Innerwish are a Greek band that has managed to really have quite the following, managing to fill some pretty big venues that foreign names often find hard to and steadily producing quality albums. They do return after a quite lengthy hiatus, with a rejuvenated line-up, including an amazing new singer, George Eikosipentakis, and a great drummer, Fragiskos Samoilis, solidifying their place in the local scene but also challenging the international status quo in lyrical Power Metal. We did contact the new singer George, to find out more!
Hello George… you took your time with the new album but it seems to have paid off!
G: Hello! Yes we believe that we have something worth listening to!
Give us a few details about the recordings etc…
G: Well the recordings of this album took place at Devasoundz Studios and LoNe Studios in Athens from our producers Fotis Benardo (SixForNine, ex-Septic Flesh) and Thimios Krikos (InnerWish, Diviner). The mixing was done at Fredman Studios in Sweden from the duo of Fredrik Nordstrom and Henrik Udd, the same team we used in our previous album also, “No Turning Bback”. The mastering though, this time was done by Peter In de Betou at Tailor Made Production, also in Sweden.
You got a “new” drummer and singer, did you know the guys or did they audition for you, among other hopefuls?
G: Regarding the drummer, you can say he came highly recommended by our previous drummer, Fotis Benardo. We think that Frank fitted like a glove in our style of music, while giving a new breath of life and a new way of thinking in our rhythm section. As for the singer, speaking for myself here, I was in a way “chosen” by our previous singer Babis Alexandropoulos, as I was his personal favorite for the position. I passed an audition and the guys, from what they have told me at least (hehe), knew right away that I was able and willing for the task ahead.
How do you think the new album compares to your back catalog? Apart from getting some very good reviews a lot say it might be the best one you‘ve ever done.
G: Yes, that is true; the reviews are very good so far, but apart from that, we sincerely think that this is our best one so far! Its diversity, while keeping the InnerWish elements alive, gives it a fair advantage among our older albums. It’s more modern, heavier in many parts, more experimental especially production-wise and this time was more of a team-effort than ever before. And I think the difference in the approach and taste of each and every one of us, affected the final result.
Which leads me to the next question – eponymous albums are either debuts or “key” or sometimes a desperate attempt to get noticed again, if the band is in a rut (ie Stratovarius). Do you feel you have delivered your best album yet, or do you think that the best is yet to come?
G: We believe that after these 6 years and these two severe changes in our line-up, it was about time that the band should “turn the page” and make a fresh new musical start. That is the main reason for this eponymous album. We have something new to offer, while keeping all the older values of the band. And we feel very confident for ourselves and for this lineup we have now. This album represents us in the most specific way, and since it was firstly Thimios idea to make it the eponymous one, shows a lot about the trust in our current state.
Was the little recording “hiatus” intended passed a certain point or did it just happen?
G: Well because of the line-up changes we had to take some time in order to find a new “balance” in the band, regarding the style of the songs, what everyone had to contribute to them, and shape it to its current form. The actual time that it took to create this album was approximately 2 years, little after I joined the band in 2013. The engine started working again and after a while it was working in full speed.
While you were writing, rehearsing and working on other projects, did you work only on what would become your eponymous album, or do you have more songs written? With some members in Diviner did any excess material get used in that band, or is the writing for each, discreet?
G: Truth be told, there are a few more ideas in the “box”! While managing to create a full 67 minute – 13 tracks album, we kept some things for our future compositions to keep “the engine running”. As for Diviner, each band has a unique style in songwriting, and we have never mixed any of their discreet material together. We may have 2 members in both bands, but we are 2 different bands when it comes to song-writing.
You started out, a long time ago; did you think at that point that you’d still be doing “it” many years later? Or was it then just a “rush” that you managed to keep going?
G: To be honest, it’s the people around you that give you the “will” to continue. As long as there are people listening to InnerWish, and as long as we get this perfect vibe from them, we will keep making music and performing. Music after all is something that gives us life and also an escape through the situations we deal with in our lives.
Where do you stand on the ways internet has influenced the scene? (ie promotion VS piracy?)
G: The internet has become an excellent tool for bands and for music in general over the last decade. There will always be people trying to make something useful to all, illegal, and there will always be ways for people to show you their support, via internet or not. Everything in good measure we believe.
What are your plans for the future with a now established line-up, do you intend to bring out the next album sooner?
G: We think that the band has reached a certain musical point, were we can create more music in less time. So yes, we believe that 6 years is not an option anymore!
Are there any solid touring plans and if so – when and where?
G: For now, we have some upcoming shows between April and May in Greece for the promotion of the album, and we will headline “Rock for Eternity” Fest in the Netherlands on April 23rd. More announcements soon!
Time for our “weird questions”!!! If you were a god for a week, what would you do?
G: Probably make every man and woman a god!
Which of the seven deadly sins are you?
G: Gluttony. Gotta loose some extra weight as a band!
Which of the characters from Game of Thrones do you identify with?
G: Probably the whole Stark Family (what’s left of it that is). They are now the underdogs but they can make a difference. You should count on it.
If you could travel to the future or the past which one would you choose and why?
G: Probably would choose the future. There are little to be done in the past. We have to see what’s left of our race then!
If your g/f – wife sold all your albums to buy an expensive ring for her, how would you react?
G: She would have to suffer my misery for some years to come. I think she would buy them all back herself eventually!
Thx George. Wish you the best for the future… take care!
G: Thank you all on Grande Rock! We hope you enjoy our new album! Stay true and make an Inner – Wish!
G: Hello! Yes we believe that we have something worth listening to!
Give us a few details about the recordings etc…
G: Well the recordings of this album took place at Devasoundz Studios and LoNe Studios in Athens from our producers Fotis Benardo (SixForNine, ex-Septic Flesh) and Thimios Krikos (InnerWish, Diviner). The mixing was done at Fredman Studios in Sweden from the duo of Fredrik Nordstrom and Henrik Udd, the same team we used in our previous album also, “No Turning Bback”. The mastering though, this time was done by Peter In de Betou at Tailor Made Production, also in Sweden.
You got a “new” drummer and singer, did you know the guys or did they audition for you, among other hopefuls?
G: Regarding the drummer, you can say he came highly recommended by our previous drummer, Fotis Benardo. We think that Frank fitted like a glove in our style of music, while giving a new breath of life and a new way of thinking in our rhythm section. As for the singer, speaking for myself here, I was in a way “chosen” by our previous singer Babis Alexandropoulos, as I was his personal favorite for the position. I passed an audition and the guys, from what they have told me at least (hehe), knew right away that I was able and willing for the task ahead.
How do you think the new album compares to your back catalog? Apart from getting some very good reviews a lot say it might be the best one you‘ve ever done.
G: Yes, that is true; the reviews are very good so far, but apart from that, we sincerely think that this is our best one so far! Its diversity, while keeping the InnerWish elements alive, gives it a fair advantage among our older albums. It’s more modern, heavier in many parts, more experimental especially production-wise and this time was more of a team-effort than ever before. And I think the difference in the approach and taste of each and every one of us, affected the final result.
Which leads me to the next question – eponymous albums are either debuts or “key” or sometimes a desperate attempt to get noticed again, if the band is in a rut (ie Stratovarius). Do you feel you have delivered your best album yet, or do you think that the best is yet to come?
G: We believe that after these 6 years and these two severe changes in our line-up, it was about time that the band should “turn the page” and make a fresh new musical start. That is the main reason for this eponymous album. We have something new to offer, while keeping all the older values of the band. And we feel very confident for ourselves and for this lineup we have now. This album represents us in the most specific way, and since it was firstly Thimios idea to make it the eponymous one, shows a lot about the trust in our current state.
Was the little recording “hiatus” intended passed a certain point or did it just happen?
G: Well because of the line-up changes we had to take some time in order to find a new “balance” in the band, regarding the style of the songs, what everyone had to contribute to them, and shape it to its current form. The actual time that it took to create this album was approximately 2 years, little after I joined the band in 2013. The engine started working again and after a while it was working in full speed.
While you were writing, rehearsing and working on other projects, did you work only on what would become your eponymous album, or do you have more songs written? With some members in Diviner did any excess material get used in that band, or is the writing for each, discreet?
G: Truth be told, there are a few more ideas in the “box”! While managing to create a full 67 minute – 13 tracks album, we kept some things for our future compositions to keep “the engine running”. As for Diviner, each band has a unique style in songwriting, and we have never mixed any of their discreet material together. We may have 2 members in both bands, but we are 2 different bands when it comes to song-writing.
You started out, a long time ago; did you think at that point that you’d still be doing “it” many years later? Or was it then just a “rush” that you managed to keep going?
G: To be honest, it’s the people around you that give you the “will” to continue. As long as there are people listening to InnerWish, and as long as we get this perfect vibe from them, we will keep making music and performing. Music after all is something that gives us life and also an escape through the situations we deal with in our lives.
Where do you stand on the ways internet has influenced the scene? (ie promotion VS piracy?)
G: The internet has become an excellent tool for bands and for music in general over the last decade. There will always be people trying to make something useful to all, illegal, and there will always be ways for people to show you their support, via internet or not. Everything in good measure we believe.
What are your plans for the future with a now established line-up, do you intend to bring out the next album sooner?
G: We think that the band has reached a certain musical point, were we can create more music in less time. So yes, we believe that 6 years is not an option anymore!
Are there any solid touring plans and if so – when and where?
G: For now, we have some upcoming shows between April and May in Greece for the promotion of the album, and we will headline “Rock for Eternity” Fest in the Netherlands on April 23rd. More announcements soon!
Time for our “weird questions”!!! If you were a god for a week, what would you do?
G: Probably make every man and woman a god!
Which of the seven deadly sins are you?
G: Gluttony. Gotta loose some extra weight as a band!
Which of the characters from Game of Thrones do you identify with?
G: Probably the whole Stark Family (what’s left of it that is). They are now the underdogs but they can make a difference. You should count on it.
If you could travel to the future or the past which one would you choose and why?
G: Probably would choose the future. There are little to be done in the past. We have to see what’s left of our race then!
If your g/f – wife sold all your albums to buy an expensive ring for her, how would you react?
G: She would have to suffer my misery for some years to come. I think she would buy them all back herself eventually!
Thx George. Wish you the best for the future… take care!
G: Thank you all on Grande Rock! We hope you enjoy our new album! Stay true and make an Inner – Wish!