Funeral Interview

1. Can you update us on what is going on with Funeral these days?
1.We are working quite hard to finish our new album these days.We also have recruited a new singer in Sindre Nedland,as Frode F. decided to leave.
We are also in negotiations with a couple of record-labels for a future record deal.Have a listen to new song with new singer on our myspace.

2. Alot of people consider you the pioneers of the sub genre called funeral doom, how do you feel that you have influenced the newer bands using this style?
2.This is really a great hounour for us.I really dont listen to many new bands,so I really couldnt tell.But we definitely did something no one had done back in the early days.

3. I noticed with the older material you had a lot heavier vocals and the newer stuff has all clean vocals, what made you decide to do in this direction?
3.It was really a very natural progression.I grew tired of the growling,as it really doesn't challenge me musically,either writing it nor growling it.

4. How would you describe your stage performance and what are some of the best shows that you have played so far?
4.We just do what we do,really.Play our instruments as good as it gets,and trying to have a blast on stage,hopefully been liked by the audience.we haven't played much live,but it was definitely cool playing in Belgium and the Netherlands a couple of years ago(first gigs outside of Norway)

5. Are there any plans for a U.S tour?
5.we have no concrete plans for a US tour at this moment.But if someone offer us a fair deal,we will absolutely consider doing it.

6. Out off all the albums that you have recorded so far, which one are you the most satisfied with?
6.Its as always the last one,as that is our newest material,and the songs we have worked on the most,trying to get it to sound as good as possible.But I very rarely listen to my own stuff,really.its always new unreleased demo- songs i listen to,to make them even better for the album recording-session.

7. How has the new material been received so far by the metal community?
7.very good!I have seen just good reviews so far.and that is really great!
there are of course always people that want us to sound the same as earlier or previous albums,but that will never happen to funeral.We always try to evolve.

8. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the band heading into on future releases?
8.as mentioned we progress very natural,and dont really think about it when writing songs.the new stuff will have even more and more bombastic orchestration than ever,and also our new singer makes his mark on the sound.so watch and see!
I have however included a song originally written for my sideproject Fallen for the next funeral-release,just top mess around a bit.Its veeery slow and very old-school..

9. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
9.on our next album we almost entirely use poetry written by the late Einar Fredriksen.So,its much despair and definitely lyrics that goes well with the music,allright.

10. What are some bands or music styles that have influenced the music that you play?10.well,its lots of older bands and older albums.some faves are Cathedral,Metallica,Black Sabbath,Paradise Lost,dead can dance and various classical composers.so its really everything from metal to classical music,really.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that you listen to nowadays?
11.I am heavily into everything by the members of dead can dance.Filmscores of various composers.I discovered Nile,and always have that on my mp3 player when working out.And of course its the older bands and albums mentioned above.
the new Burzum is a killer too!

12. I know the band has experienced the loss of a couple of members due to death, what was it that motivated the band to keep going to this day after dealing with that dramatic experience?
12.well,just an urge to play music I guess.Having a name,and not let down the fans.
But I was very close to call it a day,though..loosing two close friends does something with you,and the band was on hold for quite a while after Christain passed.

13. Does Paganism or Occultism play in the music?
13.no,I wouldn't say that.I am really not into any "isms".But I know our previous singer was a bit into that,and there are parts of the lyrical content on "as the light.."that deal with these subjects

14. What are some of your interests outside of music?
14.I am heavily into war history,and I also collect items from the 3rd Reich.I also work out quite a lot,as well as playing my guitars,both classical and electric.

15. Any final words or thoughts?
15.thanx a lot for your interest in the band,and for your patience awaiting these answers.
we`ll hopefully get the chance to play a lot more live in the future,as we have parted ways with our singer who was very difficult to cooperate with.So I guess we`ll see you on a stage near you in a not too distant future.be sure to check out our websites from time to time for updates:
www.funeralband.no
www.myspace.com/doomfuneral
doomy regards
-Eek/Funeral