| Interview with: Thomas Backelin By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings Thomas… How are
you and how are things in Sweden?
you and how are things in Sweden?
Thomas: Hails from Sweden, things are just fine
really as our 7th album is soon to be released.
really as our 7th album is soon to be released.
Blissfulviolet: Regarding the new album…Lord
Belial will release the Revelation cd soon. What
can you tell me about this album?
Belial will release the Revelation cd soon. What
can you tell me about this album?
Thomas: This will be another restart of Lord
Belial with the original Line-up back again and
with this album we feel like we’ve reached a new
level of both musicianship and songwriting.
There is a more equal mix of fast and slow parts;
the melodies are more varied than before as well
as my vocals are more dynamic.
Belial with the original Line-up back again and
with this album we feel like we’ve reached a new
level of both musicianship and songwriting.
There is a more equal mix of fast and slow parts;
the melodies are more varied than before as well
as my vocals are more dynamic.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired the lyrics on the
Revelation cd?
Revelation cd?
Thomas: Well, as always I use my own
interpretations of life in general and from horror-
movies and the atmosphere it creates, I think
that atmosphere is more important than the ”real
message” in both music and movies. My strong
interpretations of life in general and from horror-
movies and the atmosphere it creates, I think
that atmosphere is more important than the ”real
message” in both music and movies. My strong
Blissfulviolet: Is there a meaning or story behind the albums title, “Revelation?”
Thomas: The title Revelation itself does not have anything to do with any specific song on the album,
the context of the songs are my personal Revelation so to speak, my view upon the world and mankind if
you will.
the context of the songs are my personal Revelation so to speak, my view upon the world and mankind if
you will.
disgust towards religions is of course a rather huge inspiration as well and I think that it can be shown in
my lyrics.
my lyrics.
Blissfulviolet: Describe the albums sound.
Thomas: For me, the sound is comparable with Lord Belial only. It’s
hard to describe music with words; I rather let the listeners decide
themselves what it sounds like or what the style is called... I really
don’t care about such things. We are Lord Belial and that is what we
sound like.
hard to describe music with words; I rather let the listeners decide
themselves what it sounds like or what the style is called... I really
don’t care about such things. We are Lord Belial and that is what we
sound like.
Blissfulviolet: Was there a difference in the recording process of
Revelation compared to Lord Belial’s previous releases?
Revelation compared to Lord Belial’s previous releases?
Thomas: Not really, we recorded the drums first of all (together with
a cue guitar) and then I laid all Rhythm-guitars, then the Lead-guitars
were put down by Hjalmar (now replaced by Niclas) then Bass and
Vocals after that. We have worked like this for the past 5 albums and
it works out really well.
We have a strict schedule from which we work by, that way we always
know what to do and when to do it.
a cue guitar) and then I laid all Rhythm-guitars, then the Lead-guitars
were put down by Hjalmar (now replaced by Niclas) then Bass and
Vocals after that. We have worked like this for the past 5 albums and
it works out really well.
We have a strict schedule from which we work by, that way we always
know what to do and when to do it.
Blissfulviolet: Is there anything else in store with this release, for
example a video, bonus tracks…etc?
example a video, bonus tracks…etc?
Thomas: I think there will be some limited edition of Digi-pack or Slip-case of some sort but there won’t
be any bonus tracks or something like that.
be any bonus tracks or something like that.
Blissfulviolet: If you had to pick one favorite track off the new
album which one would it be and why?
album which one would it be and why?
Thomas: Vile Intervention or Black Wings of Death due to the
atmosphere and emotions in those songs. I haven’t listened that
much to the new album lately but these 2 tracks are the ones I feel
for the most.
atmosphere and emotions in those songs. I haven’t listened that
much to the new album lately but these 2 tracks are the ones I feel
for the most.
Blissfulviolet: As I recall, I don’t think that Lord Belial has ever
toured in the United States. Does the band plan on touring the U.S.
any time soon?
toured in the United States. Does the band plan on touring the U.S.
any time soon?
Thomas: We haven’t planned on touring the U.S. but if we would
get any decent offer we would surely accept it.
On the other hand, I do think we could get some problems getting
into the U.S. because of some members of Lord Belial has been
imprisoned before, I’ve heard that it can be quite hard to get through
if that’s the case.
get any decent offer we would surely accept it.
On the other hand, I do think we could get some problems getting
into the U.S. because of some members of Lord Belial has been
imprisoned before, I’ve heard that it can be quite hard to get through
if that’s the case.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired the creation of Lord Belial?
Thomas: To make a long story short, It was just something that grew from being an activity of boredom,
we were living in a very small society with a mere 1000 citizens and absolutely nothing to do. Me and
Micke were both listening to metal and decided one day, back in ´87 or so, to borrow some musical
equipment and started to jam and make own songs- from that day and on we have just kept on playing,
a couple of years later on Anders was forced to play bass with us and after some years again Niclas
joined the band and Lord Belial was born.
we were living in a very small society with a mere 1000 citizens and absolutely nothing to do. Me and
Micke were both listening to metal and decided one day, back in ´87 or so, to borrow some musical
equipment and started to jam and make own songs- from that day and on we have just kept on playing,
a couple of years later on Anders was forced to play bass with us and after some years again Niclas
joined the band and Lord Belial was born.
Blissfulviolet: Lord Belial has been around for quite sometime.
What would you consider to be one of the bands greatest
moments?
What would you consider to be one of the bands greatest
moments?
Thomas: No specific moment really, all the touring has been
great with both ups and downs. A tour is really something that
makes a band strong (if they survive as a band)
I know that some bands have actually split up because of the
intensity and familiarity of a tour, but that’s the opposite for us- It
only makes us stronger as a band.
great with both ups and downs. A tour is really something that
makes a band strong (if they survive as a band)
I know that some bands have actually split up because of the
intensity and familiarity of a tour, but that’s the opposite for us- It
only makes us stronger as a band.
Blissfulviolet: Since Lord Belial’s signing with Regain Records,
I noticed that the band got a new logo, members…kinda like a
fresh new start. Did you consider this to be a revitalization and a
new start for the band?
I noticed that the band got a new logo, members…kinda like a
fresh new start. Did you consider this to be a revitalization and a
new start for the band?
Thomas: Indeed, and now that Niclas is back in Lord Belial
things are just looking better day by day.
things are just looking better day by day.
Blissfulviolet: If you had to choose one word to describe Lord
Belial, what would it be?
Belial, what would it be?
Thomas: Straightforward, what you see is what you get.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired you to become a musician? How long have you been playing guitar?
Thomas: I have always been listening to music as far as I can remember (that’s how it gets with an
elder brother who’s into metal) I’ve been playing for about 19 years, 15 of those in Lord Belial.
elder brother who’s into metal) I’ve been playing for about 19 years, 15 of those in Lord Belial.
Blissfulviolet: Where do you draw your inspiration for what you
do as a musician?
do as a musician?
Thomas: From everything that sounds and looks interesting.
Blissfulviolet: You are also involved in the band Fleshbound.
How did this come about and what is the current status of the
band?
How did this come about and what is the current status of the
band?
Thomas: I formed the band in December 2005 since I got this
strong urge to play Death Metal and I wanted to just focus on the
guitars but now we’re in a situation where we’re currently looking
for a vocalist so on the upcoming promo I will handle the vocals,
we’re writing new material in this very moment and preparing to
record the promo as soon as possible.
strong urge to play Death Metal and I wanted to just focus on the
guitars but now we’re in a situation where we’re currently looking
for a vocalist so on the upcoming promo I will handle the vocals,
we’re writing new material in this very moment and preparing to
record the promo as soon as possible.
Blissfulviolet: What CD’s are currently in your CD player?
Thomas: Some current favorite albums right now are: Deicide –
Stench of Redemption, Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance and
Led Zeppelin – II.
I got a very wide musical taste as you might see, something that
gathers lots of different inspiration and aspects into Lord Belial.
Stench of Redemption, Katatonia - The Great Cold Distance and
Led Zeppelin – II.
I got a very wide musical taste as you might see, something that
gathers lots of different inspiration and aspects into Lord Belial.
Blissfulviolet: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview…Best of luck with the new album.
Thomas: Thank you for showing interest in Lord Belial; I thank you for your time making this interview
and for spreading the name of Lord Belial
Cheers!
/Thomas Backelin
and for spreading the name of Lord Belial
Cheers!
/Thomas Backelin
Darkest hails to Lord Belial for continuing to create such
blasphemous black fucking metal. Vocalist/guitarist Thomas
Backelin gave us the latest details on the band and Lord
Belial's new upcoming release Revelations.
blasphemous black fucking metal. Vocalist/guitarist Thomas
Backelin gave us the latest details on the band and Lord
Belial's new upcoming release Revelations.