FALCONER - Stefan Weiner

\r\nOn the event of the release of their new album Among Beggars And Thives Metalzone.gr had the chance to talk with the guitarit of Falconer Stefan Weinerhall.  Stefan talks about the new album and much more in the conversasion below. \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone: What inspired you the title? Is there a concept behind it?
\r\nStefan Weiner: I wouldn’t really call it a concept album although the lyrics are based upon a common subject or era if you want. When people say concept album I think of something over the top like what the prog metal bands are doing. I still want the album to be listenable without analyzing and pumping the album over and over again.
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\r\nI think most of our lyrics in the past has also dealt with the hardship of the common man instead of the knights in shining armour or fair maidens. This time we draw it a bit further. Some songs are based upon true events and others are just describing the era. Some topics are, the situation of the slaves in the 11:th century, the life of a beggar roaming the roads. Freedom fighters in the 15:th century or the witch burnings in Sweden. History is my second interest and I´d like to keep the lyrics as realistic as possible and not to fall into the usual topics of other metal bands.
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\r\nMetalzone: What feedback have you received for your new release?
\r\nStefan Weiner: Well, this time I see many reviews contradicting. For example where one review say that we have released the best album since the first two and gotten back that feeling. Others say that it’s worse than NORTHWIND and constantly move away from what we were good at. So one say left and one say right.
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\r\nMetalzone: Reviewing Among Beggars And Thieves we found that the sound on the guitar is rather poor , excluding the solos. The production sounds kind of "narrow", which is a pity, because the whole cd is a very good effort and with the proper sound it would be really bombastic. Do you feel the same way? Is there anything you would change in this release?
\r\nStefan Weiner: Don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve gotten many good things said about the sound. Maybe there´s abit  too much compression on the sound over all but that’s about it. If I could change something it would only be small things.
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\r\nMetalzone: You are a very productive band, you produce one album each year, is it because of the pressure you receive from your label, Metal Blade Records or because of your creativity?
\r\nStefan Weiner: Because we don’t tour I think. Most of my time in the bands is spent on doing songs. I mean that’s why I’m into music, not to play live because that doesn’t give me that much. There is not pressure from Metal Blade to release albums in any sort of pace. It’s up to us.
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\r\nMetalzone: Is it easy to be a metal band in your genre nowadays? Are there heavy metal fans around or have you been left out as less trendy?
\r\nStefan Weiner: I’m not involved within the scene to notice any small changes. I don’t see any difference in the scene today than 5 years ago. The only difference is that people download much more today and that gives smaller bands a smaller studio budget to work with.
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\r\nMetalzone:  Do you have any touring plans in support of the release? Is Greece part of them?
\r\nStefan Weiner: We don’t do tours. We got another singer back in 2003 to be able to do it. Mathias didn’t have the time to go out on tours since his schedule within the theatre and acting things is full enough. As we got him back we knew the criteria and I was fine with it. The studio and song writing is my priority. I also know what club shows and budget tours mean in for a band of Falconer’s calibre. It’s not worth all the trouble and time it takes. Summer festivals are OK because you reach so many people at once. I see Falconer as a studio band. We have only played once in the states and of course I’d love to play at some of the festivals you’ve got since we haven’t played in Greece yet and I guess not everyone want to travel to Germany where most festivals are.
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\r\nMetalzone:  What are your main influences in your music?
\r\nStefan Weiner: I can’t really point out a source of inspiration. I guess it’s a matter of mood, although the returning in style and Mathias was triggering it this time. Actually I listen less to music nowadays than in the beginning but I know what I like and of course that colour my writing to although nothing is on purpose. Notice that I don’t listen to folk music at all so that’s just something that comes natural and always have. I think that Gods like Iron Maiden, Jethro Tull, Dio has affected my own music whether I like it or not.
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\r\nMetalzone: Thank you very much for your time and I wish you all the best for your future palns
\r\nStefan Weiner: Thank you very much and I hope we can meet all our Greek fans some day at their own soil. Until then you can check out our video for “Carnival of disgust” at www.metalblade.de
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\r\nElena Mihailidou
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\r\nCarnival Of Disgust Video\r\n

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