Eight years since their birth, Symphorce return with their sixth studio album “Become Death” and with it they have created something of a metal masterpiece. From the minute I hit the play button on the album I was hooked and this is one of those rare albums that I want to shout about to everyone who will listen! So naturally I couldn’t really let an opportunity to interview the band slip through my fingers. Dennis Wohlbold (bassist) talks with us about the new album.

LH: Hails! Well first of all your latest album “Become Death” has just been released through Metal Blade records. It’s a fantastic album so I imagine the response so far has been mostly positive, am I right?

Dennis: Absolutely true. The response is overwhelming.

LH: Your sound has progressed a lot and I think the Become Death is pretty damn heavy; still power metal but there sounds to be a substantial amount of death & thrash metal influences. Is this something that you consciously wanted to do with this album to progress in a heavier direction?

Dennis: Not really. Acutally everybody says that the new album is a way more heavy and aggressive than the previous releases. Although I would go with this I also think it’s a lot more melodic and catchy. It’s not like we moved only in one direction. I think we’ve spread in every direction. Funny that everybody’s just talking about the heavy aspect.

LH: Which bands have influenced your sound and also what bands are you listening to at the moment?

Dennis: It’s not a secret that Nevermore have been a major influence, even if their latest album was in my opinion too much technical wanking hahaha.. We also love Soilwork and Stuck Mojo. Those are brilliant musicians with great productions and a shitload of good riffs and grooves.

LH: With “Become Death” you have welcomed new drummer Steffan who replaced Sascha. How did you come to choose the new drummer? Was Steffan the obvious choice for a replacement?

Dennis: Yes he was. You know he´s a good friend for years and actually we’re very happy to have him aboard.

LH: What Sascha is doing now since he left Symphorce?

Dennis: I have no idea.

LH: The new album was recorded by Dennis Ward. How did the recording process go and how happy are you with the result?

Dennis: He was and is very very busy as people begin to realize what a wizard he is. We’ve been very happy that we could have been worked with him again. In my opinion the result is overwhelming.

LH: Did Travis Smith design the cover for Become Death as you have worked with him for previous albums? Did you have any real concept you wanted used for the cover or did you leave it mostly upto him to come up with the artwork?

Dennis: No, it wasn’t Trav. Thomas Ewerhard did the artwork. As for both they had have free hand to create their interpretation of our album title which was the only thing we told them. I think it would be a shame to tell such great artist what they have to do.

LH: On the limited edition version of Become death you have included a bonus DVD of your time on the road with Sonata Arctica. How did the tour go with Sonata Arctica? Is this a live performance, documentary footage or a mixture of both?

Dennis: The tour was awesome. The DVD contains a whole concert filmed in a Dutch club in “den Bosch”. Honestly the club films every concert with three cameras and takes the sound right from the mixing desk. So it’s not a real professional 1st class DVD. But in fact, it’s better than nothing. And since we don’t have the budget to produce a “real” DVD this might be the only chance to get a SYMPHORCE DVD.

LH: Are you planning any tours or festival appearances for 2007?

Dennis: Sure we would love to play, but nothing confirmed yet.

“Become Death” is available now on Metal Blade records. Visit the band online at www.symphorce.net or visit their record label at www.metalblade.de

Interviewed by Luci Herbert