Sonata Arctica
By BLUNT Magazine
On New Year’s Eve, metalheads from around the nation will descend upon Sydney’s Enmore Theatre for the inaugural Screamfest festival. Touted as the first metal festival of European calibre to hit our shores (minus the mud and lax alcohol laws), Screamfest will see a mix of international and local metallers pummel their way into 2010. BLUNT checked in with some of Screamfest’s main attractions to see what they had to say about bringing in the New Year on the opposite side of the globe. First up, Henrik Klingenberg of Finnish power metal titans Sonata Arctica.
What attracted you to spending New Year’s Eve in Australia?
I’m always happy to go to places where I haven’t been, and Australia has been on the wish list for all of us for quite some time now, to play there on New Year’s Eve... well that’s just perfect!
What is the first thing you want to do when you finally arrive in Oz?
We’ll probably just crash at the hotel since there’s a shitload of flying to get there from Finland, but a shower and a shave is always nice.
Tell us about the best New Year’s Eve you’ve ever had?
I don’t really remember. I hope the best one is still to come.
…And the worst New Year’s Eve you’ve ever had?
We went to this supposedly rock‘n’roll party, but it was just lame people sitting on the couch... naturally this was a five hour drive away from home so New Year’s was spoiled.
What is the most exciting thing about playing Screamfest?
Visiting Australia for the first time is really exciting and I’m really looking forward to meeting new fans. We’ve heard a lot of cool stuff about Australia.
What has been your best experience attending a music festival, either as a performer or a fan?
Playing at Wacken, Germany in front of 80.000 people a couple of years ago was something that’s really hard to top.
…And your worst festival experience?
A couple of times the equipment didn’t work and that’s always a nightmare, especially in front of thousands of people.
List 5 essential items for your backstage rider?
1.Vodka and/or Jäger
2.Beer
3.Towels
4.Water
5.Something to eat besides candy
What is the best preparation for a performance that melts the audience’s faces off at Screamfest?
A good nights sleep, a couple of beer and a shot of Jäger. If we can fit in a nice dinner two to three hours before the show, that would be perfect. Usually I sleep if I can, and as long as the drinks are there everything else works out.
What is the last thing you will do before taking the stage at Screamfest?
I finish my drink and then take a quick piss. Then, of course, we get into a circle with the band while the intro is playing, and from there it’s ON!
What is the first thing you’ll do when you come offstage?
Get a cigarette and a shot.
What is the best advice you can give to fans planning to attend Screamfest?
Beware of the Finnish invasion!
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