?
A good response
indeed! It is mad really. The album has been number one album of the week in
The title Mammons War is a exceptional title,
did you have the title already before you went ahead with this project or did
it come during the studioprocess and what is the
basic idea behind the title ?
It was just
before we should enter the studio,that
I layed down the first ideas of the song at my homestudio.I cranked the music up very loud and started to
sing to. And the lyrics were suddenly there in real time. The best song for me,the lyrics always comes in real
time. It it just like something takes over me. My
body gets heated up,like I
am in a sauna or something,and off I go. This is
really a relgious experience I’m having. The lyrics
in that song describes very clearly that what mankind started he will be forced
to watch being ended!
Mammons War to me are a very very
strong product, there is a wide selection of intense and varied arrangements,
orchestration and a exceptional performance from the heavyprogressive
crunching atmospheric soundpicture that you have had
on previous items to once again that you used on High On Infinity the
magnificent keyboard arrangements that to me on this one sounds a lot more complexed and dynamic, to focus on that combination in this
question, was that planned from the beginning or did it come in the studio
sessions ?
To write music is
a constant process. Like the earth is turning. It never stops.If
you didn’t put a deadline to record an album,it would go on forever. And yeah,I do agree with you. There is a strange brew of both
beauty and strangeness over our music,that
makes it timeless I suppose.
Even without any words,the music itself brings
forth feelings. It is a lifeform in it self. The keyboard and the
orchestral parts is and has always been special to me. And that is something I
have an extreme talent for. I
have decided to get into this type of music even more.It seems as I have found my own style of music with
it. I guess it would be just stupid not to continue with it. For some reason
they fit in with the rest of the music. When the rock music has pounded your
ears for a while,it is nice
and peaceful to listen to an orchestral piece.
You hooked up with I Hate, at last a Swedish label for one of the best
combos that Sweden ever have produced in my mind, how pleased are you with I
Hate compare to your previous struggles with silly labels that never really gaved you that chance that you deserved back in the 1990s ?
Well,you said it! Stupid and silly
labels is something that is definitly over. I
will never go back to that situation again. That was one of my conditions
already as a demand to the old line up when we did the reunion in 2003. Off
course, they thought is was silly and stupid not to
stay with the silly and stupid. Well equals plays best with each other I guess.haha. I am so glad that I have the new guys with me
and that we have the same idea about the stupid and silly within the music business.No more mister nice guy! The new label is great
and it is good to have a company speaking the same language both when it comes
to talk seriousness business as well as the social part.It
is truly a relief.
Back to Mammons War, you used the same artist
as you had on that Messiah Of Confusion re-issue to create this incredible
cover artwork, how pleased are you with the cover and fill me in on the
illustrations of the artwork, what is the message in there ?
Yeah it is a guy
called Christoph Schinzel.
He is mostly known as Stripe,his
nickname. He is a very nice chap and a very talented artist. When I first saw
the re-issue of the Messiah album I just said,wow. If we ever will record a new album,that’s the guy I want. So
already knew when the”Mammons War” project started
who I was going to call. It took him just a few days to come up with the groundformula and in just a week the whole concept was
finished. How impressing is that.And the entitre concept is really mind boggling we think.The backgrounds,how the lyric looks,the
difference in colours,photo,and off course the
fantastic front cover with the stone figure that puts down a rose on the dead
people and on the burning stocks and money.That front
IS the song Mammons War in a nut shell. This world is
finished as it is! Time for a new one!
Speaking of the lyrical standpoint, in my mind I find Mammons War to include a lot more darker stories compare to
your previous items even though there was great lyrics on those too, but this
one is more compact, more fluent and more aggressive, in what state of mind
have you been in when you wrote lyrics for this one and fill me in on some of
the subjects on Mammons War ?
Well I remember
that Wilbur (x-bassplayer-ed) and I had that disussion once. Most bands and persons mellow out with age
and beome more soft. We realised that we were more angry as we have become older.As a person myself I have iheritated
my temper and stubborness from my mother,my grandmother but most of all,my
grandfather. He despiced all authoritys.To
him,they were all the devil.They
were all heavily involved in the fighting for the working class,and
working hard for the unions,and they all got fired
for this from time to time. So I guess you know were my hate for all gouvernments and authoritys comes
from.It is in my blood. And naturally this shows even
now and then in my lyrics. All my lyrics are reality based. And the darker side
of life really comes out on this album. And privatly
I keep on the tradition
in fighting authoritys and governments.
And I always will! It is a duty! I will fight this satan until God comes back!
Since Mammons War came out, your basher Jens
Bock left the troop to be replaced by Patrik, can you
fill me in on who he is and how much effect he has given to the Count so far ?
Patrick is a
swell guy. And has a real good sense of humour. And intelligent as well. He always has a solution to no
matter what problem that comes up.At
first I wasn’t sure about him when it got to the drumming. But I found out that
he treats his drumming as this problem solving thing I mentioned earlier. He listen’s to the song,then pick up
his note book and writes down all the missing parts,checks
the tempo,and off he goes.And
suddenly he playes like he’s been in the band for 10
years haha. Amazing. He also
has cool tendensy to ”follow”
ceartin parts and in so create new and exiting
fillings that makes you laugh. He’s drumeducation is
based on jazz. And jazz drummer has always been and probably always will be the
best drummers.
Talking about your status, I have followed Count Raven for 20 good years
now since your demos and the fanbase keeps getting
stronger for every year, talking about the legacy of this trio, and the great
response you have been given from your fanbase and
media, what is the certain focal point in your opinion about the legacy that
you have built for such a long period of time ?
Well I think the
fans have always been there for us and that’s why the band still exists. We owe
them everything
to them. No doubt about it. The 2 biggest focal points in my career is first the ”High on Infinity” album. That one really put our name
on the map.The second is off course ”Mammons War” that has not only given us a second chance,also got even more highly acclaimed in the press,and will get us back on the road and hopefully give
us a better future.
Back to this long break since Messiah right up to now, talking about the
overall Metal/ Retro rock scene that you are part of, with Mammons
War and I Hate pushing it, its certain that now 2009 are a different climate
for this type of genre compare to the 1990s, Metal and Retro have pushed
forward to new audiences that wasn’t that keen on this type of music in the
past, what do you reckon about the change and what is your thoughts on Mammons War tribute to the scene in the next coming period
?
One thing that is very clear.
If you look at the history of the the musicscene it seems that it is starting now! When you
compare the past with today that thing is obvious. Everything changed after we
passed the year 2.000. Nothing was possible for bands in the past. And that
because there was only the ”big” companies then. That
created the ”dinosaurs” and ”broilers” and all they
gave us was their radio comersialized music. Today
all has changed. Bands can get a contract.,you can
get gigs and so on...All thanks to the underground scene that now has grown
into ”overground” if you like. And in their footsteps
more follows. This leaves the big compnies out in the
cold,and it is about time.
The internet is also adding to this.This is also the
reason that the ”retro” scene is here. It really is a
different climate today. Not is all good though. I dont
wan’t to join in the Metallica ”witchhunt” on downloaders,but the
fact IS that downloading WILL KILL the music. The recordcompanies
screams about that they fight for ”their artists”.
This is not true. They fight for their profit. Then they give the artist 10% on
paper,but in the end they
take even that from you making up fake costs. So in the end the artist get
nothing. And the free downloading is going to be the final nail in the coffin
of the artists and their music. Without any incom we
won’t survive.Sure,you an
get a few bucks through the net via legal downloading. But it stops there. That doesen’t get you on the road
for instance. What I mean is that the collaboration that is between record companies,promotors,managers e.t.c. is not something you can connect to the internet.
Maybe in the future you can ”be your own” through the
internet. I am afraid the future looks really black.
More on Mammons War, I feel strongly that this
is very much a bandeffort, the whole thing is very
compact, very tight, an endless flowing stream of great arrangements, the
dynamic soundpicture, also even though there is dark
stories I feel that this album is the most spontaneous outburst you have
created so far and very enjoyable, a dark sense of humour is also involved.
What is your objective view on Mammons War ?
Sorry Gabriel,but I have to smile a bit,because you already answered the entire question What is left for me ? haha. A bandeffort
indeed. Everybody was very much involved in the process. It was a
pleasant journey I must say. The music is an eternal and timeless river.Ok we
had a hard work to get ”the flow”,but we made it and
the end result is very satifying.Just what I had in
mind. And yes,we want to
have this mixture between dark and light. Like life really is. I can honestly
say that this is the best album so far. I almost can not believe I am saying
that. But it is true.
Talking about the liveshow nowdays,
you have done a few ones with the album lineup, what
can the fans expect from Count Raven on the livesupport
from this album and compare to the past what is the biggest progression of the
combo as a liveact ?
More energy most definitely. Everbody that have
seen us say’s this. Many people that have seen us in the past and have seen us
now confirms this.We did the ”Muskel
Rock Festival” and this reviewer from
Close Up Magazine said that he remembered us being ”this tired old doomband” in the past and that he now thought that we where
completly transformed. Now we were hungry and vital
and the festivals best surprise. How about that?
Talking about the vocal arrangements on Mammons
War, I remember back when you did High On Infinity that you started to develop
your voice, you did more experiementations with it,
now this album I feel that the vocal arrangements have expanded into something
very exceptional with more variations, depth and a more spooky haunting sound,how pleased are you with the
vocal arrangements on Mammons War, have you reached
the peak now or will you expand them with the next release ?
Yes I suppose you
are right that there is a link between the ”High
on...” album and the new.As you say I started
experiment with different arrangements and my voice. I really want to continue
with that,so it was natural
that it came about even here. You think I have some ”spooky”
moments. Well maybe,or it
could be that some of the lyrics are spooky,because
they are. I am very disillutioned with the world. It is natural that
when you are upset or angry that you give the voice ”more punch. I will definitly keep,on
experimenting with the voice. Even this comes like an eternal river.It will just go on and on.
For the first time in 20 years are you also in the progress of release a
Ep, a split what I recall, when is that coming out
and fill me in what material will be in there and how pleased are you with this
Ep release ?
Yes that’s true.
We will do a split release with an another swedish outfit called Griftegård.
That band is runned by a guy called Ola,who started I Hate Records and
was the guy who brought us into that label. He has now quit the label and
concentrating on his band. This split record is a collaboration
between Griftegårds label and I Hate. Count Raven
will release a new song called Wolfmoon. The record
will be released in January. I have no other details at the moment.
Talking about Count Raven 2009, the sound that you have, some folks have
said that you are the supreme flowers of doom, others have said that the lyrics
makes you Doom, in my mind you attract a large audience with the music that you
create, Mammons War certainly proves it, in your
opinion, how would you describe the sound of Count Raven nowdays
compare to the 1990s ?
Well we never
ever saw our selves as a doom band. We always thought and always knew that we
attract a much broader audience than that. The only problem is that neither recordcompanies or the
press have understood this, and this has become a real problem for us.
Don’t
misunderstand us,we love the
doom gengre,but we have to get further and reach all people.Our music has that potential.If
you look at the press reactions you’ll understand this. We get good reviews
everywhere and not many of these reporters are into doom,so you can see what I mean. I think it is out time
in this world now. Everything is changing now. When it comes to the sound it
has changed mainly in the drum section. This is something many wanted and even
me for a long time. Now we have the drumsound that we
want. A more ”air” under it’s wings,if
you like. It is nice to have someone who can do a straight tempo instead of constant fills and markings,as it was in the past.
During this long period of time, you also did guest vocals on a project
called Archtribe that came out 2001, a 2 track cd that I really enjoyed, can you fill me in on that
project and how pleased are you with the performance on that one ?
Well that was a
very nice experience for me. And a total new kind of music as
well. That was
a project
involving 13 musicians and the leader was a guy called Stefan Östlund. He had shared the rehearsing room with us in
earlier days. And he had noticed my voice. He worked on this project for years,and when all the music was recorded he gave me a call
and asked me if I could do the vocals. I was totally surprised. He invited me
to his house. I listned to the stuff and I really
liked it. The music is some kind of speedier rock,but it is different to anything I have heard. Totally original. We went in this very large studio in
Talking about the next plans after the release of Mammons
War, what is the next thing for you and how is the follower going to sound like
compare to this release ?
We are currently
gigging around
So the future is
finally looking great for Count Raven. I have been waiting for this a very very long time.
Thank you ever so much for this brilliant
interview, all the best wishes and blessings with Mammons
War and everything else, fly raven fly forever.
Thank you Gabriel
and bless you.
More Info
I HATE www.ihate.se
COUNT RAVEN www.myspace.com/countraventheband