We know that you are the ex-claverist of Within Temptation. The album of Delain was released just a few times ago. Can you tell us quickly how you get the idea of the project?

Quickly? That’s a challenge! (laughs). Actually I left Within Temptation because I had a disease that made me very tired all the time. So I left WT because I was not able to play in this conditions. So after, I started to write again without the idea to do anything. Somehow it goes from part to part, and I needed help from other musicians. Well, I know lots of good musicians thank to the WT period. I really like Nightwish and I wanted to play with Marco because I really like his voice. It’s actually how it grew. And in the end, I started to feel better, and I was able to play again. So, it drew into a band. But with “guest musicians”, you cannot play because they have their own projects, they are busy all the time.

There are some people who are missing today, like Marco Hietala for example!

Yes, but as I told you, the problem is that those persons are really busy. I already talked about it with Marco, Liv Kristine… I think we’re gonna do a special show, I will ask them to come over. But it’s very expensive for them. Marco has to come from Finland, Liv Kristine has to come from Germany… Today, Within Temptation are playing, but because they were really busy with their new album, Sharon had no time for rehearsal. I’m 91% sure that she would have sing along, but we’re gonna do that in the future.

I take the occasion to tell you that the voice of your singer, Charlotte, is really good. She has not an opera voice like lots of bands, and I think it gives a balance. Do you agree?

Yes ! You know, I’m not a huge fan of opera, or of those kind of voice. It’s not that I don’t like it, because Nightwish is one of my favourite bands for example, but I like “normal voices” better.

How did you find the feedbacks of the album in France and Germany?

Well, in Germany we still have to release the album, it will be released in October. In France, it goes well. The French department of Roadrunner shows us lots of enthusiasm about how things are going. But it’s very fresh, it’s just the beginning. I did my real first show in France yesterday. It was really amazing !

Today there are lots of different bands (The Exploited, Suicidial Tendencies, etc…). How it’s going?

I think it’s a really good point. The public is more “fresh”, and people can hear and discover different styles. I’m really curious to see how the audience is today.

Was it hard to find new people to play with on stage?

Yes, it’s very difficult to find a good team. I don’t need session musicians who only play what you tell them to play. I want a team and a real band. And I have to say that I’m really really lucky because I’ve find the right people for that. Moreover, you have to make a good show even if Marco or Sharon are not there.

Concerning the album, did you compose all songs?

Yes, I’ve composed … let’s say … 90% of the music. Charlotte did a lot of vocal lines and also lyrics.

I take the occasion to tell you that I really loved the atmosphere of the album. Sometimes it’s like a soundtrack of a movie, it’s very epic, positive, but also dark.

Yes, thank you ! It’s what I like.

How was it between Sharon, Liv Kristine, Charlotte, Marco and the others during the process?

There were no problem. I know what I want. I give people the freedom to do what they want, but I the end, I pick what I like in it. Marco was only supposed to play bass guitar, but he had a problem with his finger, and had to go to hospital, so he couldn’t play during a couple of days and I said : “ Let’s try to sing some stuffs”. I really like his voice. There were no problems between the singers. I know Sharon that well, I know what to expect, I like what she does, and she was totally open.

What does the word “Lucidity” mean ? Is it a lucidity about something?

Well, I really write music, not really the lyrics. Charlotte and I worked on the writing process. It’s a really dreamy kind of lyrics. The painting of the cover, the horizon, allows people to put their own feelings on it. It has to be very open.

Any concert planned around?

Yes, wer are going to play in Paris, with Within Temptation. I really want to play more often here, to promote our album but not only. I really liked playing here yesterday, people were so enthusiastic, very different from what I could experienced in the Netherlands or in Belgium. There is lot of energy here.

So, do you have something to say to French people?

That’s a good one (laughs). People who are reading this should check our music and I hope they will enjoy it, that’s the purpose of our music. For me, that’s the best compliment.

Propos recueillis par Caroline Haffner pour Metal France
Source : http://www.metalfrance.net/