Monday, September 30, 2013

Wizard Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since
the recording of the new album/

Snoppi: We prepared the live sets we are going to play now. We had a few
gigs in the Netherlands, one in our hometown and next week the second part
of the German Metal Attack (with Grave Digger, Paragon and Gun Barrel)
starts.


2. You recently put out a new album, what musical direction it is in and
also how it differs from previous releases?

Snoppi: It is, of course, heavy metal again. It is a little bit different
from the previous releases as there is a very wide variety of speed. So we
have very slow and soft songs with orchestral arrangements, true heavy metal
songs and also very speedy ones. We made some experiments and we are curious
what the fans think of it. I predict that not everybody will like all songs
on the album, but we, the band, really love the songs.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

Snoppi: The lyrics are all about death. How you can come to death, what
comes after death ... That's because the album is called "Trail of death"
(and the abbreviation is TOD, what means "death" in german).


4. In the past the band has done some concept albums about Norse Mythology,
can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic/

Snoppi: Yes, we did an album called "Odin" and one called "Thor". It is
Volkers (bass) religion. A few weeks ago he married his wife with the ritual
of the Asatru. I don't know very much about this all, for this you would
have to talk to Volker. All I can say is that he really believes in this
gods and that it makes him happy. So they are not just albums about north
mythology because it is modern or cool at the moment.


5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Wizard?

Snoppi: Oh, when I was young, about 25 years ago, there was a computer game
called "Wizard of Oz" (I hope I remember it right). And I liked the word. At
that point of time I never expected that anyone would hear about this name
outside my family
Other bandnames I had for us were "Purgatory" and "Black dust". Hahaha, yes,
I was young ...


6. The band has a long history going back to 89, can you tell us what it is
that motivates you to keep going after all these years?

Snoppi: It is very simple: Friendship! We are in the same lineup since then
and that's because we are friends. We have a lot of respect for each other.
Of course there are also difficult situations, like if you are married, but
we survived all this. It is a very strong feeling to be together with the
same guys for so long now.


7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how
would you describe your stage performance?

Snoppi: Oh, I can't exactly say, because there were so many of them. Great
was Wacken Main stage or Bang your head, or Keep it true, or Headbangers
Open air, but also the shows on tour with Grave Digger.
We always give all we have when playing live. For us it is important to make
a good party together with the fans. Everybody wants to have a great time
and we try to celebrate this time with the fans.


8. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

Snoppi: As I mentioned above we are starting a few gigs for the second part
of the German Metal Attack. Also for next year shows are planned, but not
confirmed yet. We hope to play as much as we can, also outside from germany.


9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer music by fans
of power and heavy metal?

Snoppi: I get feedback from all over the world what our albums concern, and
this is very great. Of course we also have some negative critics, but that's
quite normal. If you publish something you have to be able to handle this.
Music is a question of taste. And everybody has another taste, so not
everybody will like our style. But our fanbase seems to be not the smallest
one and that's great.


10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Snoppi: I guess that we will keep this style we are playing since 24 years
now. We cannot play very different, hahaha. So we will continue doing this.
But of course we try to vary songs within our style so that it not gets
boring at any time.


11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer
music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Snoppi: We all listen to different bands. I like Slayer, Machine Head,
Trivium, Anthrax, other like Kiss, WASP, van Halen, Manowar ... Nowadays I
often listen to music during work. And because of this I have to listen to
more silence bands like Cat Stevens, Supertramp, Marilion, Fisher-z ... (to
not disturb the other people at work).
So Wizard is a mixture between all of this bands, I would say.


12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Snoppi: I do a little bit sports (fitness) and I love to read books
(fantasy).


13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Snoppi: Thank you for this interview and the chance to communicate to the
people who may be interested in Wizard.
Also visit us on facebook (facebook.com/WizardMetal) and perhaps we see us
live on tour some day.

We are bound by metal!

Snoppi
(Sören van Heek)

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