| Band | : Atrocitya |
| Instrument/Position | : Guitars |
AM : Why did you decide to do another "Werk 80" ? Many bands don't like to call an album the same name as a previous one with a "2" as they feel they are repeating themselves, so what was your motivation in doing this ?
Tosso : Already after finnishing the first Werk 80 record in 1997 there were some some songs undone that we would have liked to do. That was always in our minds and now, ten years after the first Werk-Album, we thought it would be a cool idea to com out with a second part of the story. Since there is a decade time between these albums i dont think that you can accuse us of producing just a sell-out-afterburning-follow up album to Werk 80 I.
AM : Were you a fan of 80's pop/electro scene before getting into metal (as I was too BTW ;) )?
Tosso : Yeah. I was always fascinated by this musical period of electro pop music in the eighties. there were bands that made pop music in a very melancholic and dark way, which i liked very much. Songs like "fade to grey", "Hey little girl" or "Der Mussolini", "Being boiled" on the first Werk album can be seen that way.
AM : The approach is this time more symphonic and not electronic. How did you work on the new arrangements ? Are these the results of jamming or from studio experimentations ?
Tosso : Haha..Werk 80 II is a monster album..and its the result of monstrous work,haha. It took a lot of time to do the arrangements and recording of the choir and orchestra, since we did everything on our own at Mastersoundstudio. So, on one side the album is the result of very detailed and devoted work. On the other side, its also very organic and spontanous. For example we recorded most of the guitar tracks in very long takes, instead of very small cut recording takes. This adds a warm, dynamic and organic atmosphere to the rich and symphonic sound, which pays totally off in my opinion. Although there is a full orchestra involved we also have one of the best "rock band" sounds on this record in my opinion.
AM : Doing such a project involves a lot of contact with the authors and labels of the original songs. How did they react when you explained them your project ?
Tosso : You have to handle the songs in a treasuring way. For example you must not change words from the original lyrics. Real Life from Australia for example liked very much our version from "Send me an angel". I'd really like to know what David Bowie thinks of our version of "Lets dance" on the first Werk 80 album,haha.
AM : Did some of the artists you contacted refuse to be covered by you ?
Tosso : Luckily not.
AM : Nick Barker is going to play the drums for your 2 bands, how did you meet him and convince him to join Atrocity and Leaves Eyes ? How is he handling the LE stuff ?
Tosso : Over the years we met Nick several times at european festivals and tours. He came to our Mastersoundstudio, we jammed with him and played some Leaves Eyes and Atrocity songs. And after that it was clear that we have a new drummer. Nick also likes the devoted way we work on our music and the way we approach to each other. Liv, Matze, Alex and me are making music together for a very long time. So we almost have a familiy kind of feeling when we go on tour. Other bands that we play together with often tell us about that. So i think Nicks musical future is in good hands and he has a new musical family.
AM : The choice of Dita Von Teese on the cover is excellent, how did you get the idea and how did you contact her ?
Tosso : Already on the first Werk album we had a very special cover thta got a lot of attention. This was really hard to eclipse. But i think with Dita von Teese on the cover we did quite well,haha. if you have such an opportunity you just have to do it.
AM : About Leaves Eyes, can you get us a taste of what you are cooking with this band ?
Tosso : There are already a lot of new song ideas for the next Leaves Eyes record and Liv has already made up a beautiful lyrical concept for that new album. The record can be expected around September 2008 as well as quite some shows all across the planet. In addition the first Leaves Eyes DVD including the monstrous DVD-show in belgium will be out this year.
AM : Which bands are you going to produce in 2008 ?
Tosso : Since we are just moving Mastersound to a new place and are quite busy with touring and recording two own new records we will most likely not be able to do many bands at our studios. The new ELIS record will be recorded at Mastersound in 2008 and a couple other bands as well.
AM : Thanks a lot for the interview and all the best for the release… Any last message to our readers ?
Tosso : Thanx to all of you for your support. Atrocity and Leaves Eyes will be stronger than ever before in 2008