Interview with Charly Steinhauer (Paradox)
Hello Charly, I’m so honoured to talk to you on my small blog again. First, my congratulations for your new amazing album called “Mysterium”, I really enjoyed every moment. How are the responses from fans and underground media so far?
- Thank you and hello, I greet you and all the readers. The reaction to the new PARADOX album "MYSTERIUM" has been very good worldwide, and in some cases outstanding. Of course, you can always find fault if you want to, but I am extremely satisfied with the result. It has turned out to be a great album and shouldn't disappoint any PARADOX fan.
Enlighten us about song-writing and recording process, please. How long did it take you to compose the “Mysterium”?
- I started songwriting in January 2023. The process took about nine months to complete. The recordings for each instrument then lasted until March 2024, and the album was finished in July 2024. However, due to a change of record label, the release was delayed by almost a year.
“MYSTERIUM” was a huge challenge for me because I recorded all the instruments myself on this album. That wasn't the original plan. Axel was no longer able to record the drums due to depression. Christian was too busy with other projects, and Olly wanted to use the bass recordings I had already made while composing the songs. So, I ended up recording everything you hear on the album myself and also handled the mixing and production. Patrick W. Engels did the mastering, as I wanted an outside professional to confirm whether the quality of my mix was good enough. And it was.
I know, it is always a hard thing but would you be so kind to talk about each track of your new album?
- The album's opening track is called "KHOLAT". It begins calmly and sadly before practically exploding with a furious tempo. It's a very fast song.
"Kholat Syakhl" translates as "Dead Mountain" in the northern Urals of Russia. In 1959, a still-unexplained tragedy occurred at the foot of the Kholat Pass, the Dyatlov Pass. Nine hikers met a gruesome death there, some of their bodies severely mutilated. It still unsolved who was responsible for their dead.
“ABYSS OF PAIN AND FEAR” is a song that contains all the trademarks that have distinguished Paradox over the years. Many tempo changes, fast and with a lot of power.
It`s about BILLY HAYES, who was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1970 and later sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to smuggle hashish from Turkey to the United States. After a long period of suffering, he finally managed to escape from the hell of prison. His experiences were made into a film called “Midnight Express.”
After two fast-paced songs, a short breather is needed in the form of "GRIEF," an acoustic instrumental piece dedicated to AXEL BLAHA (co-founder of PARADOX), who passed away in 2023.
“THOSE WHO RESIST” is a relentless rhythmic powerhouse that once again pushes the pedal to the metal. It is dedicated to the victims who tried to resist the Nazi regime during World War II and lost their lives in the process.
“ONE WAY TICKET TO DIE” is probably the fastest song on the album. Similar in speed to Kholat, it's a top-notch thrash metal inferno, while “PILE OF SHAME” continues with a stomping rhythm. A track that, with its distinctive beat, encourages headbanging.
After the ultra-heavy and dark instrumental track "TUNGUSKA," comes "FRAGRANCE OF VIOLENCE," perhaps the most typical PARADOX song on "MYSTERIUM." It contains everything that characterizes the PARADOX style.
The fragrance of violence is the smell that hangs over the battlefield. Until World War I, battle and war itself were highly romanticized. Only when weapons became increasingly deadly and soldiers died by the millions did it gain the status it enjoys today among the population. Heads of state order wars with the blood of soldiers who are only acting on orders to avoid being killed themselves. Many of them cannot understand the actual reason for the war or perhaps don't even know exactly what it is about.
Now comes the title track "MYSTERIUM," which is about the meaning of dreams. Why do we dream? What is the background and what is the purpose of dreams? It's a very mystical track, and the sleepwalking woman on the front cover perfectly illustrates the mystique behind this topic. A great Song. A monument.
The closing track, "THE DEMON GOD," is incredibly fast-paced. It unleashes one riff after another and culminates fatally in an apocalyptic scenario. The ending is very melancholic, and at the very end, you hear a sad melody, similar to the piano intro of the opening track, KHOLAT. It's pure goosebumps! The album ends. The journey ends, and you immediately want to listen to the album again.
There's also a bonus track on the CD version of "WITHIN THE REALMS OF GRAY". This was originally planned for a project with EVILE guitarist Matt Drake. When that didn't work out, I decided to use the song as a bonus track because it also has a very mystical vibe, but is somewhat different from the typical PARADOX style.
The lyrics were written by Achim “Daxx” Hoemerlein (ex-Vendetta), with whom you have worked before. What should we know about the lyrics of the new LP? By the way, what is the current situation with Exorchrist?
- Generally, mystical stories run like a common thread throughout the entire album, and they particularly moved me. They also encourage listeners to do their own research on these stories. Therefore, this album offers double the entertainment value. You can listen to the music and delve into the interesting and exciting topics, about which there is plenty to read and watch online.
Regarding EXORCHRIST, I would like to collaborate with DAXX on a few more songs, but he's recently become a father and is also busy with songwriting for VENDETTA. I can't promise whether DAXX is planning another EXORCHRIST release. I'll ask him. Right now, it`s on ice.
The marvellous cover art created for you Travis Smith again. Share some thoughts about his work, please.
- TRAVIS SMITH was already responsible for the artwork for “HERESY II – END OF A LEGEND (2021)” and has delivered outstanding work again. For the title track “MYSTERIUM,” I wanted to see a sleepwalking woman walking into the light of her dreams, unaware of what awaits her. Travis implemented it perfectly. He brings many ideas to the project. A fantastic artist. Incidentally, I admire his artwork for OPETH and NEVERMORE. His style is simply magnificent.
As your new album is a brilliant one, what do you think about the live Paradox-shows in the near future?
- There are no live performances planned for this album because that would require a functioning band with whom we could regularly rehearse the setlist. That's not currently the case, but it's not meant to be a permanent situation. However, there will definitely be no concerts before 2027, even though I really miss being on stage.
”Mysterium” has been released via German High Roller Records. How did happen that alliance between you and them?
- I requested a termination of my contract with AFM-RECORDS after they failed to release the album on time. After receiving the termination agreement, I received several offers from various labels. Among them was HIGH ROLLER RECORDS, who simply made me the best and most reasonable offer for "MYSTERIUM." I am very happy with their work because they are passionate about working with bands and because they are "old school." That suits PARADOX perfectly. I was also incredibly warmly welcomed into their family. PARADOX has finally found a new home.
Where do you get inspiration from when you create music? How many times do you play guitar per day/week?
- I actually play the guitar every day. Even if it's sometimes only 10 minutes, the guitar is always next to me in my studio so I can quickly record ideas. My inspiration comes from my favorite bands. I want to make music that I, as a fan, would expect from my favorite bands and that I like best. It has to sound like PARADOX, because I want to make the fans happy, who are responsible for the success of PARADOX.
Which live performances did you visit recently? Are there any metal albums from this year you prefer most?
- I was recently at the KEEP IT TRUE RISING festival. There I met my friend SCHMIER from DESTRUCTION and brought him the new PARADOX album. I'm going to see METALLICA at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin after a long time. I also had the pleasure of seeing RAMMSTEIN live for the first time. What an amazing show! I'm planning to see CORONER or FORBIDDEN when they play here, and I'm also looking forward to an OPETH concert. The new CORONER album is probably my personal album of the year. I also really liked THE HAUNTED album. I had expected a bit more from TESTAMENT, and I'm curious about the latest MEGADETH album. The new FORBIDDEN and the next EXODUS album are also on my radar, but especially the new NEVERMORE album. I also dream for another VEKTOR album.
Do you have any new ideas for the next Paradox-album yet?
- In my archive, I have a folder with about 3 hours of riffs, but as a composer, you always want to create something completely new. I want to use some of these riffs from that folder because they fit the PARADOX style well. I would like to release one more final and 10th PARADOX studio album. I might also work on an additional live album, as I've found some interesting recordings. This is all just brainstorming, but another album should still be possible. I have a good label behind me that supports PARADOX in the best possible way. There are many fans out there who would be happy to hear more PARADOX music. I'm happy to oblige them.
Danke schön/Thanks a lot Charly, my best wishes to you always. Send your message to the readers in the end, please.
- I appreciate all the support! I greet all the readers and hope they will take an hour to enjoy the new PARADOX album “MYSTERIUM”. It's worth it. It's definitely one of the best PARADOX albums in their 44-year career. Thank you all! Cheers!
Nincsenek megjegyzések:
Megjegyzés küldése