The few against many Interview 10/16/2009

The few Against Many

http://www.myspace.com/thefewagainstmany


Answered by: Anders Edlund, except for question nr.2 by Christian Älvestam

1. Tell us new to The few against the many how you came to be?
Christian had a lot of ideas and finished songs and wanted to do something with them. But they didn´t quite fit into any of the bands he had at the time. So he formed TFAM and asked a bunch of old friends if they wanted to join him on that journey.
So the band was formed in 2008.

2. You were a member of Scar Symmerty for awhile what is the major different in your eyes between The few against the many and the former.

The way I see it the only connection between the bands, is my involvement with both of them. Sound- and style-wise I'd say
they are almost diametrically opposed. In fact, if I had not have been involved with SS in the past, I am pretty sure no
one would ever draw a comparison between the bands, since they sound nothing alike. At the same time, I do understand
people's need to bring the matter up, considering my past and the fact that both bands are releasing new albums now.
It's perfectly natural!

3. You have worked with Pulveriser Records before the label seems to know death and black metal week . Do you like being a more personal indie then a bigger indie? Does it help create want you want more?
I don´t think it matters weater you are on a smaller or bigger label. It all depends on what kind of music you write. If you do music that people like you will sell even if you are based on a smaller label. Of course there is bigger oportunities to get exposure on a bigger label since they have more money. But I think it´s easier for the big labels to ruin your carreer if you don´t sell albums as well.

4. Will The few against the many be playing live must or most a studio creation or side project for right now?
We will be playing live. We have nothing booked right now, but it´ll come. Our hope is to get on a tourpackage to promote "SOT" and the sooner the better, I think.

5. Most of the songs are sung is swedish what is the reason behind this?
We thought we got a more harsh feeling in the growls by using our native language instead of english. Also the lyric are pretty poetic written why there is a cooler vibe over the sung words.

6. There are man avant and experimental elements mix with the Swedish Death metal sound as a call it. You seem to have a strong love for Opeth, Amorphis and Dan Swano in style and sound would you disagree?
Well, I wouldn´t say you are completely wrong there. Christian, who wrote all material, has always been a great fan of Dan Swanö and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth so of course some of the influences are taken from there. But I wouldn´t say Amorphis is a big source of inspiration for any of us, except for me...ha ha.

7. How did you come to work with members of Katatonia and Dark Tranquility members in the song writing process?
Christian did some touring back when he was in Scar Symmetry, together with Katatonia and Dark Tranquillity so I guess he became good friend with the singers in the bands. And to honor and show his respect to them he let them write one lyric each for our album. I think it´s a cool gesture and great that they wanted to participate. :-)

8. Is there a running theme on Sot or more a collection of metal anthems?
I´d say there is some sort of concept behind it. It´s mostly lyrics based on medieval happenings allthou I know Pär´s thought was more to make a good atmosphere for the lyrics to suit the musical approach.

9. Whats the bands thoughts on the modern digital age . Are you fans of Myspace, webzine, digital audio and internet radio/promotion or do you miss the days of old?
I guess you make your self standing in a corner if you don´t try to catch up with what´s new. So of course we use internet, mp3 and all of that things. But at the same time of course I miss the old days when a record was what you were strifing to get a hold of. And I still rather buy albums than download it. When it comes to promotion I think all ways are positive ways in the long run.

10. Was there a style or sound in mind when you started The few against the many or was it just a few guys in a rehearsal studio writing what may come?
It was all songs that has been waiting to see the light of day for a couple of years, so it wasn´t some kind of rehearsal studio written material. We tried to do something different from our earlier engagements and we wanted to "flirt" with the old swedish scene, since that is our roots.

11. How is the European scene for metal in 2009 is it more underground like in North America or can you sell get major push and shows and press there?
Well, it´s pretty hard to say. I think the scene is pretty similar to the north american scene with the big difference that European tend to search more for trends and hypes. I guess the European metal fan is more interested in finding new music. With that said I don´t mean that they are "not true" to their favorite bands but they search more for new music. And I think the interest for music goes down in ages when it comes to Europe compared to North America and that is I guess a result of a big source of native music in the different european countries. We are raised with music, much more than the north americans. I´d say!

12. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts please place here...
Thank you very much for your interest in The Few Against Many. Check the album out if you are a fan of the old swedish death metal scene. You won´t be dissapointed and hopefully we´ll see you on tour!