Interview with Angela Gossow from Arch Enemy
Interview by Militia |
HailMetal.Com: The band is currently on "Doomsday Machine" touring campaign. How many shows have you guys done to this point?
Angela: Being in a metal band - it`s all about touring. A new album is basically just an excuse to keep on going, haha. I have stopped counting the shows; we are constantly on the road. We have had a little break now, but only to get ready for the festival season. Playing festivals on the weekend and having the week off - this is much more complicated than getting on a tourbus for a couple of weeks. Travel arrangements, crew and equipment are a bit of a nightmare then.
HailMetal.Com: What are the reactions of fans to the new material played live especially now with yourself handling vocal duties?
Angela: Well, I have been singing in Arch Enemy for the past 5+ years… and the reaction to the new material is really good, we couldn`t be happier. `Nemesis` is becoming a bit of a metal anthem, just like `We Will Rise`.
HailMetal.Com: Christopher Amott left the band recently due to the amount of touring the band did, but also because he felt that he stopped having fun. Why would he think that?
Angela: People are different, but I think this is a question for Chris really.
HailMetal.Com: What were the feelings in the camp after his departure?
Angela: We were surprised. A bit shocked, but people change and life goes on.
HailMetal.Com: Will we ever see him back on guitar for Arch Enemy? Does Michael share any news on his brother; I`d imagine that he talks with him from time to time?
Angela: Yes, they talk all the time, they are still good friends, they are neighbours and jam on guitar from time to time. As for Arch Enemy - I don`t think so right now, but never say never.
HailMetal.Com: Gus G of course filled in during your recent Ozzfest gig. How did you get him to come along?
Angela: Michael knew him from before, and thought he`d be a good choice for the `Ozzfest`. yeah, Gus did a great job, we owe him. He stepped in and saved our butts there!
HailMetal.Com: What are some of the highlights during Ozzfest for you personally?
Angela: Playing the shows and reaching a whole new level of fans. Everything else was just boring. I am glad we played our own shows on the days off.
HailMetal.Com: Is it feasible for a band like Arch Enemy to play at Ozzfest? If you don`t mind me asking, how much did it cost you guys to be on such bill?
Angela: It cost 5 million dollars and cents! Unbelievable!!!! It`s no secret that most bands have to pay to get on the stage there. It`s a promotional tool really. You cant compare it to the European festivals at all.
HailMetal.Com: Lets go back to end of last year and the tour of Australia, if you still remember us. How great are the crowds in Australia?
Angela: Totally amazing! We had a blast! We can`t wait to make it back over there… we are hoping we can come back this year. I love Australia, beatiful nature, clean cities, interesting architecture and raging metal fans.
HailMetal.Com: If I`m not mistaken Aussie shows were close to selling out? Did you have any expectations prior to coming down under?
Angela: We try not to have expectations, so usually we are pleasantly surprised.
HailMetal.Com: How long have you stayed over and are there any particular places that impressed you the most? Have you had fun whilst over there?
Angela: We stayed over there for about a week, with some time off to do shopping and sightseeing. Sydney was very impressive with its bold architecture.
HailMetal.Com: Would you come back to Oz and perhaps even recommend the place to people or bands that have never been?
Angela: Yes, absolutely.
HailMetal.Com: What happened at the Utopia signing, in Sydney before your gig? Seemingly you did not show up and a lot of Sydney folk were left disappointed. Can you please tell us the reason for this?
Angela: I was tired and jet lagged and opted for catching up on sleep so that I`d be well rested for the show that evening. It was unfortunate that Imissed the signing, but the show performance itself is always my main focus. Hopefully we can do a signing again in Sydney sometime!
HailMetal.Com: You have recently released a brand new video for the track `My Apocalypse`. Why was this song chosen and where was the video shot at?
Angela: The song was mutually chosen by ourselves and the record label. I guess the reason for picking it was because we like it! The video was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden at a studio there.
HailMetal.Com: Is there any connections between this one and the `Nemesis` video that you did not long ago, which I must say is totally mind blowing.
Angela: Nno connections really. Different director and producer…same band though!
HailMetal.Com: Why not have stories behind the videos? Similarity between videos is very evident… Who was the producer?
Angela: They are both performance based. `Nemesis` was done by George Bravo, who also did the `We Will Rise` video. Roger Johansson, who has done videos for In Flames, Dark Tranquility and Soilwork, directed `My Apocalypse`.
HailMetal.Com: `Live Apocalypse` DVD is coming soon. Can you please give us details as to what we will see on it and would there be any footage from Australian trek there? I think I saw the drummer record crowds with a camera at the end of Sydney show. I`m hopeful.
Angela: Yes, there are some Australian metal freaks on the dvd!
"The `live Apocalypse` DVD is now finally complete. This shaped up to be a two-disc affair. The main show is from the forum in London, UK (december `04), and we also have footage from Manchester, U.K. in December `05 (there`ll be three songs included from that). There are tons of extras and special features, as there should be. The artwork was done by Niklas Sundin of Cabin Fever Media. Andy Sneap`s audio mix (5.1 and stereo) is crushing! He really captured the live feel and power of the show; it`s like you are right there in the audience. We got behind the scenes features, gear talk, tour impressions and all promo videos from the last 3 studio albums.
HailMetal.Com: This will be out through Century Media? Is the label supporting you guys well?
Angela: Yes, the DVD will be out through Century Media this summer! The label support is great nowadays - no complaints there!
HailMetal.Com: We heard that you are on the road with the "Doomsday Book", and for those that aren`t familiar, it is a massive leather-bound book for bands and fans to sign that will be won by one lucky fan at the end of your tour. How did you get the idea for this book, and is there any other memorabilia that you tend to collect while on tour for yourself?
Angela: I am not big collector of memorobilia myself… the idea for the `Doomsday Book` was one from our record company. We`ve never actually seen this book ourselves. We wonder if it actually exists!
HailMetal.Com: I want a copy!
Angela: [laughs] I would like to get a copy myself. It`s like the holy grail. Nobody has seen it so far but they say its there.
HailMetal.Com: Obviously you put in great deal of effort in Arch Enemy website by having heaps of information for your fans there. Is staying in touch with your fans the most important aspect, not just to you, but to the rest of the band? How do you find time to keep putting information on there quite regularly at that (tour updates, tour diary, news, photos etc…)?
Angela: Yes, our website and our webmistress wendy rules! Most of us are online all the time with our laptops. It`s fun to do reports and post pictures from the road, it brings us closer to our fans.
HailMetal.Com: How would you describe your relationship with your fans? Do you like meeting people at gigs and after parties?
Angela: Yes, I like meeting fans, I do it as often as I can, when our schedule permits. Sometimes I have to save my voice for the next shows…then I have to sneak away and be silent… people mistake that for arrogance sometimes, whatever… my main focus is staying healthy and to keep on singing night after night. but yes, fans rule!!! \m/
HailMetal.Com: Do you have a favorite track of `Doomsday Machine` album and also which is your favorite to execute live? Of all time? Go ahead and select any song from the discography of the band if you`d like.
Angela: My favourite track off `Doomsday Machine` is `Out for Blood`, its fast and aggressive… my favourite Arch Enemy song to sing live in general is `Ravenous`. I like the blood thirsty ones i guess!
HailMetal.Com: Do you or any other members of the band have any urge to delve into outside projects?
Angela: Not really, we are so busy with Arch Enemy.
HailMetal.Com: I read somewhere that in 10 to 15 years you might stop growling/singing for any metal band? I`m heart broken.
Angela: I am sure there will be others that will keep my legacy alive [laughs]. I will continue being active in the metal scene in some form, I might just not be touring anymore. I would like to have a family on day.
HailMetal.Com: How do you take care of your voice? Please recommend to other singers some procedures you undertake to ensure the voice stays as lethal and brutal as it is at the moment. Who thought you how to growl? How did it start?
Angela: I am self taught, but had some vocal coaching and singing lessons along the way. A good vocal warm up and controlled breathing techniques are crucial for keeping your voice healthy.
HailMetal.Com: Playing in a band is no doubt hard work. Is it all like you thought it would be?
Angela: Iit`s different from what I thought it`d be - but still great. It takes much more disciplin than I`d expected.
HailMetal.Com: Tell us a little bit about the Hard and Heavy Magazine article which had a section with photographs of you team against Cristina Scabbia. What was the aim of this article?
Angela: We did a cross interview together, dealing with the `females in metal` subject, which was still exciting at that time (now I am terribly bored with it).
HailMetal.Com: So, who won the beauty contest?
Angela: You mean the muddwrestling contest?
HailMetal.Com: Have you ever been put to test against Tarja Turunen [laughs]?
Angela: Eh, no. What kind of test would that be? She is an opera singer. Doesn`t have anything to do with metal.
HailMetal.Com: You must have been featured on every metal magazine cover at least once to this point? Do others get any bit intimidated by it at all?
Angela: Why? Is anybody getting intimidated by Bruce Dickinson or Rob Halford, who must have been featured on covers for a bout a million times? I don`t.
HailMetal.Com: What happened with Nightwish recently was devastating to us all. Tuomas Holopainen apparently fired the singer because of her desire for money rather than for Nightwish to grow as a band. What are your thoughts on this entire issue? Do you think she was unfairly dismissed?
Angela: Ii am not in the band and I am no fan either, so why should I care? I don`t voice an opinion on subjects I have no business with.
HailMetal.Com: Can we be safe to say that such thing will never happen to Arch Enemy? You guys don`t have any conflicts, do you?
Angela: No substantial conflicts. We are very open with each other.
HailMetal.Com: Being one of the most beautiful faces in metal today you obviously bring the band a lot of exposure (safely enough you have an amazing voice to back it up - and the body [laughs]). Do you ever get tired or overwhelmed of/by all the exposure and attention you receive?
Angela: I make sure the overexposure doenst happen by turning down most `Angela only` features. I insist of bringing in at least one of the guys..
HailMetal.Com: You are scheduled to appear at this years Wacken Open Air festival, is it a more sentimental venue for you considering that you lived in Germany? There is going to be some kick ass bands playing this year.
Angela: I only get a bit sentimental when I see the dome whilst flying into cologne. But a festival is surely nothing to get sentimental about. All i remember is mud and the smell of urine [laughs].
HailMetal.Com: Are any of your family members going to attend your performance there?
Angela: My crazy brothers are usually around.
HailMetal.Com: So what`s next for Arch Enemy creatively?
Angela: Chaos and destruction... in the shape of touring, touring, touring and then start pre-production for the new album.
HailMetal.Com: I hope you enjoyed the interview and if there is anything else that you`d like to add that I`ve forgotten, please don`t hesitate to mention.
Angela: 38 questions is a bit rough [laughs]. I am all talked out. Oh yeah, please visit archenemy.net for updates etc. And say hello to the kangaroos from me. I never saw one..
HailMetal.Com: Thanks for your time and good luck with the rest of the tour.
Images courtesy: purevolume.com/archenemy / Archenemy.Net and Century Media Records (c)2006
