INVOCATOR
Interview with Jacob Hansen
Q>>
Hello guys! So, you're back! Are you happy? Did fame miss you that much? J
A>> To be honest, we didn't do this to be a part of the scene or to get
our 15 minutes of fame. We did this entirely for ourselves. It actually started
out as me and Flemming writing some Metal songs, with which we had no intention
to become Invocator, but after we had 3-4 songs ready and I put on some vocals,
we simply sat down and looked at each other and said; "Hey, this is Invocator!".
It was obvious that we had to discuss whether this was going to be called Invocator,
or we should choose a name. The pros and cons were eagerly discussed and we
decided to go with the old moniker, although we felt like we were competing
against nostalgia. It's a no win situation. If we weren't called Invocator,
some would think that it would be silly, because it sounded that close to the
old band and now that we are Invocator, some will think that we've lost the
touch or whatever. And yes, we're happy! We've made the album we wanted and
this one was made with pure thirst for life and music!
Q>> One thing
I immediately noticed on "Through The Flesh To The Soul" is that you've
been working on your composing skills for the last years. But… wasn't it
frustrating not to put all those ideas on a new album? Tell me more about that
long wait and what you guys actually did in the meantime…
A>> We started writing back in 2001, so we weren't that full of ideas
to squeeze in. After the split in 1996 I worked hard on establishing my producer
career and the other guys just went their way. I played in a few different bands
but nothing really serious. Suddenly in 2000, I got the urge to write some new,
heavy material.
Q>> You're
totally allowed to hate me for this, but I can't look at Invocator as being
just a Thrash band. Your press-sheet overemphasized the fact that you're a hundred
percent Thrash band but I think there is much more than Thrash elements in your
music, don't you think?
A>> I didn't write the press-sheet… I'm not sure I share the same
ideas as our label, but they're very enthusiastic about our album and maybe
they see it this way. Cool with me! I don't think we're a 100% Thrash band.
Actually I have no idea of how to label Invocator. We're a mixture of many things.
I can hear some Death Metal elements here and there and also Pop/Rock, maybe
even Hard Rock elements. But I'm glad you think there's more to us than that!
Q>> One of
the best songs (though it's hard to pick just one…) is "Fire Cleanses
All", whose title itself also sounds quite symbolic… How did you come
up with that one and why the hell is it so far in the track list?
A>> That was one of the first songs we wrote. I wasn't sure if the song
was any good or not… I wrote it entirely by myself and it was this song
I put on vocals, which made us become Invocator. I wanted to make a fast song
that would smack in your face and that's why it's a shortie without a solo.
The title had to sound really energetic…
Q>> Were
there complex songs to arrange/record or was everything very easy during the
recording process?
A>> Yes, there were some songs which were hard to record, because the
proper arrangement wasn't there. So we re-arranged a few things, put in some
extra riffs and ideas here and there. Actually, I think that the album was about
80% written when we entered the studio. There were so many loose ends - I'm
not used to that! In the past, everything was put down and rehearsed to death
before recording. This time we made it a little bit more open, just to feel
that it was still possible to squeeze in a few more ideas if we felt like it.
There weren't any major changes, but the small ones can mean a great deal as
well.
Q>> I couldn't
find any relevant info about the production but I suppose you did everything
in your own studio, right?
A>> Yes, I did everything. We started in Aabenraa Studios, where I worked
at that time. It was just before a major rebuilding of the house in which the
studio was located, so we had these breaks where demolition hammers were smashing
into the walls and trucks were driving around outside… "Hey, Gundel…
Smoke a Cigarette; they're smashing the place up again"! And the water
supply was shut down. It was hell! Ha-ha. But we managed to make all the instrumental
recordings before the workers were practically outside the very studio door!
Then I used a couple of months to build my own studio where I recorded vocals
and mixed it myself.
Q>> Why did
you choose Scarlet and Intromental as partners? I guess there are particular
reasons…
A>> Intromental was chosen because they were the ones to secure us a decent
deal. I was already in contact with Scarlet due to my work and when I mentioned
that I was writing new Invocator songs, they said without hesitation; "We'll
sign you!" But we still needed to know if there were other interested parties.
There were a few, but the best offer was from Scarlet, so we went with them!
I think they also showed an enthusiasm which was admirable!
Q>> I heard
you're gonna tour intensively to promote the album. Aren't you a little nervous
after all these silent years?
A>> Yes! I'm scared shitless! The tour starts this Friday, and I haven't
really been on stage since 1996. More or less… But it's gonna be fun. It's
in Denmark, and we have 15 jobs at first. Hopefully we'll play some more after
that.
Q>> What's
the next step gonna be?
A>> I'm really eager to start writing new material, so I've already put
down some ideas, as well as my head is swimming with new riffs and hook lines.
We're gonna start writing early next year and hopefully start recording in the
summertime next year. That's where I feel good. In the studio.
Q>> Say goodbye
in Danish and feel free to add whatever pops into your mind…
A>> Farvel og ha' det godt! What pops into my mind is nothing to share
with you…
RNO