Andy Roxx

Jävligt coolt, fick för en tid sedan en förfrågan från den grekiska Heavy Metal sidan Behind The Veil om man jag kände för att göra en liten intervju för dem. Självklart så blev mitt svar ja. Det finns att läsa på vår "stora" hemsida www.deniedworld.com.

Eller så har ni den här. Håll till godo!

1. First of all I'd like you to tell us a few things about the band by pointing out the most important moments of the band's life so far. Have you ever faced any difficulties that gave you second thoughts regarding the band?

In the beginning it was when we guest starred Sweden's most famous rock radio station, that is hosted by drummer Ian Haugland from the band EUROPE. That is definitely the most important moment we had so far. But, in September we will appear in Scandinavia's biggest rock magazine Sweden Rock magazine. That will be awesome! During the years we had some changes in the band's lineup that have made things a little bit complicated. But now we stand on solid ground and we are stronger than ever!

2. This three track demo I've had the pleasure of listening to consists of songs that have been previously released on your albums. Why did you re-release them and you didn't include any new songs here? Have they been altered?
 

First of all, we didn't really feel comfortable with the old production of the songs. It was more like a "demo sound". And when we got the chance to re-record them, we also did some changes in the song arrangements. I can definitely say that the new versions kill!

3. What kind of differences and evolution has the band experienced from the release of "7 Times Your Sin" till now?
 

The first thing that comes to my mind is HEAVIER! But still with melodies of course... When we did "7 Times Your Sin" we had not really found the band's sound. Don't get me wrong, I love the songs on that record. When we started to record the second album, a heavier and darker sound just came out naturally. We just played what felt right at the time, there was no plan to take the band's music in another direction.

4. Please tell us a few things about "New Army for the New Revolution" which was a full length released last year. Does the album title work as an indication that the band consisted of new members? Give us some info on the album.

The album title has nothing to do with new members of the band, because there were none. The title is a tribute to the old school rock ´n' roll heroes, and that we are the "new army" that keeps the metal legacy alive. I think the album consists of a good mix of various elements. Songs to sing along with, faster once and some other kinds of evil!

5. Why do you believe the metallers should check you out? What do you have to offer to the scene? How would you describe your music?
 

Straight forward metal with no bullshit! Incredible vocals by Johan Fahlberg and groovy shit that makes you wanna rock! That's what DENIED has to offer to the scene. It's as simple as that.

6. On the same basis I'd also like you to point out the best and the weakest moments or elements of your music according to you.

I don't believe we have any weak "elements" in the band. This is how we sound and this is what we do. I know that we don't sound like a "technical" band, as for instance DREAM THEATER. Our music is hard, heavy and SIMPLE. We are not here to impress with skills and shit.

7. What kind of procedure do you follow whilst composing songs? Is it a team work or do certain people have more of a say on the musical direction of the band?

We always start with the music before doing the lyrics. Most of the times I come up with an idea in my home studio. Our bass player Robert Stellmar is a mastermind when it comes to arrangements. You know, it's like a puzzle. Piece by piece and step by step the songs start to take shape.

8. Which are the topics your lyrics deal with? Which are your sources of inspiration?

Most of them have a "darker" side... we don't sing about love and happy endings. The world we are living in gives all the inspiration that we need. Crazy fanatics, war, blah blah blah...

9. The cover artwork of the album is simple and to the point! There's no mistaking this is a metal album! Who's responsible for it and how is it connected to the album's essence and lyrics? Is there a special meaning behind it?
 

Skulls is heavy metal! We wanted to have a nice clean, simple artwork this time. The cover has nothing to do with the lyrics. It's nice, it's black and it's DENIED!

10. Can you name some of your biggest influences? Which are those bands that made you realize this is the kind of music you enjoy the most?

I listen to a lot of bands. From AOR to real heavy things. But bands who have made the most impression on me are for example ICED EARTH, TESTAMENT, Halford etc

11. What kind of feedback have you received this far? What was the best and what the most unfair comment you've read about your music?

I can say that after recording "Chapter III", the first with the new singer Johan Fahlberg, we have received from all over the world, great compliments! All the positive feedback we had these last months have made us more determined to make it to the big league. Until this day no one has dared to say anything too bad... Hahaha!

12. Have you sent your album to any labels? What would you like to be offered in order to sign a deal with a label?

This is the hard part of the business. Record deals and labels. We are in the promotion process right now, hopefully something happens. But we would really like it if Nuclear Blast called and offered a deal!

13. You've released two albums so far and both were released independently. Why?
 

That was an easy one.... We have been god damn too lazy!

14. What do you think of the Internet? Many blame it for the financial crisis in the music industry. Where do you stand regarding this matter?
 

I say like many other bands and artists, it's good and it's bad. You can easily get your music out there, get people to know you. The bad side is of course, that if no one pays for the music there will be no music recorded. You know, to make an album happen is not for free. As strange as it might sound, I am both for and against it.

15. What kind of emotions and thoughts do you believe your music creates to your listeners?
 

Even though our music is hard and heavy I hope it makes people have a good time. It's only rock ´n' roll and it's supposed to make you smile. It's not about life and death.

16. How are you promoting your work? Do you play live shows often? How easy is it for an unsigned band to promote their work?
 

Our two websites www.deniedworld.com and www.myspace.com/deniedworld are the most important way to promote us and get our name out there. We are always looking for new gigs. Last month we did a show at Sweden's most famous rock club Pub Anchor in Stockholm. A show at legendary Ballroom in Hamburg some time later this autumn is planned, the date will be confirmed later.

17. Is there a phrase or title you think can encompass everything DENIED stands for?
 

Heavy metal is the law!

18. By the way don't you have any problems with your moniker? There are at least 3 more bands using the same name.
 

I haven't really thought that much about it. But, I know that can be a serious problem. If a problem should occur we will have to deal with that then.

19. You come from Sweden which is one of the biggest and most productive metal countries. How easy or difficult is it for a band to stand out from the rest over there?
 

I have a strong belief that no other band sounds like us. We have a fantastic singer, a sound that's pure 100 % metal mayhem. Good old rock´n roll quality always speaks for itself. I think that's what makes us special.

20. Thank you! These lines belong to you so leave a message to our readers...
 

As always, heavy metal forever and support DENIED from Stockholm, Sweden!

Christine Parastatidou / Behind The Veil.

Snart var denna helg över. Som alltid går helgerna på tok för snabbt. Tänk om man kunde hoppa över att arbeta de närmsta 40 åren.... Fatta hur mycket mer man skulle få ut av livet. Göra det man verkligen vill, leva o må bra. Tyvärr så ser det ju inte riktigt ut så. Med andra ord så gäller det att göra något bra med tiden som finns till förfogande. I mitt fall, så som mitt liv ser ut, jobba jävligt hårt med Denied. Jag älskar att sitta o trixa med band grejor. Kan göra det i timmar utan problem. Det finns ett mål att jobba imot, vilket är att få komma ut och rocka med de stora grabbarna. Gärna köra över dem rätt upp och ner! Då pratar jag inte om vem som är bästa jävla musikern, vem är bäst tekniskt bla bla bla. Vem fan bryr sig om det?? Inte jag i allafall. Rock´n´roll e fan ingen tävling i vem som kan spela svårast eller så. Allt handlar om låten. Melodierna, svänget, groovet m.m. Igår Lördag hade jag besök av Robban & Peter. Vi jobbade med "nya" låten som är på ingång. Det är inte mycket kvar på musiken så att säga. Denna sång kommer att bli satans häftig. Vi pratar om ett jävla driv! Den är hård men som alltid full av melodier. Kort och gott = Denied style. Pure Upplands Väsby Heavy Metal! Det var musiken de. Ibland har jag tänkt, min blogg, ska jag bara skriva om saker som gäller bandet + musik, eller ska man skriva om allt mellan himmel o jord? Jag tänker nog välja att ta upp det som är "huvudsaken" vilket är musik. MEN, ibland skulla jag vilja skriva saker och berätta grejor som skulle få många att tappa hakan! Som inte har med musik att göra. Kan lova att det finns en hel del jävla bluffar i denna värld som borde plockas bort rätt upp och ner. Inte minst i denna kommun... En del vet vad jag menar med det, ni andra får säkert veta förr eller senare. Men jag tänker inte skriva det här, ändå om man skulle vilja det ibland. Varför? Jo, tänker inte sjunka lika lågt.

DENIED FRÅN UPPLANDS VÄSBY RULES!

Denna recension finns idag, Måndag att läsa på den Grekiska Heavy Metal websidan Behind The Veil om vår senaste tre spårs demo cd som vi har valt att kalla för "Chapter III".

"Are we being serious here?!?! How can such bands pass unnoticed and are still unsigned? There's something wrong here and I'd advise all the labels to stop releasing crappy albums that sound identical to one another and try to find bands with balls and a personal approach to music. Such a band is DENIED from Sweden and all I can say is that I'm simply stunned by the three songs I've had the pleasure to listen to here. One other thing I need to say is that from this point on I'm seriously a DENIED fan and I'll be following their every move! These three songs reveal a band with passion and dynamics that is able to deliver a personal and recognizable sound. The foundation of their music is thrash metal, but they fuse and mix it with classic heavy metal forms and modern touches. Furthermore their song "Black Room" has a strong SAVATAGE essence and it's so beautiful that I'm sure SAVATAGE would definitely want it in their discography! These songs are pure headbangers showing the band's skills, that are top notch, and presenting to us an amazing singer with incredible vocal abilities. This demo is a pure killer!!!! Get your hands on it immediately!!!"

Christine Parastatidou/Behind The Veil

Igår Lördag satte vi igång med att spela in en helt ny låt i min hemma studio. Denna grej kommer att bli jävligt bra. Den är härligt elak med ett bra sväng. Kommer garanterat att bli en rolig grej att lira live i framtiden. Vi jobbar så att först skrivs o spelas musiken in. Sedan så tar Herr Fahlberg över för att skriva text + song melodierna. När detta är gjort så åker ev gitarr solon på m.m. Ska verkligen försöka göra klart denna  låt så fort som möjligt. Betämma hur den ska, sedan så bokar vi in oss i Studio West på hemmaplan för att föreviga låten på riktigt. Vet vem, kanske inom ett par månader (max) så kan den liras upp på våra hemsidor.

Johan ute i Europa med världens coolaste tröja på sig!

Lördagar är den dagen på veckan då min inspiration är absolut som störst. Man får vakna upp av själv, käka lite bra frukost, ta sig ett långt jävla bad. Efter det är man redo att börja rocka på. Denna lördag inget undantag. Ska om en stund börja med att spela in en ny låt i min "studio dator" som jag har hemma. Ska bli kul som fan o se vart den slutar på så att säga. Men kan lova en sak och det är att den kommer bli en bra live låt. Tempot i den är så där härligt "drivig". Man vill börja banga och lira luft gitarr direkt! Jag kan höra hur Johan´s sång kommer att ligga över musiken i skallen, är helt bomb säker på att det kommer o rocka ordentligt. Förmodligen kommer vi att spela in den direkt på "riktigt" i Westan´s studio för att sedan lägga upp den på våra två hemsidor. Det känns som 100 år sedan vi gjorde någon ny musik nu. Låtarna på andra skivan har ju trots allt hängt med nu ett tag, även om de släpptes ut officiellt den 25 Okt 2008... Ni som vet vad jag menar med det förstår..... Vad gäller nya låtar så har jag faktiskt en hel del nya förslag hemma i burken. Säkert bra grunder till en 7 - 8 st. Kan lova att det kommer att låta som Denied alltid har gjort. Hårt, tufft & svängit. På vårt sound kommer det aldrig att komprimissas.

STÖD DENIED!