CS: Hello Paul. Yes, there’s been a few things going on, but things are going well for us at the moment. Our current album “Riot Squad” earned some really good reviews around the globe. Especially in Japan, so that was nice…. Sadly, in January, we had to compensate to a line up change, but now were complete again, and everything’s back on track!!

PM: Yes, I saw in the news that Kai and Roland had left Paradox (although Roland now appears to be back in the band – which is good news!). The statement at the time read that “We found out we have a different view on how to reach our goals”. Is this the classic “musical differences” statement? Do you wish to elaborate on the press release?

CS: No, actually it’s not. The reason why we parted ways with Kai Pasemann is more fundamental than that and actually has nothing to do with our music or his style. He simply has too much stress combining his job and music these days. He works as a lawyer and simply had not enough time anymore to both play concerts with us, to check out business things for Paradox, and to do his own job…

If you want to reach your goals, to be more successful, you have to spend a lot of time with business stuff. Today it’s simply not enough to be just the musician. This was getting more and more impossible. Many things were going wrong, but we’re still very good friends and Kai will still be writing lyrics for us on forthcoming releases.

Roland is still a member of Paradox. He had the same kind of problems at his job too, but now things are a bit easier for him. He talked to his boss, arranging regular days off for when we have to play concerts, and I think everything’s cool with that at the moment.

PM: With new guitarist Gus on board, who used to play in UK band Biomechanical, are plans still on track for album number 6 next February (your 25th Anniversary)?

CS: Hell yes, Paul!! I’ve already started the song-writing process for our next studio album. It will be out in the summer of 2011, via AFM Records again. 25 years of Paradox! God… I can’t believe it, but it’s true!

PM: How did Gus actually become a member?

CS: Well, it actually came right after our press release on myspace! He was reading the statement about the split with Kai, got in touch right away, and was the first guitar player to show real interest in joining us, so it was only fair to give him a shot. I called him up and we talked about expectations and goals. He just sounded great, so positive! Then I actually heard him play and he blew me away. Gus is a very, very kind and professional thinking person. He lives music. We are really happy with him and can’t wait for the first shows with him in July.

PM: Did you have material already written prior to Kai’s departure, and if so, will you re-write this with Gus in mind musically now?

CS: For new material, you mean? No everything starts from the beginning again. No older stuff will be on the next record. Kai never really wrote any riffs for Paradox. He just wrote all the lyrics; and, as I said, nothing will change, because he will do that again in the future.

PM: That’s really good to hear! I was not aware that Kai would continue to write the lyrics for the band, so at least you’re all still friends! But, how do you actually organise the writing process itself; what comes first, music, lyrical concept etc?

CS: Always music first. I think I dealt with the background to you first point above? I’m really happy that Kai is still going to be helping out – he’s a key part of the band, because we try to say something a little bit more interesting, you know? But, concerning the writing process….. Firstly, it’s the music and after that, the lyrical concept and melody lines for the vocal recordings.

PM: As you mentioned, last album ‘Riot Squad’ appears to have been well received by the press and fans a-like. What are the best comments you have heard from the press and fans?

CS: “It’s amazing, Paul. Awesome. Incredible! We’ve heard words and phrases like ‘Essential’ being used… One writer wrote, “Paradox still belong in my personal Top10 of all time, after this album – they consolidated their position – this is awesome!!!” - 98/100

“10 Jewels of melodic Thrash" / "Thrash metal is not a relic, it is not over, it has only just begun." / "The best record you have ever done guys"…. "One of The Best Thrash albums in 2009" / "The legends are back" …..

I could fill a book with statements like this, Paul. That gives us the motivation to go forward. We are extremely proud!! I think we are definitely on the right track!

PM: Are you happy with the way the album has been perceived and with the resurgence of loyalty and respect for Paradox (i.e. more younger fans coming to the party)?

CS: Extremely!! We played a lot of gigs with our last album “Electrify” and I talked to a lot of very young fans after those shows…. Some of them weren’t even born when we released “Product Of Imagination” on Roadrunner in 1987, yet they like our music and come out and support us which is wonderful!

I think “Riot Squad” sounded really fresh. Not just old school. It maybe took a long time to find our own style? In the 80`s, for many people, we were sometimes seen as a copy of Metallica? Of course, we were hugely influenced by them… But, nowadays the fans are still loyal to us, because I think they see that we have kept to our style and toughened up our own approach. No matter how old they are… From 15 to 50… I’m happy that they keep coming out to see us and support the releases!

PM: Was this the first time you have produced your own music? What advantages do you think this gave to Paradox? Of course, you can have the sound that you want and this is evident in the finished product.

CS: No, that actually started back with “Electrify” in 2007, but that was just the beginning and it was by no means a total success. I changed the whole recording process and made many mistakes. Honestly, I don’t really like the sound of “Electrify” now, even though there are some pretty good songs on that album. With “Riot Squad” I’m much more happy and on the right track, but it’s still not perfect.

With the next album, I think I’ll try to do something much, much better. Bring more pressure to bear. The rhythm guitars are ‘scrapping’ too much. They need more space. I’ve changed my guitar equipment once more. And, now everything sounds amazing, so I can’t wait to transpose it to the next record!!

Also, I could do the vocals better as well, Ha! Ha! We’ll see. It’s cool. I have the possibility to produce by myself. It’s cheaper and I decide how it has to sound (with all the consequences that go with that!!)

PM: What input did the band have into Claudio Bergamin’s artwork on ‘Riot Squad’?

CS: It was nice wasn’t it! Basically, we just gave him the ideas and let him try to realize them. It worked out pretty well! Firstly, we’d had another idea; that of the ‘end-game scenario’? But, it wasn’t cool enough somehow. It looked too much like the cover of a video game. So we followed this idea with that badge on the cover. It has more recognition value and, in our opinion, goes straight into your eyes!! It’s a very strong image! The cover of the next album will be something totally different though!

PM: Over the years, Germany has given us fantastic metal festivals and some excellent bands, such as Grave Digger, Iron Angel, Deathrow, Tankard and in more recent times, Metal Witch. Most people think of the “big three” (Sodom, Destruction and Kreator). Do you have favourites? Do you think the “big three” have a lot of name-dropping because of their success in the 1980’s?

CS: Every big band does a lot of name-dropping, and sometimes it’s understandable. They can release what they want. The best example for that, is Metallica`s “St Anger” album. That record, by itself, was a knockout blow for the whole heavy metal scene, but in 30 countries they were still number one? It’s a long way to the top, but if you are big enough, you can do what you want really. It’s just the name.

I agree that many bands get more press and respect because of their success in the 80`s. Paradox, too, I think benefit from this. My personal favourite thrash bands today though are not from Germany, actually. Kreator are great. Also Destruction; but there are many more bands which are as good as them. The only thing I don’t like are most of the singers. All that grunting! It has really nothing to do with music.

For me, the best band of the New Wave Of Thrash Metal are Evile from your country, Paul. Yeah!

PM: Why do you think there is such a wealth of talent in Germany? Do you have a school music program like they do in Sweden?

CS: Sadly, not really! We have music as a school subject, but this is really boring. You don’t learn an instrument, just the history of music, and I don’t see how that can be constructive. Listening to some records. That’s all?

We have a lot of music universities but they cost too much money. And yet, nevertheless, we do have a lot of musicians here in Germany. A lot of bands in each city? And many festivals; so we must be doing something right.

PM: Leading onto my next question, from experience, the German community of metal fans appears much more frenzied in the main, especially for their love of classic metal originating from the 1980’s, can you explain how that is?

CS: It´ s tradition I think, and it’s passed down. If you ask a 20 year old German heavy metal fan which bands he knows from the 80`s he will give you a huge list, and I think that’s because it’s the way we find out about music here. Sometimes I’m amazed, ‘cause these lads don’t always grow up with those kind of bands, yet, they know them all. It’s a strange phenomena, but, with festivals like Keep It True and Headbangers Open Air, two known festivals here who keep this old school spirit alive, I suppose it’s not surprising!

PM: I really enjoyed your performance at Headbangers Open Air last year; it was one of my favourite of the festival. What I did notice, especially from yourself Charly, was the love and enjoyment shown on your face whilst you were playing. When you invited the crowd onto the stage, I was amazed how much respect you got, i.e. the fans let you play your music without crowding you or interrupting you. You gained a lot of respect that day. Is this a usual part of your live shows?

CS: Ahh, no, not normally!! Ha! Ha! It depends on the crowd, really. It is much easier to play a great show if you see the people are enthusiastic about you from the first minute, but not all venues are open to this. We try to give 100% wherever we play, but you need this kind of support from the crowd and from the organisers to do something special like that gig at Headbangers Open Air.

Actually, in the 1980`s it was more of a traditional thing that the fans came up on the stage and got involved when we were playing, but, today we have to always, always, ask the organisers…. Is it allowed; is it allowed, etc. etc...!

I don’t know Paul, I enjoy every minute on stage. Every gig could be the last one. So we will do our best to make the fans happy. It has everything to do with passion and emotion.

We seek the contact with our crowd. Not only during the show, but also after the show - we try where possible to talk to all the people who came to see us.., and if that kind of reaction is occurring, then, I love it!

PM: Are there touring plans - you mentioned shows in July - and will the UK now be included in the Paradox world? I see there were a couple of shows with Heathen and Exciter in Germany recently?

CS: Well, let’s see. We certainly begin playing festivals in July, so we’re ready! We received some great reviews for “Riot Squad” in England, and, as I said, I love a couple of the new bands from there! It would be so great to play the UK. It’s a must!! The Land Of The "NWOBHM" era, where most of my favourite bands from the 80´s come from!

England is the mother of Heavy Metal; Black Sabbath’s home……!

With our next record, I think we must try everything to play the UK. I have this friendship with Matt from Evile I mentioned earlier. It’s not actually the first time we wanted to do something together with them in England, but then they’ve often had bigger offers and it hasn’t come off….. The last word isn’t written yet. We hope to get a chance and if somebody books us, then, we’re coming, definitely!

PM: Thanks for your time Charly - congratulations on the release of ‘Riot Squad’, I am pleased, as are your fans, that Paradox lives and breathes on and I thank you for your time and hope to see you on the road again soon!

CS: My pleasure Paul! Thanks for your continuing support and apologies it’s taken a little while to get back to you! I also hope to see you out there at some point!!

For more on the band check out http://www.myspace.com/paradoxbangers

Interviewed by Paul Maddison

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