German power metal band THEM are set to release their fifth album entitled Psychedelic Enigma on October 24th. THEM’s vocalist Troy Norr spoke with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, how the album’s concept ties in with THEM’s previous work, his hopes to play Wacken Open Air Festival, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Your band, THEM, are set to release its fifth album entitled Psychedelic Enigma on October 24th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Norr: Musically, it is THEM’s heaviest album, vocally it is melodic and conceptually it is a convergence of what has transpired previously and what is about to come. We are extremely happy with the results of our hard labor.
MER: What was the writing and recording process like, being your fifth album?
Norr: As a band, we have always written separately considering we are spread out over two continents. Lyrics and vocals are written after the music is completed. There were tweaks to the music during the production process and when it comes to vocals, I will always figure out what I will sing, chat, yell, scream and then with the vocal structure in place I write the lyrics. The lyrics follow a single concept spanning over each and every album. Each album can stand on its own story, but when placed together, a single story spans across all five albums.
MER: You’ve released two songs from Psychedelic Enigma, do you feel they represent the album well?
Norr: They are killer tracks in my opinion. The two tracks released so far represent one of two dimensions explored conceptually. Individually they rock. But when the album is listened to as a whole while reading the lyrics, I hope it strikes a nerve. We shall see.
MER: How did it come about having the concept of Psychedelic Enigma go together with your previous four albums?
Norr: Psychedelic Enigma conceptually not only answers questions from our last album’s storyline Fear City, but it also begins a new arc into the 2nd dimension that this album covers. The ending of Psychedelic Enigma will leave the listener in awe both musically and storyline. No one will ever guess what the major twist is at the end of the album. You will just have to listen through until the end.
MER: What do you see as plans for THEM to support the album?
Norr: Currently, there are no plans for live support at this time. Perhaps that will change in the beginning part of next year?
MER: Is there anyone you hope to tour with and why?
Norr: No bands in particular come to mind. We may pair well with another concept heavy metal band though. If we performed with any of my favorite thrash bands, the fanboy may come out.
MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live that you haven’t and why?
Norr: We are a very humble group of musicians with nothing to prove to anyone so I cannot speak for everyone in the band since we have different views on this topic. A personal dream of mine was always to perform Wacken. We have performed numerous festivals but that is on my festival bucket list. If it happens, great. If not, then not.
MER: You released your debut album entitled Sweet Hollow in 2016, since that you have put out albums at a steady pace. How do you keep up with the fast pace?
Norr: We are writing machines! Our label asks for a new album, and we say “ok” and poof! A new album is created. It’s just like that. No really, we have a great writing team to come up with excellent material for each record. When we first started with Sweet Hollow, we all thought it would be a one-off record. Five albums later, we were all wrong!
MER: Out of THEM’s five albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Norr: It depends. A new fan would more than likely have purchased Psychedelic Enigma and then say “This is pretty cool” what else do they have? If they listened in order Sweet Hollow, Manor of the Se7en Gables, Return to Hemmersmoor, Fear City, then they would be truly seeing the evolution of THEM musically but also experience a storyline that they realize is one story by the beginning of the third album Return to Hemmersmoor. Recent reviewers have stated this album sounds nothing like the first album, but they get it. Does it have to sound the same? Absolutely not! But it is all heavy metal which we deliver from our wretched hearts for all to enjoy! Until the next album/tour? \m/ Peace \m/
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