Torsten Ihlenfeld (Brainstorm) Interview
The German power metal band Brainstorm has just released their third U.S. album, Soul Temptation. The group got their start way back in 1987. They played the club scene in Germany and self-released four demo tapes between 1990 and 1996. After their first two European only albums, the band replaced their lead singer and landed a deal with Metal Blade Record in the United States. The new vocalist was Andy B. Franck, who also is the lead singer of the band Symphorce.
1997's Ambiguity was Brainstorm's breakthrough album. It landed them spots on several European tours and festivals. They followed up with 2001's Metus Mortis. The band's latest effort, Soul Temptation, is also available in a limited edition double digipak which includes a bonus DVD with a 2002 live concert.
I recently spoke with Brainstorm's founding member and guitarist, Torsten Ihlenfeld.
Chad Bowar: How would you compare the sound of Soul Temptation to your previous releases?
Torsten Ihlenfeld: Soul Temptation shows a lot more musical faces of Brainstorm than the previous albums. Metus Mortis was very fast and direct and on Soul Temptation we work with a lot more details and sounds and spend more time in creating more atmospheres and epic sounds. It's the most varied album we've done so far.
What does the album title, Soul Temptation, signify?
It's part of the trilogy we have on the album, the Eastern-influenced trilogy of "Shiva's Tears", "Fornever" and "Soul Temptation." It's a fictitious story based on historical background of the Orient. It's a tragic hero that gets imprisoned in a dungeon and his soul gets taken by Shiva, the lady on the front cover.
What's the idea behind the Trinity of Lust, the three song trilogy in the middle of the album?
The main intention in doing the new CD is that we didn't want to make an entire concept album. We wanted to make an Eastern-influenced trilogy. We started working with Eastern influences back on the Ambiguity album with a song called "Maharaja Palace." Milan (Loncaric, the other guitarist) and I like the Eastern harmonies and instruments very much. Andy, our vocalist, reads a lot of books about their cultures, and that's how we came up with idea of doing a trilogy.
What are your touring plans?
We already played two big open-air festivals. We are now preparing for the tour that will start at the beginning of 2004 together with Primal Fear. It will be a long tour, the longest tour we've ever done. It will bring us throughout Europe first, then we are trying to expand it and hopefully bring it to as many countries as possible, including the U.S.
Latest Articles