Fear Theories is a Norwegian Traditional Metal Band.
This style was something out of the norm. for me but,
I gave it a shot and really did like it....and so an interview
was set in motion. Find out a bit about this new up and coming band!!!
LS: Let me start off with a Thank-You. I appreciate your interest in this
interview and being a new fan, I hope to find out information right along with
the readers.
FT: Yeah, you're welcome! It's great that someone takes time to promote
and make interviews with newer unknown bands. It's great that they get the
attention they deserve.
LS: As I stated, I am a new fan so I know very little about you guys.
If you would, please give me a brief history of the band.
FT: The band was started in 2010 under the name "Endless Sacrifice". We
were thinking of disbanding after the first recording of our "punkish"
song-debut. At this time, we were just 3 guys; Andreas, Håkon and Brage. Andreas
asked Ole to record a guitar solo on the punk song. After that, Andreas was so
impressed that he asked Ole to join the band, of which he did. With Ole in the
band, we were complete and the plans of disbanding were thrown in the garbage.
We started writing a lot and played the gigs we could get until we got some
recognition. The Name Fear Theories came along during the summer of 2011. In
2012 we were discovered by Johnny Angelund, the man behind Karmøygeddon Metal
Festival. He offered us a spot on the Kick Off Battle. The band who won got to
play at the festival. This victory was a great ambition boost for us, and we got
our band at the same poster as giants like Sabaton, Overkill, Paradise Lost,
Eluveitie etc.
Our debut EP, So It Begins, was the result of the best songs we wrote since the beginning.
It was released in April 2013.
LS: The name Fear Theories, care to explain the name...seems so simple
compared to some these days. haha
FT: A name doesn't need to be the most complex shit in the world, if it
sounds cool, it sounds cool. Ole actually came up with the name during his
grandmothers funeral. We thought it was a great name and we started using
it.
LS: You are a four piece band. What part do you play in the band and at
what point did your interest in music and playing in a band begin?
FT: Ole: I'm 19 and I play lead guitar. I started playing
guitar when I was about 12. I instantly fell in love with Metallica and Kirk
Hammett's playing style which led me into the world of heavy metal. My biggest
influences are older heavy/thrash metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest,
Manowar, Kreator, Testament, Overkill, Slayer and Metallica. I also love newer
thrash stuff like Evile and Savage Messiah. I always wanted to form a band, but
it was hard to find the right people. But eventually I found these guys, and
that's where the story begins.
Andreas: I'm 17 and I'm the singer
and rythm guitarist. I started to play guitar when I was 13, I think. I didn't
really believe it would bring me anywere. The first band I played in was a punk
band, and between that band and Fear Theories, I have played in about 7-8
different bands. But now I feel I'm in the right place. I like our music and
love to play it live. As a band many things happens randomly. I remember there
was a time were we almost split up. We just wanted to record our punk song
first. (This was when only me, Brage and Håkon was in the band). Then I got
this crazy idea to offer Ole a guitarsolo in the song. I meant we needed a solo
guitarist and we did. Then he decided he wanted to join us. Ole was actually
the guy that brought us together again. He saved the band and made us better
musicians.
Håkon: I'm 17 years old and play bass in the band, also I do backing
vocals. I play all kinds of music when it comes to bass; Metal, blues,
prog-rock, jazz and my specialty, funk. I have played bass in around 3,5 years
now, and all because of Fear Theories. Guitar was actually my main instrument
at first, but I got new interests for the bass guitar when I was 13 years old.
Me and some other guys from my class in 8th grade were supposed to perform a
song in front off the school around christmas time. I played guitar back then,
but we needed a bassist, so I took the job just for that one time. When we were
done playing, I was asked to play bass in a punkrock band. These guys were
Andreas and Brage (And another guy, but he left the band after some months). I
was not sure if I wanted to, but I said yes and took a shot. So here I am today;
a proud bass player in Fear Theories. So actually, this band is the reason I
play bass today.
Brage: I'm 18 and the drummer of Fear Theories. I started of playing
guitar for some time, but to be honest i sucked pretty hard. After a couple of
months playing the guitar I slowly drifted towards the drums, and got a set for
my birthday 4 years ago I believe. When it comes down to music i'm pretty open
minded, I pretty much right of the bat started jamming to pretty much
anything I liked, regardless of genre just play whatever music style I
like makes me want to do this for the rest of my life. Also i'd like to take
the opportunity to thank all our fans for the support every single one of you
is yet another reason to keep on playing and doing what we love.
LS: Fear Theories is from Norway. I have interviewed a lot of Black Metal
bands from Norway but not the traditional metal band like yourselves. How is
the fan base there and do you find other areas take to your music better at
all?
FT: Our music is mostly liked by older "metal veterans". Our music
fascinates people from all over the place, there's someone from each corner of
the country that seem to like it, I don't know where it's biggest though. I
guess we'll find out sooner or later.
LS: You guys have one EP out. Tell me a bit about this album....When did
it come out, who released it and what kind of reactions have you gotten from
your fans?
FT: It came out sometime in April. It wasn't released by a record label
though, we kind of just released it ourselves you know, haha! The plan was to
release it when we had the CD's ready, but that seemed to be more time consuming
than we thought, so we just put it out on the internet for people to hear it.
We got the CD's ready for Karmøygeddon though! And the sales were great! The
reactions too, we were positively surprised! Everyone has a different favorite
song, and that makes us happy. Some people also said the lyrics were
great, which amazed us because when it comes to lyrics we're not any good at
all. But we get it done and it sounds good. Hopefully a record label will snatch
us up soon!
LS: I see you will be playing the Battle of the bands their in Oslo (My
hometown actually) Is this your first live appearance and what are you guys
doing to prepare for this nose to nose battle?
FT: It's not our first live appearance, we're quite used to the stage. But
it's our first time outside of Karmøy and Haugesund (our hometowns). We don't do
anything special to prepare, we just rehearse as usual and hope for the best. Of
course we don't expect to win in a competition like that. But it will be a fun
trip and great experience!
LS: I must say, you guys appear to be very young. (No offense meant of
course) It is odd to find young fans of old classic sounding metal music like
you guys play...What bands inspire your music and do you ever take something
from those bands and try to incorporate it into your music somehow (Without
sounding like a cover band)
FT: None taken! Yes we are young, our youngest member is 17 and our oldest
is 19. It isn't that hard to find people our age that like this kind of music,
you just have to look at the right places. And we've been lucky with that. The
band environment is quite big around here and that means a lot of rock'n'roll
fans! Our individual influences vary a bit, but our style is influenced by bands
like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kvelertak, Manowar etc.
LS: Seeing as how you have one release out (You guys are still a fairly
new band) Tell me a little bit about the songwriting and recording
process.
FT: We write riffs individually, and present them to each other. Then we
figure out how they can fit together, and maybe we come up with entirely new
riffs right on the spot that fits better. Lyrics are written when the music is
finished.
In the studio, the drums and bass usually goes first. All the
rythm guitars were recorded by Ole on the EP because Andreas was busy until the
last day of recording. We did his solo on 'Heroes' and all vocals the last day.
This is usually how we do it.
LS: How does the process work exactly. Walk me through it....Who writes the
lyrics...what about the music? Do you guys "Jam" and see what you come
up with as a group or is it something you do on your own and then
sit down and see what everyone has to offer and then bring it together
somehow?
FT: We try to write everything together. The lyrics are sometimes written
by just one, but it varies from song to song. We don't jam much though, maybe
this is something we should try out!
As previously mentioned, we make
riffs individually and put them together and that has worked pretty good so far
:)
LS: What are your lyrics based off of? Anything specific in life or does it
just come to the writer?
FT: Our lyrics isn't based on anything in particular. As I said, we're not
that good at writing lyrics. The Treasure of the Haunted Pirate is obviously
about a pirate because the song sounds very piratey. So the song itself inspire
the lyrics if you know what I mean.
LS: If Fear Theories could open for any band, who would it be and do
you ever see it becoming a reality for you one day?
FT: We would love to open for anyone! But it would be great to open for
Iron Maiden or Kvelertak or even Metallica but I doubt that is going to happen. We
actually have a little support mini-tour coming up with a band called Zeno
Morf! And they kick some serious ass! We were honored when they asked us to
open for them.
LS: How do you guys feel about selling music online and what
is your opinions about illegal music downloads?
FT: Some places in the world music isn't available and they have to
download it. So in those cases I guess it's okay, but I don't do it myself.
Respect the artist.
If it's on Spotify, iTunes and similar, it would be
okay though, because you're actually paying for the music.
We're soon putting our EP on iTunes and Spotify too, so stay tuned!
LS: Do you have any predictions about the future of CD and vinyl sales
and do you think that digital music will ever completely replace
these formats?
FT: We hope not! But honestly, no I don't think the CD will go extinct.
Vinyl is actually beginning to come back! So no. No need to worry.
LS: Does Fear Theories have any long term goals? (If so, what are they and
how far off do you think these goals are)
FT: Every band has the same dream of breaking through and making a living
of it. But let's face it, it is incredibly improbable. But we have ambitions!
We won't give up without giving it our best shot.
LS: So, what are some of your immediate plans? Tours, possibly a full
length?
FT: We have some gigs coming up, The Band Battle in Oslo of course, and the
mini-tour with Zeno Morf. We will be playing some shows with them in the
southern part of Norway, and possibly in the area around Oslo.
No plans of a full length album yet hence we don't have a contract with a label. But
we'll see what happens. :)
LS: Well, this interview was a tough one. Seems I have had a few of these
lately. haha I hope I pretty much covered everything from start to finish, but
if I left anything out or if you would just like to add any final thoughts, now
is your chance.
FT: Thank you for doing what you do! Now let's see if
readers can understand what this next sentence says: Detta va et faens jævla
satan så i helvetes kjekt interview og takk ska du ha for interessen! Rock
awn!
Thank you!
- Ole
You can find Fear Theories on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-Theories/230232180341169?fref=ts
You can listen to music here.
https://soundcloud.com/fear-theories-2/sets/so-it-begins
interview and being a new fan, I hope to find out information right along with
the readers.
FT: Yeah, you're welcome! It's great that someone takes time to promote
and make interviews with newer unknown bands. It's great that they get the
attention they deserve.
LS: As I stated, I am a new fan so I know very little about you guys.
If you would, please give me a brief history of the band.
FT: The band was started in 2010 under the name "Endless Sacrifice". We
were thinking of disbanding after the first recording of our "punkish"
song-debut. At this time, we were just 3 guys; Andreas, Håkon and Brage. Andreas
asked Ole to record a guitar solo on the punk song. After that, Andreas was so
impressed that he asked Ole to join the band, of which he did. With Ole in the
band, we were complete and the plans of disbanding were thrown in the garbage.
We started writing a lot and played the gigs we could get until we got some
recognition. The Name Fear Theories came along during the summer of 2011. In
2012 we were discovered by Johnny Angelund, the man behind Karmøygeddon Metal
Festival. He offered us a spot on the Kick Off Battle. The band who won got to
play at the festival. This victory was a great ambition boost for us, and we got
our band at the same poster as giants like Sabaton, Overkill, Paradise Lost,
Eluveitie etc.
Our debut EP, So It Begins, was the result of the best songs we wrote since the beginning.
It was released in April 2013.
LS: The name Fear Theories, care to explain the name...seems so simple
compared to some these days. haha
FT: A name doesn't need to be the most complex shit in the world, if it
sounds cool, it sounds cool. Ole actually came up with the name during his
grandmothers funeral. We thought it was a great name and we started using
it.
LS: You are a four piece band. What part do you play in the band and at
what point did your interest in music and playing in a band begin?
FT: Ole: I'm 19 and I play lead guitar. I started playing
guitar when I was about 12. I instantly fell in love with Metallica and Kirk
Hammett's playing style which led me into the world of heavy metal. My biggest
influences are older heavy/thrash metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest,
Manowar, Kreator, Testament, Overkill, Slayer and Metallica. I also love newer
thrash stuff like Evile and Savage Messiah. I always wanted to form a band, but
it was hard to find the right people. But eventually I found these guys, and
that's where the story begins.
Andreas: I'm 17 and I'm the singer
and rythm guitarist. I started to play guitar when I was 13, I think. I didn't
really believe it would bring me anywere. The first band I played in was a punk
band, and between that band and Fear Theories, I have played in about 7-8
different bands. But now I feel I'm in the right place. I like our music and
love to play it live. As a band many things happens randomly. I remember there
was a time were we almost split up. We just wanted to record our punk song
first. (This was when only me, Brage and Håkon was in the band). Then I got
this crazy idea to offer Ole a guitarsolo in the song. I meant we needed a solo
guitarist and we did. Then he decided he wanted to join us. Ole was actually
the guy that brought us together again. He saved the band and made us better
musicians.
Håkon: I'm 17 years old and play bass in the band, also I do backing
vocals. I play all kinds of music when it comes to bass; Metal, blues,
prog-rock, jazz and my specialty, funk. I have played bass in around 3,5 years
now, and all because of Fear Theories. Guitar was actually my main instrument
at first, but I got new interests for the bass guitar when I was 13 years old.
Me and some other guys from my class in 8th grade were supposed to perform a
song in front off the school around christmas time. I played guitar back then,
but we needed a bassist, so I took the job just for that one time. When we were
done playing, I was asked to play bass in a punkrock band. These guys were
Andreas and Brage (And another guy, but he left the band after some months). I
was not sure if I wanted to, but I said yes and took a shot. So here I am today;
a proud bass player in Fear Theories. So actually, this band is the reason I
play bass today.
Brage: I'm 18 and the drummer of Fear Theories. I started of playing
guitar for some time, but to be honest i sucked pretty hard. After a couple of
months playing the guitar I slowly drifted towards the drums, and got a set for
my birthday 4 years ago I believe. When it comes down to music i'm pretty open
minded, I pretty much right of the bat started jamming to pretty much
anything I liked, regardless of genre just play whatever music style I
like makes me want to do this for the rest of my life. Also i'd like to take
the opportunity to thank all our fans for the support every single one of you
is yet another reason to keep on playing and doing what we love.
LS: Fear Theories is from Norway. I have interviewed a lot of Black Metal
bands from Norway but not the traditional metal band like yourselves. How is
the fan base there and do you find other areas take to your music better at
all?
FT: Our music is mostly liked by older "metal veterans". Our music
fascinates people from all over the place, there's someone from each corner of
the country that seem to like it, I don't know where it's biggest though. I
guess we'll find out sooner or later.
LS: You guys have one EP out. Tell me a bit about this album....When did
it come out, who released it and what kind of reactions have you gotten from
your fans?
FT: It came out sometime in April. It wasn't released by a record label
though, we kind of just released it ourselves you know, haha! The plan was to
release it when we had the CD's ready, but that seemed to be more time consuming
than we thought, so we just put it out on the internet for people to hear it.
We got the CD's ready for Karmøygeddon though! And the sales were great! The
reactions too, we were positively surprised! Everyone has a different favorite
song, and that makes us happy. Some people also said the lyrics were
great, which amazed us because when it comes to lyrics we're not any good at
all. But we get it done and it sounds good. Hopefully a record label will snatch
us up soon!
LS: I see you will be playing the Battle of the bands their in Oslo (My
hometown actually) Is this your first live appearance and what are you guys
doing to prepare for this nose to nose battle?
FT: It's not our first live appearance, we're quite used to the stage. But
it's our first time outside of Karmøy and Haugesund (our hometowns). We don't do
anything special to prepare, we just rehearse as usual and hope for the best. Of
course we don't expect to win in a competition like that. But it will be a fun
trip and great experience!
LS: I must say, you guys appear to be very young. (No offense meant of
course) It is odd to find young fans of old classic sounding metal music like
you guys play...What bands inspire your music and do you ever take something
from those bands and try to incorporate it into your music somehow (Without
sounding like a cover band)
FT: None taken! Yes we are young, our youngest member is 17 and our oldest
is 19. It isn't that hard to find people our age that like this kind of music,
you just have to look at the right places. And we've been lucky with that. The
band environment is quite big around here and that means a lot of rock'n'roll
fans! Our individual influences vary a bit, but our style is influenced by bands
like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kvelertak, Manowar etc.
LS: Seeing as how you have one release out (You guys are still a fairly
new band) Tell me a little bit about the songwriting and recording
process.
FT: We write riffs individually, and present them to each other. Then we
figure out how they can fit together, and maybe we come up with entirely new
riffs right on the spot that fits better. Lyrics are written when the music is
finished.
In the studio, the drums and bass usually goes first. All the
rythm guitars were recorded by Ole on the EP because Andreas was busy until the
last day of recording. We did his solo on 'Heroes' and all vocals the last day.
This is usually how we do it.
LS: How does the process work exactly. Walk me through it....Who writes the
lyrics...what about the music? Do you guys "Jam" and see what you come
up with as a group or is it something you do on your own and then
sit down and see what everyone has to offer and then bring it together
somehow?
FT: We try to write everything together. The lyrics are sometimes written
by just one, but it varies from song to song. We don't jam much though, maybe
this is something we should try out!
As previously mentioned, we make
riffs individually and put them together and that has worked pretty good so far
:)
LS: What are your lyrics based off of? Anything specific in life or does it
just come to the writer?
FT: Our lyrics isn't based on anything in particular. As I said, we're not
that good at writing lyrics. The Treasure of the Haunted Pirate is obviously
about a pirate because the song sounds very piratey. So the song itself inspire
the lyrics if you know what I mean.
LS: If Fear Theories could open for any band, who would it be and do
you ever see it becoming a reality for you one day?
FT: We would love to open for anyone! But it would be great to open for
Iron Maiden or Kvelertak or even Metallica but I doubt that is going to happen. We
actually have a little support mini-tour coming up with a band called Zeno
Morf! And they kick some serious ass! We were honored when they asked us to
open for them.
LS: How do you guys feel about selling music online and what
is your opinions about illegal music downloads?
FT: Some places in the world music isn't available and they have to
download it. So in those cases I guess it's okay, but I don't do it myself.
Respect the artist.
If it's on Spotify, iTunes and similar, it would be
okay though, because you're actually paying for the music.
We're soon putting our EP on iTunes and Spotify too, so stay tuned!
LS: Do you have any predictions about the future of CD and vinyl sales
and do you think that digital music will ever completely replace
these formats?
FT: We hope not! But honestly, no I don't think the CD will go extinct.
Vinyl is actually beginning to come back! So no. No need to worry.
LS: Does Fear Theories have any long term goals? (If so, what are they and
how far off do you think these goals are)
FT: Every band has the same dream of breaking through and making a living
of it. But let's face it, it is incredibly improbable. But we have ambitions!
We won't give up without giving it our best shot.
LS: So, what are some of your immediate plans? Tours, possibly a full
length?
FT: We have some gigs coming up, The Band Battle in Oslo of course, and the
mini-tour with Zeno Morf. We will be playing some shows with them in the
southern part of Norway, and possibly in the area around Oslo.
No plans of a full length album yet hence we don't have a contract with a label. But
we'll see what happens. :)
LS: Well, this interview was a tough one. Seems I have had a few of these
lately. haha I hope I pretty much covered everything from start to finish, but
if I left anything out or if you would just like to add any final thoughts, now
is your chance.
FT: Thank you for doing what you do! Now let's see if
readers can understand what this next sentence says: Detta va et faens jævla
satan så i helvetes kjekt interview og takk ska du ha for interessen! Rock
awn!
Thank you!
- Ole
You can find Fear Theories on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-Theories/230232180341169?fref=ts
You can listen to music here.
https://soundcloud.com/fear-theories-2/sets/so-it-begins