Furygirl Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 The article is in German, but thankfully a kind Muser translated it. Tumblr link to translation: http://muse-soul.tumblr.com/post/112535862731/the-calm-before-the-storm #raw Matt, how far into the recording process areyou with the new album? We’re almost finished. We only have to mix some songs and then we’ve done it. Finally, then it was a long and tough process which already started in 2013 during our last World tour and lasted the whole last year. Because we tried to go a middle way. On the one hand to record all ideas we had during soundchecks and in hotel rooms immediately and to write new songs as spontaneously as possible. On the other hand not to rush anything but to do our thing without a hurry – no matter how long it takes in the end. So it’s a mix between fast and very meticulous working because it’s true that songs which are written on tour do sound a bit that way. In this respect it’s good to have a bit of a distance and to slow down the whole process. And: What do the songs sound like? Totally different from the two last albums. ’The 2nd Law’ was very electronic while ’The Resistance’ had a lot of progressive and classical music. The new material has a plain and simple rock sound with guitar, drum and bass. Simply because we didn’t want to copy ourselves and do the same thing twice. That would be boring. And for me it’s also a bit like calming down or like a morning after. To wake up after this dream which the last albums were and to ask yourself: „What the hell happened here? - That was absolutely mental!“ And: „How did it come to this?“ Which enhanced the wish to go back to our roots, to our musical background. In reverse it also means to separate ourselves conciously from the additional things with which we experimented in 2009-2012 – the electronics, the orchestras and all those things. We said goodbye to them this time. Does that also imply the idea of concept albums which influenced this phase? You mean superordinate themes which are like a golden thread throughout all the songs? Well, that’s one of those things. Simply because for me it’s a part of it. I love to write songs which are connected and interwoven, which tell a story and complete eachother. I think that I will continue, although a bit diminished, with that approach. Because once again I do have a handful of themes I’m dealing with extensively. For example? The deep ecology. An ecological and environmental philosophy characterised by a life in harmony with nature. But also the so-called ’Empathy Gap’. It’s about this weird human inability to fulfill things which we decided to do. I think it’s really interesting. Those are all things I deal with in private and which I think are really exciting. Exactly like the theory that we’re slowly but steadily heading towards a third World War because the old East-West conflict is intensifying but also because the radicalisation of the islam is growing in a way that it has to end in a bang someday. And I’m incredibly afraid of this moment because it will have devastating consequences – for all humanity. But that’s only the content which doesn’t have anything to do with the music. There it’s about something simple, raw and rocking. Is it true that you’ve written a sequel to Citizen Erased? (laughs) I did indeed. But I don’t know yet if it will appear on the album or not. Because it actually was only a test. I wanted to see if I’d be able to once again write a song in the style of our second album ’Origin of Symmetry’ or if it would be near impossible because I’m somewhere else. It was about stripping off the recent past and to go back to something which was long ago. I was quite unsure about it and with this song I wanted to find out. And it worked out. I realised that I’m actually still the same person I used to be at the beginning of our career – although a lot has happened since then, especially in my private life. With this conclusion I approached the other songs. With the motto: It works so I can continue with it. With the ’back-to-basics’-approach I explained earlier. That’s why you chose Robert ’Mutt’ Lange as a producer, one of the most successful producers in rock? Yes, and it was a long-cherished dream. Because we have always been big fans of his work. He is a visionary, a man who uses the newest technology to create traditional, timelessly good music. And this for the biggest and most important names in the industry. I mean he is responsible for ’Back in Black’ by AC/DC – one of the best rock albums of all time and the soundtrack of my teenage years. So far we didn’t really dare to approach him because he’s from an other corner in rock. We’re more based in the alternative part and he definitely in the mainstream part. What does Mutt think of your statement that ’guitar solos are uncool’? (laughs) He actually did approach me about this – the very first time we met. He wanted to know if I’m serious about it and how it has come to this. I tried to explain to him that I simply don’t feel comfortable with it and that all the bands I grew up with – with AC/DC as an exception – felt the same way. He shook his head at this and challenged me to try it out several times during the recording. I didn’t want to at the beginning but eventually I gave it a go and it was actually fun. I fear that I’m cured once and for all. Starting from May 28th you will be on tour with album number 7. What can we expect from the festival performances? How can you outdo the spaceship, the robot and the acrobats from 2012/2013? This question is hanging over our heads like a sword of Damocles and makes us rack our brains. Of course we want to do something new and exciting which will surprise our fans like it did the last time. It is a real challenge. Because we don’t want to go over the top in a way that it will be too much, too excessive and cheesy. We don’t want to be slaves of our own show and create something which will be prone to go wrong even more than in the past. That’s the way it is: the more extensive and complicated the whole thing, the more frail it is. Since the ’Resistance’-tour I’m done with hydraulic systems. I don’t have to stand on a platform which hovers meters above the ground and is wobbling like crazy anymore. I’ve had enough of that. So let’s see what it will bet his time. So far I can only say that we’ll do our best to create something really special visually. It will include laser lights, LCD-screens and film sequences but also some more things. I think it’s the best to just let yourself be surprised. So far – or at least I hope so – we’ve never disappointed you, have we? 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serpentsatellite Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Interesting that this is the only interview to surface so far from this time period? Some of it made me wonder if it was in fact legit... hits a bit too close to what the fanbase has been salivating for... Also: "for all humanity" cracked me the fuck up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FabriPav Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Also: "for all humanity" cracked me the fuck up. Same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Also hoping that definition of empathy gap is a massive mistranslation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingVash Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Also hoping that definition of empathy gap is a massive mistranslation. It is definitely not a miss translation from German to English. Maybe from the interview to german... dunno. On the legit question: Apparently there is a monthly magazine being sent for people that sell tickets via Ticketmaster. Odd thing is I could not find any related content to muse on the German web. Not sure where Furygirl got them pcs from. Edited March 3, 2015 by MusingVash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furygirl Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 I got it from a Swiss Muser. It does seem an odd publication for the only interview we've seen in months. I'm not sure what the date on it is. I would think it's not *too* recent since it sounds like the interview was conducted before recording. But maybe it only recently came out. I'm surprised there have not been more real interviews. I'm tired of webzines that are just regurgitating crap that Matt tweets and puts on Instagram! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuesch Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 The article is in German, but thankfully a kind Muser translated it. Psst, you got the 2nd and 3rd page mixed up. To wake up after this dream which the last albums were and to ask yourself: „What the hell happened here? - That was absolutely mental!“ And: „How did it come to this?“ I had to pick up my jaw after this. Who knew that Matt actually really felt like this! Are we sure its not us, the fandom, who's dreaming? Hehe, raw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musedan Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I had to pick up my jaw after this. Who knew that Matt actually really felt like this! Are we sure its not us, the fandom, who's dreaming? Quotes such as that one is the kind of thing still making me question the reliability of this article. It all seems too perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectrum IV Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Quotes such as that one is the kind of thing still making me question the reliability of this article. Actually makes it seem legit (and possibly dated). Matt said something very similar after the T2L tour ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 But since it's recent, and mostly either reiterates or confirms info that's been out there before - while leaving itself wiggle room on the facts, it's still a bit suspect. The part about being the same person as the start of his career seems strange, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musedan Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Even the part about the pneumatic lifts during TR tour seems a bit suspect, like its been tailored to what we want to hear. Probably pessimism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I'm definitely a pessimist, but in this case I sort of want stuff in the article to not be true, so that's not it. It just seems so convenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29pearls Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) (wow, I know it must be near album release time- haven't visited here in years! Had trouble remembering my name & such) A few things- 1) Interview is recent- I'd say done this past Dec or Jan because Matt says they're almost finished & only had mixing to do. 2) Author is 'Brian McKnight'- doubt that's the r&b singer but also doubt he's German. So there's gotta be an original English version out there- maybe on an American or UK version of this elusive Ticketmaster mag? 3) Empathy gap- it's actually not a made-up term from Matt & actually exists! This was sent to me by a friend & refers to exactly what Matt describes- http://joshuaspodek.com/js_blogseries/empathy-gaps-series - how people make decisions but then change their minds or lose their nerve or willpower later. He specifically says that refers to his personal life- we can only speculate who/what he means Edit- Can a German-speaker translate the intro 1st page that's not included in translation? Seems to say Drones is due in 'early May', which goes against this '0615' currently going around. Edited March 3, 2015 by 29pearls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furygirl Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 included in translation? Seems to say Drones is due in 'early May', which goes against this '0615' currently going around. Yeah so I just asked the person that translated it. She just forgot to read that page. Apparently the album is out in May then it says! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FabriPav Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Oh nice. What else does the 1st page say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 That's an application of the definition of the empathy gap, I suppose... I guess I'd assumed he meant it in the broader terms, which I thought would be much more in line with the hinted at album themes; ie, the world being in the state it is because our empathy/understanding is state dependent, and there's no way old rich white dudes running our country can even remotely understand what their constituents are going through... which makes representational government a bit of a joke. Dropped the ball, Bellamy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furygirl Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Oh nice. What else does the 1st page say? I'll find out. Prob nothing of note, introductory blah blah blah. I still think it's prob June since this article isn't super current. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 I can't think of anything else that makes sense with the 0615, and they added it intentionally, so not getting my hopes up for May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bliss_muse Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Quick translation of the first page: In the beginning of May, three years after their international bestseller „ The 2nd Law“, the British trio will release their new, currently untitled album. The live premiere will take place during the headlining gigs at the German festivals "Der Ring – Grüne Hölle Rock" and "Rockavaria". I left out the last bit because I wasn't sure how to translate it. :/ It says something like "Matthew Bellamy has big plans for these two gigs".,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentsatellite Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 That kind of sounds like the important part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mc Queen Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 That kind of sounds like the important part. Actually that's it. The last sentence apiece is "The live premiere will take place at the headlining gigs at the German festivals Der Ring- Grüne Hölle Rock and Rockavaria, for which mastermind Matthew Bellamy (36) has quite some plans." This empathy gap thing is intriguing. Led me to a myriad of interesting stuff! (nothing with the band/album, otherwise I'd share it of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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