Andreas Blomqvist
Bass Please talk a little about your excellet new album "Waiting in the Wings"
Andreas Blomqvist, bass (AB): Sure! This is the album we wnated to do all along, but we lacked the resources and knowledge to do it before. This album totally contains everything that Seventh Wonder stands for in terms of songwriting, musicianship and sound. We are thrilled over the great reception the album has received so far and even though you can never please everyone I think this album truly has something for everyone. You know, sometimes we get bashed for "trying too hard" or "playing over the top" and "too much odd stuff" but then on the following review we instead might get that we are "too much hard rock", "not progressive enough" or "cheesy" so I guess the truth lies somewhere in between... We are very happy with our sound thoug, and even though we don't really decide beforehand what type of song we are to write, it seems to end up in a certain way anyway and that's cool, because then what you hear is really, really us and no b-s.
(AB): In a lot of
ways and only for the better. He has a very rich, beautiful and personal
voice that I fell in love with the first time I heard it for real. About
the Europe comment: -Well we have actually once been described as
"Europe on steroids" and somehow I kind of like that comparison. We
always try to stay true to our 80's metal roots with great hard rock
songs in the bottom, but then lace them with millions of little twists
and turns, odd meter stuff and unison solo runs and stuff like that. I
too can hear in one or two places on the CD where Tommy actually sounds
very much like a younger Joey Tempest, but on the whole I actually
prefer Tommy's way of singing and his voice. I love Europe though! I
think that Tommy's melodies are mesmerizing and very unique and that's
the biggest change he brought with him to the band.
Tommy
Karevik
Vocals
(AB):
Absolutely! In every aspect of the word I guess. Song wise, consistency
wise, qulity of delivery as well as the production.
Which guys would you consider to be your main
influences? (AB): The guys that made me pick up the bass in the first place were Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and Geezer Butler but over the years that changed top more technically proficient players such as Marcel Jacob, Thomas Miller, Billy Sheehan, Victor Wooten and guys like that. When it comes to entire bands I today hold bands like Talisman, Symphoy X, Dream Theater in high regard, but I'll always remain a true Maiden fan as well.
How would you describe your music to someone who
is not familiar with it? (AB): This is definately song based music. This is the perfect blend of the great, catchy choruses of the 80's, combined with the modern production sound and technical complexity of today's pioneering prog bands. Combine Europe with Dream Theater and perhaps ypou would end up with something like Seventh Wonder -who knows? (:
How did you develop your own style of playing, did you take any lessons?
Johan
Liefvendahl
Guitar (AB): I don't have any formal education and I have practised on my own til my fingers bled, but I played for quite soe time with Marcel Jacob of Yngwie and Talisman and that helped me develope a lot. Not so much in a technical way, but more feeling related development perhaps. It was great!
How was the album recorded? (AB): We did all the recording in Daniel Flores' studio (Mind's Eye) for about a month and then we went to Denmark to mix and master the album together with Tommy Hansen. That was a great experience and that guy is great! A true pro.
What kind of equipment are you using live or in the
studio?
(AB): We pretty much use the same equpement live as in the studio, all of us. My rig/backline is an EBS Fafner bass head, with a 4x10" and 1x15" cabinet. I only use one bass t this point, but I am in the process of acquiring a new one which I'll only use in the studio.
(AB): The eternal question... (: I'm gonna do my best to not be booring and using cliché answers now.
When it comes to
execution, that is, performance of a technically demanding passage,
definately technique is the most important. To make a progressive metal band
sound good, they need to rehearse for ever and practise even more -that's
the unglamorous reality. Feeling, is however a necessity when it comes to
creating the passages you will play later on. Feeling becomes
aparent in solos, breaks or soft sections where the guys who plays really
can try to eminate what he feels through the music -and then, feeling is
essential.
Which musicians would you like to play with some day?
(AB): Everyone! No, seriously I would consider it an
honour top play with any of the pioneering acts in this genre, like the guys
from Dream Theater or Symphony X but I consider playing with anyone a
learning eperience and I always up for that. 
Andreas
“Kyrt” Söderin
Keyboard
What kind of music do you like the least?
(AB): Hmm... I am tempted to say rap and modern r&b but
that doesn't always hold. There are good stuff in all genres I guess. What I
can say though is that I really detest music without melody. Sure, one song
every now and then which is extremely agressive can
be really cool, but when it's just pointless noise, no melody, no refinement
-then I really hate it. I have huge difficulties appreciating bands like
Rolling Stones or the Hives, just because it isn't very melodic. I can
definately appreciate both rap, pop and even the most extreme death metal,
if there is refinement, thought and meldies present. That's the key for me
-melodies.
Are there any plans to tour?
(AB):
Yeah, we are in the process right now of arranging a kind of mini-tour
in March next year. We don't have everything booked yet but our manager is
working on it. At least there will be some gigs in Scandinavia, like Sweden,
Denmark and Norway but we also hope that we will get to play countries like
Germany and Holland for sure.
What other plans do you have for the near future?
(AB): We have a gig in December supporting Pagan's Mind
and Cloudscape in Stckholm, Sweden so that's gonna be great and we're
preparing for that. We are also writing songs for the next album and we are
already well under way with that and it's gonna be gret stuff. How is the musical climate for progressive metal in Sweden? 
Johnny
Sandin
Drums (AB): I think the climate for progressive metal all over the world is very positive these days! There are just so many bands coming out, and as long as the fans stay true it'll stay that way! Please feel free to add whatever you wish.... (AB): We really feel the wind in our hair now, so to speak. We are very proud of the album we have just released, word is spreading around the globe of Seventh Wonder and we are definately here to stay. I just want to send out my deepest thanks to everyone who appreciates our music around the world. It is only through you guys we can keep this going. Thanks for your support and hopefully we'll see each other on the road! Cheers and God bless!
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