:: ASPERA

Aspera has already some EP's out. What do you think, how long does it take until we can listen to your full album?

That’s right. We've previously recorded a couple of EP's; "Two worlds", "Illusion" and "Square edged Circle", and are now finished with our first full length album, "Ripples". Right now we're searching for a suitable label or distribution deal. So far we've got really good response from many different labels, but many companies are troubled by the economic crisis, and finds it hard to put money into new bands. But we will continue the hard work, and hopefully have the album out there by this year. We will also release the title track "Ripples" in the near future, setting the standard of what's to expect of the album. It will be launched at our myspace page, as well as Itunes, Amazon and CDbaby.

Can you tell us a bit about the album? Will it be eventually a concept album? What can we expect from it?

Well, the album is recorded in our own studio, during the winter of 2008/spring 2009 (allthough the drums were recorded as early as in April 08.) It is mixed at facination street studios i Sweden, by the reknown Jens Bogren, who has worked with artist such as Opeth, Amon Amarth, Soilwork and Hammerfall. we're extremely happy with the sound, its powerful and modern(?), yet dynamic and nuanced.
The album is not considered as a concept album, although there is, with exceptions, an ongoing lyrical theme throughout the album. The album title " Ripples" reflects this, dealing with the concept of every action leading to a new set of actions and consequences. a lot similar to the "chaos theory", or the "butterfly effect". The lyrics are not based on this theory, but spins around the concept, both on a global and a personal level. But as there are exceptions, it is not to be considered a concept album. ( we actually found the title, and the connection between the lyrics after we wrote them, so it isn’t an intentional concept album, at least.)
You can expect 60 minutes of melodic, progressive metal, wrapped in a dynamic and powerful sound package.


You all are pretty young and most people in your age listen to music like HipHop, Rap, such stuff.
From where is your passion for Metal and why have you decided to play Progressive Metal?

It is all about daring to explore the vast amounts of different music out there, rather than follow the stream and let someone else decide what music you are supposed to listen to.
That being said, we're not some kind of an anti-pop-cultural band, but the music industry today tends to have more to do with business and marketing than expressing yourself and making good music. Whitch I can understand, but not fully embrace. (NB! Personal opinion)

Musical taste is also formed by social influences, what your friends listen to aso.
We've all had a lot of influence on each other musically. I think it's right to say that none of us is entirely hardcore metal heads, listening to everything from Jazz and Classical, to rock and metal, has shaped the musical direction our music has taken. Our music is also, at times, quite technically challenging (but not based on being technical). This creates a contrast to the more straightforward parts, and is all about making it more interesting for both the listener and ourselves.


From where do you guys have the inspiration for the music and what do you want to express with it?

Inspiration can take all forms and suddenly strike you. Often with horrible timing, like at work or in school. Besides these random "inspiration attacks" we find it constructive to just let ideas flow and building up song structures when everybody is present. This method can be time-consuming, but it makes sure that everybody is hundred percent satisfied with the results.
Inspiration for the lyrics can be based on self experienced situations, as well as questioning actualities, or they can be totally fictional. It depends on what feels right at the moment. We try not to take political or religious stands as a band, but rather to question and observe.



What do you prefer...work in studio or hit the stage?

Being able to play in front of a live audience, to interact and feel the energy thrown back and forth between the audience and us, is what fuels us.
The feeling you get when you're doing your best, and that the audience embraces it and is enjoying the show, is incredible. Working in the studio is not too bad either. To experience the music taking form, step by step, is awesome. It is a lot of hard work, but as with "Ripples" we are really happy with the result, and that is a great satisfaction.


What about plans for a tour or some gigs...where and when can we see Aspera live?

Up until now we have played mostly local stuff, some gigs in Norway. But in the end of September we will be sharing the stage with Tarja Turunen, the former vocalist of Nightwish. We are very much looking forward to that….(insert tour dates: Barcelona 26th, Madrid 27th, Pratteln, 29th )… We will be opening act for her and also a Finnish band called Kings of Modesty. We are really looking forward to that. These are our first gigs outside Norway, so pretty big for us and we are very excited!
We are also confirmed for a local festival in Skien, our home town, in October. Its called 1001 Watt and we play on 9th October.
If you have the opportunity, come and see us live!


We're already on the end, thanks for taking the time. Do you have some last words for our listeners?

First of all, thank you very much for listening! We hope to see you on the road, maybe with the Tarja shows in Spain or Swtzerland.
Meanwhile you can check out our myspace www.myspace.com/asperaofficial or our website www.asperaofficial.com
Thank you!

Many thanks to Aspera for the nice interview!