1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Answer: We’re currently focusing on playing gigs to
promote Catharsis, but we also started writing some songs for an upcoming
concept album.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would
you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Answer: If we had to find a definition, it would be
a mixture of melodic death and thrash metal linked with progressive elements in
terms of song length and structure. But we’re not really friends of that whole
subgenre thing so we prefer to just call it metal :)
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects
the band explores with the newer music?
Answer: The lyrical concept of five of the songs
can be described as “don’t be fooled by yourself, believe in your skills, and
don’t let anyone tell you what or have to do”. Songs like “Shadowmaker” tell the
story of war from the viewpoint of an atomic bomb, “Emperor” is a homage to
Charlie Chaplin’s speech in “The Great Dictator”, “For The World To See” deals
with bullying and the worst of all outcomes, a killing spree and “To The
Streets” is for all the people around the globe who risk their lives to spread
the idea of equality, freedom of speech or democracy.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the
name 'Mandatory'?
Answer: We stumbled upon the word by accident and
we just thought it sounded cool. After looking up the actual meaning we can say
it’s quite well chosen: “MANDATORY is mandatory listening”! :)
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has
played over the years and also how would you describe your stage
performance?
Answer: Our performance is mostly built on having
fun on the stage and delivering an energetic show. We always try to get that
vibe across to the audience. The shows which are most fun for us to play are
definitely at our yearly self-organized events called MANDAFEST, although we
have to admit that our STAR TREK gig at the open-air Maifest 2011 in Vienna’s
Prater is also a candidate for the 1st place.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new
album?
Answer: We are currently booking shows to promote
the album, but there are no concrete dates yet.
7.The new album was self released, are you open to
working with another label again in the future?
Answer: Yeah, we’d be open to work with another
label again because on one hand self-releasing an album is nice ‘cause we can
set all the deadlines for ourselves and set plans according to our job schedule
but on the other hand it is quite a workload to handle.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to
the newer music by fans of extreme metal?
Answer: The feedback has been real good so far and
we hope that it will even get better.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically
during the future?
Answer: Our next plan is to work on a concept EP or
Album, depending on the writing process, but musically it’ll be quite in the
same Melodic Death/ Thrash métier we’re in now. Maybe the songs will get a bit
more complex. We’re also trying to work with a label again that supports what we
do and that can help us reach more people with our Music.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles
that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening
to nowadays?
Answer: Our early influences where bands like
Children Of Bodom, In Flames, Metallica, Testament and a bit of Dream Theater
but also more recent artists like Opeth, Darkane, Soilwork, Scar Symmetry and so
on.
But there’s so much music going on in our lives
from metal to folk over classical music to jazz that ist’s quite hard to tell
what influenced us on this album. We’d say all of it! :)
11.What are some of your non musical
interests?
Answer: Some of our interests are sports, workout,
design, video production, electronics, coding, family and playing computergames
- just random things dudes do in their freetime. :)
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have
any final words or thoughts?
Answer: First of all thanks for the interview and
as mentioned above, dont forget: “MANDATORY is mandatory listening”!
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