SIEBENBÜRGEN Mainman Discusses Decision To Reunite

Metalzone.gr recently conducted an interview with vocalist Marcus Ehlin of the reunited SIEBENBÜRGEN. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow:

Metalzone.gr: My first question has to do with your split up back in 2006. What made you come up to that decision at the time?

Markus: Well, we had some problems with members, we were working in different directions all the time and some members kept other interests in life so it was then the time to choose and go further. It was only me and Richard who did the work all the time and we lost interest working because of other members' indifference.

Metalzone.gr: Yeah, you've said that about losing the energy and inspiration to continue.

Markus: Yeah. And then there were also some problems with record labels and stuff like that, we got tired of everything. It was a difficult time.

Metalzone.gr: Yet you've decided to reform the band. What made you decide it?

Markus: We met the right people I think. I mean we didn't have any thoughts about reforming SIEBENBÜRGEN but a few months ago when we met Dennis the drummer on a party we felt was… we talked about it and we felt he was the right person to start to play with again. And one thing led to another, you know, the inspiration is back and the energy is back and feels good again.

Metalzone.gr: Besides the lineup which is different what else would you say is different with SIEBENBÜRGEN this time around?

Markus: Well, we have a keyboardist this time, we won't use female vocals as main part of the music, maybe on one song but we don't have a female as a permanent member. I mean, you can hear its typical old SIEBENBÜRGEN music but it's with a bit of a new touch structure. And the keyboards help to built up a different atmosphere I think. But it's still our music.

Metalzone.gr: What about the old songs? Are you going to find a session female singer for the gigs?

Markus: Yeah, we've said we'll talk about who will do the old songs, yeah. You know it's a girl who will help but she won't be a member just for support.

Metalzone.gr: To be honest that seems quite strange because you have always used female vocals in your albums.

Markus: (Laugh) No, not this time. We felt for doing something, you know, a new start. It's always been problems with a bit of female vocals before, all the female vocalists before so, we didn't feel like it was a part of our music anymore. Not as much as it was before so that's why we have our keyboardist with us instead.

Metalzone.gr: At the moment you are working on a new upcoming album. Could you give me some information about the new album?

Markus: It's a bit hard (laugh). I mean, we have some really good songs and we've made about sixteen or seventeen songs this far and this weekend we have a band meeting to pick out and to determine what songs we will continue to work on and have those. So, I mean the inspiration is back (laugh).

Metalzone.gr: About the new album, are there going to be any differences in your musical direction and any relations concerning your past material?

Markus: It will be more similar to "Darker Designs & Images" and "Loreia" for example, our first album. It is a compare "Darker Designs & Images" and "Loreia", it's two different albums. It's in the same vein as "Darker Designs & Images" but with new stuff added, I mean we got a drummer now that is really amazing. The drum parts will be really cool and with really quick keyboards. It will be really atmospheric, more atmospheric than before so it will be cool (laugh).

Metalzone.gr: You've signed a contract with Massacre Records. How did you get in contact with them?

Markus: Actually, it was our drummer Dennis who asked Massacre and they were on us right away. From the party to get the contract I think it went two weeks or something like this. So it was very fast everything on it. But I mean Massacre is a very good label and we made a good deal with them so everyone's happy this time.

Metalzone.gr: Is it going to be a one album deal or is it going for some more?

Markus: Yeah, it will be for some more. Everything depends I mean on how this album goes of course. The music industry is not what it used to be, I mean record labels are really careful what they do but if this album goes well we will do another and another.

Read the entire interview at Metalzone.gr.