|
Interview with Divinefire
JesusMetal: Please introduce Divinefire.
Jani: Divinefire is a Symphonic metal band with some Death/Black vibes from time to time. The Band consists of 3
members, Jani Stefanovic: Guitars, Drums, Keys & Programming. Christian Rivel: Vocals. Andreas Olsson:
Bass.
JesusMetal: Congratulations on your release! How does it feel to have finally
released this?
Jani: Thanks; it feels really great to have it out now (Japan). I’m really anxious about what this will bring on.
JesusMetal: What is your opinion on Glory Thy Name? What's your favourite
song?
Jani: Well I can speak for all of us that we are very satisfied with the result and we think that this is a really
strong debut. My personal favourites are The world's on Fire, The Sign and the The spirit.
JesusMetal: It isn't released in Europe yet, but I found some Japanese reviews,
But I couldn't read those, how were the reactions in Japan?
Jani: Well actually I haven’t been able to read them either, all that I know for now is that we have gotten some great
points, that is all I can read from there. One place gave us 92/100, Burrn gave us 84/100 so I’m very pleased with
the rates I have seen. Still waiting to hear he peoples reaction there.
JesusMetal: How was the overall reaction from secular metal fans?
Jani: Really positive so far, many have said that it is a ground breaking album cause it mixes a lot from both melodic and
aggressive music. Some have even said to me that this is what they have been waiting for for a long time. Then of course
there will always be some that like it little less.
JesusMetal: You wrote the whole album within a month! How did you do that? Where
did you get inspiration to write such a load of music in such a short time?
Jani: Well those who know about it have asked that same question. For me it’s not really that big of a deal. When I get
inspired I put all my energy into my writing process just to get out all the ideas I have in my head.
So I tend to work almost 24/7 until I’m done with the current ideas. Still not forcing to create something, just record as
long as I have inspiration. Where it comes from? Well no doubt about it that the inspiration and creativity comes from our
Lord.
JesusMetal: You and Christian Rivel (Narnia, Audiovision) are
the 2 main people behind Divinefire, how did you get in contact with him? And why did you choose him to be the lead
vocalist?
Jani: The whole thing began when I sent him the Renascent EP searching for a deal. He liked our stuff but as we
signed with another label we still felt that we had connected right away at our first talk. So he just tossed a comment
like we should really do something together maybe next year (2005). I tried out a song idea right away and the rest is
history.
JesusMetal: You also got several other people to sing or play on the album, how
did you get in contact with them? And also, why did you choose them to do their thing? How was it to work with all these
people? And why did you decide to have all these guest performances?
Jani: This was meant to be as a fun thing. Rivel told me to write all the stuff and then to get some cool guys to be
on it, towards the end we ended up with more guests that we had planned in the beginning. Rivel made all the contacts
with the people on the album. We had some ideas of what we wanted to do and after that followed out “yes I know this and
this guy who would be perfect for this and this part”.
JesusMetal: Two very talented vocalists, Eric Clayton and Hubertus
Liljegren, did less on the album than I had expected. Especially Eric Clayton, known for his great vocals, only
does some narrating. Why is this?
Jani: Yes Eric Clayton was first meant to be singing at the planning stage of the project but in lack of time it was
impossible to work it out. Luckily we still managed to get his speaking voice on the record, which I think was a really
cool thing. Hubbe we would’ve used more but we felt that those spots were about it where it would really fit with
good growls.
JesusMetal: You also signed a deal with a Japanese label, King Records. The
album was released in Japan before it was released in Europe, and the Japanese version had a bonus-track. Why all this for
the Japanese? Will the bonus-track be made available for European fans eventually?
Jani: Yes the bonus tracks :-) well I think it mainly has to do with the Japanese market. They have such high prices on the
records that they have to offer them a bonus that does not exist on the European version. In that way they keep the Japanese
people to buy the cd´s there instead of ordering the cheaper from Europe. That is also why they always want to release the
album before the European release date. I’m not actually really sure, but I hope that we can publish the bonus track for
Europe eventually.
JesusMetal: How is the Japanese metal scene? I can't say I hear very much about
it.
Jani: All that I know from the Japanese scene is what I have heard from some of my friends that have toured over there and
I have honestly just heard positive comments about the scene over there. A good metal crowd, really devoted people and
polite, but which bands are hot or whatever I have no clue :-)
JesusMetal: You recorded the album in April 2004, and it got released in December
2004. What happened in the months between? And why will it be released in Europe in February, when it's already ready?
Jani: It was released 22 December, I finished my own parts in April 2004 but the mastering was in August and between. Until
the releases there is always a lot of preparing at the label end.
JesusMetal: With such a big and diverse line-up, will you be able to play live
with Divinefire?
Jani: We won't be able to have all the people that were on the record, that is almost impossible to carry out and live
shows will probably be a rare thing, cause this is a huge project to set up for every show.
JesusMetal: Will Divinefire be a one-release project? Or is there a chance
we'll get more of this?
Jani: Yes there will be more than one. I have already the material ready for the next one; we will enter the studio in
late spring 2005.
JesusMetal: Divinefire has very clear christian lyrics, what is the message
you want to bring with Divinefire? In what way do you feel God is involved in Divinefire?
Jani: We felt that there was a huge need for the nations to hear the gospels. Without looking down on other bands, but we
felt that we have to be totally upfront with the message, no watered down lyrics just to fit in the secular scene. Our
mission is to proclaim his word and we do it without compromises. We totally gave this work into the Lord's hands and
constantly prayed for His guidance. We wanted this to go His way and not ours and He surely answered our prayers opening
some amazing doors for this band. So we are ready bring it on :-)
JesusMetal: The song Pay it Forward mentions "Read the news today, five people
were killed". Does this refer to something that actually happened
during the period in which you wrote the music?
Jani: Yes those lyrics are based on real news that Rivel saw. Basically it’s about how mad this world has gone when
we in the beginning where born to love and not hate.
JesusMetal: Do you feel metal should be used as a tool of evangelisation? And do
you think a christian band should have bold lyrics?
Jani: I’m in no place of judging other people, but my personal opinion is that our mission, and this is every ones mission
as a Christian, is to proclaim his word. But you can work for His kingdom in various ways I think. But I definitely think
that music is a great tool for evangelisation. I can only speak about my own behalf that I have lived on the other side and
now when I have found the light I feel that why should I hide it. This is a great thing and I want to share it.
JesusMetal: You are mostly known from bands like Renascent, Sins of
Omission, and you played with Crimson Moonlight. These were all quite extreme, why did you start this Progressive
metal project?
Jani: Cause I’m weird :-) no just kidding. I love all kinds of styles, I’m a music freak. This way I can explore different
genres and fulfil my dreams making music in genres that I like.
JesusMetal: I must say I really like the artwork. What is the idea behind the
artwork, I see many different things. Is there a certain story behind the artwork?
Jani: The inspiration for the cover is from the Bible Rev 21: 1. The door leads into the new world as it is told in the
Revelations. The darkness where those people are in front of the door represents the old world and the people are drawn
towards that door.
JesusMetal: The Divinefire-website states you have recorded a video for
The World's On Fire, could you tell something more about this? What will the video look like?
Jani: Well the video was for tv promotion for Japan, but will be featured on a dvd collection in Scandinavia, for now
atleast... We will probably publish it later on the website. The video is from the song The World's On Fire so it´s
an aggressive song with some traditional metal footage.... War and chaos and stuff
JesusMetal: Any final comments?
Jani: I hope that you’ll enjoy the album. I hope that it can bring some blessing into lives. Remember to take care of your
relationship with God, it is worth more than life it self. Be blessed and take care.
|
|
