Live-Metal.Net - Interviews: Disillusion

'Way too special for mainstream'

January 23, 2007

With their new album, Gloria, Germany's Disillusion has created a work of art with a sound that is virtually indescribable. Building upon the band's metal roots, they have gone beyond the point of experimentation and created something that requires repeated spins for the listener to fully appreciate the dynamics of the record. Lead vocalist and guitarist Andy Schmidt gives Live-Metal.net's Jeff Maki information behind the innovative release as they both try to put a finger on the band's experimental sound.

Hi, this is Jeff of Live-Metal.net. The new release, Gloria is unlike anything I've heard in recent memory and I'm eager to hear the background behind it. I think it has an innovative and futuristic sound that requires repeated listens.

Andy Schmidt: Hi Jeff. I take that as a compliment. Actually, we believe that Gloria is rather contemporary than futuristic. At least that was what we were trying to do. Gloria was supposed to be special and not comparable to something else. Most of our energy we put into this fact. The CD itself, well yes, it does require some listens, but the reward is high I believe.

In my review (Read review here) of the album, I wrote that your style was a mix between Depeche Mode and Rammstein, among other things. I know it's hard to describe your own music, but do you think this is an accurate description?

Wow, that is interesting, but I do not share this description. Both bands are very up to date and trendsetters, if you wish. But Disillusion 2007 is far more an art thing or film score than pop/rock. Musically both bands are rather cold sounding, that goes for us too. Anyway, maybe you aren’t that wrong,

I think this album could cover a wide fan base thanks to its experimentation. Was this something you set out to do differently on this album or is this always your approach?

Yes and no. Yes, we wanted to expand the way the band can be perceived, music and art-wise. But no, we did not do it to sell more records. That won’t work anyway. Gloria is way to special to do that. The best explanation though would be, that we were having fun experimenting and not setting any limits. We desperately needed to do this. It was about daring a step, trying out something.

Do you ever worry that metal fans won't take to your more accessible material?

When that thought appears to me, I go out and have a lot of beers … Of course it does worry me, but what happened, happened – no chance to take the record back.

Do you consider yourselves a metal band?

Tell us some background on the making of the album: It was an 18 month long project?

Well, all in all Gloria took 18 months to do. We had a great run in the first 4 or 5 months when we were completely locked up in my studio here in Leipzig to experiment and try and write, both, jamming on composing. Basically, Gloria was written in this time. Then an awful waste of time took place, and neither of us really knows what happened. Anyway about 7 months had to pass before the record was finally finished and recorded within 5 weeks, incl. mix! We wanted to have the initial feel of the songs on the final record, so we decided to record so quickly. I mean, we could have taken ourselves a lot of time but the directness was more important.

That was definitely to bring all ideas, past and future of the band and the 5 different personalities working on Gloria together. I cannot stress out enough how hard that was. Not speaking of the expectations and us knowing, we will not be able to pull all fans with us.

Well, if Back To Times of Splendor [Metal Blade - 2004] is your walk through the woods with your girlfriend, then Gloria is the bulldozer that suddenly begins to tear down the trees.

You handle vocals, guitar and bass in the band, or was this just for the recording?

No, that’s what I do here.

Up to now, yes. But we will announce a bass player very soon. So, this summer we will be 4 again.

What are the touring plans for the band and will we see you in the States in 2007?

I really do not believe we will be in the US this year. We have already started to do the first things for the new record. We’ll play a lot of shows in Europe, even tours. Also we’ll play very big summer festivals this summer. We are looking forward to that.

Now for some album specifics. What exactly are you talking about throughout “Don't Go Any Further”? It almost sounds like that was an accident.

It was. Basically every song or lyrics just happened. I mean the initial idea. We did not want to change that spirit throughout the 18 months and kept a lot of it. Well, "Don’t Go Any Further" is not a riddle or something; it is what it is, I know, that’s hard to believe.

It is simply a good album title and shares a common feel of the record – from different perspectives though.

DISILLUSION - 'Gloria'

What are the strongest songs of the release? Personally I like “Don't Go Any Further,” “Avalanche,” and “Save the Past.”

There are many background choir parts and vocals. Were real musicians and backup singers used or is this the beauty of technology at work?

How are things going for Disillusion in Germany? For instance, could you turn on the radio and hear the band on there?

Haha, No. As I said before, Gloria is way too special for mainstream!!!

Thank you for the time! I've listened to Gloria about 7 times now and each time it just gets better.