NARNIA - Carl Johan Grimmark

NARNIA was formed in -96 and since -97 there have been 5 studio albums and 1 live DVD/CD released. After a few changes in lineups the band now stands on its most solid foundation ever and the latest release "Enter the Gate" was highly praised in the press. In 2008 NARNIA parted ways with singer Christian Liljegren. In August the same year Germán Pascual entered as the new voice of the band. And let me say that it was an addition which took the band a step up (to say the least). Given the chance by the release of their new album Course Of A Generation (Metalzone Review) we had a brief chat with the band’s guitarist and keyboardist Carl Johan Grimmark.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Greetings from Greece and congratulations on your new album COURSE OF A GENERATION.
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Thank You very much!!
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Shall we begin from that? What exactly inspired you the title, and the themes you write about in your new album?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: The title was actually decided when the album was almost done. It’s a game with words similar to the title of the song "Curse of a generation". I don’t want to explain too much, but the title can relate to that songs, but just as well have its own message. MOST of the themes in general are pretty based on pretty down-to-earth reflections on life and society, from the perspective of the writer. (Mostly myself, but also our former singer Christian)
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What about the music? What should your fans expect from your new album? Is it in the style your previous releases were or are there traces of new elements?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: It certainly strikes a new note in a different key than before. We made an album with a lot more "edge" than ever before. The melodies are stronger, the aggressive parts are more aggressive, it’s more wellplayed etc etc. We tried to stretch it in all directions but with a strong
\r\nmelodic and riffbased foundation.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What feedback have you gotten so far from the album?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: The feedback is truly awesome. We get great reviews everywhere and people seem to give our new singer Germán Pascual a great welcoming, which he certainly deserves.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: And what are your expectations?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark:  I expect just that ;) We know that this album has taken ways that we have never been able to reach before, and I hope as many as possible will discover that. If the last Narnia-album You heard was our debut "Awakening" or so, a LOT has happened since then :)
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard Narnia before and is about to listen to the Course Of A Generation?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Oh, that’s not easy, but lets say that You that it has aggressive riffing with some touches of Metallica, Soilwork combined with Ozzys later Zakk Wylde-era, and even Rammstein, and then You put some very delicate and powerful vocals singing catchy melodies with a touch of modern rock/pop and classic metal - then You MIGHT get the picture;)
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: My personal favourites in the album are Stars are falling, Scared, One Way To Freedom and Behind The Curtain. What is you favourite song in the album and why?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: I think my favourite is Sail around the world, it’s like a fist-punch right in Your face.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Should we expect a video any time soon ? And for which song will that be?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark:  It’s being discussed every now and then, but nothing’s really decided so far.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What are your upcoming touring plans?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Where touring northern Europe, mainly sweden in the late summer and autumn, and then we’ll see what happens next year.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What inspires you to write music?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: I’m simply addicted to make music, and that’s probably God’s fault - he made me this way. I’m inspired my listening to all kinds of music + life in general.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Do the other bands you participate in keep you from staying focused to your work in the band?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Not really. Sure it sucks a lot of time that I could spend on Narnia, but it’s also good for me to be active in other bands where my role is different from my role in Narnia, where I’m pretty much involved in everything.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: You’ve been around for quite a while. Do you feel you’ve gotten the attention you deserve as a band?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Well, I’m absolutely not the bitter type of person, but if I said I think we got the attention we deserve, I’d be a liar...haha! :) On the other hand, I’d be just as happy if the majority discover us through this new release, because I’m very proud of it!
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Do you think the internet is helping you into getting your music known? Or is it working against you due to the illegal downloading?
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Both, but it’s mainly hurting us to be honest. If budgets are shrinking because of lower sales - how are You gonna pay for Your production costs? How are You gonna be able to make a quality product without getting paid at all? I’m glad we’ve been smart enough to learn how to record professionally, because theses days we couldn’t just rent a studio for a month or two. But, this can be discussed for many pages, but I suppose we don’t have THAT much space ;)
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Thank you very much for your time, I wish you all the best for your upcoming plans and I hope we catch you live sometime soon.
\r\nCarl Johan Grimmark: Thank YOU for the attention! Take care!
\r\nCJ\r\n

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\r\nNARNIA MySpace
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\r\nInterview Hellena Mihailidou\r\n

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