Forcentury interview
Forcentury hail form Denmark and play a classic style of power metal. I recently had the opportunity to ask them some questions and find out more. They answered the questions as a group. Forcentury are:
Johnn - Vocals
Marc - Guitars
Jens-Christian - Guitars
Kristian "Iver" Iversen - Bass
Jonas - Drums
Andreas - Keyboards
-Hello, please introduce members of your band and tell what instrument they play.
Hey there! The band consists of guitar players Marc Masters and Jens-Christian "JaCK" Kijne, bass player Iver, keyboard player Andreas Palsgård, drummer Jonas Landt and the Scottish lead vocalist Johnn Thunder.
-Tell us about the history of your band?
Forcentury was conceived by Marc, Jonas and Andreas as their old band split up in spring 2008. They were dissatisfied with playing in a band without a powerful sense of brotherhood, and –along with the strong desire to make heavy music that could stand the test of time – this became our prime target. These two core values were fused to form the band name, which is constructed from the words “force” and “century”. During our first 6 months, we were blessed first with second shredder JaCK and then with our lead vocalist Johnn. We wrote songs diligently and started gigging in 2009. Simultaneously we began work on our debut album Vanguard. Bass player Iver joined when the album was almost fully recorded, but he committed himself fully to the music and we could present the album in November 2009 as a combined endeavor.
-Tell us about your album "Vanguard"?
Well, the album was recorded during 2009 in both Earplug Studio in Copenhagen and our own studio facilities and it's completely self-financed. The do-it-yourself production process felt totally natural to us. It certainly pushed us to make the very best possible record with the means we had at our disposal. We also made good use of our friends, families and our producer Pede from Earplug Studio, who all contributed to the finished product. The end result in many ways shows the world what we are - and even though we don't claim to have reinvented anything, we do feel that the record stands as a genuine tribute to the music we love.
-What has been the response to the album so far?
Absolutely great. We had never expected to get such sweet ratings and reviews, and even though we try not to listen to critics, it still is quite flattering and motivational to get positive publicity.
-I love the cover art. Who is the artist?
The cover is a digital painting by Alen Domazet. He was asked to create a scenario with an eerie vibe and hints of sci-fi, which shouldn't be too easy to interpret - rather a bit ambiguous. The "thing" could be interpreted as a collected expression of our songs though - a heavy, relentless piece of machinery moving across the desert. The first to appear of its kind, but definitely not the last!
-What are some of your favorite songs on the album? Why?
We all have personal favourites, but a common stand out track remains the opener, Land of Mirrors. It's the first song the band wrote while still in the old group, mere months before establishing Forcentury, and it is therefore in many ways the first real Forcentury track. It's heavy, upbeat, melodic and terribly catchy.
-Who are your musical influences?
Our musical sources of inspiration range far. We listen to metal in all its forms, rock, pop, classical, and jazz. But when people ask for band names, we do tend to claim kinship with progressive power metal acts such as Pagan’s Mind, Symphony X and Kamelot. Expect our next album to explore new territory. The songs we are writing now are a bit more proggy and heavy and less in the vein of traditional power metal than the songs you are hearing on Vanguard.
-How you would describe your live show?
Energetic, entertaining, invigourating, plenty of interaction with the audience and tons of fun!
-What is the club scene like in your area?
Small - really small. Even though this is the Danish capital, there is only one real rock/metal club, and it's struggling to remain standing. Gigs and venues are generally few and far between, and money is nowhere to be seen. Metal music on the other hand is very much alive, and even though the scene in Denmark may not be the most widely known, there is an enormous amount of talent and great bands in pretty much all genres.
-Tell us about one or some of your favorite shows that you have played so far in your career?
Disregarding the (dreadful) sound and the cramped stage, playing in the belly of an old german freighter ship last summer was a cool experience. It is probably the most metal (pun intended) place imaginable to play a show, and the strippers on stage didn't make matters worse.
-What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?
A whole lot of gigs would be nice. As mentioned before, jobs are hard to come by and don't pay much, but we are more than ready to hit the stages. Also, we might begin production on the second album within a year or so. We are composing our asses off at the moment, and it's truly killer material. Can't wait to play it live!
-Any great unsigned bands in your area that your would like to mention?
We have some very good friends in Black Succubi - check them out!
-If someone asked why should I buy your album then what would be your response?
Because we mean business! and our music is melodic, fast and heavy. Our lyrics contain great stories with messages and meaning in them.
-What are some of your favorite albums of 2010 so far?
To pick a few: Gamma Ray - To the Metal, Pretty Maids - Pandemonium, Stratovarious - Polaris, Fear Factory - Mechanize, Ihsahn - After
-Pick the band you prefer out of each of the following pairs and tell why prefer them.
Gamma Ray or Helloween - Helloween, they are a big inspiration to making music. They are heavy and melodic, and one of the first power metal bands ever.
Hammerfall or Primal Fear - Hammerfall was the band that inspired Marc to play power metal, and you can tell..!
Iron Maiden or Judas Priest - Iron maiden, maybe the biggest inspiration to our songwriting on Vanguard.
-Anything else that you want to say about your band, your music or anything else?
Buy our album! The more albums we sell, the better chances we probably have for finding a fitting record label to help us release our next album.
You can find links to where to buy Vanguard on our webpages. The songs can be bought as cd's or as download. And if the readers would like to check us out, go to www.forcentury.com
www.myspace.com/forcentury or our Facebook page (Search word: Forcentury). We update them all frequently.
Finally: heads up to our promoter Marjo Verdooren at Metal Revelation.
Stay metal, see you out there!! Metal will save the world. Cheers FORCENTURY....
Here is my review of Forcentury's Vanguard from a few month's ago.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2010/01/forcentury-vanguard.html
Johnn - Vocals
Marc - Guitars
Jens-Christian - Guitars
Kristian "Iver" Iversen - Bass
Jonas - Drums
Andreas - Keyboards
-Hello, please introduce members of your band and tell what instrument they play.
Hey there! The band consists of guitar players Marc Masters and Jens-Christian "JaCK" Kijne, bass player Iver, keyboard player Andreas Palsgård, drummer Jonas Landt and the Scottish lead vocalist Johnn Thunder.
-Tell us about the history of your band?
Forcentury was conceived by Marc, Jonas and Andreas as their old band split up in spring 2008. They were dissatisfied with playing in a band without a powerful sense of brotherhood, and –along with the strong desire to make heavy music that could stand the test of time – this became our prime target. These two core values were fused to form the band name, which is constructed from the words “force” and “century”. During our first 6 months, we were blessed first with second shredder JaCK and then with our lead vocalist Johnn. We wrote songs diligently and started gigging in 2009. Simultaneously we began work on our debut album Vanguard. Bass player Iver joined when the album was almost fully recorded, but he committed himself fully to the music and we could present the album in November 2009 as a combined endeavor.
-Tell us about your album "Vanguard"?
Well, the album was recorded during 2009 in both Earplug Studio in Copenhagen and our own studio facilities and it's completely self-financed. The do-it-yourself production process felt totally natural to us. It certainly pushed us to make the very best possible record with the means we had at our disposal. We also made good use of our friends, families and our producer Pede from Earplug Studio, who all contributed to the finished product. The end result in many ways shows the world what we are - and even though we don't claim to have reinvented anything, we do feel that the record stands as a genuine tribute to the music we love.
-What has been the response to the album so far?
Absolutely great. We had never expected to get such sweet ratings and reviews, and even though we try not to listen to critics, it still is quite flattering and motivational to get positive publicity.
-I love the cover art. Who is the artist?
The cover is a digital painting by Alen Domazet. He was asked to create a scenario with an eerie vibe and hints of sci-fi, which shouldn't be too easy to interpret - rather a bit ambiguous. The "thing" could be interpreted as a collected expression of our songs though - a heavy, relentless piece of machinery moving across the desert. The first to appear of its kind, but definitely not the last!
-What are some of your favorite songs on the album? Why?
We all have personal favourites, but a common stand out track remains the opener, Land of Mirrors. It's the first song the band wrote while still in the old group, mere months before establishing Forcentury, and it is therefore in many ways the first real Forcentury track. It's heavy, upbeat, melodic and terribly catchy.
-Who are your musical influences?
Our musical sources of inspiration range far. We listen to metal in all its forms, rock, pop, classical, and jazz. But when people ask for band names, we do tend to claim kinship with progressive power metal acts such as Pagan’s Mind, Symphony X and Kamelot. Expect our next album to explore new territory. The songs we are writing now are a bit more proggy and heavy and less in the vein of traditional power metal than the songs you are hearing on Vanguard.
-How you would describe your live show?
Energetic, entertaining, invigourating, plenty of interaction with the audience and tons of fun!
-What is the club scene like in your area?
Small - really small. Even though this is the Danish capital, there is only one real rock/metal club, and it's struggling to remain standing. Gigs and venues are generally few and far between, and money is nowhere to be seen. Metal music on the other hand is very much alive, and even though the scene in Denmark may not be the most widely known, there is an enormous amount of talent and great bands in pretty much all genres.
-Tell us about one or some of your favorite shows that you have played so far in your career?
Disregarding the (dreadful) sound and the cramped stage, playing in the belly of an old german freighter ship last summer was a cool experience. It is probably the most metal (pun intended) place imaginable to play a show, and the strippers on stage didn't make matters worse.
-What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?
A whole lot of gigs would be nice. As mentioned before, jobs are hard to come by and don't pay much, but we are more than ready to hit the stages. Also, we might begin production on the second album within a year or so. We are composing our asses off at the moment, and it's truly killer material. Can't wait to play it live!
-Any great unsigned bands in your area that your would like to mention?
We have some very good friends in Black Succubi - check them out!
-If someone asked why should I buy your album then what would be your response?
Because we mean business! and our music is melodic, fast and heavy. Our lyrics contain great stories with messages and meaning in them.
-What are some of your favorite albums of 2010 so far?
To pick a few: Gamma Ray - To the Metal, Pretty Maids - Pandemonium, Stratovarious - Polaris, Fear Factory - Mechanize, Ihsahn - After
-Pick the band you prefer out of each of the following pairs and tell why prefer them.
Gamma Ray or Helloween - Helloween, they are a big inspiration to making music. They are heavy and melodic, and one of the first power metal bands ever.
Hammerfall or Primal Fear - Hammerfall was the band that inspired Marc to play power metal, and you can tell..!
Iron Maiden or Judas Priest - Iron maiden, maybe the biggest inspiration to our songwriting on Vanguard.
-Anything else that you want to say about your band, your music or anything else?
Buy our album! The more albums we sell, the better chances we probably have for finding a fitting record label to help us release our next album.
You can find links to where to buy Vanguard on our webpages. The songs can be bought as cd's or as download. And if the readers would like to check us out, go to www.forcentury.com
www.myspace.com/forcentury or our Facebook page (Search word: Forcentury). We update them all frequently.
Finally: heads up to our promoter Marjo Verdooren at Metal Revelation.
Stay metal, see you out there!! Metal will save the world. Cheers FORCENTURY....
Here is my review of Forcentury's Vanguard from a few month's ago.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2010/01/forcentury-vanguard.html
Labels: Forcentury, interview
posted by Metal Mark at
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