Alon: First, regarding your latest album, SCEPTRE OF DECEPTION, there were several differences from The previous releases, the main one , of course, is the change in vocalists, tell us how that appened, and about finding the new vocalist.
Stefan: The story is that one year ago we started to plan to go on tour and get more gigs after the 3
rd album. At that Mathias responded that he would probably be occupied from July up to new-year. And if he got another musical part after that he couldn’t decline that offer either. It’s his job so we understood his point. So there we would stand, releasing a new album and not being able to promote it for many months. We knew that this might cause a problem earlier but this time it came to be realised. Therefore I thought that the lack of ability from one member could not stop 4 members from doing what they wanted, that would only lead to irritation in the future. So since we wanted to put more time into the band I told Mathias the situation, and if he couldn’t do the same we would understand (Mathias is schooled for musicals and that’s his passion) but then we would have to get a new singer that could fulfil our plans. There was no hard feeling from any side it was just a matter of prioritizing different things.
Alon: Tell us about the process of making the new album, when was it written, the recording process, and if Kristoffer was a part of the writing process, or joined in later.
Stefan: It was a bit more difficult this time since I had to concentrate more on the lyrics and then adapting the music to it, since it's a conceptual album. Kristoffer joined in quite late in the process but helped me on some lyrics just because I started to loose interest. I won't concentrate on lyrics that much in the future, the music is more fun. We recorded it in May 2003 in los angered as usual.
Alon: Let’s get back to the roots of the band, how did the idea of creating Falconer evolve, was it while you operated in mithotyn, or after it was dissolved, and where did the idea of creating medieval oriented metal originate.
Stefan: I wasn't satisfied with Mithotyns' music and wanted to use clean vocals. Then I also had the opportunity to loose some members who didn't do the job well. I knew I was going to continue with music but the guidelines for it came little by little. So no, I didn't exactly know what my new band would be sounding like when I was in Mithotyn.
Alon: Why was the name "falconer" chosen?
Stefan: Original, easy and reflecting a bit what kind of lyrics we used at that time, medieval.
Alon:. You had quite a long career, even before mithotyn, tell us about it.
Stefan : No, I released my first album with Mithotyn, but we released 4 demos with the band before we got a record deal. Along side Mithotyn I also had Indungeon for a while.
Alon: from what influences do the lyrics evolve from, books, films, history?
Stefan: Mostly from my imagination but of course good books and movies can influence me.
Alon: The third album is described in your web site as "This was also a concept album about a happening in their own motherland. A story of greed, betrayal and lust for power" what's the story behind the album?
Stefan: It’s like a Swedish kind of Macbeth but it’s a true story. It’s about 3 brothers in early 14
th century. One of them becomes king, leaving the 2 brothers not too satisfied with the situation. It’s a lot of intrigues, deceits, murders and wars to obtain the crown. All three of them play a dirty game but as the title says, they strive to get the sceptre of deception....
Alon: you do a lot of touring in Germany, but also did some shows in the UK and USA, how were those shows, and what do you perceive are the differences between the crowds in these countries?
Stefan: USA seems to have a not as drunk audience as Europe does, therefore the shows are not that wild. I think the southern parts of Europe are the best to play in. A really wild audience there.
Alon: I understand that there are no current tours planned? Is this a planned holiday?
Stefan : Holliday?? I make music whenever I come up with something. Since I've been unemployed for half a year now I have done some music all the time. The band don't really take that much time but the writing can do. It's different if we were a professional band who tours many months a year, and then of course we would need vacation from it sometimes. Now we have vacation from the band most of the time.
Alon: Several not quite so serious questions, on your info page on the site, your answer regarding sex is, and I quote "The hairy kind" what the hell does that mean?
Stefan: It means that women do shave and does not have hair on as many places as men. Well, some do but uuuhh!! So, I'm a man and thus have more hair than the other sex.
Alon: Another curious point is one of your favorite foods, "Stewed liver", is that even food? Or just a sick joke???
Stefan: No Liver is good and you can stew it as you do with pasta or potatoes too. Yummy.
Alon: Nope, no more questions, you can get back to watching the Simpsons now!
Stefan: WO HOOO!!
Alon Miasnikov
