by Vpower
The Band: Battleroar
Answers by: Kostas
Tzortzis (guitar)
Ciuntry: Greece
Battleroar is back with a new album this 2018.The roots of the
band sink deep into the sound of legendary 80s American and European
bands such as Manilla Road, Omen, Cirith Ungol or Heavy Load. Last
year they released a split with Omen, in this new chapter Mark
Shelton appears as a guest in one epic song… So, the fact is that
Battleroar are one of the references in the current epic heavy metal.
To know how they arrived there no better man than main compositor
Kostas Tzortzis. Enjoy the travel to the epic land!
Hello Kostas, the long wait is finished, four years between the
new album "Codex Epicus" and the 2014 Blood of Legends,
good news for your legion of fans around the world
Yes, it has been 4 years, indeed. We hope, our fans will like this
album also and will be rewarded for all the wait!
Although last year you delivered a small aperitif together with
heavy metal legend Omen in the way of a split, how was it?
Well, Kenny Powel and I are connected with a strong and long
lasting friendship. I just proposed that to him and he agreed
right away! So, we did it as a ...seal to our friendship and as
something to remember! Definitely, it is great to work together
with someone I grew up with his music and eventually we became
close friends!
Two warriors joining forces. After that split another with Manilla
Road and Cirith Ungol and the trilogy would be complete hehe
Hehe... why not... you never know!
18 years of career and 5 albums counting "Codex Epicus"
out in June 15th. I think you have got a name already in the current
epic heavy metal scene, but nothing comes for free, a lot effort and
work behind…
Yes, there is a lot of work behind all this. A lot of sacrifices and
a lot of effort put into this. But it is all a matter of priorities
and what you want to do in life. But definitely, something like this,
is more than just a hobby. It is a way of life.
No doubt. Maybe one of those moments any fan fears came with the
change of vocalist. Marco Concoreggi was much appreciated by the
fans, however Gerrit Mutz has past the test and with this second
album he consolidates his position
That is true. You see, these 2 singers are a lot different than
each other and both in their own way, managed to fit fine. People can
hear that.
There were new blood entering the band last year with Greg Vlachos
on drums and Michael Kontogiorgis on guitar, how did they connect
with the rest of the band?
It is way easier anymore for new members to fit in the band cause the
musical style of Battleroar is clear anymore. So, all newcomers that
approach the band with respect towards our fans, can get acclimated
easily in the band. The same happened with this line up also.
Time to talk a little about your new work "Codex Epicus".
Firstly, I would like to mention something that every follower of
Battleroar’s sound will appreciate: Mark Shelton is back as a
special guest in the album! Something he had done already in “The
Age of Chaos”. How was it? You have a red line with the guy or
something like that haha?
Hehe, yeah... something like this! Mark is like a brother to me! He
is one of my biggest musical influences and a bright example in
the heavy metal family! So, there came a moment while making the last
album, that I needed help and inspiration on how to finish a song
which I had only the music made for it. Then, I used this... red line
you mentioned and Mark finished the song in the best way! So, now we
have the song The Sword of the Flame and the rest is history!
It’s great to have friends as The Shark. For those who have
never been lucky to work with Mark Shelton, how is to compose a song
with the guy? Is he so friendly and passionate as he seems on stage?
Even more! Mark made the lyrics, the vocal lines, recorded the
vocals, recorded a solo on the Sword of the Flame song in just 3 days
since he ever heard the song... He is a great musician and one of the
best guys I have ever met in my life!
Long live to the guy! As it could not be other way this "Codex
Epicus" sounds as epic as anyone would expect, this means with
Battleroar you always know what game you are playing
Well, this is what we want to do and this is what we do. Playing
epic, heavy metal... it could not be less than that.
However, I think we still find some new elements in this 5th
album, as the recurrent and epic choirs and the cinematic air that
flows throughout the album
Yes, that is true. There are new elements, like the choir which
participates in the biggest part of the album. All the previous years
granted us with the experience to be able to use more and more
elements in order to fulfill our ideas on the music we want to make.
Of course your classical elements are also present: majestic
riffs, soaring vocals, scorching leads and multiple turns
It could not be different... this is what we like to do. This is the
base of our music where we can build up all new elements and sounds.
How long did you need to finish up the album? Was there any song
harder to finish up than the others?
I started composing for the album something like a year and a half
ago, but not in a regular base. I mean, you make one song today and
you can not know when ...inspiration will knock your door again. As
for the hardest song to fulfill... it was definitely The Sword of the
Flame, in which I asked help from Mark.
As usual, the cover artwork is in accordance with Battleroar epic
style, as well as the title which cannot be more epic
The general idea behind the concept of the cover artwork is that, you
have to try hard and fight for big things in life... You have to kill
the dragon if you want to claim the ancient book of epic and write
your story in it.
If you look back to your beginnings as a band in 2000, you are
where you expected at this point of the road or it is kind of a
dream?
Many times throughout these years, I felt like dreaming... though
sometimes, you could call it a nightmare, hehe! I dont know if we
should have gone further or not. I am just grateful with what we
have achieved all these years. I am still here, creating and playing
the music I like and I feel blessed to go on ... dreaming!
You have already played in every kind of venues, I suppose a long
tour will follow the release of your new album, right? Any date
programmed for Spain?
We will try to play live shows here and there as
often as it is possible. A long tour would be nice but I do not know
if we would be able to do it while having all of us, full time day
jobs. Definitely, though, we will play as much as possible! As for
Spain, it would be great to play there again! It has been a long time
since the last time and we have the best memories from the people and
the metal scene, there! Definitely, we will do our best to come
back to Spain with this album!
That’s is recorded, Kostas haha! Congratulations for your new
album and have a great year!
Thank you really much! All the best to you and the people in
beautiful Spain who supported us throughout the years! Epic Metal to
the End!
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario