PRESS COVERAGE
Read press reviews about Betrayer and interviews from the band members:
| No Official Capacity Interview #2 |
| September 2004 | By Brent Lockman, Editor for No Official Capacity |
The Coming Of The Shadow:
Well here we are again, this is part II of a series of interviews I’m doing with Betrayer from Windsor(read part I you’ll see what I mean), In this part we’re talking about the new EP “Shadowed Force” which is currently being recorded with Glenn Fricker in Spectre Studios, there will be a part III when the album is all done with.
How were the recording sessions for this EP?
Jeff Klingbeil: As of right now we have the drums, bass, rhythm guitar, some leads & some vocals recorded. Everything went fairly smooth and we're getting a much better production quality than Icons due to a new studio location better equipment & endless hours of research by studio owner Glenn Fricker (who also recorded Icons).
Norm Michaud: The recording sessions for this EP were the easiest that I have ever done. I've always been very stressed and nervous about laying down my parts. It's a whole 'this is forever'-type approach to recording. This session was much more successfully - part preparation, part increased musicianship, and part feeling comfortable with Glenn and his studio.
So in the wake of just how much people love Rusted Icons, how does the new material compare to it?
Jeff Klingbeil: I think we still have retained many of the same musical elements as on Icons. But the thing is that in my opinion there was a lot of diversity on Icons, which is something I enjoy on an album. I think it just makes an album so much more enjoyable to listen to when there's fast songs, mid-tempo, slow ballad etc.
So that's something that I think we'll always have with Betrayer. Even within the song itself I like changes or mood shifting passages, which is something I think we captured on these three new songs (Partaker of Evil, Shadowed Force & Burden of the Pacifist).
Norm Michaud: On a similar note to what Jeff said, I think it's different from anything off 'Icons' but still remains true to Betrayer's sound. I'm really excited to hear how people are going to react to the new material. I really think that it is going to surprise a lot of people.
Bill Lozon: First off you would have to keep in mind that there will be some very noticeable differences in the quality of the recording which I think we should ignore for the sake of a fair comparison.
I personally see no real similarities between the two. There's roughly 4 years between them and in that time I believe we as musicians have grown both in musical tastes and our abilities as musicians, and are expressing it in the new material. There are some strong elements of the prog-style metal, as well as some really cool heart-pounding riffs and harmonies a-la-maiden. That's another thing, lots more harmonies and melodies. I am psyched right now just thinking about them. lol Anyhow, I hope everyone will enjoy them.
Will the fans be suprised by any of the new songs?, why the decision to redo DoD?
Jeff Klingbeil: I hope there won't be any surprises for the fans in a negative sense which I can't see happening. These songs are just a progression of our musicianship I would say, greater vocal range, more leads, more harmonies, more double bass \m/ etc, just everything on a greater technical level than Icons which I think is something that our fans and most fans of heavy metal appreciate.
The decision to redo Descendants of Death came about from our manager/webmaster suggesting it. I think it was inspired by Nightwish re-recording an old tune of theirs and you could see how better production and musicianship made the song so much better.
We decided to have this new recording of DOD be made available through our street team as an unlockable song for anyone who purchased Icons just as a thank you.
Norm Michaud: I really do think they will be surprised. The production values have improved so much, the new material is bound to have some impact - hopefully good.
I think that a revamp version of DoD would be a cool treat for our fans, and for the band as well. An 'A-B' comparison of how we've come along in the past few years.
Is the songwriting process the same?, what has influenced the new songs?
Jeff Klingbeil: I'd say that the songwriting process has remained pretty much the same. For me some of the new influences that I didn't have while writing Icons are from bands like Edguy, Nightwish & Helloween.
Norm Michaud: Using GuitarPro is the only change to the process. It's been really helpful as we can still work on songs without having to organize a full-band practice.
What are your primary lyrical influences?
Jeff Klingbeil: So far the lyrics I've been writing I'd say have to do with issues or thoughts that I wonder about. Maybe concerning ethics, religion, what the future may behold etc. I tend to raise questions in my lyrics and sometimes give an answer to what I think about them. Of course I don't expect everyone to agree with me but I think everyone has his or her own interpretation of lyrics, so my intended thought might end up being totally opposite to how someone else interprets things.
Norm Michaud: I've always liked Megadeth's lyrics. Same with Demons & Wizards, and Iced Earth.
After 3 years was it difficult getting back into the studio again, and what was it like working with Spectre?
Jeff Klingbeil: For me It hasn't been too difficult to get back into recording. The process remains the same and I knew what to expect. The new studio is really cool to record in. It's in a garage and from the outside you'd never know there was something like that in there, but when you're inside you can see just how much research and work went into the construction of this facility. It's a great environment to record in.
Glenn has learned so much since we recorded Icons and pretty much every piece of equipment has changed. It's been a pleasure working with Glenn and you can see he cares about putting out a good product and pleasing his customers.
Norm Michaud: I thought it was going to be difficult, but it was a very relaxed but professional approach. Glenn (Spectre) knows when to hang out and when to make music - it makes the whole process much better - a great deal easier to come into the studio and feel ready to record.
It's always great to work with Glenn. He knows his metal. He loves metal. He has a genuine excitement about every project he does - he loves the material he's recording and he always commits his best effort to whichever band he has in his studio.
Shawn Bastien: I've played so many live shows and practice sessions; It was a different feel being in the studio again. We've normally done small studio projects in the past and coming back to do three songs felt like a breakout. It also marked three songs in three years... pretty ironic.
Glenn has a great humour and really knows how to work with a recording. He has many, many years of experience and it shows in his work and in his great abilites to make you feel at home in his studio. His ear is a great tool and it shows in his success!
What's the first thing that runs through your mind when you start thinking about making a new album?
Jeff Klingbeil: How the f*ck are we going to play this sh*t???
Norm Michaud: 1. How the funk does Jeff expect me to play this stuff? and 2. This is going to be funkin' sweet once this is done!
Shawn Bastien: All the basics in order to be ready to go in and play. It's important to rehearse the songs as a band, to have your own parts set in stone and to feel as comfortable as possible. If you think basic then you're able to be more productive at a good feel.
How is Betrayer being recieved in the rest of the world?
Jeff Klingbeil: Thus far our only contact with the rest of the world has been online and I must say I'm surprised of the amount of positive comments we receive. It's not only the amount but the percentage of good responses which i'd say is 95%+ that surprises me since it's so easy to trash a person behind a computer. Usually the only negative criticism we've gotten has been concerning my vocals and production, but even then there's been many positive comments concerning those two areas.
Norm Michaud: Better than I could have ever imagined. It's still shocking to see how many people from all over the world take interest in our music. It's almost overwhelming to see the support we get back from our fans. It's tremendous.
What would you say is your best concert experience, and what is your worst?
Bill Lozon: I guess the Maiden show will pretty much be my best experience based on the crowd turnout and getting to see the Maiden show, but I had the most fun when we played at the Phoenix. I think that was the first time I played a show and could hear the other members. I also liked the way it was set up for backstage and the stage itself. It would have been so much better had there been more people, but at least there were some and they had fun.
My worst experience would have to be the gig we did in Oshawa. Basically any gig that I play bad in is a bad experience to me, but that one was probably the worst I had ever played. I always feel bad when I don't deliver what I know I can do any other time. At least everyone there enjoyed the show.
Shawn Bastien: Best experiences come with good sound, bad experiences come when sound guys are the lighting guys.
Here's one just for fun, Rant on any subject... just pick one and go nuts.
Norm Michaud: What's the deal with all the pink people are wearing these days? Fuck. I've seen more pink in the past six months then I'll ever need to see in my life's duration. Ditto for those retarded shalls (spelling?) that girls and women are wearing. Just stop - you look ridiculous.
Bill Lozon: What's the deal with people wearing their hats on a tilt? I hate when I see that on people, and it looks worse on girls. Don't get me wrong though, girls with hats on can be very hot, but keep it straight for f*** sakes! Everytime I see a crooked hat, I just want to turn the hat straight, ya know? Help them out so they don't look like idiots. lol I first saw Alicia Keys wearing a hat crooked, back before it was "cool", and I was saying to whoever it was I was with that "I wonder how long before everyone will be wearing their hats crooked". Sure enough...
Shawn Bastien: Ever talk to someone and feel they're always right and they need to always debate and prove something? ...how do you sit down and have lunch with people like this? And how do they live with themselves? Is their glass half empty or half full? ...surely you can ask them and they will tell you everything you will ever need to know about glasses, mugs and other statistics in kitchenware and life. You don't even have to ask them, they'll tell you!!
What would you like Betrayer's legacy to be, in say 20-30 years or so what would you like to be remembered as?
Jeff Klingbeil: I hope by that time we've been able to come out with 5+ more albums, toured the world & hopefully been able to play with and meet some of our favorite bands. The whole experience that just about every band dreams about.
I hope we'll be remembered as a band that stuck to playing the music that we wanted to play and not a band that has regrets about being manipulated by others. I hope we'll be able to just entertain people, create joy and help people forget about their problems when they hear/think about us. Just the feeling I get when I listen to music I love.
Norm Michaud: I'd have to agree with Jeff. But, I'd just want to be more like Kiss and over-market ourselves - I want my face on a condom package and a coffin or headstone. I'd also like us to go through a corpse-paint phase. That's the ticket.
Bill Lozon: I just want to be able to look back and say that I didn't waste my life. lol Oh yeah, and we wrote some memorable tunes. Lol
Once again thanks for your time guys, I wish you the best of luck with the new album.
Jeff Klingbeil: Any time Brent, and thank you!
Norm Michaud: Thanks, Brent. Always an honour and pleasure. Thanks for your time.
Bill Lozon: No problem. And thank you for taking the time to interview us. Hopefully we will be able to do more.
Shawn Bastien: Thanks Brent... always a pleasure.
Website: noofficialcapacity.net/NoC/Interviews/Betrayer_II.html
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