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Interview with

Richard Mentzer (drums) of Manimal

‘The Darkest Room’ is the title of MANIMAL’s debut full-length, released on German label AFM Records and the critical reception so far has been generally positive. We thought it might be a good idea to dig a little more under the surface of MANIMAL and forced drummer Richard Mentzer to answer our questions.

Reflections of Darkness (RoD): The name of the band MANIMAL is interesting to say the least and sounds as if there is a story behind it. Where did the name come from and what is the story?
Richard Mentzer (Richard): The name MANIMAL is the result of a brainstorming-session back in 2001 when the band formed. We wanted a name that could sum up what we saw core life was all about: What are we? At the same time the name should give a hint of what kind of music you’re about to discover.

RoD: Can you briefly summarize how the band formed and what you do in MANIMAL?
Richard: With this line-up and under the name of MANIMAL we’ve been together for 7 or 8 years now. We all come from the same little town called Kungsbacka some three miles south of Gothenburg, Sweden. Hank Stonerose and I met in high school and started playing together and later on my brother Pether Mentzer joined, playing bass guitar and eventually faith brought us Sam Nyman - the only one in the world, that of which we knew of, that could crack a pair of glasses just screaming at them… he, he… and that was exactly what we were after;)

RoD: Your lyrics are infused with heavy detail and raw emotion. What is it that normally gives you inspiration when writing lyrics and is there a concept behind the music you create?
Richard: Just being alive, gives us something to say. It all depends on the mood, the feel. Some of the songs on the album are about me myself, about going through phases in life. Other times it can be something I’ve heard, read or seen on the TV that just needs to come out. Playing and writing is a vent and as everyone else we need to let go of some pressure once in a while. Playing and listen to METAL are for every one of us an essential part of life. It’s nothing you do because you planned to do it – you do it because you need it!

RoD: Your new album is called ‘The Darkest Room’. How is this album in comparison to your older releases? What can fans expect when they listen to your music?
Richard: I’d say that what we do today is more strict, classic and heavy compared to what we did five or six years ago. Back then we some times tried too hard to sound like this and that and we did more technical stuff, often on a level above our own. Today we’ve found our sound and our way of playing, not thinking of what someone else’s work – as many of our reviews say: the album has something new and perhaps even unique. This makes us extremely proud.

As a listener you can expect:
- Melodies - we put the harmonies in the first room. The melodies must touch you in some way always carrying a message if you seek for it.
- Groove and rhythm - it has got to rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And if it doesn’t the song is dead; here’s a good thing that the rhythm section consist of me and my brother Pether.
- Heart - we have no album fillers. Each and every song is carefully handmade and selected for the album. It took a long time to write and record and, as we see it, that’s what makes it special.

RoD: How do you think you will affect the music scene you are part of? What are your thoughts on the growing popularity in it as well?
Richard: I think that’s for someone else to say really. We just hope to be able to create our kind of music full-time from here on and hopefully there’re a couple of metal-heads interested in follow us in to the future. When it comes to the metal scene as such, I think it’s comforting that it is a growing phenomenon. The music, with all of what it includes – festivals, records, partying, sorrows, clothing, way of life etc. – means so much for so many peoples and as long as the artists and their music are true and honest the listener/audience will be also. Heavy metal and hard rock will never die! Until man becomes immortal he and she will seek joy and comfort in music.

RoD: If you had the chance to switch lives with someone else for 24 hours who would it be and why?
Richard: What a question!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I say any female person. I’d spend the day trying to understand myself… he, he….

RoD: Many of your songs are so hard and intense that I am sure they translate well into a live setting taking on a whole new life in front of a live audience. How does it make you feel when the emotion and power that you envisioned in the recording studio, come to life while playing in front of a crowd?
Richard: To be able to create the songs as we want them live we use backtracks. Due to the fact that we are just four on stage this gives us the possibility to deliver the album live - and that’s what we do. When we have one of those nights when everything works, the sound, the light, the audience etc. there’s magic. Becoming one with the crowd is a priceless feeling.

RoD: What are the upcoming plans for MANIMAL?
Richard: Right now we want to get out on the road to visit places we’d only dream of six months ago. Now it’s possible. We have been asked for participating in a European tour late this autumn as well as a major world tour supporting a well known act, but as I speak none of this has been confirmed.  As for the upcoming weeks we have a couple of gigs in Sweden and myself, Hank and Sam will go to Wacken to participate in one of Europe’s biggest metal-party, not playing unfortunate but promoting the album in the AFM residence.

RoD: How has MySpace and the internet impacted your band and do you think downloading helps or hinders the artists?
Richard: As far as I’m concerned it goes both ways. On one hand it helps the band to reach out and in much more rapid way than before. On the other, I think it’s harder for the majority of band out there to make a living out of their music. Even if the Internet gives you a worldwide platform it takes a lot of hard work and discipline to make your self heard in the Ganges of music. It goes two ways really.

RoD: What is the toughest lesson you ever learned in the studio and on the stage?
Richard: Always come prepared! I/we learn lessons every time we do a show or goes in a studio. I think that the day you stop learn your days are about to end.

RoD: What bands would you like to tour with and who has been your favourite to tour with this far?
Richard: Of all the bands we’ve been playing together with so far, I must take my hat off for Norwegian band Circus Maximus. What a great band and utterly good fellas… check them out!

RoD: Every band has its musical influences. What are some of the other bands and artists that have greatly influenced you guys and your music?
Richard: Musically I have a few. When it comes to the art of shredding ;) there’s no-one like Vinnie Paul of Pantera: core, frustrated power! Then there’s the one and only Mickey Dee, especially the King Diamond years; he is phenomenal creating THE FLOW that just unleash the groove throughout each and every song. Second to none there’s Ian Paice: a drumming Mohammad Ali; The Mule still kick ass and a see him as the perfect role model because how he adds heart and sole to his drumming as well as fury and madness… what can I say… he’s fantastic! As for other bands and artists I have a broad set-up of influences. As I said Pantera, King Diamond, Deep Purple, Rainbow (Dio-years), Queensryche, Dir en Grey and Rammstein on one side to Bob Marley, David Bowie, Eva Cassidy on the other. We listen to very different kinds of music and I think it’s a good thing because we don’t get stuck with one or two inputs, if you know what I mean. Pether prefers bands like Journey, Kansas and Pink Floyd whereas Hank is more into classic metal like Judas Priest, Deep Purple and Iron Maiden! Sam listens a lot to Kamelot right now.

RoD: What's your reaction when/if a fan told you a very meaningful statement such as "Your music changed my life?" Has this ever happened to you?
Richard: I’ve never heard of our music changed someone’s life but every time someone in an audience comes up to you after a show, looks me in my eyes and tells me that it was a good show… that gives me fuel to carry on. Or reading some of the outstanding reviews that we’ve got… it feels so good to have made an impact.

RoD: All of that passion that you play with must be tough on you physically. How do you prepare for the physical demands of a tour?
Richard: You’re right, keeping your body in good shape is essential. For my part and also for Hank, we run a lot. Actually we’ve formed a running club or society if you like Hellrunners - and when we meet, we just run like hell… he, he… Since we have not done a major tour yet I guess this is one of those things we will learn… hopefully.

RoD: Anything else you'd like to add?
Richard: We hope you’ll stay with us as we head for tomorrow, learning from what we did today. Thanks for sharing your time.

Richard Mentzer/MANIMAL

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