Interview (Chris from Holy
Dragons to Chris from Krusader Knight (22. 05 2001)):
1. Well Chris, let us begin with something about
the band....I read in your website that the name Holy Dragons is due to mighty, power,
honour, etc...but why did you decide for the name of this ancient creatures? Is there a
special reason?
Well, I think that dragons are
associated with the middle ages. And that was a great time: castles, noble knights,
battles, swords and magic. And most of our songs are about these ancient times. By the
way, I personally think that modern true power metal people resemble medieval knights. I
mean that instead of a sword they have a guitar and instead of a horse they have a bike.
2. Why did you decide become a PowerMetal musician? Do you think that this metal style has
something that is more than music, in the sense of remember the beautiful ancient days?
Because I think that Power Metal is the
best style of Heavy Metal. It's really the most powerful one and at the same time it's
very melodic. Plus, power metal is the most energetic style and it's very various. But
Holy Dragons like to make experiments, such as to mix power metal with speed, epic, prog
and other classical styles of Heavy Metal.
3. What are the differences in the proposal of Holy Dragons regarding to all the new Power
Metal bands?
May be that our band is mixing all the
styles mentioned above and at the same time remains a True Power Metal band.
4. What can you tell us about your albums? Have you tried to mantein a personal style with
a lot of classical influences (Bach, Haendel, etc)?
Of course, classical music has
influenced members of our band a lot and it has transformed into something unique for
every "dragon" from Holy Dragons. But we are not directly "quoting"
pieces of classical music, though it's influence is felt in our songs.
5. Hey man, I read in HD website your opinion about true metal influences and I AGREE
absolutely with you in the sense that classical music must be and have been the principal
structure for PowerMetal.. could you give a reason for that important thinking?
That's right! Power Metal has a lot in
common with classical music: the structure of song writing, the principals of arranging
the instruments, the variety of musical themes etc. And I'm sure that if Nicolo Paganini
lived in our time, he would be one of the best heavy metal guitarists of all times!
6. I listened im MP3 format, your song "In the search of Unicorn" from
"Thunder in the night" .....really good, strong melody and heavy
background....what's this song about?
Thanks for the good words about this
song! The text was written after I had read a book by R. Zhelyazniy, one from the Amber
series. The song is about an everlasting fight of good and evil, which goes inside every
person's soul. And everyone has to find his own unicorn, the symbol of good. By the way, I
like writing lyrics, based on some good fantasy book. And in every album we usually have
one song, based on a good book, that some of us has read lately. In the new album there
will be also a song "Sword of Destiny", based on a book of a wonderful Polish
writer A. Sapkowski.
7. What¦s your favourite song of Holy Dragons and why?
Hmm, that's a difficult question. My
favourite songs of HD are always changing from album to album. But I'll try to answer.
Well, from "House of the Winds" I like "Rage of the Dragon Lords" and
"House of the Winds". Then from "Thunder..." I like "Legend of
the Warriors" and "Mr. Drunkenstein". Why do I like these songs? Well, I
just like the way we've managed to write music and lyrics.
8. Please tell us about which metal styles do you think must be considered in True Metal?
...Heavy, Power, Black, Death, etc... do you like all of
them?
Well, I think it depends on the spirit
of a band. I can't say, that I like Black and Death ( I just find them a bit boring), but
if their music comes from their heart, it is true and it is METAL!
9. You have really strong ideas about Metal, indeed, you have a link in your website
called "Holy War", who are our enemies? Heavy Metal enemies?
You know, these words about fighting
for Metal are not just words. Sometimes it feels like a real war. I think that the enemies
of Metal are co called "NU" metal and alternative bands. They occupied all the
TV screens and it's difficult if not impossible to see a good Heavy Metal band there! And
they think that Heavy Metal is something old and they try to impose these views on the
young people. The think like typical pop bands, time for which is only 2-3 years, then
they are changed by some other bands. But Heavy Metal doesn't depend on time any more.
It's like classics or blues or folklore is out of all the time boundaries.
10. Well metal brother, which are the principal projects for the near future? What about
"Judgement Day" the next album?
We're planning to finish it in autumn.
First it's going to be released by the Dragonight Agency (Poland) and then may be by some
other label. We have already recorded all the instrumental (8 songs, totally 37 minutes),
possibly by autumn there will appear some more compositions. Speaking about the album
itself, I want to say that it's going to be heavier, more powerful and more melodic as
well.
11. Something about you...your favourite metal musicians, writers, etc? What do you know
about the metal in southamerica?
Well, as a guitarist I appreciate the
great guitar work of Kai Hansen. Then what concerns singing I'd like to mention Bruce
Dickinson, Dio, Eric Adams and Ralph Sheppers. Among bassists, of course, Steve Harris.
Drummers : Nico Macbrain, Uli Kusch. And there are a lot more people worth to mention, but
this list will be very, very long! Speaking about writers, Tolkien comes first, I also
like A.D. Foster and A. Sapkowski. These are my most favourite writers, though I like to
read and the best kind of rest for me is sitting somewhere, plunged into a book. What
concerns metal in South America I know and I like such bands as legendary VIPER, ANGRA and
the younger generation is presented by such bands as STEEL WARRIOR from Brazil. By the
way, STEEL WARRIOR was the first band with which our band got acquainted in the Internet
and now we're good friends.
12. Finally, something to say to the fans? And a message to the people that will know you
through WarriorMetal or PowerMetal.cl?
I think the best message to the fans
will be words from our song "Glory War":
"Feel the power of the steel!
We will get the score!
We were born to fight and win
In Glory War!"
Hey, guys! I just want to say : believe in yourself and you'll get everything!!!
And, of course, listen to METAL!!!!
13. Chris, thanks a lot and...remember to visit WarriorMetal and PowerMetal.cl very
often!
I give my word for it! And thanks for
your interesting questions! |