"All About The Album - 15 Questions" - the Q&A section at the RockUnited site where a recording artist with recently released CD is confronted with the 'album'  questions (15 of them, duh!). If you'd like to have your material here, email: urban "at" rockunited.com (simply replace "at" with your standard @ )

TORIAN: "Dawn"

German power metal group Torian is recieving a lot of very positive feedback for their latest album. Our 7/10 rating is actually one of the lower ratings, but as you know, we don't dish them points carelessly - it's a decent score! Anyway, our questionnaire was sent to the band and they agreed to shed some light into the album's creative process.

1. How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

The reactions were mostly very good. Interestingly many reviewers and fans say that the epic and thrash influences are the strenght of the album. Others reject these tunes and represent the opinion that our tyipical teutonic power metal songs are the best thing of our sound.

So, we are “damned“ to follow our hearts because you´ll never satisfy everyone. That´s the same with our striking vocals, although this time really most people love it.

2. How long did this CD take to make from start to finish, recording-wise?

Well, it was quite a long time. After the finishing the recordings we had to make a break concerning personal reasons. So, we worked on it nearly two years. The last three months of the production were the most intensive part.

3. What kind of 'sound', production wise, did you have in the back of your mind, prior to entering the studio?

We did not want a classical old school production, although finally we got one, haha. We prefered a modern metal production based upon american productions like the Bay Area stuff.

4. What kind of input did the producer have during the process?

He suggested a modern guitar sound and some other details.

5. And are you pleased with the final outcome? (sound - production wise)

Finally we see that there a lot of things to better. That´s normal after a certain distance. So, now we are not pleased and we know what to better next time. But we are proud of the album and the production.

6. Did the producer use any (weird) experimental miking and/or recording techniques?

No, all the gimmicks, like the end of the bridge in “Fall of the Golden Towers” was our funny idea. There was nothing unusual concerning the recordings or the mix.

7. How did you go on about capturing your 'live sound' in the studio, or perhaps you didn't?

How I indicated, there some things to better, that includes reaching our live power, too.

8. Please inform us about your favourite songs and lyrical highlights and why?

I think, the song “Dawn” is a higlight concerning music and lyrics anyway. It is the gran final that binds together all the strenghts of the album. But you must take your time to understand it. It is not “Easy Listening”.

9. Any overall theme of mood that you're trying to capture while writing songs?

Each song was written in a certain mood: For example “Lords of Babylon” in times of anger, “Oceans” in times of sadness.

10. Does your vision for coming up with music get affected at all by time?

Although, we still cannot live by the music we´re absolutely sure that a lot of people could love it. We see that Power Metal is heard by many people. They would love TORIAN, too, if they knew it.

11. Did the record company interfere with anything on your "sound" and songs?

No, we only had the luck that they love this album, haha.

12. Are there any 'crazy' behind the scenes anecdotes from these sessions that you can share with us?

Yes, my high vocals in the choirs sound terribly when you hear it separately, hehe. But they only serve to make the choirs more compact, so it does not matter ;-)

13. How would you describe the sound of your new CD to any potential new fan?

I´d tell him that if he loves hard but melodic and catchy power metal with powerful vocals, he should give us a chance. I would mention bands like Blind Guardian, Dragonforce, Iced Earth, Rage or Iron Maiden for that he is getting an idea of the sound.

14. Who are your influences and heroes? (music-wise)

Well, my personal heroes are Iced Earth, Dragonforce,(early) Iron Maiden, (early) Manowar and, of course all the 80s heroes like Dio, Saxon, Judas Priest, Metallica, Testament etc.

15. If there's anything you'd like to add, say, please do:

Almost the same as question 13: If you like hard, melodic and catchy power metal just give us a chance and listen to the band and come to our live gigs. We are searching all over the world, because the stage finally is the reason why we make music. STAY FUCKIN´METAL!!!

Interview questions by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos from the band's Facebook page.  

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