We not want to introduce Mina to any readers of our weblog. Our Spanish underground steel queen is likely one of the defining faces of our scene – and now, fortunately, there’s new song too. Curtain up for Bronze!
André: Hello, Mina, great to interview you once more. How are you?
Mina: Hello André! So great to speak with you once more. I’m nice! It’s been an excessively intense week with the announcement of the discharge date for the approaching album, In Chains and Shadows, and I will be able to in any case “chill out” a bit of bit this weekend. The next day I’m going to peer mighty Visigoth are living once more!!!!!!
André: Superior! Visigoth are living is the most productive you’ll be able to get in epic heavy steel this present day. I’m nonetheless energised from my 3 Visigoth concert events in the midst of the month. A unique subject: What do you bring to mind the brand new Priest album?
Mina: I’m so extremely joyful about it! For lots of causes. Initially, this can be a just right album, excellent. There’s some songs that might are compatible and exchange some fillers in essentially the most vintage albums of the band. Rob Halford is sounding higher than ever, making a song with energy and in a spread that matches him! The 2 newest albums (aside from Firepower) have been a letdown for the reason that manufacturing wasn’t doing justice to the band, however Andy Sneap has put issues the place they belong! He’s one of the most height manufacturers for plenty of causes. In fact, like each and every human, Rob is growing old and his voice goes to modify! And looking to sing in positive registers was once simply throwing colour to this magnificent singer. He sounds so STRONG and wholesome! Additionally, Faulkner shines. Duration. In fact, having Tipton close to him to lead him presentations off, however this guy is a monster of a guitar participant, and he does justice to one of the most largest heavy steel bands on this planet.
André: I additionally assume that Faulkner is the most productive factor that has took place to Priest within the final many years. Invincible Defend will get higher with each and every spin. I didn’t be expecting the band to excite me such a lot once more. What information have you ever purchased not too long ago?
Mina: I used to be in any case ready to seize some Blood Superstar!!!! The EP, so I nonetheless want the full-length. And likewise the primary Rebel Town, that was once some other unicorn each and every time I attempted to get it. I additionally were given Templar, Amethyst, Armory, Writhen Hilt (what an epic revelation!)
André: Certainly! Let’s get for your song: Kramp is historical past. Lengthy are living Bronze. Are you able to provide an explanation for to our readers why you made a decision to modify your title?
Mina: I had the theory to modify the title for an excessively, veeeeery very long time. However in all honesty, I used to be by no means ready to discover a just right title till Bronze, and that’s why it wasn’t accomplished previous. There have been such a lot of causes piling up through the years that constructed that want within me, however I will be able to guarantee that it had not anything to do with line-up adjustments, or shifting to some other nation or anything else like that. Many of us attempt to to find difficult to understand causes and say such things as “this can be a new band” or blahblah. It’s tense, however oh smartly… it doesn’t lend a hand that some pages and products and services pressure to split the releases. We’re now not the primary band to modify the title. Unto Others did it and I’ve now not noticed somebody announcing “Idle Fingers was once a special band”. Or Claymorean! And ahead of us: Saxon have been referred to as Son of a Complain, Savatage have been referred to as Avatar, Working Wild have been referred to as Granite Hearts… No, I simply sought after to modify the title and I did it, haha. Similar band, new title, extra hearth than ever.
André: How ceaselessly do you in truth rehearse in combination as a world band?
Mina: We’ve all the time labored within the distance, so it has now not modified that a lot! All the band meets on every occasion we have now the chance, so there’s no actual solution, hahaha. We give precedence to particular person paintings, as we have now get entry to to generation that permits so, and on every occasion we meet: it is going easily! Lots of the occasions, if there’s a practice session, there’s all the time anyone lacking. However I will be able to guarantee you that after we’re all enjoying in combination, we ship!
André: I haven’t any doubts about that! The “Bronze debut“ In Chains and Shadows shall be launched on 24 April. How did the songwriting procedure paintings? You currently have a outstanding comrade-in-arms in Ced.
Mina: As I used to be announcing, Gods of Loss of life was once launched underneath the title of Kramp, however because it’s the similar band, this might be our 2nd album. The method began method ahead of Gods of Loss of life was once launched. I’m all the time writing and dealing, so some concepts are very outdated, and a few are more moderen. Some songs have been supposed to be in this 2nd album and shall be at the 3rd one, hehe. My want, when Gods of Loss of life was once launched, was once to convey an album in step with 12 months. Are you able to imagine it? Covid arrived, after which a chain of unlucky occasions overwhelmed my intentions and reshaped my targets, hahaha. The primary tune that I had for the album, was once if truth be told “In Chains and Shadows“. I used to be taking a bathtub and the refrain got here simply, after which the remainder of the tune was once flowing really well. I liked crafting the melodies of this tune on my guitar! I might say this one is essentially the most transparent instance of my essence as a songwriter and lyricist in this album. The solo in this tune is the one one who we stored from those who I wrote. This makes me more than happy as a result of I gave Cederick complete freedom at the solos, to re-write mine or to fill those who I didn’t even check out! I’m very choosy, however while you’re operating with a guitarist with a ability out of this global, like him… complete freedom for the person! No longer handiest he can play, however he is aware of precisely what each and every tune wishes. Then “Jackals of the Sea“ and “Samurai“. “Jackals of the Sea“ began as a sea shanty for amusing, after which I became it right into a right kind heavy steel tune. The lyrics are impressed through Bêlit’s team, from the Conan universe. “Samurai“ began with simply the name, which is an means that I don’t generally take. Most commonly as a result of I battle with choosing just right titles and it takes me endlessly to seek out the appropriate ones! However I had transparent that I used to be going to jot down a tune referred to as “Samurai“! The primary melody on guitar got here to my palms very simply, and the refrain was once very transparent as smartly! However the lyrics… oh! For an excessively, veeery very long time, I didn’t understand how to means the lyrics, as I didn’t need one thing “from the e-book”. I don’t like literal lyrics for my songs, however I feel I in any case crafted a tale price telling. Throughout the pandemic, I rescued some concepts of an outdated tune that weren’t just right sufficient, and became out into “Idiot“… oh, that one was once a blast to do! Lap and I labored on digging out a few of the ones outdated concepts I had, and portions of “Idiot“ got here out. As a humorous element, we put the shaggy dog story title of “Coronavirus” to the Guitar Professional report whilst operating on it, and for no matter explanation why the device names now each and every tune through default “Coronavirus”, so I’ve to modify it later. However I don’t understand how the fuck to mend that. I allowed myself to move much more into the neo-classical vibes on that tune. And in regards to the lyrics, I had an unique blast of amusing scripting this one! Complete treatment right here, hahaha. Then, additionally throughout the primary 12 months of the pandemic, I used to be speaking with Cederick (method ahead of he joined, method ahead of I had the title of Bronze able!) and he satisfied me that I will have to give justice to “Story of Revenge“. That tune was once the primary one I ever wrote for the band, in 2008… the primary demo ever, then at the Wield Revenge EP. And now it has an actual alternative! Then “Tyrant’s Spell“! That’s some other cool tale, as it was once impressed through the efficiency of Iron Destiny on Stay it True, which I used to be observing on are living circulation from my house. Nonetheless pandemic occasions… I truthfully aimed to create a separate undertaking, very USPM orientated (Pink Glory, Queensrÿche, Savatage), considering it was once too some distance from the sound of the band. But if Ced heard it, he satisfied me to stay it for the band. I loved so much scripting this one as smartly, and the lyrics have been additionally healing… One later addition to the tune was once the intro, which was once taken from some other composition that I did again within the day, it was once referred to as “Flying Monkeys” (impressed through the Wizard of Oz.). Once more, I by no means printed that one as a result of I felt like doing a brand new undertaking… neo-classical insanity unleashed undertaking, and I used to be booking that one. It was once an instrumental quick piece, with numerous bliblibli on guitars, so I’m satisfied it had a 2nd existence! “Time Covers No Lies“ and “Maze of Haze“ have been the newest additions, either one of them written in early 2023, after we have been aiming to begin the pre-production of the album. The lyrics of “Maze of Haze“ painting the overpowering and onerous enjoy of a neurodivergent particular person in a neurotypical global. It was once firstly referred to as “Emtpy Phrases“… I’m terrible with titles, so I’m somewhat pleased with those in this album as it ended up having very cool ones! “Time Covers No Lies“ was once an excessively speedy, last-minute demo, and Ced transformed at the guitars and added some great issues to it! It’s a blast! After which, some other wonder addition, was once “Realm of the Damned“. I got to work on that tune 10 years in the past when I used to be dwelling in a definite group that was once now not just right however have been method worse previously. Within the 80s it was once like a mecca of heavy steel, full of bars and venues and existence at the streets. This present day it’s only a working-class group, with some higher spaces than others. The thrill factor is that I used to hang around with a gaggle of people who have been poisonous as fuck. All male, other ages, and would throw feedback equivalent to “Ladies don’t seem to be metalheads, as a result of with age they modify” and “You will have to write about actual issues that topic, just like the existence in the community, as a substitute of dragons and delusion” (Oh c’mon, learn my lyrics as a substitute of assuming, guys). The irony is that every one of them have been very at ease dwelling with mommy and daddy, having a heat meal able at the desk, no activity, and praising that “working-class existence” and the “heroes” from again within the day. Via heroes I imply junkies or what remained of them, so wasted and ruined that they don’t even know the title in their kids. Risk free past a too-long hand round younger ladies. And I used to be dwelling in a construction that had 3 residences squattered through a large circle of relatives, now not paying hire and creating a complete mess throughout. In entrance, a tender couple with a tender child: the person was once an unlawful immigrant, and the girl was once eating her industry’ “inventory of products”, if what I imply. Too excessive to note the black eyes on her face. And the most productive ones have been on height of my rental: a few brothers of their 50’s, taking a look like they have been 800-year-old skeletons. They’d essentially the most an identical voice ever. Such a lot that to start with, I assumed it was once only one particular person: one loopy outdated girl (, this kind of high-pitched junkie voice). They have been combating always and it was once inconceivable to sleep or are living a typical existence there. One evening, my “crew of pals” have been in my rental as we needed to end some graphics for a badly paid booklet. It was once summer season and so they have been complaining in regards to the warmth as a result of I didn’t have air conditioner. Then we heard a noisy noise and a voice “I’ve been killed!” after which the ambulance and police got here… one of the most brothers was once taken to the clinic with an open crane, leaving blood in all places the staircase. As I used to be making ready the EP in the ones days, anyone discussed: “So Mina, are the songs about delusion and hihihihahaha dragons?“ Tomorrow I heard the remainder brother screaming whilst excessive, outdoor his rental and chatting with the bricks (once more). I used to be drained as I didn’t organize to sleep, very a lot exhausted. So I began writing the lyrics for that tune. A couple of days later, the wounded brother died. The unique name for the tune was once “Town Streets”, nevertheless it modified to “Realm of the Damned” and I feel it’s method higher! I sought after to convey it again, nevertheless it was once very incomplete… I handiest had the vocal traces, which I modified utterly later, and a few fundamental guitars. Ced rewrote some riffs and it changed into a really perfect tune!
André: I already wrote to you on Instagram that “Samurai” is an enormous hit. Is that this tune additionally one in all your favourites?
Mina: I adore it, however I might say it’s my least favourite of the album, hahaha. I imply, c’mon, the remainder are so fucking nice that the contest is excessive!
André: Agreed.
Mina: However I assume this is because it’s the only I struggled with essentially the most at the recording, so let’s see when my frame forgets the trauma, haha. However I like the lyrics! I knew that I sought after a tune referred to as “Samurai“, and I had the primary melody for the guitars ringing in my head for a very long time. However I didn’t need a literal fundamental lyric “Samurais do that and that”. It took me an extended, very long time till this new means hit me! The tale of 2 samurais who’re comrades, serving the similar warlord who’s abusive and harsh. Samurais had a code of honor, that’s true, however a very powerful factor is they had to serve their warlords it doesn’t matter what. If the orders have been “unhealthy”, they needed to do it. On this tale, the warlord throws an excessively terrible order: he will get an eye fixed on a tender girl and she or he rejects him, so he orders the primary samurai to kill her and her kids. He refuses, so there’s just one method out: kill the warlord or be useless. In fact, that’s without equal offense, and regardless of being pals, the second one samurai has to seek and check out to kill the “betrayer”. Who wins? All folks, as a result of we will pay attention to this tune on a loop!
André: Your vocals are very charismatic – I feel folks recognise you from 1000’s of singers. Who’s in truth your favorite vocalist?
Mina: Thanks such a lot!! There’s many singers that I imagine my favourite: Eric Adams, Middle of the night, J.D. Kimball, Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Mike Howe… However, , if I’ve to pick out JUST ONE: Ronnie James Dio. There’s no different solution.
André: Ced’s guitar is after all additionally very provide on In Chains and Shadows. Is there a riff at the report that you simply specifically like?
Mina: Ced is this kind of proficient guitar participant! And musician, and mixer, and manufacturer! And naturally, composer! He’s the most productive. Then again, as I used to be announcing, he has now not put a lot into the composition of this album, as I’m the primary author of the band. He’s accomplished an incredible activity as a manufacturer, spicing issues up and caring for the little main points that make this album shine such a lot. Like some chord progressions that move completely with the songs. His taste of enjoying is very easy to spot, it doesn’t matter what! I like listening to the songs performed through him. However let’s speak about his solos, lets??????
André: Move forward!
Mina: As an example, and to pick out only one: The storytelling of the solo of “Idiot“ is so breathtaking!!!
André: Individually, the guitars listed here are one of the most highlights of the album, a really perfect selection as an opener because of this too.
Mina: I believe so fortunate, as I used to be seeing him get a hold of concepts on the very second writing the solos. He put an enormous effort into looking to admire my imaginative and prescient and messages. For me, storytelling is the important thing! I’m an excessively dramatic songwriter, however I do know I will be able to accept as true with Cederick’s ability. We paintings really well in combination and I all the time say that it seems like we will learn each and every different’s minds. His riffs for “Time Covers No Lies“ and “Realm of the Damned“ are top-notch!
André: What number of guitars does Ced in truth have?
Mina: I truthfully don’t know, hahaha. We’re all the time satisfied so as to add new stringed participants to the circle of relatives. I will be able to insert his solution later, however within the interim… do you know that he builds his personal tools? No longer they all, after all. However a few of his guitars have been crafted through him from scratch. Isn’t that cool? [The answer: 14 functional guitars and 2 in the making.]
André: I feel I’ll must interview Ced sooner or later. That sounds extraordinarily thrilling! Do we have the ability to see you are living this 12 months?
Mina: Confidently sure! Our goal is to play all over the place we will! Now we have been enjoying some secret gigs ahead of we introduced the album, however we will’t wait so as to add extra to our calendar!
André: Remaining query – and this is essential: Do you just like the Swedish meals?
Mina: If through Swedish meals you imply tacos, aka: the real nationwide dish of this wonderful nation, then sure. I completely love Swedish meals.
André: Haha, sure, the preferred meals in Germany is indisputably pizza and kebab, in most cases German. Mina, thanks for this, as all the time, very informative and entertaining interview. I want you and the band the entire absolute best for the long run. Confidently we will see you in Germany quickly. A evaluation of your superb album can be to be had right here quickly.
Bronze on Bandcamp: Click on right here.
