Playing with the tiger together with Paradigma
According to the Chinese calendar; 1998 is The Year Of The Tiger. It
spells personal tragedy to produce or release art/poetry, marry, give
birth, make any important decision or start up a business this year,
if the Chinese calendar are to be believed.
The Norwegian Doom Metal band Paradigma has probably never heard about
this calendar or they choose to ignore it. They will write, record and
release their second full- length album "The Beckoning of Lost Light"
during The Year Of The Tiger. The income from this album will probably
be spent on their forthcoming hospital bills.
We contacted Tom Kvalsvoll in Paradigma and informed him about the Year
Of The Tiger. Sadism is a part of Death/Doom Metal and this magazine are
true to these values. Tom Kvaalsvoll answered the interview.
1. How did you spend the time after the release of "Skadi" in early 1996?
- We did some gigs in connection with its release, then I moved to
another town. The others followed after a while, except for Chris
Eidskrem (bass) and Tom Erik Evensen (2nd guitar, tenor). Einar
Fredriksen from Funeral has been handling the bass for us for a year
now, and he does most of the tenor vocals too. Tom Erik's replacement
won't be official until the release of our next album.
In addition to the line-up adjustments I spent most of this year writing
the new material.
2. Your album was first titled "The Majesties of a long forgotten Lake
deep in the Woods where Trolls and evil forces dwell". An album title
that would place Paradigma neatly among the other Norwegian bands. Why
did you drop this title ?
- This is actually the title of the album. Except you will be the only
(except for those who read this interview of course) that are aware of
it. Other mortals will suppose that "The Beckoning of lost Light" is a
title good enough for this album.
3. Eh...Eh.......Eh ?!?? Paradigma has not released anything since early '96.
Neither have you done any tours in Europe.
Many Doom Metal CDs has been released during this time. Are you not
afraid that the Doom Metal scene has forgotten you ???
- Many have actually never known who we were! It doesn't bother us, our
only concern right now is to make a record worth the wait. You know,
the tiger is not seen stalking his prey until the very last second.
4. Theatre Of Tragedy, another Norwegian Doom/Goth Metal band, have had two very successful years in Europe.
How would you compare Paradigma to this band?
- There's no reason to compare us.
5. Well; all fans of Theatre of Tragedies should check out Paradigma.
That is this magazine's view.
How would you compare your new material to your previous releases
"Mare Veris" CD from 1995 and "Skadi" MCD from 1996 ?
- Different. I like it better of course, as I am the main composer. I am
always most fond of what I do at the moment, as those lyrical and
musical pieces make me complete. I live for my art, that is also why we
are so damn slow at releasing stuff. I write and adjust material all the
time, sometimes making rehearsing the material awkward for the rest of
the band. And when I am "done" with a song, I move on to the next.
Without even completing the demo for the last track. Consequently, I am
now left with nearly two composed Paradigma albums and sketches for one
Thrawn album.
6. Thrawn is your side- project. Could you please tell us more about Thrawn ??
- I compose music and write lyrics continuously. My artistic expression
is sometimes of a nature unfit for a band like Paradigma. Thrawn is
nowhere near as "well-considered" as Paradigma, which after all IS my
main band. Thrawn is simply a necessary digression, an outlet for ideas
unsuitable for another outfit. Paradigma is by no means confining to me,
I just don't want the extreme Thrawn material to be released under the
Paradigma banner.
Thrawn is not as much a band as my side project. I will hire session
drummers that suit each respective track. Moreover, Greg from Esoteric
will feature on some guitars if possible, and definitely with his voice
and FX. Einar Fredriksen will do the bass.
7. When and where will the new album be released ??
- If possible, October 1998. We haven't started recording it yet,
though. Still we really need that Autumn release. Not another spring
release like the two others.
8. I know it is a bit early, but do you have any plans for touring
Europe after the release of your new album or are Paradigma only a
studio- project ?
- Correct, too early to say. No plans, but we will do it if there's
opportunity.
9. You are signed on the legendary Head Not Found label. How will you
compare Paradigma and your music to this label's other bands and
releases ?
- There's so many different bands on HNF that it wouldn't really make
sense. We may be labelled more majestic or symphonic than others, but
its not really up to me to judge. I am the artist, not the critic.
10. OK. How will you compare Paradigma to the rest of the Norwegian metal
scene ?
- We're Norwegian. We hang out with some of the other bands. That is
really all there is to it. We have never been inspired by a single
Norwegian band, but perhaps there is a scent of Norway in our
music/sound. That is probably easy to see for an outsider than myself.
11. Looking back at your career. Do you have any regrets ?
- You might say so. But every mistake has taught me something. I don't
think I'd be without those lessons.
12. Do you have a merchandice list ??? From which address can your first
releases be obtained ?
- Available merchandise:
* "Mare Veris" CD $20 or £13 Eur / $21 world
* "Skadi" MCD $14 or £9 Eur / $15 world
* "Queen of Winter" T-Shirt $15 or £10 Eur / $17 world
* "Queen of Winter" LongSleeve $20 or £13 Eur / $22 world
(PS: I am not sure but the LS might be sold out)
Items can be ordered from HEAD NOT FOUND, Box 447, 1701 Sarpsborg,
Norway Fax 0047 6916 9330.
Thanx a lot for this interview.
We will follow Paradigma with interest in The Year Of The Tiger.
Tom Kvaalsvoll also informed us that the new Paradigma contact addresses are:
E- mail: tomkv@notam.uio.no
ZILLA, Storgt. 7A, N-1531 Moss, NORWAY
FREDRIKSEN, Gamle Drammensvei 44, N-3420 Lierskogen, NORWAY
Paradigma's brand new web- site