Space Odyssey's Embrace The Galaxy is the newest project from Swedish keyboard player, Richard Andersson. With a successful track record fronting such popular progressive neo-classical outfits as Majestic and Time Requiem, this virtuoso can seemingly do no wrong.
Combining the neo-classical melodies, intense instrumental work-outs and epic choruses of Majestic and Time Requiem, Space Odyssey also manages to inject a dose of good old fashioned rock a la late Black Sabbath/early Rainbow. They've got a killer vocalist in Patrik Johansson and a seasoned rhythm section in the very competent form of Marcel (Rising Force) Jacob on bass and Zoltan (Flower Kings) Csorsz on drums. Add Yngwie-inspired mayhem from guitarist Magnus Nilsson and you've just bought yourself a ticket to classic rock heaven!
I caught up with Richard for a brief interview about his excellent new album.
MW: Space Odyssey appears to be a bit of a departure from the Time Requiem sound. A little more classic hard rock in nature, aided by Patrik's Tony Martin/Ronnie Dio/Jeff Scott Soto-esque voice (though Magnus is very similar to Yngwie Malmsteen). What made you decide to go in this musical direction?
RA: Basically I've always been fond of these two types of singers/players. With Space Odyssey I composed with no particular musical direction in mind.
MW: Had you played together before, or did you just come together to record this CD?
RA: I've known Magnus for many years - we go way back. We started to play together at the age of 13 and kept on for, like, seven or eight years. When I started with Majestic Magnus and I went our separate ways. I started to develop my own style and Magnus went on to other things. Then we bumped into each other last summer at a café. I´ve always thought the metal world should be able to hear Magnus, this massive talent of a guitar player. Just listen to 'A Perfect Day'. Very few people can play that sort of sad vibrato with perfect timing. Magnus can do it with ease and just as well as Yngwie.
Anyway, Magnus and I decided to jam in my studio. Soon it was clear we had the foundation for something great. 'Let´s do a record', we said. A different record compared to my other band, Time Requiem (Space Odyssey is more progressive). I´d say the style we've developed is good old Rainbow mixed with Tony Martin period Black Sabbath and some early Malmsteen. Cool music that I´d personally choose to buy. Both Magnus and I have learned how to play just by listening to the music. Nowadays it's kind of rare for musicians to be doing that.
As I composed the songs and Magnus recorded the pre-production we both thought it could be fun to work with well-known musicians, since it more was like a project. Very soon Marcel Jacob (bass) was contacted and introduced to the material. Marcel really enjoyed the songs and started to rehearse. As we´ve always been fans of Yngwie [Marcel was a one-time member of Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force] we think of Marcel as a really cool bass player. That´s why I called him. He's a bit older than us and is more into the old school of hard rock and less the type of music we play. But we wanted his groovy playing style on this album. Marcel's got that sort of swinging style which really complements our drummer's playing.
Zoltan is from prog rockers Flower Kings, which is good as we needed a progressive drummer as a few Space Odyssey songs that lean towards fusion metal, such as the instrumental 'The House With A Hundred Windows'. Zoltan comes from the Yes/Saga/Rush end of things. I got hold of him through my friend, bass player Jonas Reingold, who's also in Flower Kings. Originally we wanted famous names for Space Odyssey so we first called Anders Johansson to play the drums. But he was too buzy with Hammerfall.
At the start we had DC Cooper, the former Royal Hunt vocalist, involved. He listened to our demos and was really into the music. Until we started talking money, that is. He simply asked for too much, being the American he is. In the end I got in touch with Henrik Flyman who used to be in the band Moahni Moahna. (I´m playing on his new record by the way, doing a keyboard duel with Royal Hunt's André Andersen.) Anyway, Henrik recommended Patrik Johansson. I sent Patrik a CD-R of the Space Odyssey stuff, and two weeks later he came to the studio. He´s got that 'cock-in-the-ass' force we use to talk about when it comes to strong vocals (laughs)! It all went very quick. Patrik did all vocals in two days! He understood it all in no time at all.
MW: Some of the tunes echo late Black Sabbath/early Rainbow, such as 'Emposium', whereas the likes of 'Enforcing the Dome' and 'Despair and Pain' reminded me a lot of classic Rising Force. Deliberate, or just a consequence of your writing style?
RA: As I mentioned, I've grown up with this kind of music (Rainbow, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen etc.). I compose from the heart paying no attention to whether music sounds like this or that. Just as long it's quality.
MW: The opening of the instrumental, 'The House with a Hundred Windows' reminded me a lot of 'Ytse Jam' from Dream Theater CD, 'The Day and Dream Unite'. I also really enjoyed the instrumental outro, 'A Perfect Day' which was rather emotive and the perfect ending to the album. Do you think the fans appreciate the juxtaposition of vocal and instrumental numbers in an album?
RA: I hope so! Normally the fans are quite interested in the instrumental songs. I never overdo these special moments. It would be very easy to do a killer shredding song.
MW: As with all your project bands, this album contains many great keyboard solos! I was particularly impressed with 'Requiem for a Dream' which as well as being a nod to Majestic era music, also contains many fluid keyboard runs. However, for the most part you seem to be holding back a little more than on previous albums.
RA: You've got it! Nowadays I try to focus on the songs a little more. I don't find it as much fun to play solos all over the place. My vision with this album was to bring the other brilliant musicians to the fore.
MW: Do you intend touring with this line-up, or will you concentrate on Time Requiem? Will there be any further Space Odyssey albums, or is this a one-off?
RA: We might do a couple of shows if there is a chance. If everything is going fine with this one, I will definitely do a second record. Stay tuned!
Email: info@anderssonmusic.com
Matt's Playlist:
Adagio -- Underworld
Dream Theater -- Train of Thought
Uli Jon Roth -- Metamorphosis
Richard Andersson's Space Odyssey -- Embrace The Galaxy
TNT -- Give Me A Sign (E.P.)
Matt's Mind|Matt's Music|The Modern Guitarist
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