How would you describe your latest album Jerusalem?
Patrik Johansson: It's a classic hard rock album music wise. If you like Dio, Sabbath, Accept etc., this should be in your record collection. Lyric wise it deals pretty much with religion. In that perspective it's some kind of concept album.
How did you decide to work with Daniel Bergstrand?
We've worked with Peter Tägtgren on four albums. The fifth we mixed ourselves. We felt we needed something fresh this time. Daniel was our first choice this time and when he accepted., we knew this album would be a winner!
How was the experience?
It was great!! As usual, we recorded in our own studio. When the recordings were done, we brought the stuff over to Daniel for mixing. We have always produced ourselves, but the mixing we have handed over to pros. Daniel really gave our music a facelift. Just listen to the drums, he really captured the sound of the '70s.
What inspired your lyrics for this album?
As I mentioned before, religion is the key on this album. We really wanted to go deep into the different world religions to see what they have caused the world. Scary s--t, but interesting for a bunch of atheists like us.
Did you struggle with song order at all?
Not really. I would have loved if the title track had been the opener, but the rest of the guys didn't like the idea and I didn't wanna fight. So now it's the closer of the album. A worthy one!
How did you go about designing the cover art?
We asked Mattias Eriksson, who also designed the best of album and our first album. I had the idea with crusaders and Arabs fighting by the walls of Jerusalem. A little bit inspired by the movie Kingdom Of Heaven. The dragon was also my idea. He had to be there, he's the mascot of Astral Doors.
Jerusalem has been out in Europe for a while. What has the response been like?
Really great; album of the month and top ratings in many metal magazines. Got some emails from fans saying it's the best album ever made.
What are your expectations for the North American release?
Just that more Americans will discover the band. I guess that's a matter of having the right promotion. Let's cross our fingers that the album gets the attention it deserves.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
We'll hit the roads of Europe at the end of February together with the American unit Riotgod. It will be a blast, that's for sure!
Do you think you'll be able to tour in the U.S.?
We have had our chances to tour the U.S., but we couldn't afford it. It costs a lot. Blind Guardian offered us to join them on their U.S. tour 2006. Would have been awesome, but once again, we didn't have the money. Let's hope someone gives us a good offer. We would come right away!
What has been your most memorable Astral Doors live show or tour?
Our seven weeks on the road with Blind Guardian were fantastic. The Wacken Open Air gig 2010 was also incredible. Sweden Rock 2008 is another highlight in the career of the band.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you on the road?
Probably when our keyboard player had to (crap) in a bucket in the tour bus. The bathroom was out of order.
What’s the most unusual venue you’ve played?
Probably it's a place where we played at our headline tour 2008. It was a very, very small village in Germany and the venue was nothing but a small bar. Kind of cowboy style. It was the only place in the village, so the audience were like 60 plus and they were there to dance or something. Probably the most embarrassing gig I ever did!
Describe the first show your band played.
It was 2003 at The Rock in Copenhagen, Denmark. We had just signed with Danish management and I guess it was some kind of showcase gig. We played the entire first album two times! Six months later we played Sweden Rock!
Give us an update on the other bands you're a member of.
Lion's Share is pretty much resting at the moment, at least as far as I know. I'm ready to rock as soon as the main man of the band Lars Criss gets the inspiration back. Wuthering Heights have a little vacation, but I talk a lot to Erik and we will not give up yet.
My latest project is something we call Elite Squad. It's a project I have together with guitar master, Anders Bojfeldt (Anders is known from Glenn Hughes - Burning Japan Live). So far we have recorded 10 songs and it's classic rock at its finest. Our goal is to have an album out within a year. Let's see what happens!
What was the first album you ever bought?
It was either a Scorpions compilation or MSG's Assault Attack. Or was it Mob Rules? Well, it was one of these three!!
What album do you wish your band had made?
Rainbow - Rising, of course, .and Heaven and Hell.
What's your favorite hobby away from music?
Not much. I like to watch a good soccer game or a boxing fight now and then and I also read a lot of books.
Anything else you'd like to mention or promote?
Keep on rocking in a free world!
