Rock Overdose conducted an interview with the frontman of the German power metallers Freedom Call, Chris Bay. Read the chat below:
Rockoverdose: Hello Chris, happy new year and welcome to Rock Overdose.gr. How are you?
Chris: Hello Rock Overdose, thank you, I wish the same to you:) Everything is fine, we can't wait to introduce the new album...
Rockoverdose: Is the band preparing right now for the first live performances for “Land Of The Crimson Dawn”?
Chris: We already had a couple of rehearsals for the upcoming tour. The new songs are really kickin' ass!! The fans can expect a “Happy Metal Killer” Set...
Rockoverdose: Which countries are you thinking of visiting? Are among the scheduled any others that you have never visited before?
Chris: The Tour begins in march and will last the entire year 2012. We will travel all around Europe and hopefully we will get the opportunity to play on different continents like America or Asia. In 2010 we have been the first time in Greece, so we can't wait to come back for having a great time with all Greek metal heads!!:)
Rockoverdose: Let’s talk now about “Land Of The Crimson Dawn”. How come and you decided to combine some power songs with a rock n’ roll attitude?
Chris: To combine different atmospheres on an album is a trademark of Freedom Call! Rock'n Roll is the main category of heavy metal, so we just “touched” the source...but we didn't change the direction of our music.
Rockoverdose: Does the result exonerates of what you had in mind in the beginning? Because plans and total result are two different sides. Also I must speak to you honestly and telling you that some songs didn’t sound to me so enthusiastic as others, they carry an American sound.
Chris: So, it seems to be you doesn't like the American sound?:) I do not calculate the music, I don't try to “simulate” the trademark of Freedom Calls style...music is pure emotion, and only emotions are leading the direction of my songwriting. But I'm also influenced by the development of music and I don't defend myself against to put modern elements in our music.
Rockoverdose: What lies behind “Rockstars” and “Crimson Dawn”? These two songs are according to me two anthems not only for the album, but also for the whole discography of the band.
Chris: We're working in an absolute open minded way. Albums which are containing only songs in one direction are making me tired. We try to give our fans colorful music, catchy songs and a big piece of happiness. In behind these both songs lies creativity and courage to innovation. Stagnation makes me bored...
Rockoverdose: Would you like to tell us a few things about the second CD with your songs that are performed by other bands? This is another proof beyond the fans that the band is appreciated by a lot of people, right?
Chris: In the last two years we met many musicians and bands, whom we made friends with. We spent great times with these friends, so I just asked them to “tribute” a Freedom Call song on our album. I'm really impressed about their great work, full of energy and individual inspiration! In my opinion is that CD a fantastic Bonus material, that makes the Ltd. Edition as a REAL special Edition!!
Rockoverdose: What are your memories from your two performances in Greece in 2010 with Gamma Ray, did you enjoy them as some of us did? And are you intend to come back for a headlining show?
Chris: We really enjoyed the time which we had in Greece in 2010!! I also was totally surprised and absolutely impressed that the Greek fans were celebrating the music of Freedom Call, cause we haven't been there before. Hopefully we can come back to Greece. We will start our tour “Journey to the Crimson Dawn” as a headliner tour. I don' t know if Freedom Call is well-known enough to come to Greece to headline. But we'll try our best to make it possible!!
Rockoverdose: How was the feedback of your DVD “Live In Hellvetia”? Why did you choose Switzerland as the place for this DVD and not Germany for example?
Chris: The feedback was brilliant and much better than expected! We toured with “Legend of the Shadowking” with around 60 Shows a lot in 2010 and we just wanted to capture these moments of emotion. I feel the DVD as a present for the band and the fans. It was a hard decision to find the right place, cause we played in the last years so many cities and clubs where the people are acting great and lots of fans very supporting Freedom Call in an awesome way!! So we tried to find a place where the production crew of 10 technicians can work comfortable and professional. The Z 7 is a very professional organized venue, so it seemed to be the perfect place for the DVD filming. The crew and technique of the club are high quality. But the most important things is, the crowd in this venue is really kickin' ass:)) The result is captured...on DVD:)
Rockoverdose: Chris, do you think that the best Freedom Call album has been recorded or the time hasn’t come yet for it?
Chris: What is a “best” album? If we're talking about the commercial success, I think it will get harder and harder in the future. The most selling rates happened before the internet was online... If we're talking about the creativity or musicality, music is a matter of taste...so everybody has to decide for himself which album fits “as the best”.
Rockoverdose: Any message to the Greek fans and to the fans of the band in general?
Chris: We just played two shows in Greece, and we were absolutely impressed. You have such enthusiastic fans in Greece, so we'll never forget this experience...and will try to repeat the big party again...and again...:)
Rockoverdose: Final question, you are a man who knows power metal better than me, how do you see the cooperation of Kai Hansen with Michael Kiske in a whole album after so many years? Do you expect anything?
Chris: Its always good to see that persons, which were separated over years, are finding back to spend time together. Music only seems to be strong enough to bring together:)
This project, full of brilliant musicians, is definitely a highlight for all metal fans of the 80s. Kai and Michael were one of the formers of the German melodic metal, I give them all my respect and congrats to their new project!!
Rockoverdose: Chris thank you very much for this interview, I wish the best for you and the band and I hope to see you soon!
Chris: I thank you for your time and the interesting questions, was fun to answer!!:) thanx also for your support and I wish you a good time
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