Интервю и подготовка за концерта на CALIBAN с Andreas Dörner

CALIBAN are an important band for the metalcore scene, formed in Germany in 1997. Recently, under the wing of Century Media, they have released their tenth studio album „Gravity“. The tour supporting the album will cross Bulgaria in just a couple of days. The concert on Friday, April 8th, will take place in Party Center 4km with the support of Bulgaria’s ODD CREW and KHAN.

We present to you the interview we initially should have taken with guitarist and founder Marc Görtz but we have stumble upon the vocalist and founder of CALIBAN as well – Andreas Dörner.

Hello, Marc. How are you?

You have been in Sofia, Bulgaria two times so far: with Machine Head in 2004 and with Kreator in 2009. Would you share your thoughts/memories about those tours and the time you spent here?
Hey, this is Andy ; ) The Tour with Machine Head was a blast and we had such a great time with you guys. The Tour with Kreator was a tough one, hard crowd to catch, but we’re looking forward to the show at the weekend!!!

Your upcoming show here is the beginning of your tour so how do you imagine your first headlining concert in Bulgaria? What should we expect in terms of setlist?
We will play like 6 or 7 songs of “Gravity” and the rest of the setlist is a mix  of “Ghost Empire”, “I Am Nemesis” and two older songs I guess.

If you could bring one band from Germany to play with you in Sofia, who would that be?
I think would choose “Any Given Day”. They’re great guys and play heavy music!

What do you think about the modern metal scene? Can you name some favourite bands?
It’s a huge jungle packed with a lot of bands…Any Given Day, Architects, Heart Of A Coward, Northlane, BMTH, Dream On, Dreamer, Underoath…

Have you heard of the Bulgarian bands ODD CREW and KHAN that will support your show here?
Not yet, but I will check them out!

Is there a band that you wish you could share the stage with but haven’t got the chance so far?
Slipknot or Korn.

Your tenth studio album „Gravity“ came out just a few days ago. How would you described it to those fans that haven’t had the chance of hearing it yet?
“Gravity” is very heavy, dark, aggressive and emotional. It’s a mix of “I Am Nemesis”, “Ghost Empire” and some older stuff.

We know that in the past you have been collaborating with well known artists from the metal scene but since we are talking about „Gravity“ here, what can you tell us about your work with Jamie Graham (Heart of a Coward), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) and Marcel Gadacz (Dream On, Dreamer). How did you decide to put them in the album and was it easy working with them?
It was very easy to get everything done, they all made a great job in their parts. They all made the recordings where they live, so it was no stress or traveling for anyone! The modern way of recording makes stuff like that very easy!

Why exactly „Gravity“? What is the idea behind the name?
„Gravity“ is about fighting your inner demons, against a power we couldn’t see. Finding your purpose in life, finding your self and accept who you are, but it also should give hope, show strength.

How is „Gravity“ different from your previous albums?
I think “Gravity” is heavier compared to the recent albums and we changed the style of the refrains. I do most of the singing/screaming and Denis made the clean voice/backing/harmonies in the back. It makes the songs even more dynamic and more aggressive…

This one is a bit personal, I hope that you don’t mind. Have you ever met someone that tried to to tell you how you should live your life?
Of course, my wife ; )

Bearing in mind all the tragedies that are all over the news lately, what is you opinion on the events around the world?
It’s horrible and scary whats going on with all the bomb attacks and the wars all over the world. You can never feel really safe, wherever you are, but we need to have faith in better times and don’t let terror control us!

What is the weirdest fan gift you have ever received?
Way back in the days someone gave me a “Pussy To Go”. That was strange, but funny, too…

Tell us about your oddest/freakiest fan encounter.
Since a couple of years we have a very true fan who comes to almost every show in Germany and he stands always in the first row, buys every special edition of our records and so on…he is a great guy, not annoying in any way…just very true!!!

What is your fondest memory from live concerts?
For me personal, I am always very moved when hundreds or thousands of people sing a long to our songs. This is overwhelming once in a while!

If you had the power to change anything from any of your album releases so far, would you go for it?
There’s always something you would do different when you look back on things, not many things but some…but I can’t name anything specific…

What were your expectations when you formed CALIBAN? Did you think that it would become a band of such scale?
Never! We just wanted to make music, have fun…none of us could imagine that the band get so well known.

Prepare your Bulgarian fans for the upcoming show with a few words.
Oil your lungs, stretch your body parts, be prepared to get bruises…Learn the lyrics… I hope that we will have a killer time together…so see you very soon!!!

So, it’s time to say goodbye. See you later, Marc!
See you soon, Andy.