Bassist DIGIORGIO, Drummer MICKELSON 'Dropped' From VINTERSORG Recording Sessions

Despite previous reports to the contrary, bassist Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, SEBASTIAN BACH, TESTAMENT, DEATH) and drummer Asgeir Mickelson (SPIRAL ARCHITECT, BORKNAGAR) have not been asked to participate in the recording process for VINTERSORG's new album, which is tentatively due later in the year.

When asked by a member of his official forum what the status was of the new VINTERSORG CD and whether he would be involved in its recording process, DiGiorgio responded, "Yes, but when — not sure of that. I have most, if not all of the pre-production versions of the album. Last I heard it was called 'Balancing the Pendulum'. I haven't heard from the guys for a while... I've been pretty busy lately, as Mr. V [BORKNAGAR/VINTERSORG frontman Andreas Hedlund; a.k.a. Vintersorg] has recorded a few different projects lately as well. But VINTERSORG is Mr.V's mind child and when the time is right, we'll get all the instruments recorded one way or another. The things I noticed that are a little different from the last album are mainly the arrangements are a little more complex and the music is a bit more furious, but also epic at the same time. Also there are quite a few songs sung in Swedish again. No doubt scientific metal at it's best, once again...!"

A short time later, Mickelson himself made a posting on DiGiorgio's forum in which he revealed that he was not involved in the recording process for the new VINTERSORG album. "The reason is because VINTERSORG is going back to their old style (which I don't like)," Asgeir explained. "They are using their live drummer now that they're not progressive anymore. I will assume Steve is 'dropped' for the same reason. Haven't talked to Mr. V for a while but I know they were recording the album a couple of months ago so they're probably done."

After reading Mickelson's comments, DiGiorgio posted the following response: "OK. It's kinda like overhearing a fellow employee talking to a vendor or client and hearing your name come up as being 'fired' before the boss could tell you in person. So there you are wondering why you have to hear it in front of everyone else before you're told directly first. I guess Asgeir decided to publicly air the news of VINTERSORG's upcoming album before letting Mr. V tell me or telling me himself... maybe because he feels 'dropped'...? We'll forgive him again...! But unfortunately (for my creative outlet) he's right about almost all. Mr. V has decided to change things up and keep the live lineup together for the recording. The last two albums he's had a live lineup and a recording lineup separately. So now that he's together and closer to the more steady and local guys, it just makes sense to keep it that way and explore some more new sounds. I totally enjoyed being part of that music for the years that I got to jam with Asgeir, Mattias, Lars and Mr. V. We should all be sure the new songs will be full of the good stuff VINTERSORG has always had before. And I've been told that the album is not done, but some recording has been started.

"It'll be good, trust me. And don't worry, I hope to continue working with Mr.V and Asgeir in times to come. Too much talent and creativity to deny future endeavors with that combination."

Asgeir then added the following comment: "No big deal. Mr. V knows very well I'm not a fan of folk metal! It's the progressive VINTERSORG I like! Mr. V is a genius writing that stuff and writing lyrics. As I said in my previous post: 'I will assume' Steve is out too - to me the word 'assume' is like 'guessing'... The pre-prods [pre-production recordings] for the next album sounds great, by the way."

Eventually Vintersorg himself came on the forum and made two separate postings regarding the status of the new CD:

"We'll update the .com site any day now," he said. "There you'll get the whole picture of this. But as you all probably understand the decision to make an album with the live line-up has nothing to do with Asgeir and Steve. They're masters and we worship their work. And we hope that we can work togehter later on as well.

"[The new album is] of course not just a step back to the old style. What I've said is that the metal elements will be expanded, and also a more ethnic touch will be added. It'll be forward-thinking, but on a different level."