THE BURNING
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 25th February 2009.
The Burning are a surprisingly accessible death metal band from Denmark. Their new album, Rewakening is out at the end of February 2009.
Guitarist Rasmus Normand speaks on their behalf...
Hi Rasmus, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions for the Rock Realms Interrogation section. What's the music, more specifically the metal scene like in Denmark?
Rasmus: The metal scene is very good here. In spite of Denmark being a small country we actually have quite a lot of great bands. And there is some cool 2-day festivals here - made possible by all the cool people who work hard trying to get the metalscene noticed. So yeah all in all it is a healthy and growing scene. Also there is a lot of helping each other out. There is no "bad" competition.
Sweden, Norway and Finland tend to get all the press whilst Denmark often gets overlooked. Are you here to change that, or doesn't it matter where the music comes from?
Rasmus: I think it changes over time which countries get the most attention. If there is a couple of popular bands from one country I think it is natural that the press looks for other bands in that particular area - like the Grunge thing in Seattle. I don't care where music comes from as long as it is good. And now it is like the attention is coming our way here in Denmark which of course is great.
Who were your influences and what inspired you to get into metal?
Rasmus: I started playing guitar right after I heard Jimi Hendrix the first time - around the age of 13 or 14. I still listen to his music a lot - it is so amazing. I always liked rock music and in my early years of playing guitar I was always looking for new great music. I started listening more and more to heavy metal - Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Pantera and so on - and it just felt like my kind of music. But I really listen to all sorts of music genres. I don't care if it is blues, pop, rock or metal - as long as it is good.
In our review we said, sound-wise, you filled the space between Slayer and Carcass. Is that a fair description?
Rasmus: Well it is certainly a description that we are proud of, he he. I don't know where we fit in. I think we play a great mix of the music we grew up with: Testament, Metallica, Slayer, Carcass, Obituary and so on. And I think it is only natural that you can hear that in our music.
The Burning only have a single guitarist, yet you sound so f*cking heavy! What's the secret?
Rasmus: I'm not gonna tell you, he he. I guess I just have a playing style that is very heavy - I tend to give the strings quite a beating - and of course it helps a lot that Thue has a very thick bass sound.
Your first album was well received. How do you think Rewakening compares?
Rasmus: First of all the sound is different because we chose a new producer. And the songs are longer. I guess you just develop as a musician as time goes by. Rewakening is just overall a better, more complex - more diverse record. It is just as hard hitting as Storm the Walls - but it has some new sides as well showing that we can actually write songs - not just 2 minute bombs.
Is being in a metal band work, pleasure or both?
Rasmus: There are just as many ways to have and run a band as there are bands I guess. But we have not gained our growing popularity by sleeping on the couch - that much I will say. But at the end of the day all the hard work seems to go in the background when you see all the things we have accomplished in a short amount of time. I mean we formed the band 3,5 years ago. And we have released 2 records, played around 100 shows including a European run, won the "Best Live Band" award at the Danish Metal Awards 2008. So it is a great pleasure.
Who did the artwork for the new album? It's awesome!
Rasmus: It is a guy from Argentina his name is Mariano Villalba. And we just almost fell down from our chairs when we saw his work. The cover is a mix of two of his works "the Fury Of Rufus" and " Slave Angel". Johnny (vocals) does the graphics for the band and Mariano was ok with us mixing up the two works. And the cover - well it looks amazing!
Is there anyone in the music industry you'd really love to work with?
Rasmus: No not really. I think we work with great people as it is right now.
A lot of bands hate going in the studio to record new albums - they just want to be out on the road making their fans go deaf! Is that how you feel or do you like recording new material?
Rasmus: I think it is exiting to record records. It's a whole new way of hearing the music you play. To play a song you wrote is very much different to hearing a song you wrote. But of course it is more fun to be on stage and play live. We usually take about 14 days to record all the instruments - and I must say I wouldn't want to be in a studio for much longer - it's not that fun, he he.
You are playing a few dates in Denmark in April and May. Any plans for a bigger tour on the back of the new album?
Rasmus: We would love to get to play outside Denmark again this year - and believe me we are trying to find a way.
We give our respect to Johnny - he pulls some of the scariest faces we've ever seen on a lead singer. Is he really a big softy at heart?
Rasmus: Yeah he looks like Popeye a lot when singing. No one in the band has an urge to be macho - so if that is soft hearted, then yes we are just that.
What's the worst thing you've ever done when drunk?
Rasmus: Forget my Visa card so that I couldn't buy more booze.
Do you live the rock 'n' roll dream?
Rasmus: We play a lot of shows and get to release records with our own music. And people walk around in our merch and so on - yeah that is a part of the dream. Of course it would be an even bigger dream if we could actually live by playing music - but in these times with this kind of music that is not possible.
Anything else you want to say?
Rasmus: Thanx for taking the time and showing interest in our band. And to all the metal heads - hopefully we will see you out there on the venues!
What are you up to once you've finished being interrogated?
Rasmus: Then it is back to work in the real life earning some money for the bills.
Thank you for your time, you are free to go...
The Burning's new album, “Rewakening“ is out on February the 27th on Massacre Records. Find it in all good record stores!
