Road To Ruin is a band that was formed by two Lion’s Share members and their debut release made quite an impression; so we grabbed the opportunity to ask Sampo some questions and get some inside info …
Metal Express Radio:
Hey Sampo this is Dr. Dimitris from MetalExpressRadio. First of all, congratulations on the Road To Ruin; here we really love the vintage Hard Rock sound.
Sampo Axelsson:
Thanks, glad you like the album!
MER:
So, what is the feedback so far from the media and the fans?
Sampo Axelsson:
It’s been great feedback so far. It looks like a lot of fans of Classic Hard Rock, young and old, have heard or heard about the album! The reviews have been good and there’s been a lot of positive feedback on our Web site. The album will be released January 23 in Japan on Marquee/Avalon and after that USA (Locomotive) and Russia (Irond) will follow. We are exited over this and how the album will be received.
MER:
Do you think that a Lion’s Share fan will buy this album? I mean, what musical connection can you find between the two acts?
Sampo Axelsson:
I think a lot of Lion’s Share fans will recognize some elements in the music since this is a celebration to the music we started to listen to and that inspired us to start playing. And you will also find two Lion’s Share members in Road To Ruin – Lars Chriss and Sampo Axelsson. So it’s worth checking out the new Road to Ruin album if you like Lion’s Share!
MER:
Is Road To Ruin a project or a full time band?
Sampo Axelsson:
It’s a band. We are all very busy working with other stuff and not a rehearsing band, but we get together when necessary. Right now we all are doing promotion.
MER:
Can you describe to the MetalExpressRadio readers the composing process of Road To Ruin? How long did it take and did you write all the music and the lyrics?
Sampo Axelsson:
We (Lars, Sampo) started to write the songs about two years ago (2005). When the songs were written we recorded drums, bass, guitars, and keyboards in our own studio. After that, Matti wrote the lyrics and recorded the vocals in his studio. We write as a team and that’s what we wanted from the start.
MER:
Did all the songs you write make it in the album? Are there any leftovers? Do you have any plans for them?
Sampo Axelsson:
There might be some ideas left, no real songs, but there is a bonus track for Japan.
MER:
What personal need does the formation of Road To Ruin serve for you? Did you need a break from Lion’s Share to write the music you like without thinking of the profile of the band?
Sampo Axelsson:
As you might know, we wrote the songs during the writing sessions for the new Lion’s Share album Emotional Coma, but they didn’t fit the Metal-style LS was going after. We felt the songs were way too good to be thrown away, so I guess Road To Ruin came out of that – we wanted to use the songs and started Road to Ruin.
MER:
Expanding the above question; do you think that the band’s history and profile caused restrictions to the artist when it comes to the composing process? For example, is it possible for Iron Maiden not to think of the fans’ reaction when they are working on the new album?
Sampo Axelsson:
I can’t answer for anyone else, but I think most of the bands try to develop their own style rather than change it. On the other hand, you must have the freedom to try new ways. And, you can never be sure about the reaction from the fans.
MER:
Back to the album; the vocals of Alfronzetti are very impressive. How did you discover him? His voice brings to my mind some Classic Hard Rock voices like Joe Lynn Turner.
Sampo Axelsson:
Matti’s work on the album is awesome. The melodies and the vocals are great! Lars has known Matti for some time and he came up with the idea to use him as the lead singer for Road To Ruin. We sent him some rough demos and he said yes.
MER:
How about the rest of the band members; how did they come together?
Sampo Axelsson:
I met Lars in 2004 in a project that was put together for Sweden Rock Festival the same year by the most famous weatherman in Sweden, Paer Holmgren. The name of the band was Spridda Skurars. Both Lars and I have known Thomas Broman for several years and he was also in Spridda Skurars. We didn’t ask any other drummer because we felt that Thomas Broman was the ultimate choice for Road To Ruin.
MER:
The album comprises some influences from the mid 70s to the early 80s era with bands like Rainbow and Whitesnake, to name a few; did this happen intentionally or did it just happen in the studio?
Sampo Axelsson:
The idea with Road to Ruin from the start was to write Classic Hard Rock in the style of Rainbow, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Deep Puprple etc. So, you could say we had a Classic Hard Rock concept from the beginning.
MER:
If you were obliged to choose between Road To Ruin and Lion’s Share, what band would you choose?
Sampo Axelsson:
The answer has to be Lion’s Share because its our main band with a longer history, more releases, and we are a known band on the Metal scene. LS is a bigger machine. But, let’s hope that never happens!!
MER:
What are your personal goals with Road To Ruin?
Sampo Axelsson:
To reach as many people as possible with our music. And to deliver the best records possible. Another goal is, of course, to write another album when the time is right.
MER:
Do you have plans to get Road To Ruin on the road?
Sampo Axelsson:
That depends on how the album is received and how busy we are with Lion’s Share. The best would probably be to support a bigger band for us.
MER:
Where do you prefer to be … in the studio or upon the stage and why?
Sampo Axelsson:
Both things are important and fun in different ways. But, after spending months in a studio, it’s very nice to hit the stage – to meet your audience and fans. That makes it worth it!
MER:
Give us an update from the Lion’s Share’s camp!
Sampo Axelsson:
We are writing songs for the next album that will be released on October 3rd, 2008. On January 29 Emotional Coma will be released in the USA on Locomotive Records. South America and Russia will follow in the spring as well. The album is out in Japan and we have two songs “Soultaker” and “The Edge Of The Razor,” on the Magic Circle Festival 2007 double-DVD set — shot live at MANOWAR’s Magic Circle Festival in Bad Arolsen, Germany on July 7th 2007. Check out our website for latest news.
MER:
What did you gain from your experience in the Magic Circle Festival?
Sampo Axelsson:
A lot of good things! It was great playing in front of 10,000 hard-rocking Metal-fans on an enormous stage! The organization was very good and professional – I hope we can do it again!
MER:
Ok Sampo, thank you for your time; we wish you the best!
Sampo Axelsson:
Thanks Dr. Dimitris!
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