Rockezine.com interview with Neaera on Apr 24, 2006

with Stefan Keller on Apr 24, 2006

Neara`s previous album, The Rising Tide Of Oblivion, was already a killer album. Its successor Let The Tempest Come is in my humble opinion even better. Time to ask guitarist Stefan Keller some questions.
		Congratulations with ‘Let The Tempest Come’! It’s a killer album. Satisfied with the results? Thanks a lot man! That`s great to hear. In fact, we are still very satisfied with the final product, the layout, the recording process. It all went well and without any problems. Actually, we are quite proud of `the Tempest`.
		Did you receive reactions from the press? How are the reactions so far? Oh, they are really good. We were happy with the reactions towards the last record, too, but we could improve a little in soundchecks and ranking, which is, of course, really nice. We are more than happy whith what press has said about the record so far.
		On ‘The Rising Tide Of Oblivion the lyrics were both personally and politically. Are the lyrics on ‘Let The Tempest Come’ personally and politically again? They seem pretty cryptic to me. Our lyrics are still personal and political. It has become a kind of a lyrical concept for this band. I wouldn`t like only either personal or political lyrics. Life is more than just one of the two things - it is more complex. So we try to create a variety and diversity. That is better for us and the listener/ reader, too, as hopefully is getting bored less, haha. If the lyrics are difficult to understand than that`s my fault. I am not very good at putting things simple sometimes. My band mates and friends keep complaining about the lyrics being too cryptic, too. Maybe that`s due to my studying English. The only song which is intentonally cryptic is The Crimson Void.
		The lyrics on `Plagueheritage` seem to be about the right-wing movement in Germany (correct me if I’m wrong). How bad is that situation in Germany? You are correct here, my friend. The situation is hard to observe really because the right wing movement is very subtle and underground in Germany. There is still a retarded minority and there probably always will be. It definitley is a minority, but, unfortunately, this minority is gaining attention when social problems are becoming bigger.
		`Paradigm Lost` seems to be a play of words on Paradise Lost. In a previous interview with REZ you explained that the band name comes from the book Paradise Lost. Does the book have a special meaning to the band? The book does not have a special meaning to us. None of us has even fully read it. I just knew that its language is loaded and very powerful and that`s why we were searching for a band name is that book. Paradigm Lost derives from that book but has nothing to do with it really. The song is about materialism and a deceiving happiness, that people tell us can be bought.
		`The Rising Tide Of Oblivion` was produced by Andy Classen, `Let The Tempest Come` is produced by Jacob Hansen. Why the change of producers? Andy Classen simply was not available at the time we wanted to recorded the new album. But as we are quite productive and a bit restless, too, we couldn`t afford to wait. In the end, we are very happy with the collaberation ahnd the final product. It was the right decision.
		How did the recordings go? No problems during the process? Not at all. Jacob is a great guy. He is very relaxed, but works professionally. He has a good feeling for what to do with music and put the songs in the exact right shape and form. He is a perfectionist, too, who knows how to get the most out of the musicians.
		What’s your favorite album at this moment? And your favorite album ever? My favourite album at the moment is either the new Maroon record or the new Sigur Ross record. Maybe also the new Katatonia album, which is amazing. My all time favourite album is either Dark Tranquillity`s The Gallery or Tool`s Lateralus.
		Do you remember the first concert you ever visited? Which band and how was it? The first show was 1992 in Dortmund. Metallica just started their legendary Black Album world tour. As I was 12 years old, my father had to drive me and a friend, but he liked Metallica too at that time, so that was fine. The show was marvellous and it was a dream come true for us at that time.
		Any last words to our readers? Stay true, stay clear-thinking, stay brutal! And thanks to everyone who supports us. Without you it would all be pointless.
		. .
		(Lars van Bergen)