1 - What's the story of the band ?
Well, I formed my first band back in the late 80´s. Different musicians went in and out of the band. It all began to take shape in the mid-90´s, when we made som demo-tapes. This led to a contract with the German label Prophecy Productions. We recorded the first version of "Within" in 1997, but neither us nor the record company was happy with the result. We then changed line-up once again and recorded the whole album again in another studio. This version is the one that is now released by The Laser´s Edge/Sensory.

2 - As a young band, you must be compared to mainly bands. Which ones & what do you think of these comparisons?
As you can see, we are actually not a really young band. All the songs on "Within" are written between 1992 and 1996. Therefore it is a bit strange that people think we are inspired by bands that are actually younger than ourselves...but you can´t blame people for that. We are usually compared to Angra, Rhapsody and Blind Guardian. But I think that different people can hear different things in our music. For example, I think that "older" people are more likely to compare us to, say, Jethro Tull than to Angra. But in general, I don´t pay much attention to genres and comparisons myself. I believe that a good band must follow its own evolution and not try to "surf on the latest wave".
 

3 - Your band's name is a tittle track of Kate Bush, also covered by Angra. Do you htink that this tittle explains what you want to do : metal with subtleties, powerful music with melodies ?
First of all Wuthering Heights is the famous and enigmatic novel written by Emily Brontë in 1847. "Wuthering" is an English dialectical word meaning something like "stormful, windy". I think it fits well with our music, which can be dramatical at times.

4 - What sort of importance do you give to lyrics ?
I think that I probably pay more attention to lyrics than the average composer. I write the lyrics first and then compose the music to fit the lyrics - not the other way around. The lyrics are thus the main inspiration for the music and the whole concept of Wuthering Heights. My biggest lyrical inspirations, apart from life itself, is J.R.R.Tolkien and Skyclad´s Martin Walkyier - this man is a genius and a true poet. Since he is my idol (if not "guru") I naturally aspire to reach the heights of his writing abilities, but I am of course still only an amateur...

5 - In your music, there's a strong speed metal background. Have you been influenced by the old European scene with Helloween , Gamma Ray, ...
Yes, we are of course inspired by the legacy of Kai Hansen (also known as God), but that is only one of many various inspirations. The different members of the band have very different musical taste - so it is all a big blend of styles. But since I write most of the music, my influences may be particularly strong. I like things like 70´s pomp rock or celtic folk music, but basically I love all good, melodic music from Mozart to Manowar.

6 - Young bands doesn't have th eopportunity to play in good conditions. What about you ? I sit easy for a band like you to find good gigs, to be th eopener for a major band ?
We don´t play many live shows, since it is very difficult for us. We live very far apart, so it is not easy to rehearse often. And, in truth, there is really no big scene for melodic metal in Denmark...and touring is too expensive. So we play live seldom, but when we finally do, we have saved up so much energy that we really blow the roof off!

7 - What are your wishes for 2000 ?
We really hope to have a distribution deal for Denmark soon. It is very frustrating that people can´t buy your CD in your own home country! But that is typical Danish - no one is ever willing to take any chances, they will rather put out more compilation albums!!
Besides that, we hope that people will like our debut CD and keep on supporting real music with melodies and emotions. We are already in preparation for the next CD...so beware!

"´cause when you lose your dreams you lose your mind..."

YOURS IN METAL
ERIK RAVN

Return to the top of the page