German Thrashers Paradox returns with their eighth studio album "Heresy 2-End of a Legend" via AFM Records this Friday, September 24h. The Rambling Man grabbed an opportunity to speak with lead singer Charly Steinhauer about the new album, and the return of some old members. the concept behind the album, and modern-day music. Click below to read the full interview;
Hello, How are you? Could you introduce yourselves to the readers?
Hello to all readers, My name is Charly Steinhauer and I am the singer and guitarist of the German melodic thrash band Paradox, which I founded in 1981. I'm also the songwriter and producer for the band. Right now I'm feeling very comfortable as the hard work on the new album is over. It's always a relaxing time when you just have to wait for a new album to be released.
Paradox has a new album, entitled “Heresy 2- End Of A Legend” on September 24th via AFM records. What can you tell me about the release, and what can readers expect from the release?
Heresy II - End Of A Legend is our eighth studio album. It's the longest and most versatile album from Paradox. The listener gets a consistent continuation of Paradox's own style, which combines power, speed and thrash metal elements.
The album is not for just one run, because it includes 13 titles and has a playing time of 75 minutes. It grows bigger and bigger over time and there is a lot to discover. It's an exciting journey and offers a lot of atmospheres.
I understand this is seen as a sequel to your 1990 classic “Heresy”, What is behind the decision to create a follow up now?
Heresy II is not a direct sequel. It contains an independent story, but it is written by the same lyricist Peter Vogt, who was also responsible for the "HERESY "1989 story. The title Heresy II was chosen because the story is thematically related and also takes place in the middle ages. The subtitle "End Of A Legend" means the end of the Heresy series and not the end of Paradox. There won't be a Heresy III story.
Peter, with whom I was in contact over the years, suggested the story concept to me in 2015, but at that point, I was already busy with the previous album "Pangea". Then in 2019, I started the songwriting process for HERESY II.
What are the main differences do you find between the two albums thirty years on?
As a songwriter, I definitely didn't want to copy myself, but rather expand the Paradox style. Heresy 2021 should definitely sound different than Heresy 1989. Everyone would have said we want to rest on old laurels and only use the name to be successful. We do not need that. Paradox doesn't have to prove anything to anyone after 40 years of existence.
If you pick out a song, the old school fan immediately hears which band is playing here. So the biggest difference is how the band has evolved over the years, but the Paradox style is still the same. With all of its trademarks.
This album sees a change in personnel with guitarist Christian Munzner and bassist Olly Keller returning after a one-album break, as does the return of drummer Axel Blaha, who last played on “Heresy”. What impact does this have on the album and, furthermore, what is it like to have them back?
When you hear what Christian Münzner has conjured up with his solos on this album, you can hear what impact it has. This is Champions League and makes every song more valuable. The same counts for Olly Keller and Axel Blaha. I wrote all the songs by myself, but only with these musicians do the entire album sound like that.
It is a dream to be able to work with such good musicians and I hope that they will stay with the band for a long time to come. The chemistry couldn't be better and we haven't had a disagreement over the past few years. As friends, we also spend time together outside of the band.
They aren’t the only ones to make a return. Lyricist Peter Vogt is back to contribute with the lyrical concept. Could you elaborate further on what the concept is for the new album, and what can you tell me about the work Peter Vogt contributes to the band’s music?
Peter Vogt is not involved in the musical direction of Paradox, but all of the song titles and the album titles are his work. In contrast to Heresy I, which is based on a true story, Heresy II is a fictional story.
So in 1244 at the siege of Montsegur, two Knights were tasked with removing the ‘Cathar Treasure”. It was thought by many to be an actual treasure when in fact it was only a token of their belief.
This story chronicles what might have transpired, it tells of the dangerous journey these two disparate groups endured, how through visions they are told of the myth of Christ and that the real Messiah was in fact John the Baptist. In fact, our modern Pope wears the ring of John, the Fisher of men.
What was the writing process going into the studio to make this?
I composed the music for the songs in five months between July 2019 and December 2019. Then I sent a singing demo for Peter without texts and then he put the words in the right place.
First, the drums were recorded. At the same time, Christian Münzner was working on the solos and then Olly Keller recorded his bass tracks here in my studio. After all the instruments had been recorded, I worked on the vocals for another three months. In the end, I mixed the album and Hannes Grossmann took care of the mastering.
Oh, thank you! I see it as a compliment that you call the album old school. Then we probably managed the balancing act between old school and new school very well.
No. Before the songwriting process, I didn't think about how the album should sound like. I just knew it should sound different than Heresy 1989. When I compose a song I let my creativity run free. I don't have thought about how long the song should be or how it should sound. I just know before whether it should be a faster or a slower song.
So I choose a click track at a certain tempo and play the guitar until I have an idea of a riff that I like. Then I record this riff and work on the harmonies. It's a pretty complex work process.
You have of course released a few singles in anticipation of this album. They are called “Mountains and Caves”, “Priestly Vows” and “The Visitors”. What can you tell us about those singles, and how they play a part in the album?
"Priestly Vows" was our first single and also the first song I composed for the album. We wanted to choose a song that is fast but also includes rhythm changes and reflects all facets of Paradox. "The Visitors" was the second single and, like the third single, "Mountains And Caves", should be more dedicated to old school fans.
Selecting a single was not so easy for us, because "Escape From The Burning", "A Man of Sorrow" or "Burying A Treasure" would also have worked well as a single.
I understand you recorded the album yourself with mastering done by Hannes Grossman at MordorSound Studio. What was the reasons behind producing the album itself, and what was the recording process like?
“HERESY II - End Of A Legend” was by far the toughest Paradox album. Not only because of the extra length, but also how it was worked on. In the end, my batteries were completely empty and it took me a few weeks to get out of this burn-out.
The reason why we decided to mix the album ourselves is partly that we bought new equipment and are now able to do it.
The second reason ... why should we pay several thousand euros if I can do it just as well by myself. The band thought I could do it. At first, I had doubts, but then I tried. It is my first mix for international production and I am satisfied with the first result. I have to gain experience and learn to make the next album sound even better.
Of course, we would have liked to have Andy Sneap (to whom I lent my amplifier for the Sabbath production in the 80s) for the production, but that is priceless in our status.
Travis Smith was behind the amazing cover work. What do you feel his artwork brings to the music, and what was it like to work with him?
At first, it wasn't easy to approach Travis Smith, but when I got in touch with him, Travis turned out to be an extremely nice person. He is a very, very professional artist who always has ideas for the product. He listens to the music and visualizes the atmosphere perfectly. We would love to work with him again anytime.
Paradox first formed forty years ago in 1981, how does the band remain revigorated all these years, and do you see a big change in the landscape between when you started to now.
Of course, times have changed. Today more than 100 CD`s come onto the completely oversaturated market every month. In the 80s, top-class albums were released all the time and today you have to look to find one. The lifelessness and superficiality of today is a big problem. The free download offers to destroy every band which is forced to make a living from it. The musician doesn't earn any more money, but the quality is still required. That cannot work permanently. That does not fit together. Look at all these internet trolls who have made it their business to leave bad comments to speak an ugly language as well.
Back in the 80s, there was a lot more solidarity among heavy metal fans. I miss that very much. It's fun to be creative and I still have the passion for it, but I don't expect great success and luckily I don't have to make a living from it.
And finally, what next for Paradox.
Well, we'll just wait and see how the new album is received by the fans. Then we decide how and to what extent it will continue. I still have the fire for more Paradox music. I'm not running out of ideas and I already have a clear idea of the direction for the next album.
Thank you for the interview! Horns up!
Interview conducted by Anselm Anderson
Heresy II- End Of A Legend will be available this Friday (September 24th) via all major streaming platforms
