Ptite Note and Galathrandir went to Paris to see Charlotte and Martijn from Delain, and interviewed Martijn, keyboardist, composer and creator of Delain... Second part of the interview, concerning Delain's influences, symphonic metal, and other things !
P.N. : What are your influences in Delain ? M : A lot of things ! It could be subconsciously when listening to other music, their is not really this, or this, or this band, but it can also be a story which inspires me to make music. Like Lord of the Rings for example. I also like Science Fiction like Star Wars. I like to listen to Rammstein for its brute force, or Nightwish, I am fond of this band ever since it began. So it is a lot of different things, I could not name two or three things.
P.N. : And in symphonic metal, what do you listen to ? M : Of course Nightwish, I am a really big fan of their music. Other bands also, actually a lot, Kamelot as well, I also like symphonic rock like Marillion. I also listen to Mercenary, hard but also very melodic, and we actually had the same mixers to do their album and ours. Ummm... Evergrey, Soil Work, Flowing Tears... Just to name a few.
G : How could you place your music, in the actuality of symphonic metal ? M : I think we are a mixture between hard riffs and a very melodic part, so I imagine you could place us between Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation, somewhere in-between that. But it is very difficult to answer that question !
G : And speaking of Within Temptation, do you plan on making things with orchestras, or is it just not Delain's atmosphere, and do you prefer to stay with keyboards ? M : I would love to ! But this time we had no time, financially it was possible, we could have done it with an orchestra. But then, it would have meant that we had to keep our fans waiting for another year, and we did'nt want that. It was also not really necessary with these songs. It's a choice. But we have on the album a real cello player, Maria Ann.
G : And how do you consider your music in society more generally ? M : It is really like getting in our own world, so it is more fantasy and not reflecting reality, althought a lot of lyrics are from experiences from Charlotte. So in this aspect it is connected to society.
P.N. : You have probably heard about the splitting of After Forever ? What do you think about that ? M : I think it is sad for the scene, because it was a really good band. But I'm glad for them. That may sound strange perhaps, but you have to understand that it is a very hard decision to make, and I can imagine they could felt a little bit captured, they wanted to do their things. I think it was also very difficult to loose After Forever, which brought them a lot of good things. But I am glad for them, they can do what they want now.
G : And what do you think particularly about bands that get rid of their singers recently, Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis, Xandria... M : It is not healthy for the bands. But if it is necessary, they had to do it. But it is a blow you give to the band, when you remove the person who is in front. Althought with a band like Nightwish for example, I think Tuomas writes all the stuff, I am a big fan of Tuomas, and for me the music is still there.
G : And do you feel it to be the same in Delain ? I mean, you are the keyboardist, composer, and Charlotte is the singer that every magazine put in front. M : No, because it shifted. I was the main composer, I still am, but now it is really a group effort. The band members had their share on the album. What is really important, and I think we do really well, is to talk a lot with each other. I think we have a really healthy relationship, everybody dares to ask and say what they think. I always ask band members "are you happy, are you satisfied with our music, what do you think about this, what do you think about that...". I really care about what they think.
P.N. You contributed to the beginnings of Within Temptation, and you also worked with Marco Hietala, Ad and Arjen from Epica, Liv Kristine... Is there other artists with whom you would like to work ? M : Lots of ! Yes, I have a big wish list ! And I am going to try it out with next albums, together with the band. P.N. : With Delain or in solo projects ? M : Yes, with Delain, I really focus on Delain for now.
P.N. : Do you have a message for all those who are waiting for April Rain ?
P.N. : For the ones who are not ?
P.N. : Is it not paradoxical to say the audience, within the same album, Go Away and Stay Forever ? (laughs)
G : Now you have two minutes to convince people to buy or listen to "April Rain" !
G : Have you got a special message for the French fans ?
Thanks to Delain for their time and being so nice, thanks to Roadrunner Records France for having allowed us to make this interview, and a special thank to Elise for the subtitle translation !
Pays-Bas