Former HAMMERFALL Bassist Discusses X-WORLD/5 Project

Lucem Fero recently published an interview with X-WORLD/5 / ex-HAMMERFALL bassist Magnus Rosén, conducted in May by Welsh interviewer Anthony Morgan. Topics of discussion included the formation of X-WORLD/5, inking a record contract with AFM Records, X-WORLD/5's debut album "New Universal Order", its lyrical content, the group's touring plans, and his memories as part of HAMMERFALL. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

On how X-WORLD/5 was formed:

"One year prior to my departure from HAMMERFALL, X-WORLD/5 was formed. I wanted to participate in the songwriting process and discuss future musical plans, and that was something I felt very very strongly about. This wasn't possible during my time with HAMMERFALL, so I was more than happy to search for other musicians who actually liked working with me. KING DIAMOND's Andy La Rocque, a guitarist that's from my town, was one musician whom I liked. In our earlier years, we performed in different outfits. We've known each other for a number of years. When we discussed both the ideas I had and the vision I held for the group, he replied; 'Yes, I'd like to be involved.' Several years ago, I recorded an album called 'Out to Every Nation' (2004) in Skien, Norway with Jørn Lande. Skien is the town that Nils K. Rue hailed from, and where I met him. Over a mug of coffee, we had a conversation. I'm aware of the material he has recorded with PAGAN'S MIND, and feel that he's a very good singer. In addition, he's also a very good person. If you wish to form a group, that's a very important element. A group should be composed of musicians who are nice, and down to earth. Drummer Big Swede is an old friend of mine, and lives in Los Angeles. He worked with Reeves Gabrels (DAVID BOWIE) at the time, so he asked Reeves to join and record 'New Universal Order' for that reason. X-WORLD/5 was formed with a great vision; to have a group where each person can use their knowledge, and musical experience. Each member of the group became involved in the songwriting process, and that made the eventual results very very powerful. We have much skill and experience in our respective roles, and it was interesting to use all that. In short, that's how X-WORLD/5 was formed."

On "New Universal Order":

"'New Universal Order' refers to the fact that the human being needs the machine. Today, human beings handle a lot of machines. We drive cars, for example, and that's a type of machine. We log onto computers too, and that's another type of machine. More and more we use machines. I'm not saying the fact that we use machines more and more is wrong, nor am I saying that it's right. However, this is reality. More and more, machines are becoming a part of our daily lives. In some respects, this is what X-WORLD/5's about. Machines need the hu man being, and the question is if we can actually handle this situation. If machines remain machines, then human beings will stay important. That's due to the fact that human beings will simply be the most important."

On how writing sessions for the album developed:

"Usually, both me and Andy La Rocque met at Sonic Train Studios, which is Andy's studio. At that studio, we composed the guitar riffs, the styles, the chords, the intro, the verse, the chorus, and the bridge. In terms of the guitar and bass, we laid down those specific parts. Following that, we emailed all those recordings to the United States. In the United States, Big Swede cut both the drums and loops, whereas Reeves Gabrels added a second guitar to the tracks. Following that, they emailed all the recordings to Norway, where Nils K. Rue lives. He laid down both the vocals, and the melodies. Once he had made his respective contributions, Nils then emailed all the recordings back to me and Andy. Upon opening the file, it was rather absorbing given the fact that we didn't know how the tracks should sound. We then placed the material into the mixing table, and mixed the numbers. The composition of most of the tracks began in Andy La Rocque's studio with me and him at the helm, whereas the composition of some of the other tracks began in Los Angeles. It's an extremely interesting way to work."

On plans for a follow-up to "New Universal Order":

"In writing X-WORLD/5's sophomore album, we'll continue with the audio landscape we chose. X-WORLD/5 boasts a sound, an idea and a vision, so we'll move on with that general style. Slowly yet surely, we'll build our music via this direction."

"We'll try to release our second album during 2009."

On touring plans for X-WORLD/5:

"Right now, we're discussing how we will approach concerts, and how we will actually play those concerts. All in all, we want to reveal something else to the public. Although we don't intend to tour right now, we have plans to embark on tours in the future. In my opinion, that's what being a musician is all about; writing material, and performing before people. That's the pleasure of being a musician. I don't know when we'll begin to tour, although we'll tour in the future I'm sure."

On his reasons for leaving HAMMERFALL after ten years as the group's bassist:

"I'm a very creative musician, and a creative human being. As the bassist of HAMMERFALL, I didn't have the opportunity to be creative. After ten years as part of the group, I felt that it was time for me to move on. That's why I left HAMMERFALL. When I departed from a famous group like HAMMERFALL, of course, I said 'No thank you' to both good money, and stability. However, that wasn't so important — in my life, being able to express my musical creativity was the most important. Of course, I needed to strenuously work together alongside other musicians. This is what I'm achieving as a member of X-WORLD/5, and as a result, my musical life is very interesting now."

On whether he has a favorite HAMMERFALL album:

"Yes. Personally, my favorite album is 'Legacy of Kings' (1998). I think the first two HAMMERFALL albums (1997's 'Glory to the Brave' and 1998's 'Legacy of Kings') have a spirit inside of them, and you can actually feel something unique. I'm not saying that everyone agrees with my opinion, although I think this wonderful spirit is easy to kill — the production values can kill an album's spirit. I like the first two HAMMERFALL albums the most, but 'Legacy of Kings' is my favourite."

Read the entire interview at Lucem Fero.