H R H - I N T E R V I E W S

Goran Edman
Interview September 2006

Hardrock Haven: First off, thanks for taking the time to talk with Hardrock Haven; we appreciate it. Now, let's get into the new CD from Time Requiem, titled Optical Illusion. When I first heard the CD, I didn't know it was you singing (I got a promo from Candlelight Records USA), which was great, because it didn't color my critique-but I was blown away. How would you compare your vocals compared to your previous work with Richard Andersson, on his Ultimate Collection in 2005?

Edman: Well, to me it sounded similar, perhaps more of everything but in the same field. I remember that I was suffering from a cold at the time and I really had problems in the beginning.

Hardrock Haven: Andersson stated that he wrote the new songs on Optical Illusion with your voice in mind. What kind of a difference did that make overall?

Edman: None. It seems to me that Richard prefers tenor voices. He had made vocal guidelines sung by himself and in general I just followed his footsteps.

Hardrock Haven: Are there any tour plans in the works for the new Time Requiem? Any chance of hitting the States?

Edman: No not that I know of so far

Hardrock Haven: Will there be another Time Requiem in the future, or is this more of a project than a band?

Edman: Let's hope so but I really don't know what he is up to right now. He lives in Malmö and that makes things more complicated when I live in Stockholm. I guess he is writing on new material.

Hardrock Haven: At this time, do you consider yourself a full-fledged member of any band? Your discography is large by any measurement, but there have been a number of different bands.

Edman: Yes, diversity is good but it would be great to focus on only one band if it was possible.

Hardrock Haven: You really "broke" on a global scale as a singer when you joined Yngwie Malmsteen's band. Like a lot of Americans, and probably people all over the world, he's never found a singer of your quality (to me, anyway) nor has he written any songs as strong as what can be found on Eclipse and Fire and Ice. The reasons why you left the band have come to light today, but how do you judge that time in your life? Do you look back with fond memories?

Edman: Now when I look back with distance in time, sometimes, I miss those days. Still I sacrificed a lot and I am happier today.

Hardrock Haven: I remember reading some metal magazine after you left the band, and Yngwie was touting the new singer Mike Vescera. Yngwie said something about, "Vescera is a talent. The former singer had to sing everything in the Key of 'F,'" or some such blather. Do you recall that statement, and what did you make of it?

Edman: No I don't recall that statement. Key of F?

Hardrock Haven: Enough about that … another release you were a part of recently, co-writing the songs, producing your vocals, arranging the music, etc., is the band Street Talk.

Edman: Yes this is the fifth album with Street Talk.

Hardrock Haven: You had control over what and how you sang the vocals. How does this differ from Time Requiem, where everything was already in place, and which style do you prefer?

Edman: It is always more fun to be involved in the songwriting and have the artistic freedom to follow my own instincts. I can't say I prefer AOR before Neoclassic or the opposite. It's a job after all.

Hardrock Haven: You are a busy man … tell us about the new Vivien Lalu project and your role in that.

Edman: Viv is talented. It is rewarding to work with his material and I´m allowed a certain space.The music is based upon a story with different characters. It all takes place during the second world war. It will be a progressive touch on the music.

Hardrock Haven: And you will be singing on the next Brazen Abbott release as well?

Edman: I will be singing on the next Rock opera from Nick. . He is still writing on the music. I will be a storyteller as on Nostradamus..

Hardrock Haven: What else do you have in the works? What can we expect from you for the rest of 2006?

Edman: There will be another Karmakanic album out by the beginning of next year hopefully. But the rest of 2006 will be studio work and we see what comes out of it.

Hardrock Haven: Is there anything I left out that you'd like to leave with our Hardrock Haven faithful?

Edman: Not that I can think of. Thank you for letting me in. All the best.

www.goranedman.net