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

APRIL DIVINE: "Redemption"

APRIL DIVINE, voted as the Best Unsigned Rock Band on Sweden's biggest radio station, P3 in 2002, released their debut album in 2007 (Chapter One). However, their latest offering to the gods of metal is a notch or two above their previous work. They've got a brand new recorddeal with Supernova Records/Bonnier Amigo Music Group in Sweden and they've also signed on with Los Angeles-based Sinergy Management for the U.S. market. Produced by Rick Beato (Shinedown, Vince Neil, Dark New Day, Submersed) and Tobbe Lindell (Mustasch, Europe), "Redemption" is like a solid kick to the head with plenty of power riffs and haunting melodies (and there's even a 'Seal' connection too).

How has the reaction to your latest CD been?

Positive from the fans! We haven't had this much fan mails ever. Most of the reviews are also positive, the negative ones are a few Swedish e-mags (read “I have a homepage and write reviews, and my own band is better than all others.”).

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

Easy. One month in Atlanta and four days in Sweden to be exact.

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

Fat!

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

We had 2 producers: Rick Beato (Shinedown, Vince Neil, Dark new day, Submersed) was very anal about everything concerning the gear – he tuned the snare after every take, we had like 2-3 tuners for the guitar, we got 2-3 guitar riggs for each guitar. We had 10 different snares on the album. If it wasn’t in tune he’d hear it. (he worked earlier as an professor on the university on the subject …music). If it didn’t sound fat, he’d hear it. Rick was like an American baseball coach – screaming until we did right. The other producer Tobbe Lindell (Mustasch, Europe) in Gothenburg/Sweden had some great ideas about rhythm, both guitar and drums, which made the songs heavier/bigger. Tobbe was more playful than Rick concerning input. 

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

Yes. After Rick, Tobbe did their knobbing we left the album to Stephen Marcussen (Foo fighters, Alice in Chains, Audioslave,Korn) to master it. When we got the album back to listen to it, we all got blown away. We already think it sounded good, but after mastering, it sounded phenomenal.

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

Yes. Tobbe Lindell builds much of his gear himself – vocal mic, bass drum mic, monitors etc. The reason? – The things you can buy on the market today doesn’t bring it. He putted a bigass subwoofer as bass drum mic for instance. For the same reason Rick Beato collects old, rare stuff – the kind of things people would kill to get their hands on. 

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

We all played with the drummer on his takes. Then re-tracked our guitars, bass, and vocals. 

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

#1. The lyrics are very positive and the song is energetic, it makes me feel good.

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

No. Any mood is a good mode.

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

It can happen at any time. I hate when I come up with a song on the airplane, buss, or any other public place, because I have to hum the song all the way to my recorder, so I won’t forget it.

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

No. We took our publishing money for the record, to eliminate that risk. 

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

Clint Lowery (Sevendust, Dark new day, Korn) did some guest vocals on the album. When we met him in Nashville (we went to see a Sevendust gig), he made some fun of me.(it’s on Youtube)

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

Heavy riff’s. Clean and dirty vocals. Dynamic. Epic

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

Nirvana, Tool. (Kurt and Maynard) 

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

TF!
Sincerely,
April Divine

Interview by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
Photos from the band's website www.aprildivine.com
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