„Khaos Legions” is a very Arch Enemy-esque album, but in the same time it is extremely varied. Is this one of the consequences of the fact that it has been released four years after “Rise of the Tyrant”?
Yes, we collected riffs, melodies and song writing ideas for a much longer period of time than for Rise Of The Tyrant. We naturally got a much more varied range of sounds by the time we entered the studio for Khaos Legions.
In many of your songs, you are dealing with atheism. Why do you think that people need a “master”, a “higher entity”, be it called God or in any other way?
A lot of people are afraid of responsibility, taking life in their own hands. They rather believe in a fairy tale, a higher deity that looks out for them and takes care of their problems and challenges. I chose to leave childhood beliefs behind and face reality as it is. I am master of my own destiny. I believe in science, not fiction.
Especially after the start of the financial crisis, which is also a social and spiritual crisis, people are waiting for help “from above” - from gods and also from governments. Will they ever understand that they are the only ones who can change everything, that they have to act themselves instead of waiting for someone else to solve their problems?
I hope so, but I fear not. Many people are weak cowards. They are afraid of changes, they are afraid to fight for a better future. They want a higher power, be it the government or a god, to take care of all problems. This way people will never be free but slaves to religion, to politics, to banks and corporate companies. But I am not alone – there is a strong atheist and revolutionary movement among the young people. I hope these new generations will turn things around. But so far it seems superstition and blind faith are ruling supreme. My way is to find the holes in the net and live my life the best ’atheist anarchist’ way possible in this society. Being a touring musician is the perfect escape.
In many countries - Egypt, Libya, Syria, people are fighting for a change. These events were one of your sources of inspiration for your video called „Yesterday is Dead and Gone”. But, if this change won’t be one for the better, will they have the power to continue their struggle?
I don’t know. I deeply hope so; otherwise all the sacrificed lives were for nothing. But it’s tough to live in a climate of threat and violence all the time. I have the highest respect for these people who risk their lives demonstrating against their violent, unjust, corrupt governments. Some tyrants fell, even got killed. So there is change happening. The frightening thing is that the conservative religious parties still get the most votes. Religion is the root of all evil – as long as these countries wont separate religion from secular government politics their lives wont change for the better.
Chaos contains the seeds of a new creation, also in mythology - Ginnungagap in the Norse mythology is a good example. Do you think that a new chaos is needed in order for a new, better world to be born from it?
Correct, kaos in Greek means ‘creation’ of something new out of, well, chaos. Right now we have chaos in many places of this world. It needs extreme measures to make big chances. Social chaos is an extreme state – but it has the potential to destroy the old dysfunctional system and built a new one. It really depends who will take the lead – the young, progressive rebels or the old, rich elite that will bring back more of the same.
You are an advocate of total personal freedom. What does “freedom” mean to you?
Freedom means I can roam this earth without being harassed for my colour, gender and race. It also means I can chose wether I want to drink alcohol or smoke weed. Freedom is also a justified tax system that encourages a healthy middle class, taxes the rich higher and the poor very low – freedom means everybody can afford an acceptable living standard, proper education, basic healthcare and chose their leisure time activities the way they want as long as they don’t damage others. Freedom is less government and state invention – give the people some responsibility back.
For your European tour, you teamed up with Amnesty International, but also with PETA2. Besides, one of the songs on “Khaos Legions”, „Cruelty Without Beauty”, is dealing with this subject. Can you tell us more about your message concerning this issue?
I fight for human rights, animal rights and environmental protection. AI does very important work, they are the human rights watchdog – and there’s plenty to watch and fight for in these times! Metal is rooted in Punk and used to be much more political. I think its time to get back to these roots and get socially aware and critical again. Time to fight the apathy!
I am a vegan because animals are being treated horribly by us humans, the massive meat production and consumption leads to a lot of expensive health issues and also severe environmental damage. I don’t want a part in that! I don’t want to hurt any other creature or this planet and I hope more and more people will follow the greener lifestyle.
Your messages are a wake-up call, but do you think they are perceived clearly enough? Or there are too many people who are coming to your shows just for the fun involved by a metal concert?
People can chose whether they want to enjoy us for the music and entertainment only or if they want to get inspired for the better. I give this freedom to our fans – because freedom of choice is the most important thing in life! I talk a lot about the things I believe in – whoever wants to know will know by now. I also give a lot of advice how to start changes, where to find information, how to get motivated. Take it or leave it – totally up to the individual.
You think that “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. What kind of experiences made you stronger?
I had to overcome a lot of prejudice to begin with. Being doubted actually made me work twice as hard. Also, a touring musician cannot call in sick, is exposed to many new and sometimes threatening situations, every day is different. I have had many times where I thought I couldn’t even get out of bed, let alone play a show. And I always performed. No matter how sick, tired or depressed I was. I really learned to overcome physical and mental pain. I am a fighter, have lots of discipline and stamina thanks to the many difficult situations I have encountered.
Too many perceive you only as “Angela the beauty & the hot chick”, and some of them seem to forget about “Gossow the artist & the songwriter”. What message would you have for this kind of people?
I don’t care what people think about me. My actions and my success speak a lot louder than their uneducated, ignorant words.
You are an inspiration for many metal females. What does this make you feel? Which would be the most important advice for them?
It makes me happy and proud. The metal scene has changed a lot in the last 20 years and woman play an important role in it these days. I love balance, yin and yang, dudes and gals. I love my metal ladies! My advice –be yourself, don’t be pretentious. Enjoy live, don’t take yourself too seriously. Never discriminate, stick together and celebrate this style of music that can give so much strength and power. United we stand. Gender is not important.
While you’re also the band manager, you created a clear schedule for the next two years. What shall we expect from Arch Enemy after the summer festivals? You announced a DVD and even a new album in two years or so.
We will finish the Khaos Legions touring cycle in 2012 (just play a few excl. shows in 2013) and then get down and dirty writing a new Arch Enemy record. We have also recorded our Japan Loudpark performance and my hometown show in Cologne professionally and will record a few more shows in 2012 for a new ‘World Khaos’ DVD. It will come out sometime in 2013; a new Arch Enemy album in 2014 and then the touring will begin again. Circles and cycles of metal madness!
After the release of “Khaos Legions” there have been many tours all over the world, and there still are several tours in sight. Would you afford to take some time for yourself when the “Khaos” tours will be over, in order to recharge your batteries? What would you do during such a break?
I will recharge my batteries in 2013. I can’t really stop working, I need to support myself and I get horribly bored otherwise. I am a workaholic, I LOVE to work and execute my plans with precision and success. Life’s too short to sit around and do nothing. I don’t enjoy being lazy.
Before you joined Arch Enemy, you have been a journalist yourself. Which would be THE question that you’d ask Angela Gossow? Meaning, which is the question you always waited for, but it had been never asked so far?
I have been asked every single question you can imagine, even the idiotic ones. I hate when people try to dig around in your very personal life. I have to say though, your interview questions are a lot smarter and detailed than the average interview I do. Kudos for that!
You played in many places of this world where few bands ever played before. Some people can’t imagine a metal concert in Dubai or Maldives. What can you tell us about these experiences?
Very surreal and eye-opening experience. We take so many things for granted they don’t have. I have met many people in Dubai from Iran, Iraq, etc. and they are still being imprisoned for wearing long hair and a metal shirt. They have so much passion for this music – for them it’s truly their anthems of rebellion, their fight songs. And not just party tunes. We had extreme Muslim groups demonstrating right next to our outdoor venue in The Maldives. You just know you are not safe, bad things can happen any minute. Makes one appreciate living in a safe country a lot more. And the fans there are so happy and grateful about any band that has the courage to go there and play. We are proud to have such great fans in these places and we are happy we can help make a difference for the better.
Until now, Romania has also been on the list of the countries where you never played before. Which are your expectations about the show in Bucharest?
I think it’s going to be raging mad.. Just like the Romanian people who are proud and very angry at their government at the moment, demonstrating on the streets. Our music is the perfect soundtrack to that. You have every right to be pissed off – come and channel that anger with us – Live in Bucharest, 18. January at the Arenele Romane club. One For All and All For One. We Are One! NEMESIS!
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