1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
During the recording process we had to replace our bass player and we had to get the new man (Dan Gundersen) into the new songs and then record these. Now after the recording, we have to go through our old songs as well. Escapetor has also been playing a couple of gigs/festivals.
Currently we are supporting our fellow label band: Dimenzion:psychospehere for their release gig and we are planning our own release gig a couple of weeks after this, where Dimenzion:psychospehere will support us.
New ideas and materials are flying around and putting these together into new tunes. We will go on trying to get to play as many gigs/festivals as we can. That is what it's all about.
2.You have a new album coming out in October, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Let’s start with how it differs from our previous records/EPs and that is probably mainly the vocals and how it's built up. I also have to mention that we have a new vocalist (Claudius Bormuth) for this record. The vocals are more complex with many layers, harmonies than we have been doing before. I think you can still here that this is Escapetor.
On this record we had a better production possibilities and a different goal than before. The knowledge for the production and equipment has been greatly updated. Our music is inspired by the 70/80/90 metal scene but we wanted a much more updated/modern sounding record. The songs are maybe more dynamic and open than before.
I think we have achieved our goals and are really happy with how it came out.
3.This is going to be the first album to be released in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
There has been a couple of members going and coming and we spent the time after our previous records/ep doing gigs and making the new songs. Doing many gigs and trying out the material live was also part of the plan. Then we could do tweaks and adjust things.
Making this record has taken several years, but we think it has been worth it. From when we started to record the record, it has taken almost 1 1/2 year.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Mostly the lyrics are about social problems, corruption and greed. But also some songs are about special experiences most of us have, have had or will have. I mean things like depressions, fear or just becoming older. On the record we have an old Escapetor tune called "Escapetor" and this song was first featured on a demo back in 2003/4.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Escapetor'?
When we started the band back in 1999, we went through much "brain storming" trying to find a band name, but we wanted something unique. One of our favorite bands is Annihilator from Canada and the ending "tor" was something we worked on. Somehow the name "escape" came into picture and we merged the two words together. I know the word "escape" came from the Metallica song from Ride the lightning. How this happened is not clear to me, but that is how I remember it.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
When we think back, the one show that pops up and that was when we supported Tyrent Eyes, in Germany in the home town area of both Axel and Claudius. This was the first time the rest of the band met Claudius, but that is another story.
Playing for the German audience was great. The atmosphere at the venue and how the audience reacted was a big contrast to how things are here in Norway, in a very positive way. We have played many great gigs, but this is the one that we all agree on and the first pops up in our minds.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We don't have any tour plans right now, but we hope to get back to Germany very soon, and also other countries. We have a couple of gigs lined up, as I mentioned earlier and we are working on getting gigs and festivals.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash and heavy metal?
I think we have gotten quite good reviews and response from our previous records, and as we write this interview we keep getting review that is looking really good.
9.What is going on with some of the other musical projects these days that some of the band members are involved with?
At the time, only Claudius has Tyrant Eyes back home in Germany and Ragnar is working in the studio (www.studiovahalla.com) where we recorded most of the record and mixed it.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We don't have a master plan on where we are going, I think. Making the music as we go along and then time will tell. When we have more material, we can see more clearly where this is heading and start to think about what we should achieve regarding the sound and feel.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Most members are rooted in the 70s/80s and 90s heavy/Metal era. This is something we can't escape. Bands like: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Helloween, HammerFall, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Black Sabbath. Much of the usual suspects.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Is there really anything other than music?? Really?
Things like cooking, football(LFC), training and hanging out with family and friends.
Interests in Cars and motorcycles.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for having us, and hope many get the chance to listen to the record.
During the recording process we had to replace our bass player and we had to get the new man (Dan Gundersen) into the new songs and then record these. Now after the recording, we have to go through our old songs as well. Escapetor has also been playing a couple of gigs/festivals.
Currently we are supporting our fellow label band: Dimenzion:psychospehere for their release gig and we are planning our own release gig a couple of weeks after this, where Dimenzion:psychospehere will support us.
New ideas and materials are flying around and putting these together into new tunes. We will go on trying to get to play as many gigs/festivals as we can. That is what it's all about.
2.You have a new album coming out in October, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Let’s start with how it differs from our previous records/EPs and that is probably mainly the vocals and how it's built up. I also have to mention that we have a new vocalist (Claudius Bormuth) for this record. The vocals are more complex with many layers, harmonies than we have been doing before. I think you can still here that this is Escapetor.
On this record we had a better production possibilities and a different goal than before. The knowledge for the production and equipment has been greatly updated. Our music is inspired by the 70/80/90 metal scene but we wanted a much more updated/modern sounding record. The songs are maybe more dynamic and open than before.
I think we have achieved our goals and are really happy with how it came out.
3.This is going to be the first album to be released in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
There has been a couple of members going and coming and we spent the time after our previous records/ep doing gigs and making the new songs. Doing many gigs and trying out the material live was also part of the plan. Then we could do tweaks and adjust things.
Making this record has taken several years, but we think it has been worth it. From when we started to record the record, it has taken almost 1 1/2 year.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Mostly the lyrics are about social problems, corruption and greed. But also some songs are about special experiences most of us have, have had or will have. I mean things like depressions, fear or just becoming older. On the record we have an old Escapetor tune called "Escapetor" and this song was first featured on a demo back in 2003/4.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Escapetor'?
When we started the band back in 1999, we went through much "brain storming" trying to find a band name, but we wanted something unique. One of our favorite bands is Annihilator from Canada and the ending "tor" was something we worked on. Somehow the name "escape" came into picture and we merged the two words together. I know the word "escape" came from the Metallica song from Ride the lightning. How this happened is not clear to me, but that is how I remember it.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
When we think back, the one show that pops up and that was when we supported Tyrent Eyes, in Germany in the home town area of both Axel and Claudius. This was the first time the rest of the band met Claudius, but that is another story.
Playing for the German audience was great. The atmosphere at the venue and how the audience reacted was a big contrast to how things are here in Norway, in a very positive way. We have played many great gigs, but this is the one that we all agree on and the first pops up in our minds.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We don't have any tour plans right now, but we hope to get back to Germany very soon, and also other countries. We have a couple of gigs lined up, as I mentioned earlier and we are working on getting gigs and festivals.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash and heavy metal?
I think we have gotten quite good reviews and response from our previous records, and as we write this interview we keep getting review that is looking really good.
9.What is going on with some of the other musical projects these days that some of the band members are involved with?
At the time, only Claudius has Tyrant Eyes back home in Germany and Ragnar is working in the studio (www.studiovahalla.com) where we recorded most of the record and mixed it.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We don't have a master plan on where we are going, I think. Making the music as we go along and then time will tell. When we have more material, we can see more clearly where this is heading and start to think about what we should achieve regarding the sound and feel.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Most members are rooted in the 70s/80s and 90s heavy/Metal era. This is something we can't escape. Bands like: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Helloween, HammerFall, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Black Sabbath. Much of the usual suspects.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Is there really anything other than music?? Really?
Things like cooking, football(LFC), training and hanging out with family and friends.
Interests in Cars and motorcycles.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for having us, and hope many get the chance to listen to the record.
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