INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN WUSSOW (ORDEN OGAN)

English: This interview was born with the desire to collaborate with my friends and colleagues from "Esquirlas de Metal", who offer our interview in the Spanish version and which you can read by clicking on this link: https://esquirlasdemetal.es/2023/10/24/careo-con-s-wussow-bajista-de-orden-ogan/

 Thank the entire "Esquirlas" team for their effort, dedication and this first step to join forces together, which will bear many fruits. Also thank Evgeny Gromovoy (Adamantis drummer) for giving the go-ahead (and correcting when he has played) with the questions in English and Steven himself for his time, kindness and trust. Thanks everyone & Long live Orden Ogan, long live Heavy Metal!

__________

Spanish: Esta entrevista nace con el deseo de colaborar junto a mis amigos y compañeros de Esquirlas de Metal, quienes ofrecen nuestro entrevista en la versión en castellano y que puedes leer pinchando en este enlace: https://esquirlasdemetal.es/2023/10/24/careo-con-s-wussow-bajista-de-orden-ogan/

Agradecer a todo el equipo de Esquirlas su esfuerzo, dedicación y este primer paso para unir fuerzas juntos, que dará muchos frutos. Agradecer también a Evgeny Gromovoy (batería de Adamantis) por dar el visto bueno (y corregir cuando ha tocado) con las preguntas en inglés y al propio Steven por su tiempo, amabilidad y confianza. ¡Gracias a todos y viva Orden Ogan, viva el Heavy Metal!

 

 

Official photo taken by Tim Tronckoe.

   

"THERE WILL BE A NEW ORDEN OGAN ALBUM IN 2024!"

Rafa Black Phoenix: Hi guys! Thank you for your time, it’s great to be able interview you!

 

Steven: Hey you`re always welcome. Thanks for having us.

 

1) How did the summer commitments go for Orden Ogan?

 

Steven: Well, although we did not play that many shows it was a super busy summer as there was and still is A LOT going on behind the scenes. But it`s still too early to go into details. All I can say is that 2024 will be the year of the Orden ;-)

 

2) This summer we were finally able to redeem ourselves with your show at the Milagre Metaleiro in Portugal, after the coronavirus prevented us from doing so last year. In addition to enjoying a great show, we have seen a line-up of the band in exceptional condition. How has the adaptation process to the band been for Steven on bass and Patrick on guitar?

 

Steven: As with every line up change, we also had a change in the dynamics of the band on and off stage. But I guess much more important when it comes to this than adding Pat as a guitarist and a different bass player is that Seeb is not bound to the micstand and the guitar anymore.

This raises the energy level on stage to a new max. As funny as it may sound… after being in a band together in this line up for a few years now… we are still getting warmed up. We still haven`t been able to play a proper tour together. Only festivals and single shows. But we will take care of this in 2024.

 

3) And the transition from bass to guitar for Niels? And while we're at it... For Sebastian “Seeb” to put aside the guitar and concentrate only on the voice...? I would ask if he misses her, but Arch Demon Seebulon The Origin of All Evil has told me in his dreams that he doesn't... (Laughs)

 

Steven: I always say that Niels is my favourite Orden Ogan bass player …. Hahaha. A MUCH better bass player than I will ever be and what makes it even worse… he is an extraordinary good guitar player. No joke. The guitar is his initial instrument. Therefore, I think he is super happy to be able to return to the guitar.

He and Pat work perfect together. Orden Ogans own Tipton/Downing like twin guitar team.

Well Seeb still plays guitar for Orden Ogan… but only in the studio. Would be a shame if he didn`t. He is quite happy that he can now focus on singing and playing mean pranks to his bandmates on stage.

Official photo taken by Tim Tronckoe.

4) It has merit because then what no one expected arrived: the pandemic. In addition to having to postpone concerts and festivals, the release of your latest studio work Final Days was released much later, altering the initial planned deadlines... What challenges, headaches and opportunities have this nightmare called COVID-19 generated for Orden Ogan? ?

 

Steven: Ok, how much time do we have… hahaha…  Damn, I mean we ALL were stuck in this… situation. Not just us. So everyone knows how much it sucked. Those years have been, just like for everyone else, incredibly hard for each one of us individually and as a band together.

Like I said this line up is now together for almost 4 years and we haven`t played a proper tour. FINAL DAYS became kind of our lost album as we decided to release it despite not having any proper opportunity to promote it with a tour in the middle of the pandemic. We had to get it out to the people.

Everything we had planned had been torn to shreds. No tour, no bigger video production… but hey, it was the same for everyone. I don`t want to whine and look back on this mess.

We made it through, we are still here and we are more than ready for what`s to come.

 

5) Of course, and then the war in Ukraine came... How much did it affect you? I'm talking about extra costs like gasoline for example...

 

Steven: Oh yes, how could I forget about that one… hahaha

You have to find a way to deal with the circumstances. You have to be a bit more creative when it comes to putting together a touring package, travelling and when to play in which country or region.  

The next tour we have lined up is a package tour with Feuerschwanz and Angus Mc Six for example. A killer package, as we think, that is going to be super interesting for the people. So this might be our idea to deal with what`s going on at the moment: putting together a nice line up and travel as smart as possible. 

 

 

6) You have also released Final Days: Orden Ogan & Friends in 2022, with notable vocalists such as Peter “Peavy” Wagner (Rage), Stu Block (ex-Iced Earth, Annihilator), Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger), Elina Siirala (Leaves Eyes) and a long etc. It also included a new single, December, and the orchestral version of Fields of Sorrow. How has it been received by the public?

 

Steven: Guess people liked that experiment a lot. It was never planned as a “full album” release. It is more a “hey we are still here, still rocking hard” kind of release. Just to give the fans something nice to shorten the timespan till the release of the next studio album.

It was absolute cool and weird at the same time to hear your own songs sung by someone else. This gives the songs a completely different flavour. I think ALL guest vocalists have done a killer job. No fillers! And December, well it has already been one of my personal favourites during the recordings of FINAL DAYS. So now the fans can enjoy the full package.

 

 

 

 

  

 

7) Let's go to the immediate present: what state is the band in right now? What roadmap do you have planned for the remainder of 2023 and for all of 2024? Will we have a new album for '24?

 

Steven: As I already indicated… we are pretty busy behind the scenes. The recordings of the new album are almost done but will keep us busy until the end of the year. So to make it short: YES, there will be a new ORDEN OGAN album in 2024!

 

8) It is curious to see how every good German Heavy-Speed-Power Metal band has had the legendary Andreas Marschall among the pencils of their works. In fact, he is responsible for legendary covers on albums considered masterpieces by giants such as Blind Guardian, Grave Digger or Running Wild. Except Final Days you have always counted on him. Will you do it again in the future?

 

Steven: We all grew up with Andreas Marshalls artworks. They are ALL classics and we super proud that he did some extraordinary stuff for us in the past too. It is still FAR too early to give you any details about what you are going to see on the next one, but I am absolutely sure that everyone will love it.

 

 

9) To finish… For those who don't know or are approaching you for the first time… Who is Alister Vale, your “pet”? Is your story about him united on each album or are they independent of each other?

 

Steven: Alister Vale is kind of our mascot, our “Eddie” if you want to compare it that way. Vale is always put into a new setting with every new record and he is always mastering new challenges. We are always adding new chapters to his personal story.

Therefore, Alister Vale and his story are the recurrent themes in the Orden Ogan universe. And there is so much discover if you read the lyrics properly. But that`s up to the listener ;-)

 

10) In the future you might be encouraged to write a novel about it... I would buy it...

 

Steven: Absolutely, I would buy it too.. hahahaha!

There have always been super loose talks about doing something like this and there have been comics with the albums topics in the past. So who knows… If a day had 48 hours, we would be in within a second... hahahaha But not now and not in the foreseeable future. Sorry!

 

Guys, it's been a pleasure! Thank you very much again and we are waiting for you soon in Spain and Portugal with a new and successful album, although personally, something tells me that we will see each other again soon in 2024... ;) Hugs!!

 

Steven: Hey, we have to thank you! I can already promise that we will return with our new record! So keep your eyes open and see you somewhere on the road!

 

Remember that Orden Ogan will be touring their native Germany side by side to Feuerschwanz & Angus McSix in the spring and in the summer they are currently confirmed for these festivals. Where will you see them?

 

 

Rafa Black Phoenix

INTERVIEW WITH PETER AND ROB OF "MENTALIST"

Today at Black Phoenix Rising We have the pleasure of interviewing Peter and Rob, the members of MENTALIST, the new band of former Blind Guardian drummer Thomen Stauch, Youtuber Rob Lundgren who join forces with Florian Hertel on bass, Kai Stringer and Peter Moog on guitars.

 

Their addictive and great debut album “Freedom of Speech” was released by “Pride and Joy” at the end of this past August.

 

First of all, thank you very much for the interview and congratulations on this great debut album!

 

 

 

1) Mentalist was born in Germany in 2018 by the two guitarists (Peter and Kai). How was the process of creating the band and the search for the other members?

 

Peter: Hello Rafa. The idea to make a band called Mentalist existed several years earlier. So I founded Mentalist at the beginning of 2018 with my long-time friend and exceptional guitarist Kai Stringer. I met Thomen Stauch at a party in 2016. After we asked Thomen, he said yes. Bassist Florian Hertel, who is known from our network, completed the instrumental line-up at the end of 2018. The most difficult task now was a very good singer. We've got a few favorites in mind. Then my singing teacher Rubina (from the band Systopia) came and recommended Rob Lundgren to me. When we contacted Rob in spring 2019, we were able to get him excited about the band and so I'm glad we found our final line-up.

 

Rob: Hi! I can also add, that after the band members were chosen, we have met during song writing and recording to bond and see how the chemistry between us feels. The open-minded yet strong vision in the band is amazing! Things feel very natural within the band. A good blend of dynamic and healthy tension to generate growth. I’m very excited as well to journey together with these great friends and musicians.

 

2) I know that the name chosen "Mentalist" is due to the mascot of the group that appears on the cover. Who is this mysterious character?

 

Peter: The mentalist was suddenly there and enchanted the band. Since then we have been under his spell and have to do what he wants. We don't know whether the mentalist is good or bad. He promised us that he would come to our live concerts every now and then. So maybe we can find out more together with the fans.

 

Rob: I often wake up with memories of mystical chants and dark melodies lurking within my memories. Not sure where it comes from, then I recall a figure whispering… “I sing thru you…” hmm what is going on?

 

 

3) In fact the cover (which is one of the many successes of this debut) has been made by none other than Andreas Marschall, a legend in the world of Heavy Metal illustrations and covers (Blind Guardian, Grave Digger, Kreator, Obituary etc). How did you come up with the idea of ​​having him?

 

Peter:  I originally designed the cover as a line drawing. Contrary to my wish to use my ugly drawing as the final cover, the band recommended to hire Andreas Marschall as the cover artist. The contact came through Thomen and we are very happy that he accepted the order. And I have to admit: his drawing has got a little better ...

 

Rob: I just thought of something. We have a demo version of the album… Peter, let’s use your original drawing as cover when we release that rare find.

 

 

 

4) Both on the cover with “the mentalist” and the protesters with different places, characteristics of the US, Russia and Turkey (with you included among them, great detail!); as in the video clip for "Freedom of Press", there is an important criticism of the role played by the media in the new world order, the abuse of power, the "fake news" and the need to think collectively and critically . What message do you intend to send Mentalist with this first album and as a Metal band in general?

 

Peter: We have several songs with serious topics but also a few songs that are about completely different content. As a band we're a little worried about the democracies of the world. The text for Freedom Of The Press was written in 2017. I was concerned about the rapid rise of populists and dictators in different countries and wrote the text. It simply describes "How do I become a dictator for dummies?" The people in the democracies may have gotten a little tired. Disinformation is shared very quickly on social media. It is important that certain standards are met that we live with in an enlightened, free world.

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThsdvMzif0E

5) Are you aware that talking about social-protest issues seems to be a space reserved solely and exclusively for Punk and Thrash Metal?

In other words: what do you think of the corset imposed by the press and the public that in the Power Metal you should only talk about dragons, literature, legends, wizards and potions?

 

Rob: Wizards ey… The Mentalist maybe have something he want to say on the 2^nd album regarding his magic spells and potions. I’ll deliver the message.

Peter: Every artist can and should write about topics whatever they want. Personally, I find it difficult to write about swords and dragons. Perhaps I still lack some experience in dragon hunting. Maybe a knight will take me on an excursion and I'll get the "golden spoon" in fighting dragons? As an artist you can also use your responsibility. The fact that we have sometimes serious texts generates positive and negative reactions.

 

 

6) Let's move on to the sound of the band… I and many people defend that the style they practice is “melodic Power Metal”. Do you feel comfortable with this “label?

 

Peter: Everyone sees music from their own perception. I can live with any opinion on it. In heavy metal we have the luxury of having many labels. Most of the bands cross different styles. From my point of view you can find elements of classic Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, Power Metal, but also Rock and a bit of Prog and Thrash metal at Mentalist.

 

Rob: Here is another label if you get tired of the old ones… “Magic Metal” because our music is “zim-zala-bimbastic-fantastic!!” Call our music whatever you want, I will be here in the meantime playing and singing while you think about what it should be called

 

7) To be more precise, I get the feeling that your sound "is as if Iron Maiden signed the youtuber and singer from Reveal and made a Power Metal album". I really think that guitar work is another of the great strengths of this work and that you should follow this line of bent-harmonized guitars ...

 

Peter: Comparisons with bands like Iron Maiden are a great honor. They have certainly influenced us and we still have a very long way to go and try to develop further. I've always been a huge fan of guitar melodies and also thanks to our excellent second guitarist Kai, guitar melodies play a big role in our music. I am happy that we have such a good singer as Rob. The singing is the part that songwriters and guitarists can only influence indirectly. I was very pleased when I heard Rob's first recordings on songs.

 

Rob: Thanks Peter! And I agree. If people hear Iron Maiden in us then we have a great starting point where to take our music further. This band has many influences and the 2^nd album is already starting to shine in different ways. Oh yea, you have not heard that one yet… You just wait… More great guitar work is coming, these guys are awesome!

 

8) The person in charge of mixing and mastering has been the work of Christian “Moschus” Moos. What has he contributed to the album and how has it helped you to the final result of the album?

 

Rob: Moschus was the first mixer to influence my gear selection during the vox recording in a long time. So I can say he knows a thing or two about it and I cannot be happier with the results

 

Peter: Moschus (www.spacelab-mixing.com ) is a great guy. He let us be ourselves and tried to emphasize our respective strengths. The cooperation was very pleasant

 

 

 

9) We are ending ... How has the damn covid-19 pandemic affected your plans?

 

Peter: Without Covid we would probably be playing a tour now. Instead have already composed the second album. A tour will hopefully take place in the second half of 2021.

 

Rob: The cool thing in this band is that whatever happens we always manage to work around obstacles and happenings, 2020 has been a great teacher in different ways it really showed itself in this weird year.

 

10) Do you have ideas for the second album? Can you reveal which line it will follow?

 

Peter: The songs of the new album are already composed. There are currently nine songs. Composition was a lot of fun and the whole band was involved. There are a few tracks on more serious topics, but also others, including a fun song. From my point of view, we have taken the next step musically and I like the songs very much. The album will be recorded and produced in the next few months.

 

Rob: Next step indeed. I learned a lot during the first album and it opened up new ideas for what we can do for the follow up. The line will be a creative one during the test stages without boundaries. Let’s throw in whatever we want in the cauldron. I fully trust that we know what works and what doesn’t. Crazy ideas are fun to play around with. Mental-is-t-us!! 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fni0IlI1DVY

11) Friends of Mentalist: Thank you very much for your attention, kindness and for your sincere love for music, which fills us so much especially in these difficult times as those we are going through. It is also great to meet you and feel your human qualities, it is also great news and joy for the Heavy Metal world that you have good Rob on vocals and of course, that the great Thomen is riding again after his two infernal drums in a band that has so much to say. It only remains to put an end to this pandemic to see you in live.

If you want to dedicate a few words to the people who follow from Spain and the world in general… Go ahead, this is your moment!

 

Peter: Dear Rafa, thank you for the interview. We are happy to be part of the heavy metal community. There are so many people everywhere who support us so fantastically. Heavy metal makes us happy and we try to do our part with music. We would like to thank everyone very much. Thank you!

 

Rob: Muchas gracias! Best wishes to everyone, stay healthy and move to the music! If you have not heard our tunes yet, check it out as the Mentalist Will Trip You Up!

 

Thanks again and see you soon! Stay metal!

 

Rafa Black Phoenix

 
Visit:

@blackphoenixrisingmetal
@mentalistband
https://mentalist-band.com/
https://www.prideandjoy.de/

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLPrMQCK7F4
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thomenstauch

INTERVIEW WITH ROLAND GRAPOW (MASTERPLAN, GRAPOW STUDIOS, EX-HELLOWEEN...)

Member of one of the first bands that gave the scene of the Heavy Metal of Hamburg (Germany) "Rampage", became known for being part of Helloween for 12.5 years, giving an important push to the gang of pumpkins with his companions Uli Kusch and Andi Deris in the worst of his moments after the departure of Kai Hansen. Expelled unfairly after great works like "Master of The Rings" and "The Dark Ride", since 2001 leader of the band Masterplan, group that count on authentic masterpieces like his homonymous debut "Masterplan" (2003) and Aeronautics (2005). Today Masterplan continue to give us incredible albums like "Novum Initium" (2013) and "Pumpkings" (2017). He has participated in a number of projects such as Serious Black and Level 10. He also has two solo albums The Four Seasons of Life (1997), Kaleidoscope (1999) and runs his own studios "Grapow Studios" in Slovakia where he has produced to important bands of our country and internationally.

Today at Black Phoenix Rising, we have the immense pleasure of interviewing Roland Grapow to tell us all about his present work in the studios as well as Masterplan news and some other things.

Thank you very much Roland, for your time and kindness, it's an incredible honour!

1) Roland, right now if I'm not wrong you're working in the studios with an important band from my country, Avalanch. A few months ago you also worked with other Spanish bands, Kilmara and Lords of Black. How has work been with these bands? 

R: I am really happy and proud to get more known as a producer and mixing engineer, I am working many years already with Kilmara and also with Tony Hernando who gave me the chance to mix also albums like Saratoga and his own band Lords Of Black. Recently I mixed Avalanch, which is amazing, because also 2 old friends of mine are band members as well, Mike Terrana and Dirk Schlächter.

I was really happy to work with Alberto and the guys on the new album!

 

2) How is it for you to be a producer? To combine your extensive experience as a musician with that of producer should be something very positive...

 R: It is not always easy, the best result I get mostly when the band members are open for my ideas and trust me in some decisions, but every musician is different, my job is to get the best result as possible from each musician and each band, it doesn’t matter which style of music it is, i like every metal direction, of course my experience helps a lot.

3) The studios are located in Slovakia, tell us: How is the Metal scene right now in this country?

 

R: The metal scene is still pretty strong here in Slovakia and in Czech Republic

I worked with many young bands here and also some more classic bands from the past. Also Masters Of Rock and many other festivals are pretty big here.

 4) It is very curious the beginning and later development of Heavy Metal in the countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Although there are many examples, in the former USSR-Current Russia have Aria, in Hungary: Ossian (both very successful groups and two countries in turn, with a lot of quality and variety in the Heavy scene).

Where would Kreyson have that honour perhaps?

R: Kreyson is a very classic band from the 80ties, which is still filling big venues, the same as Citron (same singer by the way Ladislav Křížek).

I worked with both of them. Citron could fill easy 3-5000 people at the gigs. Also they played long time ago in Russia and other countries.

5) In 2017 you joined you and an omnipresent Mike Terrana ...

R: Yes it was a nice experience, I played with Kreyson many festivals and a small tour, we recorded also one song together and my old friend Chris Tsangarides mixed it before he died.

But I decided not to play in a second band anymore, because I am too busy with my studio and Masterplan ;) But it was nice to play with Mike Terrana again! Last January I left the Band already.

 

6) Let's go to Masterplan: The last two works that you have released have been Novum Initium (2013) and Pumpkings (2017) if we do not take into account the live CD-DVD Keep Your Dream Alive (2015).

Since the release of the Novum Initium the band has once again a stable line-up, with the only exception of the addition of Kevin Kott to the drums in 2016 after the departure of Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka. Both, Rick Altzi and Jari Kainulainen (who are great musicians and well-known in the Metal scene) we think they have adapted very well to Masterplan. What can you say about it?

R: It is is a nice feeling to have finally a stable line up again, I know our last studio album is quite a long time ago, but we wanted to play many shows as possible, right now we are booking some shows for 2019, some in Czech Republic some in Slovakia, Teneriffa and Norway are also confirmed already.

I hope that we also will start recording around April or May for the next Masterplan studio album. This year we should release for sure a new album ;)

7) With "Pumpkings", released in 2017, you have done something that you wanted to do for a long time and that I think it was about historical justice to recover some themes that are so good and that Helloween have completely forgotten...

R: Yes Helloween forgot about my songs or don’t want to play them anymore, which has some political reasons. For me it was just normal to re release it again with our current line up and to play some of the songs also live again. Also I wanted to close the chapter (Helloween) and to continue with my future work, like Masterplan or maybe some solo work again in a different style maybe!?

8) And now, Germany: It's amazing what this country has given to Heavy Metal. From its origins with Scorpions, Accept, Warlock-Doro Pesch through Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Running Wild, Blind Guardian ... But specifying: If Thrash Metal owes so much to the Bay Area of ​​San Francisco, Power Metal owes it to the scene of your city of origin, Hamburg: Gamma Ray, Masterplan Helloween, Iron Savior ...

How does it feel to be part of such a scene and of a country that has given so much to the Heavy Metal community?

R: Hamburg is a beautiful city and I was very happy to grew up there with my family, for me the Scorpions (The were one of my main influence, I saw them many times live and I really loved the guitar players very much also as a big influence, Michael Schenker and Uli Roth are still my heroes, also Matthias Jabs is amazing, but when I grew up in the 70ties the scene was not so big, only when I joined Helloween at Christmas 88, I saw a big scene of bands you mentioned before, I even didn’t know Helloween before they asked me to join the band ;) I was more into melodic rock at that time ;) I Knew only Accept and Scorpions and many other not so famous german bands ;)

9) Do you have contact with any band that I mentioned? And with former partners like Uli Kusch or Jan- Sören Eckert?

R: I met Jan last year at the Masters of Rock Festival in Czech Republik and we are always the same when we meet, same with Jorn Lande, we have still lovely feelings and are still friends, I met Jorn in Israel 2 years ago and we had a lot of fun again, even played 2 songs together from Deep Purple. With Uli I don’t have much contact, he writes me every 6 month a nice message that he is missing the good times when we played together, but it seems he is not much into music anymore, I tried to motivate him but I guess he is happy with his normal day job now.

About Bands: I have a little friendship with Wolf Hoffman, Rudolf Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, I know many guys and many from seeing them time to time on festivals. (too many to mention).

This has been all, thank you again Roland for your kindness, your time, your disposition and your example as a musician and as a person. 

R: 

Thanx a lot Rafael ;)

Happy New Year!

Cheers, Roland

Rafael Valentín

“The chance you got comes never twice,

Do your best, (and) do it right”

https://www.masterplan-theband.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/masterplantheband/