Italienska Frozen Crown har haft ett välfyllt schema med en avslutad turné i Nordamerika och fler är på gång, i Europa och nästa år Japan. Nu i oktober släppte de sitt senaste album “Legend Of The Six Kings”.
Jag hade förmånen att på No Excuse festivalen i lilla Sätila få träffa deras sångerska Giada “Jada” Etro och trummisen Niso Tomasini. Det episka, fartfyllda Power Metal bandet gästade festivalen för första gången och avslutade lördagskvällen som Headliner. Det blev till en intervju som jag kommer att minnas med både nervositet och med stor glädje. Dels för att det var pirrigt och nervöst att få träffa ett band jag verkligen är otroligt förtjust i och dels för de sedan visade sig vara två underbart trevliga musiker att samtala med.
Photo by: Marie Mathiasson
Marie:
Hello Frozen Crown, and welcome to Sweden. How does it feel to be back here in Sweden. You have been playing here before a couple of years ago.
Giada:
Yes, we have been at Sabaton Open Air, Sabaton Cruise and we toured with Udo Dirkschneider. It´s always a pleasure for us being here. Because every time we came, we found a really, really nice and warm feedback. We also grow up with a lot of bands from Sweden, maybe we´ll talk about this later. But for us it´s always a pleasure to be here.
Marie:
How does it feel to be Headlining on this NoExcuse festival?
Niso:
It feels good. Being a Headliner, it´s such an honour. Yes, it feels amazing, because we maybe built something over the years and now we are here to Headline. So it feels so great and the welcoming, it´s fantastic, you know.
Giada:
And also if I can ad something. I´v been listening to so many swedish bands, and being here in the territory witch delivered so much good music. And being here as a Headliner in front of you here on this festival is for me an amazing achievement.
Niso:
Yeah, it´s a dream come true.
Marie:
This is special kind of festival, since it´s a Female Fronted/All Girls Bands festval. What does this mean to you as a band? And for you, Giada, who is a women and also, you have two female member also in the band?
Giada:
Yes, I discovered here is that there is an amazing group of people that really trust in music and they believe in the project. I wish all the best for them on the following years, because I know this is a pretty, young festival. You know, for women in music, it´s extremely important. Because, back in the days women were in a small amount. Now at least the number is growing. Because at the beginning, maybe it was a prejudice or something. At least in Metal, through the years, you know, the female musicians that became for us demonstrate that we are worthy to be everywhere in every position. Year by year, this thing is getting stronger. So for me a festival that´s want to underline this, is a very important festival, that deserves to be growing. And I repeat that it´s an honour for us being here.
Niso:
And it´s very rare to find this kind of festival.
Marie:
Yes, I believe we are the only one in Sweden, perhaps even in Europe. At least, so far. And now another question. How would you describe your music for someone who haven´t heard the band and this kind of music?
Niso:
Yes, I think it´s a mixture of something that represents mainly Power Metal, but also a lot of heavy, hard stuff from the 80:s for an example Stratovarius. Also I will add sum of Death Metal as inspiration for the riffs of the guitars. But of course the main vocals are not growl. Death Metal has growl vocals. We just add growl into the music. But mainly it´s epic and also Speed Metal. Yes, in general, I will say it´s Power Metal with Melodic Death Metal influences.
Marie:
What was your inspiration to start with music, what was your favourite bands when you were young?
Giada:
I started from Metallica, and then I switch on to Blind Guardian and Hellowen. So, I always been into Power Metal. And one of my favourite bands ever has been Dark Tranquillity, and also Soilwork. And later on Amaranthe. So you know, be here, as I told you before, it´s something amazing for me. This is my main influences. So I know, there is a variety. But, putting pieces of the puzzle together, makes what is us unique and what we are.
Niso:
When I was a bit younger, I fell in love with Opeth, a band from Sweden. I think some of them also became into our music because of Federico, our guitarist and mastermind of the band. But another band, also from Sweden, Gothenburg, is In Flames. And if I will say some another band, it will be Children Of Bodom. And all this band has contributed to create the Frozen Crown identity, in some way.
Giada:
Yes, we have many bands and taste in common, but the different sparkles is that created what we are.
Marie:
Where do you find your inspiration for your lyrics?
Giada:
So, basic, you know, from fantasy books and stories. I´m a real, strong fan of J.R.R Tolkien. Even before the announce of making the movies by Peter Jackson.
Marie:
You have read the books before the movies?
Giada:
Oh, yes.
Niso:
A hundred times
Giada:
Now, just once. But I really love to give metaphors, using the means of epic stories and for what is our everyday life. Because, everyone of us is facing battles. It´s, how can I say. If you write it with some inspiration, people will also sympathised, and get inspired to take courage. It´s my point of view. I really like to prefer to put some magic in what I write, even if It´s inspired from everyday life and battles, and of course Fantasy Metal.
Marie: How did you come up with the name?
Giada: So, we wanted to have a two words name. Because it´s something typical from the band we love, like Blind Guardian and Iron Maiden. And also we wanted to inspires ourself to the north, because we grow up with nordic bands. So there for Frozen. And Crown was something that give us the meaning of power.
Niso:
And something majestic.
Marie:
Do you think it’s a difference between the scenes in Italy or if you´r playing here in sweden?
Niso:
I think in sweden historically speaking you have a lot of much more important bands, and also its more representatives, because swedish people like Metal more then italian people. Because in Italy have has such great bands in the past, even now, but the scene is not getting any bigger and the fans are and the musicians are going abroad. The Metal culture, is not the very high level here in Italy. It´s more listen to as a subculture here.
Giada:
Yes, Italy is not a Metal country. But who cares, you know. We found a really strong support abroad. From Germany and to here, and we are very happy to go abroad.
Niso:
Yes, in Japan we are more followed then in Italy
Giada:
Yes, in Japan and in U.S. In many countries in Europe, as in Spain and in Netherlands, we have a strong fanbase. And you now, we have this saying, that it´s difficult to be a prophet in your own country
Marie:
You have a new albumrelease coming, in October. Please, tell me about that?
Giada:
Yes, we are very happy with “The Legend Of The Six Kings”. Because it´s a new chapter in our life. We have worked differently and it´s a big contribution from Niso in the composing. How many songs did you write for the album?
Niso:
Two songs, but I have never wrote in the past. I always give Federico and Giada hand on of the arrangement parts, except the drums, I´ll always took care of them. But for the original material and composing. I was adding something for the first time from my inside. And it´s was good to working with them and it was amazing. I really looking forward for the release. For to me, this is the best album we made.
Giada:
And it´s extremely important for us. Because, how can I say. It’s the second album with Napalm Records and we have two tours coming on. U.S tour with Kamelot and Vision Of Atlantis and an european tour with Beast In Black and Sonata Artica. And we are extremely involved in everything, and how can I say. We put everything in it. It´s our first time with Alexandra. So it´s an important milestone in our story. We are pouring all our work on this and we are really looking forward to see what the future has in mind for us.
Marie:
What comes first when in the music process? Is it the lyrics or is it the music?
Niso:
Music and melodies comes first.
Giada:
And then of course the mood of the song inspires you for the lyrics. Sometimes you have this in your mind, one concept you will express. And melody come after. But it´s not always something you can clearly divide, it´s united you know.
Marie:
Okey, What can the audience expect now when you hit the stage on NoExcuse festival?
Niso:
Fire.
Giada:
Yes, fire and Ice. Of course, for us it´s a very important show. As I told you before, Sweden has a special place in our hearts. And it´s a special moment of our carrier, and we will be playing the new single, “The One” for the first time live ever. For the NoExcuse festival, tonight.
Marie:
Well, thank you very much for taking the time with me. I really looking forward for the show tonight.