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K: A band will always feel that the most current album is the best. You have to work to that. However, it is the first CD we finished where the whole band was 100% happy. Also the press reaction was unbelievable. We had album of the month is all the biggest publications followed by a sell-out tour. There are
clear signs of evolution in the songwriting front from album to album, but
I feel that this time that you've been flooded by inspiration. Where did
it come from? K: We always work as hard as possible on creating a “perfect” album. Of course this is not possible, but trying to get there is fun! With “Subsurface” nearly all the composition was between myself and Rich. This streamlined the process and made for a more complete album as a whole. I think all writers get better with experience and we looked at every area of writing and arrangement with the new album to improve as much as possible from last time. After
several changes in the line-up (especially vocalists) you present a steady
line-up for three albums now. How much has it helped you - have you found
the right chemistry? K:
The core of the band and writing team has remained constant throughout the
career of Threshold. This has kept the identity of the band. Changes in
line-up have generally helped us move forward in terms of technique and
the natural evolution of the band. Is there a
specific meaning behind the weird title and the “Reflect” written on
the TV set on the cover? K: If you look towards the bottom of the picture you will see the word “conceal” written as a reflection in the water. “Subsurface” means what is just beneath and this theme can be heard in most of the lyrics of the new album. I think that artwork is best interpreted by the beholder, but in general terms the concept is that we do not really know what lies below the surface. I don’t
have a booklet, but from what I listen to, the lyrics of most songs seem
to refer to a common idea, related to modern human impersonalisation and
estrangement. Am I right? Would you like to comment a bit on the lyrics? K: Like most Threshold albums, “Subsurface” is not a concept album but it does have an underlying theme. This album is about the politics of power and it explores the choices that both the controlling powers and the controlled people have to make, the consequences of those choices, and how ultimately we are all collectively responsible for our own destiny. I know
that the response from the press has been great. But how has the crowd
responded to “Subsurface”? I feel that this album is your absolute
break to larger audiences. Do you have any specific expectations from this
new album? K: The response on tour was great and people spoke out by turning up to the shows. We put the same effort in to each album, but sometimes a piece of work captures the imagination like no other. It’s hard to explain why this album is a lot more popular than previous releases, but we were very satisfied by the way that the CD flows as a whole. Also we felt we had made another step forward in terms of production, which is quite important to get the atmosphere across. I’m not sure if this will get us to break to noticeably larger audiences. I think that is more to do with promotional budgets and the size of your label. If something is played often enough via the media it will most likely sell regardless of quality. You must
be satisfied with SPV lately, right? I have to tell you that I kept
looking for “Psychedelicatessen”: for four year, until I bought it in
1998 in a small record shop in Coventry (under order!). These days are
really gone, huh? K: I don’t really have any contact with SPV. That would go through our label Inside Out. Fortunately for this kind of music the internet is a good source of buying music and our CDs can be got through: www.thresh.net. You are one of the founding members of the group, so I’d like to ask you three things: a)
Was there a time that you have been disappointed and thought of disbanding
the group? K: There were difficult times during the first couple of years where we could not agree on things. We have since just concentrated on our strengths, which have been songwriting and melody. If someone has wanted to do something outside of what we want to achieve as a band they have generally left. b) How
much have you altered the method of composing your songs through the
years? K: I just have to get into the right frame of mind for an intensive writing session. This means that I have to have a goal, such as a new album to write for. Then I will continue writing until I find inspirational material. The hardest person to convince is myself. After I have some basic ideas together, I will listen to them in demo format in the car where it is easier to be objective about the arrangement and make changes if needed. I feel that it is important to write for a particular album and not store up ideas in general. Why look up an old song that was not good enough for another album. It is better to write just a few months before recording a new album. c) How did
you come up with the name Threshold… is there a hidden meaning behind
it? K: Jon came up with this name and he is a Moody Blues fan! No hidden meaning really and it just kind of stuck. (interviewers note: he probably refers to the amazing Moody Blues album “On The Threshold Of A Dream”) How are
things in England for a prog metal band like you these days?? K: Surprisingly they are getting better! We had three successful dates in the UK on the latest tour. There is also a bit more interest in metal generally in the UK with the advent of the Bloodstock festival in Derby. I think
that the only time you have played outside of Europe was in 2002 for a
festival in the States. How come? I could imagine that you must have had
quite a solid fan base in Japan where your kind of music is appreciated. K: I guess it is partly to do record company resources. We will only do shows where all expenses are paid and aim not to lose money on gigs. Larger labels would take more chances. By the
way, is there really any chance to ever see you in Greece. Do you have any
idea how the new album sells in Greece? It has taken some really good
reviews. K: No idea how sales are in Greece, but we had the offer of two shows for the last tour. The band wanted to play as we have some friends there, but it would not fit in with the travel arrangements for that time. We have made it clear to our tour promoter that we would like to do these dates in the future. You know,
there are some people arguing that bands like Threshold (or Enchant,
Shadow Gallery etc.) are not progressive in the real meaning of the term -
an argument that I personally find pitiful. What would you answer to them? K: Why would that matter? Surely the question is “Do you like the music”? Labels are only there for convenience to sort CDs. We originally stumbled on this style because we could not agree what to play. Nick and I like more metal orientated music and Jon likes Rush, Genesis and Pink Floyd. I think the metal brings a lot of energy and power to the songs and progressive music breaks down the traditional boundaries of composition. You are not limited to a strict arrangement. Anyway, the real meaning of progressive is moving forward and bringing in new ideas. Not looking back to the seventies. What kind
of music do you listen to in your free time? Have you distinguished any
new good bands? K: I like the new Killswitch Engage. Also on the lighter side Sheryl Crow. Anything inventive with a good tune and production really. How would
you describe your sound, to someone who hadn’t heard the band before? K:
I guess we come under progressive metal for most people. However, we have
a very British sound to the band because of the guitars and production
values. Generally this has been to our advantage because there are so few
bands in our style from the UK. I know
that you are also a producer and that you play in several other projects.
What’s next besides Threshold? K: This year coming are new albums for Dragon Force, Power Quest, Intense and ShadowKeep already booked amongst other projects. I guess it will be a big year for power metal! Also I just finished the new Arena album. And some
weird Questions to relax somehow!!! Do you consider yourself as a rock
star? K: I consider myself as a producer who is lucky enough to take his own band out on tour each year. What
would you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of
hundreds others that are being released every month? K: I don’t really want someone to buy it unless they like the music. Check out a track in MP3 at: www.thresh.net and then decide. If you
were a God’s messenger what would you tell Him to do for the good of
humanity? K: Make the UK a warmer climate! I think we are well on the way to doing that ourselves in a less beneficial manner! If
Threshold’s carrier was a movie. Which movie would it be and why? K: A bit like The Dish. Very satisfying with great performance and a loyal following, but not known by many. If you
were obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which would
represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which
band? K: Not possible. I guess I could make up a compilation, which represents what I like if they are willing to wait. That’s the great thing about music for me. It covers so many different feelings and my favourites change all the time. Imagine
that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for
herself an expensive ring. How would you react? K: She already did! That is my LP collection. It was about bring the attic down and I never got them out. You should not be too precious about belongings - it will make you miserable. Is there
anything you would like to answer to, but I didn't ask you? K: I hope that everyone enjoyed “Subsurface” and that we can keep those dates in Greece on the next outing. Thanks, Karl.
by Alex Savatianos |
Hello
Karl! Let me congratulate you on your latest release! I find
“Subsurface” an astonishing piece of work!! I think it must be your
best album so far. What do you think?