Almah returned after a 3-year hiatus with one of their top albums, which is entitled “E.V.O”. Moreover, it would be a lie not to say that “E.V.O” is one of the best power metal albums for 2016… so Grande Rock wanted to learn more about this album and the band. Hence, we couldn’t find an better guy for that job than singer, multi-instrumentalist & songwriter Edu Falaschi, who’s the band’s mastermind. Read what Edu told us below…
Hi Edu… I’m glad we have you on Grande Rock. It’s been a decade Alham has been alive, so what a better way to “celebrate” it with a new release, huh?! And what a great album!
E: Hello man, yeah 10 years, a life time! It’s very nice to celebrate it with “E.V.O”! I really love it! I’m glad u liked it as well!
So, what happened these 3 years since the release of “Unfold”? I see that you have a new drummer, Pedro Tinello, and a new guitarist, Diogo Mafra (Dynahead) on board as well.
E: Many things, haha, well we made a nice and extensive tour since 2013, we played in Europe, South America, USA, etc., during those 3 years we needed to change the lineup because internal problems, but now all is fantastic!
And you singed to a new label as well. What happened and you’ve changed label once again?
E: Actually the contracts are made album by album, so each releasing is a new story, all depends on the label offers.
Hence, which are the differences and the similarities of your new album “E.V.O” in comparison with your previous albums?
E: “E.V.O” is very unique and mature, and it’s the most emotional and nostalgic album, the melodies and harmonies are the main points on this CD! The Almah essence is there but with a fresh spirit.
I like that you didn’t stay on the “narrow” music borders of power metal and you’ve added other elements too… especially the more melodic ones. Weren’t you afraid that the diehard power metallers would be complaining on that, or that’s a risk every musician that wants to evolve has to take?
E: That’s what I love to do! To create new stuff, to take risks and see the people’s reaction! And the main thing is making what you feel, what you like in that moment! Of course there are some directions you need to follow but the surprising element is always necessary to keep me alive as a composer.
What does the album title “E.V.O” declare and what’s the concept behind it?
E: The whole concept is about “The Age of Aquarius”. There are many theories behind the concept! The title of the album is reference to the meanings of the next age, at the first sight and we can say naively, you can connect it to evolution but intrinsically you need to see beneath the surface, there is always something between the lines.
Please comment on each…
E: “Age of Aquarius”: Courage to change…
“Speranza”: Emotion and hope…
“The Brotherhood”: Gratitude…
“Innocence”: Humanity…
“Higher”: The Amazon’s mythology...
“Infatuated”: Peace…
“Pleased to Meet You”: Consciousness…
“Final Warning”: Conspiracy…
“Indigo”: The next generations…
“Corporate War”: Money talks…
“Capital Punishment”: Defenseless citizen…
The album was recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil at IMF studios by Tito Falaschi and it was mixed & mastered by Damien Rainaud (Fear Factory, Dragonforce, Baby Metal, etc.) at Mix Unlimited in Los Angeles, California. You also took care of the album’s production and that hasn’t happened for quite some years. How about that?
E: I always take care of everything since the first compositions, arrangements, cover, artwork, mixing process, master, etc. It’s a huge process and I almost died since I recorded 2 albums this year, my solo one “Moonlight”, that celebrates my 25th anniversary as professional musician, and Almah.
You have released two lyric videos so far – one for “Pleased to Meet You” and another for “Age of Aquarius”. Do you have any plans to release any concept video in the near future?
E: Yeah, we will release a video clip soon... and some new lyric videos.
By the way how did you decide to upload the whole album on your YouTube channel?
E: Well, nowadays we don’t have any control about our music, I’m sure everything would be posted on YouTube by other people, so for me doesn’t matter anymore, if someone will be monetized because my music... so I prefer I get it.
What are your touring plans for the near future?
E: We started the tour in Brazil last weekend and we will tour during 2017 and 2018, we are organizing a tour in Europe and US.
What are the expectations from “E.V.O”? What do you want to achieve with Almah in the years to come?
E: Well, I hope more and more people can be in touch with our music, just want to make music, get some money and have fun.
How do you see your Angra years now? Did this experience help you evolve as a musician and as a person in general? Any regrets about that era?
E: Angra helped to show my music everywhere, I will always be grateful, I learned many things with them, how to act in the music business and mainly what NOT to do, haha, but there’s no regrets, we are friends, we are even touring together, Angra and Almah.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Almah initially?
E: I wanted something different, not English, not Portuguese, etc. Then I knew this Hebrew word Almah, which sounds like “Soul” in Portuguese and has a very positive meaning in the ancient languages.
Do you think that funding platforms like Kicksatrter, Indiegogo etc. can give any kind of solution to the “legal downloading” matter? Can bands/artists only be supported by their fans in order to make music?
E: It’s hard to say, the future is very unknown for the new bands, fortunately I built my career during the traditional music market times, I could build a strong fan base and career with the labels support and money, I’m sure I wouldn’t be here celebrating one million albums sold and 25 years as professional musician only with crowd-funding; it’s cool, but it’s not enough to create a concrete artistic career. (i.n.: That’s so true man!)
Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
E: Hip-hop… (i.n.: Hehehe – M2!)
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
E: I have a “Love & Hate” relationship with Internet, haha…
Best 3 power metal albums of all time?
E: Well, to be honest with you, I’m not a big Power Metal fan, haha; I love Iron Maiden, Dio, Supertramp, Tears For Fears, Def Leppard, Carpark North, etc., but about Power Metal I believe the great one is “Keepers 1” by Helloween.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
E: “Back in Black” by AC/DC…
Which is the most overrated musician/band of all time?
E: Any Hip Hop singer… (i.n.: Damn and they are so many!!!)
Put together the best metal line-up of all time. Who plays what?
E: Bruce Dickinson (vox), Malmsteen (guitars), Vivian Campbel (guitars), Geezer Butler (bass) and Mike Portnoy (drums). (i.n.: Wondering what kind of music all these can produce… it would be quite interesting at least!)
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
E: Lzzy Hale from Halestorm, haha…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
E: Please, can you turn into a pizza?!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
E: I would buy it all again, she’s always right! haha…
That’s all for now Edu… close this interview in your own way. Thx for the music dude! Take care!
E: Thanks man for the opportunity!!! Hope to see you on tour.
E: Hello man, yeah 10 years, a life time! It’s very nice to celebrate it with “E.V.O”! I really love it! I’m glad u liked it as well!
So, what happened these 3 years since the release of “Unfold”? I see that you have a new drummer, Pedro Tinello, and a new guitarist, Diogo Mafra (Dynahead) on board as well.
E: Many things, haha, well we made a nice and extensive tour since 2013, we played in Europe, South America, USA, etc., during those 3 years we needed to change the lineup because internal problems, but now all is fantastic!
And you singed to a new label as well. What happened and you’ve changed label once again?
E: Actually the contracts are made album by album, so each releasing is a new story, all depends on the label offers.
Hence, which are the differences and the similarities of your new album “E.V.O” in comparison with your previous albums?
E: “E.V.O” is very unique and mature, and it’s the most emotional and nostalgic album, the melodies and harmonies are the main points on this CD! The Almah essence is there but with a fresh spirit.
I like that you didn’t stay on the “narrow” music borders of power metal and you’ve added other elements too… especially the more melodic ones. Weren’t you afraid that the diehard power metallers would be complaining on that, or that’s a risk every musician that wants to evolve has to take?
E: That’s what I love to do! To create new stuff, to take risks and see the people’s reaction! And the main thing is making what you feel, what you like in that moment! Of course there are some directions you need to follow but the surprising element is always necessary to keep me alive as a composer.
What does the album title “E.V.O” declare and what’s the concept behind it?
E: The whole concept is about “The Age of Aquarius”. There are many theories behind the concept! The title of the album is reference to the meanings of the next age, at the first sight and we can say naively, you can connect it to evolution but intrinsically you need to see beneath the surface, there is always something between the lines.
Please comment on each…
E: “Age of Aquarius”: Courage to change…
“Speranza”: Emotion and hope…
“The Brotherhood”: Gratitude…
“Innocence”: Humanity…
“Higher”: The Amazon’s mythology...
“Infatuated”: Peace…
“Pleased to Meet You”: Consciousness…
“Final Warning”: Conspiracy…
“Indigo”: The next generations…
“Corporate War”: Money talks…
“Capital Punishment”: Defenseless citizen…
The album was recorded in Sao Paulo, Brazil at IMF studios by Tito Falaschi and it was mixed & mastered by Damien Rainaud (Fear Factory, Dragonforce, Baby Metal, etc.) at Mix Unlimited in Los Angeles, California. You also took care of the album’s production and that hasn’t happened for quite some years. How about that?
E: I always take care of everything since the first compositions, arrangements, cover, artwork, mixing process, master, etc. It’s a huge process and I almost died since I recorded 2 albums this year, my solo one “Moonlight”, that celebrates my 25th anniversary as professional musician, and Almah.
You have released two lyric videos so far – one for “Pleased to Meet You” and another for “Age of Aquarius”. Do you have any plans to release any concept video in the near future?
E: Yeah, we will release a video clip soon... and some new lyric videos.
By the way how did you decide to upload the whole album on your YouTube channel?
E: Well, nowadays we don’t have any control about our music, I’m sure everything would be posted on YouTube by other people, so for me doesn’t matter anymore, if someone will be monetized because my music... so I prefer I get it.
What are your touring plans for the near future?
E: We started the tour in Brazil last weekend and we will tour during 2017 and 2018, we are organizing a tour in Europe and US.
What are the expectations from “E.V.O”? What do you want to achieve with Almah in the years to come?
E: Well, I hope more and more people can be in touch with our music, just want to make music, get some money and have fun.
How do you see your Angra years now? Did this experience help you evolve as a musician and as a person in general? Any regrets about that era?
E: Angra helped to show my music everywhere, I will always be grateful, I learned many things with them, how to act in the music business and mainly what NOT to do, haha, but there’s no regrets, we are friends, we are even touring together, Angra and Almah.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Almah initially?
E: I wanted something different, not English, not Portuguese, etc. Then I knew this Hebrew word Almah, which sounds like “Soul” in Portuguese and has a very positive meaning in the ancient languages.
Do you think that funding platforms like Kicksatrter, Indiegogo etc. can give any kind of solution to the “legal downloading” matter? Can bands/artists only be supported by their fans in order to make music?
E: It’s hard to say, the future is very unknown for the new bands, fortunately I built my career during the traditional music market times, I could build a strong fan base and career with the labels support and money, I’m sure I wouldn’t be here celebrating one million albums sold and 25 years as professional musician only with crowd-funding; it’s cool, but it’s not enough to create a concrete artistic career. (i.n.: That’s so true man!)
Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
E: Hip-hop… (i.n.: Hehehe – M2!)
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
E: I have a “Love & Hate” relationship with Internet, haha…
Best 3 power metal albums of all time?
E: Well, to be honest with you, I’m not a big Power Metal fan, haha; I love Iron Maiden, Dio, Supertramp, Tears For Fears, Def Leppard, Carpark North, etc., but about Power Metal I believe the great one is “Keepers 1” by Helloween.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
E: “Back in Black” by AC/DC…
Which is the most overrated musician/band of all time?
E: Any Hip Hop singer… (i.n.: Damn and they are so many!!!)
Put together the best metal line-up of all time. Who plays what?
E: Bruce Dickinson (vox), Malmsteen (guitars), Vivian Campbel (guitars), Geezer Butler (bass) and Mike Portnoy (drums). (i.n.: Wondering what kind of music all these can produce… it would be quite interesting at least!)
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star of all time?
E: Lzzy Hale from Halestorm, haha…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
E: Please, can you turn into a pizza?!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
E: I would buy it all again, she’s always right! haha…
That’s all for now Edu… close this interview in your own way. Thx for the music dude! Take care!
E: Thanks man for the opportunity!!! Hope to see you on tour.