Lion’s Share’s album blew me away when it was released earlier this year, hence why I was eager to speak to the band. Taking their influences from many classic metal masters, their new album ‘Dark Hours’ was a bit of a comeback for the band. Bassist Sampo Axelsson gave me the time to have a chat about the new album and events in the life of the band so far.
PM: Congratulations, ‘Dark Hours’ is a strong release, how has the press reacted thus far to it? Your previous effort ‘Emotional Coma’ received some great reviews at the time.
The reactions have been very good so far! It’s the album of the month in Sweden Rock Magazine (Leadeof the pack) and I have read some real nice reviews - so it looks good!
SA: With the release of Emotional Coma in 2007 Lion’s Share returned after a six years break and with a new line-up. The album did draw a lot of attention and we received a lot of great reviews - and by releasing Dark Hours just 20 months after Emotional Coma there’s no doubt that Lion’s Share is back!
PM: ‘Dark Hours’ sees a powerful straightforward metal approach, the melodies and progressive elements are still present, but what are your thoughts in terms of the songs/arrangements on this recent release?
SA: We wanted to continue what we started on Emotional Coma: straightforward and updated metal with a classical touch. We still like to use progressive elements in our songs but not as much as we did on the earlier albums.
PM: Was it a conscious effort to up the energy on this album that you started to do so in the ‘Emotional Coma’ era?
SA: Yes, as mentioned above we wanted to continue in a more straightforward metal direction. That’s the kind of songs we write – it’s something we want to do. And I personally like to write those high-energy riffs – it’s like a relief when you get it right.
PM: How do you think ‘Dark Hours’ differs from some of your previous albums, e.g. like ‘Two’ and ‘Entrance’?
SA: I think it’s a different band today and that reflects the music of course. Our music is definitely more metal today. We do play Sins of a father, from the first album, live and I personally think that’s a great song with some heavy and progressive parts in it. I also think Patriks voice is more raw and powerful than the previous singers.
PM: I particularly enjoyed the lyrics/subject matter in ‘Space Scam’. What is your general inspiration for lyrical content on your albums?
SA: The lyric is about things that happened in the late sixties. But it’s not about the good things like summer of love, flower power, etc. – it’s about the evil and bad things that happened like Charles Manson, Vietnam War, the cold war and other dark subjects. So it’s kind of a theme album.
PM: What usually comes first, the music or the lyrics? Or both!?
SA: Our music is very much based on riffs so Lars and I usually start writing the music together and after that Patrik steps in. This time we had some ideas that we didn’t use on the previous album, ideas that we could continue to develop and use on Dark Hours.
PM: There is a video to the shredding track ‘Judas Must Die’, will there be an actual single/EP released to go with this video, or is it included in the full release of ‘Dark Hours’?
SA: We made Judas Must Die, the first single from Dark Hours, available for FREE at blisteringrecords.se SO GO AND GET IT! The video is included as bonus material on the digipack.
PM: Will ‘Dark Hours’ be released on any other formats other than CD?
SA: You will be able to by the songs online. There’s also a digi pack with bonus material included. And I would really like to do a vinyl version of the album.
PM: Is Lion’s Share considered your main band? Some members are part of other top bands, how did you arrange this recording around (if any) other band commitments?
SA: It’s all a matter of planning when you’re in several bands. For me Lion’s Share is the main band.
PM: I have commented that I thought the vocals were of a style like Ronnie James Dio and Tony Martin, are these two of your inspirations? Who are your main musical inspirations in terms of Lion’s Share?
SA: We grow up with those albums from the Dio/Martin era.
We have a lot of bands and artists that we like - Saxon, Judas, Accept, Black Sabbath, Dio, Megadeth and many others the list is very long!
PM: Are there any plans for a Europe-wide tour and would this possibly include the UK, whether this be individual gigs or festivals?
SA: We really like to do some shows in the UK! There’s nothing booked at the moment but we’re working on it!
PM: Was there any reason, other than personnel changes, for the long recording gap between ‘Entrance’ and ‘Emotional Coma’?
SA: I wasn’t in the band back then but I know that Lars Chriss (the founding member) got burned out and needed a break. Back then Lars took care of everything from song writing to producing the albums, managing the band, doing all the interviews and so on…
PM: How are things working out with Blistering Records? You have been on some large labels in the past.
SA: The biggest record company isn’t always the best and it’s great to have the label in Sweden. We can have meetings and make important decisions very fast.
PM: Finally, what would you like to say to your fans, do you have a message for them?
SA: We hope to see you all in a near future! And we really like to do some shows and festivals in the UK! Meanwhile, check out our new album – Dark Hours and don’t hesitate to contact us.
For more on the band check out http://www.lionsshare.org
http://www.myspace.com/lionsshare
Interviewed by Paul Maddison
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