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Patrick
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Interview with Fredrik Larsson bassist of Hammerfall done by Patrick
1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers? How are things going in Sweden these days?
Hi! Fredrik Larsson here, bass player of HammerFall! Things are getting a bit busy now with rehearsals coming up and still a lot of promotion and preparing to do. And of course the usual stress with everything around Christmas. Other than that, it's all good!
2.Hammerfall is getting ready to release their new cd "Built To Last" through Napalm Rec. how did the band come in contact with this great label?
Well, we were kind of looking around for a new label since our contract was fulfilled and we wanted to do things in a different way instead of just doing it the same way we've always done. We had a casual meeting with Thomas ad he made some impressions on us so we started to investigate our options and we were even more convinced that this was the way to go. It feels like it's still I'm the beginning but so far we have a great cooperation.
3.How long did it take the band to write the music for the new release?Does the whole band work on the music or does one member usually write everything?
It's mostly Oscar and Joacim that writes and I think Oscar started pretty much right after the last tour ended. There is a lot of planning to do and it's hard to know if you will write the perfect album in three months or in twelve so it's best to start early. I know he had a hard time getting the inspiration he needed so it took some time but he is also very structured and sat down a couple of hours every day just to get something down and in the end he'll get there. It's not a democracy in that case but it's always been Oscar and Joacim that had the vision for HammerFall and they have done a great job so far!
4.Are their any shows or tours planned in support of "Built To Last" if yes where are some countries the band will be playing?Any idea who are some bands Hammerfall will be touring with?
We have a hectic period beginning early January next year. We start off with a European tour together with Gloryhammer and Lancer and then we have a South America tour coming up and later on a North America tour with Delain. And that before the festival summer starts off. We haven't planned next fall yet but I'm sure we're gonna squeeze in a couple of more shows.
5.What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?
For me personally I would say the Ines we've done in Scandinavium in Gothenburg. That's where I saw most of my childhood idols, such as Accept, Iron Maiden, Anthrax and many many more. To be on the same stage is a fantastic feeling and something I wouldn't even dream of when I was on the other side of the fence as a kid. And I must mention a free concert we did in Gothenburg as well, that was truly amazing. There were people everywhere. We played on top of our biggest avenue and it was so crowded you couldn't see the end. Fantastic.
6.Are their any plans to mane a video for the new release? If you had your choice what song would you like to see made into a video?
Well, we did a lyrical video to ‘The Sacred Vow’ and a proper video to ‘Hammer High’ which obviously are the singles. We usually just do one video per album so consider this a bonus.
7.Hammerfall also plays a lot of cover songs of various bands and in 2008 did a cover album "Masterpieces" what have been some of your personal favorite cover songs to do? Are their any cover songs that the band has not yet done that you would like to record someday?
Since I didn't play on most of the cover versions I have to say ‘Youth Gone Wild’. A song that I really liked when I was younger and still think is a killer song! I can't say that I think about cover songs, it's just a fun thing to do. Don't hold your breath for more covers though.
8.Hammerfall formed in the mid 90's what has kept the band going strong after all these years?
I think we've always done things by heart and not followed trends. We play Heavy Metal the way we think it should be and we still love this. If we wouldn't I think it would have shown and people would notice.
9.The band comes out of Sweden's heavy metal scene besides heavy metal do any of the members listen/like any other forms of metal and music in general?
Yes, of course. We all like a lot of different music. I listen to a lot heavier music, thrash and groove or whatever the genres are called these days. I used to listen and play a lot of death metal as well but not so much right now. I know Oscar still listens to some old school death metal and we use to talk about it from time to time. We played together in Crystal Age, a death metal band, before I joined HammerFall.
10.When not working on new music or band business what do you all enjoy doing in your free time?
Right now, HammerFall is taking most of our time, but Joacim is really into Whiskey and Champagne. Oscar is a big MMA supporter and he also collects and play a lot of video games. Pontus works as a Front of House engineer and records a lot of bands both live and in his studio. David is into beers and peppers, he always have a new brand to speak about. And I try to get as much family time as I can before the tours start. I got two sons that really wants my attention all the time.
11.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you very much! I hope I'll catch you all out on tour somewhere or on a festival nearby. Bring some friends and make the party even bigger!
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