Metaloz: Hello Andre how are you?

Andre: Very busy but fine, thank you.

Metaloz: Your new album is currently being recorded and to be released sometime this year. Hows it all going?

Andre: We’re almost done with everything. Just some small stuff´s left, some minor tweaking - and I´ll start mixing. Thanks God, I’ve been listening to this thing for a year now!

Metaloz: you have a couple of new additions to the band Kenneth Olsen on drums and Marcus Jidell on guitar how are the guys fitting in and has it changed the sound and direction of the new album?

Andre: We’ve gained a lot of intensity with those guys - they are fresh, exited and eager to push the envelope - that´s exactly what we needed. It gives the album a healthy dose of adrenalin. Well Kenneth is THE original drummer of the band and by the way - girls dig him a lot! Shhhhhh don’t tell anyone

Metaloz: You also have the return of Maria McTurk and Kenny Lubcke doing back up vocals for the new album. Their vocals on previous Royal Hunt albums were devine so in combination with the master John West so it must sound awesome vocally.

Andre: I can´t praise them enough - I just can´t. They did such a wonderfull job - it´s unreal!

Metaloz: Theres also a statement going round stating you've gone mad on this album. Would I be correct in assuming this album will be more intense than previous albums?

Andre: Guilty as charged... I don´t know why, but it´s exiting to make records again - everybody´s been so enthusiastic, so I cought this madness as well. I´ve never spend SO much time writing/recording, so I think the guys are probably tired of me by now ... I remember Kenny saying that I made him sing some notes he never thought excisted (poor John did as well), and I almost made Marcus´es fingers bleed. What the hell - anything for art J

Metaloz: Every Royal Hunt album seems to take slightly different directions for example the album "The Mission" was very Synth driven right down to the drums then the next album "Eyewitness" more raw and guitar driven. How does the new album compare to previous albums?

Andre: I think (hope) that every RH album is a bit different... This one as well - it´s faster, more energetic, more virtuoso - like (G-d, I hate that word). Fear was Symphonic, The Mission was HiTech, Eyewitness was Earthy and Grainy, and this one just explodes!!

Metaloz: Being the main writer in Royal Hunt how do the songs come together with the rest of the band? Do you write the songs and have a clear vision on how you want them to sound then give them to the rest of the band to learn? Or do you come together and work together with your ideas. How does that process work?

Andre: I write it in my head... than put it on tape as a demo... than trying to convince everybody that it sounds good... make them to record it - then we kill each other... and then I hope that it will work J .

Metaloz: How would you describe Royal Hunts sound and style to people who haven’t heard the band before? I mean from my personal listening experience there are many different styles that include symphonic, AOR, Progressive Metal elements, would that be a close assessment?

Andre: It’s rock - with some neoclassical and progressive elements, but just quality rock. A simple statement like: - If you are into ROCK and you want to listen and to enjoy excellent music, try ROYAL HUNT! - will do.

Metaloz: You have developed your own very distinctive sound and style as a keyboard player and composer, who have you been influenced by and how did you go about developing your unique style?

Andre: I loved Rick Wakeman and John Lord as a kid. The first one - for the finesse, the second one - for the attitude. I studied classical, listened to progressive and played metal - I´m a bastard!!

Metaloz: Any chance of a Royal Hunt DVD in the near future. If so, what type content could we expect? Past, present concert, footage?

Andre: We´ll start with a live one from the upcoming tour. If it will works - we´ll do the retro stuff, we have hundreds of hours of it...

Metaloz: What current bands, artists do you admire?

Andre: Sorry, I´m not that much into the new stuff... But I do find some interesting CD´s from time to time - Ark, Symphony X...

Metaloz: There have been more and more melodic metal and Rock acts venturing to Australia in recent times. I know Denmark is a long way from Australia but could you ever see Royal Hunt venturing down here for a tour at any stage perhaps working it in with a Japanese tour or something like other European artists.

Andre: Book us and we will come! It will look good on the upcoming DVD as well.

Metaloz: Thank you Andre for answering these questions and I hope to catch you and the band in Australia some time soon!!

Andre: Cheers, mate!