BRAINSTORM
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 1st October 2009.
Brainstorm is one of our favourite power metal bands here at Rock Realms. We had the pleasure of seeing them play live in London recently and got to catch up with guitarist Torsten Ihlenfeld after the gig.
It's Brainstorm's 20th year this year is it not?
Torsten: Yeah.
How does that feel?
Torsten: Well, sometimes it feels like we are getting old (laughs). But we were pretty young when we met. None of us had a driving license. When we rehearsed we had to stop cars to get to the rehearsing room.
Did you think you'd last this long and still be going strong after 20 years?
Torsten: No, no. Nobody could imagine back then. We met each other and started making music. We had no plan of what would come out of it.
You and the other guitarist, Milan are the originals aren't you?
Torsten: And the drummer (Dieter). I was in a band with both, even before Brainstorm.
So you've known each other a loooong time...?
Torsten: Yes (laughs). We were called Twilight.
Did you meet at school then?
Torsten: Nope. We meet in a pub.
Were you watching another band?
Torsten: It was the local heavy metal club.
Most importantly, do you all still like each other?
Torsten: Yes (laughs). We are very close friends. So, it's not only making music, it's about a really deep friendship. We've been with each other for more than half of our lives. We were 16 when we met, we are 37/38 now.
The bass player (Antonio) has only been in the band a couple of years?
Torsten: Yeah, it's 2 years now.
Has he fitted in well? Part of the family?
Torsten: Yeah, he's a very nice guy...and he's a good bass player.
I see some of you have got other jobs as well. Is it difficult balancing being in the band with working?
Torsten: It's not that difficult because everybody grew up with that. Even Dieter and Milan, they had been trainees, and they still work in the same company. That makes it very easy because everybody's used to it. They work more than they have to, to make up their hours so they get enough holidays. We're very lucky. It's very difficult to make a living out of playing metal music, especially if you have family to feed. When you have children, one day you have to decide to just make music and be away half the year or try to combine it and that's what we're able to do.
You don't bring your families on tour?
Torsten: Some of us are not so lucky with our families as others. It's not a 9 to 5 job. We're still away 6 or 8 weeks at a time. Not every family can bear that.
No, It must be difficult. I guess it's like having someone in the army going away on a tour of duty. Anyway, onto the new album. Are you proud of the result?
Torsten: Yes, very.
I had a couple of listens this morning. Sounds good, sounds like Brainstorm!
Torsten: It's definitely Brainstorm. The reason we are so proud of this album is that almost everything we planned for the album fell into place. It all happened like we wanted it to and that feels very good. We signed the new record deal with AFM because the deal with Metal Blade was over. We wanted to express what the future will bring for Brainstorm. We wanted to show where we came from. That's one of the reasons for the album title.
Yeah, I was going to ask you where the name Memorial Roots came from...
Torsten: We wanted something in the title that contained the word 'root'. because we're loosing the old roots and building new ones. We don't want to deny where we come from. It's all on the album. There are songs in the vain of the first 3 releases, and also songs about what Brainstorm stands for right now. That's why we are very, very proud of it.
This is not in any way a concept album then? What you were saying (about roots etc.) is the meaning behind the lyrics?
Torsten: No, it's not a concept album, but everything on the album has to do with roots - family roots, religious roots or whatever. That's why there's no better choice for a title - especially with the cover. We wanted to use something that would last very long, you know, with trees, and for us it fits perfectly.
What's your favourite song on there? From my couple of listens this morning 'The Conjunction Of 7 Planets' was the one that sprang out.
Torsten: That's my favourite too (laughs).
What are you most proud of working on out of everything you've ever done musically? Is it the new album?
Torsten: Yeah, it is. Definitely. Another thing were very proud of was the trilogy on Soul Temptation because that was a lot of work to get everything into shape. But, I think, we are most proud of the new one.
Did you have any guests on the album or is it just guys?
Torsten: No, just us.
You did a cover of (Tony Christie's) Amarillo on one of your albums. Are there any other covers you'd like to do or does it not interest you that much?
Torsten: We're not a typical cover band. We have done several over the years, everybody does that, but it's not important for us to have a cover song on an album. If we think it's fun or we like the song then we would. Something special we did was the 'Before The Dawn' cover by Judas Priest we did for Liquid Monster (released on the 'All Those Words' single). Judas Priest was one of the main reasons we started back in the 80's. We all liked that song very much and it fitted very well as a bonus.
It's quite good touring with Primal Fear then because they sound a bit like Judas Priest...
They do (laughs). We have the same roots. We're from the same area, so the tour fits very well.
What was it like playing in America and Mexico, were they good gigs?
Torsten: Yes, they're very enthusiastic. It was the first time we've been to Mexico.
Was it a big festival?
Torsten: It was an indoor festival with, I guess, 3,000 people, It was...amazing. Very hot. We played two shows - one club show and one festival show. It felt so hot because it was at about 1500 metres altitude and about 40°C!
I can imagine. You guys (bands in general) get hot on stage even in a cold room!
Torsten: Yeah! That was really sweaty. Then the States, it feels good to play there because you always get a sold out venue.
You've been over to the States a few times?
Torsten: Yeah. We like it there a lot.
Do you get to see much live music yourself?
Torsten: Yeah.
What's the best band you've seen - who is your favourite?
Torsten: There's not a special favourite. We all have a wide musical range of what we love to hear from hard rock, thrash metal, whatever... I've seen Children Of Bodom a few times this year already. I always enjoy them when they play. They put on a very energetic show. We actually played with them in Mexico which was cool. Doro played there as well, she's always a pleasure, and I'm going to see Gotthard in about 6 or 8 weeks.
What are you up to once you finish this tour? Are you just going to relax?
Torsten: We'll see... The album is out in about 2 weeks I think. We tour through Europe.
You've got about 20 dates listed I think?
Torsten: Yeah, then we'll take a short break for the Christmas holidays. hopefully the next tour will be booked by then for January or February.
Hard working guys...
Torsten: Well, we have to (laughs).
Okay, well I think that's about it, apart from one silly final question. Is there any question you hate being asked in interviews?
Torsten: No, not really. I know it's hard to set up an interview and not ask the same questions over and over. You have to ask certain questions, or course. I did the same as you do until a few years ago for a German magazine. It's not as easy as it looks. People want to be informed about the bands they like.
Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, thank you very much for your time.
Torsten: Thank you.
Brainstorm's new album Memorial Roots is out in October, check back on Rock Realms nearer the time for a review...and thanks again to the guys for a great show.
http://www.myspace.com/officialbrainstorm
http://www.truemetal.org/brainstorm/
