Sorcerer is one of the finest bands that came out in the late 80s performing some excellent doom metal in the vein of other excellent bands like Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus... that epic/lyric doom, with awesome vocals that is sure to make your head bang and whose melodies are sure to haunt you for days... they did part ways, because their bass guitarist, John Hagel, left to join Tiamat, back in the day and were only credited for two demos that actually John Perez of Solitude Aeturnus actually unearthed and put out as the first release of his company Brainticket Records. Many years passed, but a few years ago, vocalist Anders Engberg, their singer got a call from his buddy, asking him if he wanted to do a Sorcerer gig, as an exclusive for some Doom metal festival... and so the band got back on track (albeit with a different enough lineup) after the tremendous feedback that they had at that fest.... fast forward a few years and in 2015 we got the “debut” album of Sorcerer and a damn fine album at that… reminding us of the better moments of the aforementioned Doom Metal behemoths. Anders, joins the “Sabbath” to tell us more about it...
First of all, congrats are in order for releasing “In the Shadow...”
A: Thanks!
You did originally cut a couple of demos in the late 80s/early 90s, which were later released to great acclaim. But then disbanded when your bassist joined Tiamat. Did you try to go on at that point or just “shut down” the project completely.
A: Well as soon Johnny Hagel joined Tiamat, it was when Sorcerer disbanded.
How did the reunion come around?
A: Me and Johnny have been friends before and after Sorcerer so when Johnny was approached by the Hand Of Doom festival, in question of doing a reunion show he contacted me and asked if we should do it, this was in 2010. I was at first not interested, I left the live scene around 2002 and just did session work in my studio. But after a while when I thought about it… It sounded like fun so I called Johnny up and said “let’s do it”. We tried to get hold of the original members without any luck so we decided to call some friends and ask if they were interested to do a show at Hammer Of Doom. They wanted to play so we did!
You’re also the singer in 220 Volts. How do you manage to keep these things going? You must enjoy them both, even if they are a bit different...
A: After Sorcerer did Hand Of Doom, we didn’t think about putting an album together right away, that grew during a period of time. Meanwhile I was contacted by Peter Hermansson (drummer of 220 Volt) and he asked me if I was interested in joining them for a new album. I was of course very flattered and after a meeting over a beer and some food we decided to go for it. I am very proud of the new album, it turned out great. The album “Eye to Eye” is the only album I had listened to and nothing of the music in the back-catalogue. I love the “Eye to Eye” album and because of that album and the fact that they were nice guys I joined. Closest to my heart is my own band Sorcerer and I think that that is the only reason really, I like all kinds of hard rock / metal so the diversity is nice. It’s been quite a lot to handle vocals in both bands but so far it’s OK.
Were there are “older” songs that were demo-ed, back in the day, in what came to be “In The Shadow...”?
A: All songs on “In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross” are new, written by the new line-up of the band. We had no old stuff to dig out.
Apart from the membership, how do you feel Sorcerer, is different today, compared to the pre-millennium band?
A: We are so much more experienced and the musicianship is incredible. I think we kept the mystique around lyrics and the sound true to our first efforts but it’s a big jump forward in 27 years…
While I understand the whole fantasy aspect, the whole “In the Shadow...” title sounds rather anti-religious etc... Why are you so… “mean spirited”? Just for effect?
A: Ha ha, well I feel that the old stuff was quite evil too. Me and co-writer Conny Welen think we kept the same touch to the lyrics as back then. There’s no deeper meaning to the lyrics, see them as a way to project the music in your mind, use your imagination and be swept away into evil madness , Ha ha ha…
You’ve got a deal with Metal Blade, how did that come about and are you happy with their efforts?
A: Johnny is responsible for handling all details around the deal with MB. Of course without the strong material there would probably never have been a new album.
Following this album, are you “back”, for good?! What does the future hold for the Sorcerer?
A: We have several options in the deal with MB for a couple of more albums and as we feel at least a couple more would be fun. It’s up to the fans if they like what they hear we will do more albums. So right now we’re back for good.
What was the “event” or influence that turned you onto rock/metal and when did that happen?
A: My first contact with metal/hard rock was Accept’s “Restless and Wild” album. It’s still one of my favorites. After that album I was hooked but I always have my ears open for different styles of music.
What do you think about the current state of the “scene”?
A: I think that the scene is still suffering from the years of grunge and still have some way to go before it’s where it should be – in the big arenas all over the world. Rock music is based on real musicians playing real instruments and singing without autotune. The kids today needs to understand that it takes hard work to be able to play stuff that Malmsteen plays among others. There is nothing like watching a great band play live.
How do you think that the “social media” and the internet has affected the music scene compared with “back in the day”? Is piracy, the downfall of all of this?
A: I think we should be worried, the internet has made everything accessible in an easy way. I’m glad that fans in this genre still finds that being the record is more fun than just ripping it from the net. Vinyl is coming strong and we will take advantage of this with Sorcerer. Musicians will find a way to reach their fans somehow, I don’t really know what the future will be hopefully there will still be people and fans that want their copy signed at shows!
Favorite Metal albums of yours? (give 3-5)
A: Wow, difficult…
1, Queensryche – “Operation Mindcrime”…
2, Manowar – “Battle Hymns”…
3, Black Sabbath – “Mob Rules”…
4, Van Halen – “Van Halen”…
5, Rainbow – “Rising”…
Are there any solid touring plans? Also you did perform here in Greece as part of the UTH fest, but under the current circumstances, could we hope for another gig anytime soon?
A: Sorcerer are doing Hammer of Doom (Wurtzburg), Leafmeal (Dortmund) in November and Dutch doom days in October. Next year we are high on the bill for Hammerfest 8 in Wales next March. And there more to come!!!
Just found out, that there’s the idea of an “EP”... care to comment?
A: Well, we’re just in the process of finalizing it and selecting the cover etc., but we haven’t decided on a “title” just yet. We are finishing up the acoustic version of “Prayers for a King” amongst other things, as we speak. A new video is also planned at this point. It’s meant to be only a vinyl sold at first only at live shows. Later through Metal Blade will have the option to pick it up if they want…
Weird Questions Time!!! Anders Almighty – If you were god for a week what would you do?
A: I would make it Summer here in Sweden, it has been terrible so far…
Which one of the seven deadly sins – describes you best?
A: Lust!!!!
If you were a Sorcerer – who would you send a fireball to? (Politician, celebrity, fellow musician anyone really?)…
A: The brains behind all evil in the world!!!
If you could reincarnate as somebody else (past or present person male or female – who would you chose to be?)…
A: I’d wanna be a knight in the 16th century (a successful one)...
Finish this off as you wish…
A: Sorcerer would like to thank the fans all over Greece for their fantastic support and we hope that we will be able to come to your wonderful country to play again soon!!! Keep the flame burning!
A: Thanks!
You did originally cut a couple of demos in the late 80s/early 90s, which were later released to great acclaim. But then disbanded when your bassist joined Tiamat. Did you try to go on at that point or just “shut down” the project completely.
A: Well as soon Johnny Hagel joined Tiamat, it was when Sorcerer disbanded.
How did the reunion come around?
A: Me and Johnny have been friends before and after Sorcerer so when Johnny was approached by the Hand Of Doom festival, in question of doing a reunion show he contacted me and asked if we should do it, this was in 2010. I was at first not interested, I left the live scene around 2002 and just did session work in my studio. But after a while when I thought about it… It sounded like fun so I called Johnny up and said “let’s do it”. We tried to get hold of the original members without any luck so we decided to call some friends and ask if they were interested to do a show at Hammer Of Doom. They wanted to play so we did!
You’re also the singer in 220 Volts. How do you manage to keep these things going? You must enjoy them both, even if they are a bit different...
A: After Sorcerer did Hand Of Doom, we didn’t think about putting an album together right away, that grew during a period of time. Meanwhile I was contacted by Peter Hermansson (drummer of 220 Volt) and he asked me if I was interested in joining them for a new album. I was of course very flattered and after a meeting over a beer and some food we decided to go for it. I am very proud of the new album, it turned out great. The album “Eye to Eye” is the only album I had listened to and nothing of the music in the back-catalogue. I love the “Eye to Eye” album and because of that album and the fact that they were nice guys I joined. Closest to my heart is my own band Sorcerer and I think that that is the only reason really, I like all kinds of hard rock / metal so the diversity is nice. It’s been quite a lot to handle vocals in both bands but so far it’s OK.
Were there are “older” songs that were demo-ed, back in the day, in what came to be “In The Shadow...”?
A: All songs on “In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross” are new, written by the new line-up of the band. We had no old stuff to dig out.
Apart from the membership, how do you feel Sorcerer, is different today, compared to the pre-millennium band?
A: We are so much more experienced and the musicianship is incredible. I think we kept the mystique around lyrics and the sound true to our first efforts but it’s a big jump forward in 27 years…
While I understand the whole fantasy aspect, the whole “In the Shadow...” title sounds rather anti-religious etc... Why are you so… “mean spirited”? Just for effect?
A: Ha ha, well I feel that the old stuff was quite evil too. Me and co-writer Conny Welen think we kept the same touch to the lyrics as back then. There’s no deeper meaning to the lyrics, see them as a way to project the music in your mind, use your imagination and be swept away into evil madness , Ha ha ha…
You’ve got a deal with Metal Blade, how did that come about and are you happy with their efforts?
A: Johnny is responsible for handling all details around the deal with MB. Of course without the strong material there would probably never have been a new album.
Following this album, are you “back”, for good?! What does the future hold for the Sorcerer?
A: We have several options in the deal with MB for a couple of more albums and as we feel at least a couple more would be fun. It’s up to the fans if they like what they hear we will do more albums. So right now we’re back for good.
What was the “event” or influence that turned you onto rock/metal and when did that happen?
A: My first contact with metal/hard rock was Accept’s “Restless and Wild” album. It’s still one of my favorites. After that album I was hooked but I always have my ears open for different styles of music.
What do you think about the current state of the “scene”?
A: I think that the scene is still suffering from the years of grunge and still have some way to go before it’s where it should be – in the big arenas all over the world. Rock music is based on real musicians playing real instruments and singing without autotune. The kids today needs to understand that it takes hard work to be able to play stuff that Malmsteen plays among others. There is nothing like watching a great band play live.
How do you think that the “social media” and the internet has affected the music scene compared with “back in the day”? Is piracy, the downfall of all of this?
A: I think we should be worried, the internet has made everything accessible in an easy way. I’m glad that fans in this genre still finds that being the record is more fun than just ripping it from the net. Vinyl is coming strong and we will take advantage of this with Sorcerer. Musicians will find a way to reach their fans somehow, I don’t really know what the future will be hopefully there will still be people and fans that want their copy signed at shows!
Favorite Metal albums of yours? (give 3-5)
A: Wow, difficult…
1, Queensryche – “Operation Mindcrime”…
2, Manowar – “Battle Hymns”…
3, Black Sabbath – “Mob Rules”…
4, Van Halen – “Van Halen”…
5, Rainbow – “Rising”…
Are there any solid touring plans? Also you did perform here in Greece as part of the UTH fest, but under the current circumstances, could we hope for another gig anytime soon?
A: Sorcerer are doing Hammer of Doom (Wurtzburg), Leafmeal (Dortmund) in November and Dutch doom days in October. Next year we are high on the bill for Hammerfest 8 in Wales next March. And there more to come!!!
Just found out, that there’s the idea of an “EP”... care to comment?
A: Well, we’re just in the process of finalizing it and selecting the cover etc., but we haven’t decided on a “title” just yet. We are finishing up the acoustic version of “Prayers for a King” amongst other things, as we speak. A new video is also planned at this point. It’s meant to be only a vinyl sold at first only at live shows. Later through Metal Blade will have the option to pick it up if they want…
Weird Questions Time!!! Anders Almighty – If you were god for a week what would you do?
A: I would make it Summer here in Sweden, it has been terrible so far…
Which one of the seven deadly sins – describes you best?
A: Lust!!!!
If you were a Sorcerer – who would you send a fireball to? (Politician, celebrity, fellow musician anyone really?)…
A: The brains behind all evil in the world!!!
If you could reincarnate as somebody else (past or present person male or female – who would you chose to be?)…
A: I’d wanna be a knight in the 16th century (a successful one)...
Finish this off as you wish…
A: Sorcerer would like to thank the fans all over Greece for their fantastic support and we hope that we will be able to come to your wonderful country to play again soon!!! Keep the flame burning!