Rockezine.com interview with Falconer on Mar 04, 2002

with Stefan Weinerhall on Mar 04, 2002

As the German band Mithotyn split up in May 1999, mainman Stefan Weinerhall stood without a band but not without musical visions. He founded Falconer and got himself a deal with Metal Blade. On the 11th of March this band will release their new "Chapters From A Vale Forlorn" record and Stefan tells us a bit more about his band…
		What have the reactions been so far on the new and 2nd "Chapters From A Vale Forlorn" album? Do you have a large promo campaign with this cd? The reactions so far has been excellent, but then those reactions have only been from the interviewing persons so… I guess the promotion is bigger this time since the first album did so well.
		How long did it take to write and record this cd? Is this your usual way of working? The writing took about 7 months I think. We recorded it in 24 days in the Los Angered studio once again, just like our first album.
		Are you satisfied with the way the record turned out? You worked with Andy LaRocque in the past, what`s you opinion on how that turned out? With Andy La Rocque behind the knobs we have a very good and comfortable session. The studio is located in the southern parts of Sweden, just outside Gothenburg. I would say it feels like a mix between a studio and a home, you don`t have that sterile cold studio that looks like a mix between a studio and an old rehearsalplace. The studio is the best I`ve visited and spent my time in so there wasn`t much questioning about returning there.
		Who writes all the music and the lyrics within your band? What`s your procedure on this? Are you a democratic band? Yes we are, but I write everything. No one has given any ideas for the music or lyrics, if they did that`s ok.
		What about touring? Will you be doing this in the near future and do you like it or not? We have no tour planned this far. We`ll see in the future. If I will tour I won`t accept any conditions since I`m not that interested, so a crappy expensive deal for us won`t do.
		You`ll be playing the Wacken 2002 festival. Cool! Are you looking forward doing this show and will Falconer be doing more festivals this summer? We will also do Bang Your Head this summer. It will be very exiting to do!
		Stefan, please tell us something more about the lyrics from the songs… Okay, here we go. "Decadence Of Dignity": A fast song that deals with mans greed. We sell everything as long as we can make a buck on it fast and don`t think about the consequences. The most power metal song on the album. "Enter The Glade": A rocky and swingy song about religious profiteers, cheating people of both hope and money. One of my favesongs from the new one. "Lament Of A Minstrel": A really slow song like "The Past Still Lives On". The title says all about the lyrics. "For Life And Liberty": A song that is more riff based with a lot of variations, fast and slow. Just perfect. The lyric deals with the tension between man and it`s arch enemy, the wolf. I think the wolf has a too bad reputation as he has often been a scapegoat for man. A favesong too. "We Sold Our Homesteads": One more traditional song about the Swedish history. It deals with the emigrants from Sweden to America during the 19th century. Slightly re-arranged to get more variation. A heavy song just like "Per Tyrsson."
		"The Clarion Call": A critical song about war. Masters and leaders often seek power and land and the people gain nothing on it, they just loose. A theme that has and always will be present. Yet another song with variation in all ways. "Portals Of Light": A ballad that, that´s at least what I think, turned out really good. Yet one favesong. The story is about loosing a love, in this case into death but I think most of us know the feeling anyway. "Stand In Veneration": A swingy little tune about natures superiority over mankind. Written in the same style as "A Quest.." but yet not. "Busted To The Floor": A song that could have been taken from the 70`s. Catchy rock with Andy on lead guitar and we have some Hammond organ in it. A bit of a hippy song about broken confidences.
		Are you satisfied about what your recordlabel Metal Blade does for your band? If not, what could be improved? They`re doing a very good job I think, I can`t complain about anything really.
		What`s your opinion on the internet and the online magazines in relationship to bands like yours? What`s good or bad? Well, the only thing that is bad is the downloading. Otherwise I think it`s good promotion.
		Do you think the rock and metal scene is healthy at this very moment? Seen any new talent lately? Quality is very high these days but originality ain`t. I stick more to the past so any new talents is not my thing to answer really.
		Stefan, thanks for your time. Any last comment? Thanks a lot for the interview. I hope you all like the new album! Please check our website: www.falconer-metal.com.
		(Johan Godschalk)