On a dark and foggy day in September, three shots are heard in the deep dark woods of ‘The Mother Of Presidents’ state of Virginia. Adam Evangelista, a 53 year-old top assassin whose ice cold walls have now been worn down by his continuing growing guilt, searches for an answer to it all. Acknowledging that he can’t continue without finding a way to ease his mind, he seeks refuge at the town’s church where Adam meets the now retired head priest Father Cavallero Di Mori, coincidently visiting his old church and parish. Adam tries to get into the depths of his own disturbed but genius mind. Describing his life and assassinations for his new friend Father Cavallero during sessions of confessions, both men reveal deep secrets unknown to the outside world - dark secrets they are both ashamed of. Adam’s sins and stories stretch from Sweden, Ireland, Italy, France, to the former USSR , Mexico and the USA. Taking orders from the well known secret society ‘The Illuminati’, Adam’s ‘marks’ are some of the most important people in our time. But there is a catch; only seven days to pour his heart out before his very last job and time is running out. Twelve Murders in Seven days. So little time… So much to tell…

And so begins the sordid tale of deceit, murder, conspiracy and ultimately an introspective quest for redemption that is ‘A Gentleman’s Hurricane’, the latest opus from Sweden’s fastest rising Progressive Metal stars, Mind’s Eye. The band’s new album is a perfect example of how to get everything right in the cutthroat business of the music industry, from the incredible songwriting and musicianship of drummer Daniel Flores (Tears Of Anger, The Codex, Fatal Force, ex-Secret Sphere), guitarist/bassist Johan Niemann (Therion, Demonoid, Tears Of Anger), and vocalist Andreas Novak (Novak), to a video for the ‘Feed My Revolver’ that would make Frank Miller of Sin City fame envious, to the CD/DVD/Comic Book package that has even the most ardent of downloaders among us covet having the actual package in their hands. So sit back and relax while the Treehouse of Death’s own Blackwater Park and Cenotaph, take you on a journey through the Mind’s Eye of Daniel Flores and you’ll begin to understand why if you have ever at any time in your life ever been drawn to Progressive Music, from Opeth to Pink Floyd and everything in between, you simply must secure a copy of ‘A Gentleman’s Hurricane’ for yourself… and if you turn away now in disinterest, just remember one thing: The Illuminati has your number, and Adam Evangelista has one bullet left…

Blackwater Park: Congratulations on the new album, its absolutely fantastic! ‘A Gentleman’s Hurricane’ is one of the best albums I’ve heard all year, and if there is any justice in this world it will definitely go down in the history of Progressive Metal/Rock as one of its finest hours! How has the response been so far?

Daniel: Hi and thanks. Well, things couldn’t be better right now. We are growing musically and making our best records it seems. Off course if you listen to all the critics then this is our best album but I just think we are starting out to find out how our band works. Last album Walking on H20 was the first album with this set of people and we feel more and more comfortable when doing music together.

Blackwater Park: How do you think “A Gentleman’s Hurricane” compares to your previous albums? Is this your best album, and if so, how will you be able to top it in the future?

Daniel: I say we are yet still to make our best album so hold all the tribute records! We are just scratching the surface of what we are all about as musicians and persons. ‘A Gentleman’s Hurricane’ is our darkest record, that’s how I would describe it best when compared to the other ones. Every time we go in the studio we have found new knowledge in the art of music and to top this well, it’s getting harder to top ourselves but we still have some aces up our sleeves.

Cenotaph: If you had to identify one single band as the most influential on your music, what band would it be and why?

Daniel: Oh good question, but it’s very hard to answer that. I would say Genesis. Why? Because of the huge amount of incredible music that has influenced us all in the band. We have gone through the same changes as them, members wise and our music is developing to be and sound more accessible every time we record a new album.

Blackwater Park: Yet in spite of this new ‘accessibility’, the new album has a heavier vibe than last year’s ‘Walking On H2O’. Was this an intentional development to try and reach a broader audience in the Metal community, or something that just came naturally during the songwriting process?

Daniel: None. I can explain. The fact that the album is heavier is because the story and lyrics needed that, it’s not a trick to get more people to listen to us. Is that even possible? I don’t know if people have given us a try because of the heaviness in this record. I think that they feel it’s a cool story and cool music following it. Just like a film, you know the film ‘Resident Evil’? There is allot of heavy guitars in the score of that movie but that doesn’t mean that the viewer is a Heavy Metal lover right? ‘A Gentleman’s Hurricane’ is meant to be the same way. Anyone can listen to it and like it regardless of his or her taste in music. That’s fine with me because I love so many different kinds of music and heaviness was the only suit that fit the chords of this ’soundtrack’ if you know what I mean.

Blackwater Park: Yeah, I know exactly where you are coming from. The album is very much an ‘all encompassing’ experience, with a very cinematic scope to it. Tell us about the concept behind the album’s lyrics, which really engage the listener and help the story to unfold. How did you guys come up with it? Has the band received any threatening phone calls from the Catholic Church, or have you noticed any conspicuous looking vans (i.e. the CIA or FBI) parked in front of your house for days on end?

Daniel: No not yet. But I’m keeping my eye open for these guys. Seriously, I think that some people have taken this album too seriously, it’s just good entertainment you know. I don’t mean anything [offensive] by writing it. I just want people to react to the story. That’s why I chose to write about all these assassinations. The guys who have been offended by our album can go to hell! No, they just need to calm down a little bit and try to see the whole picture. On last album we got allot of criticism for our song ‘A Rabbit In The Hat’ a song about the Moon landings being fake. After this album the reaction [to the lyrical concepts] have been less [negative], but I know for a fact that some American fans have been offended. So what, that’s life! I can’t help the fact that most horrific assassinations have been executed in the USA. I didn’t write history and I’m not trying to, I’m just giving people another choice, a fiction choice.

Cenotaph: Suppose Lucifer proposed you a good bargain, would you sell your soul to him?

Daniel: Again? I can’t sell my soul twice I’m afraid.

Blackwater Park: All the members of Mind’s Eye are involved in a number of other bands/projects. How do you find time for Mind’s Eye, and do you all consider the band to be a priority or a side project?

Daniel: Well, you will have ask that question to the other guys. You know what, we love to do music together and when we do music it becomes something fresh and new, something that none of us can or will do on our own. Mind’s Eye is our school of rock and while learning how to develop doing other projects we will always come back to do more music with Mind’s Eye as it’s our musical outlet and where we can make fools out of our selves.

Cenotaph: Your guitarist, Johan Niemann, is most recognized by his collaboration with Therion, a band that is really quite different from Mind’s Eye. In this connection, which of the two groups does he find a better depository for his talents?

Daniel: Like me Johan is a chameleon. We grew up together listening to all kinds of music. We are like musical actors so to speak and we are willing to take any challenge that is given to us. We see it as an opportunity to develop and you can never develop too much in my opinion. Therion brings out a different part of Johan’s music, something that is important for him to express, and that alone is reason enough to do it. Mind’s Eye is everything that is left when he is done with Therion, and as I have told you before, Johan and I are close friends and we have been playing together since daycare… or something like that. For me and him, Mind’s Eye is our backyard where we can create anything we like.

Blackwater Park: That is such a great approach to take. To have no constraints with regard to the preconceived notions of outsiders about what the band should be, and to just follow your muse must be very liberating. There are, however, complaints in some quarters that the genre fails to live up to its name and far from being “progressive” in the true sense of the word (i.e. moving forward in new directions), progressive metal/rock today follows a set of rules, formulas and clichés, the same as any other genre of music. How do you feel about the state of Progressive Music in general today? Does Mind’s Eye break this mold?

Daniel: Oh god no. I never said we are a groundbreaking band, but we are a free band, musically speaking. The amount of fans we have know why they buy our stuff, it’s because they know that we will lay hard work on it and we will always surprise people with something new and fresh a direction which we haven’t done before on any other album. We are not Metallica or AC/DC, so we have no obligation what so ever to the fans. What we are building up here is a community of hardworking musicians and our fans know that whatever we do in other bands we will always do it 100 percent. I really think that people who call them selves ‘Progressive’ or ‘Metal’ or whatever the genre, limit themselves to whatever they are making. I never what to go trough that with our band. If we want to do a rastafari record we will do it. We make music for ourselves first and if anyone likes it, fine, then we are all good and dandy!

Blackwater Park: The comic book feature is a great touch, adding a lot of depth to the Mind’s Eye experience. Was it a difficult process finding an artist and getting this aspect completed? Did it delay the release of the album at all?

Daniel: A task such as this one is always difficult to execute no matter the outcome but as we had much more than just the music department to take care off, obviously this is far more difficult. Mostly [the problems we faced were] because of the timing, which had to be kept throughout the making of the product, to keep costs low. Mattias Norén [you can see his work here: http://www.progart.com/ ] was the natural choice when it came to create the booklet, and I knew early on that he was the man for it. Just look at what he is creating, all the albums he has created are like paintings to me.

Blackwater Park: Do you think the comic book aspect will encourage more people to buy the album, rather than just download it? To be honest, I would have never checked you guys out if I didn’t download your album first, and because I think the new album is so great, I’m prepared to take a leap of faith and buy some of your earlier albums as well without downloading them first. In this sense, is downloading really as negative as some people in the industry try to make it out to be, because it can also expose new people to your music who otherwise would have never taken notice?

Daniel: You are totally correct. The problem is people who don’t have the decent common sense of buying something after downloading it and liking it. The lazy ones are the one’s to blame and when people say “Ahh why didn’t they come to my town? ” There you have your answer right there, it’s because record sales are often the only effective way to see if there are any fans in that country or area. Downlading don’t mean shit when it comes to fan research. I mean, at least 50 percent of the people who download the albums don’t even like it, and they just didn’t erase it [from their computer] yet.

Cenotaph: What’s your attitude towards online metal forums? Are there any that you frequent? Which one is your favorite, and which is the worst? What do you think of the Blabbermouth morons who have something negative to say about everything?

Daniel: I think that these kinds of forums are very important for bands like us. As our label has limited ways of making sure people hear about their artists, forums like the Treehouse Of Death actually spread the word. The old way of spreading the word is still a very effective way of selling records though, it’s been proven. I’m a member of the Perpetual Motion board and lurk there as much as time permits. I have never been to Blabbermouth… seems like the guys over there are mostly unsigned musicians in their 30’s-40’s, bitter people and these people seem to be angry at others for being so lucky to even pursue their dream as a musician or artist. Sometimes the only difference between a dreamer and a looser is a leap of faith.

Blackwater Park: The video for “Feed My Revolver” is one of the coolest I have seen in a very long time. [You can view the video at the bottom of the interview] What kind of budget did you guys have to work with for it, because it looks incredibly professional, and very well executed? Whose idea was it to double up Johan Niemann in the video?

Daniel: The video cost me my virginity! No, just kidding. Actually we made a good deal with the director and the idea was good enough and easy enough to do so we could actually make it. Either that or was it me who played mind tricks on the guys who directed it. I don’t know. The idea of duplicating Johan came through because we didn’t want people to think Andreas was the guitarist as well. So Johan had twice the amount of working time as Andreas and I, but he loved to film the video so it was no problem for him.

Blackwater Park: What are your touring plans for the album? Will you reach North American shores, perhaps for the PowerProg Fest in Atlanta or a similar event? Who would you like to share the stage with?

Daniel: Well, we are currently speaking to lots of people to make a small tour happen next year. I don’t think the States will see us this time, we have never been offered to come overseas and probably never will, we just don’t have enough listeners over there it seems. I would love to play with Symphony X or Dream Theater or anyone else who wants us to open for them.

Cenotaph: How did you get started in producing and engineering? Do you prefer this kind of work to life as a touring musician, or do you enjoy a mix of both types of experiences?

Daniel: Well, I started to get involved in mixing through Mind’s Eye actually. I just got tired of asking others to help us with our own music and now I’m getting really comfortable with the fact that we can produce our albums ourselves. Working in studios and producing other artists is fun to do, but when you do live gigs for a living it sometimes makes you wonder how green the grass in on the other side. I’m actually doing more and more live gigs, unfortunately it’s not with Mind’s Eye but I’m getting my fair share of live experience as well. The reason why I would chose the studio situation rather than a live situation? Well, I am a picky motherfucker when it comes to being comfortable and I can’t stand sleeping in hard beds everyday and having other males farting on each other for months, that’s not my cup of tea if you know I mean.

Blackwater Park: I hear you man, there is only so much farting a guy can take before he snaps! But when you do hang out with the guys in the band for farting matches, would you rather be playing in a Treehouse of Death or a Sandbox of Power?

Daniel: I would play anywhere if it fitted inside the venue. But I guess I’m gonna do an a slicking of the answer: YES, I would rather play in a Treehouse of Death than on a Sandbox of Power!

Blackwater Park: Lion’s Music has released a number of great albums recently, perhaps most notably Seventh Wonder’s “Waiting In The Wings” (which you worked on as a sound engineer). How has the label been to work with? Are they genuine music fans, or just a bunch of stuffed suites looking to make a fast buck?

Daniel: If they where money making motherfo’s they wouldn’t have signed Seventh Wonder. Or even us! No they are just great people to work with and I have a great relationship with them. There is no money in the music business right now and everyone is asking for money on their knees. Luckily for Mind’s Eye we have other projects and jobs to pay our rent.

Cenotaph: Which country has the most auspicious conditions for the development and continuing support of Heavy Metal, Finland, Norway or Sweden? How is the Metal scene in Chile, and have you been back there to play since leaving as a child?

Daniel: Finland is WAY bigger when we are talking about METAL. Chile is big enough for heavy rock music but as I haven’t been there for at least 24 years I can’t really tell. I know we have some fans over there because of the fact that I’m from Chile, I would love to play there and meet up with some of the fans that have been following us since the start.

Blackwater Park: Who are some of your contemporaries that you feel are overlooked and underrated in the current Power/Prog Metal/Rock scene?

Daniel: Kip Winger music is really an unsung hero. The same goes to Seventh Wonder and Pagan’s Mind. Not enough people give these bands a chance I think and both are great friends of mine. Nils [from Pagan’s Mind] is just an amazing singer! Chity Somapala from Civilization One is also an underrated singer in my opinion.

Blackwater Park: You are one of the most in demand progressive drummers in Sweden, doing a lot of session work. What is your most memorable experience as a hired gun?

Daniel: One of my last jobs actually when I played drums on The Codex album together with Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, Empire, Genius) on vocals and Magnus Karlsson on guitar (Allen/Lande, Last Tribe, Starbreaker, Tony O’Hora, ex-Midnight Sun, Planet Alliance). I was also really glad when I got the gig to play on the same song as Bruce Kulick, Glenn Hughes, Tony Franklin and me on drums! It was on an album by Chris Catena and the song was called ‘Freak Out Tonight’. That was fantastic actually!

Cenotaph: If it were possible to turn back the clock, which of your past mistakes in your music or in life would you like to correct?

Daniel: I would never erase music but maybe some of the steps in life (besides music) I did wrong… oh no wait… One album that I wish I never made: our first Mind’s Eye record ‘Into The Unknown’. Damn it sucks ass!

Blackwater Park: I read you got your start in music playing the violin. How old were you when you made the switch to playing drums, and who or what inspired you to pick up the instrument? How did your parents take to your practicing in the early days? I would imagine a good set of earplugs helped them get through the first couple of months!

Daniel: Yeah I played the violin for three months or so but when my teacher saw me trying to hit the violin with two pencils I had from school she said to my mom “Maybe Danny wants to play drums”. I actually saw Phil Collins playing drums once, and he is still my number one hero. My mother is a very understanding woman and she let me play my drums for a full year before she went nuts, things happened in my life I remember that led to many good things and while thinking of it, I’m really glad I am here living my dream.

Blackwater Park: In the Andreas sings “No matter how rich you are, always a price on your head”. If there was a price set on Mind’s Eye’s head, how much would it be worth?

Daniel: I cannot answer that question without seeing the money first!

Cenotaph: What are main preferences in food and what is your favorite dish? (Blackwater: I hope its vegan! ).

Daniel: Well, sorry to say I’m not a vegan… though my wife and I are animal lovers. I’m quite involved in the question of how they are treating some animals in some places in this world, really there is no respect… maybe someday I will stop eating meat but it’s along journey as I see it.

Blackwater Park: What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you on tour, or the craziest thing a fan has ever done to get your attention?

Daniel: Weirdest? When a girl pushed her tits up on my face and then said, “Sign these!”. I couldn’t get air and everyone was laughing at me! After that they called me the ‘BIG TITS MAN’… I still don’t know why.

Cenotaph: Who is the major lady-killer in your band? I know your wife won’t appreciate this question, but have you ever had any run-ins with sex-starved groupies in the past?

Daniel: It used to be me but now that I’m married it’s our singer Andreas. He is actually divorced so he is rockin’ the hell out of the women out there! We have a friend who we call ‘Number Two’ and he is the worst of all our friends, can you figure out why we call him number two? I think you can!

Blackwater Park: I’m guessing he likes to play Bum Darts with the ladies. Anyway, I’d like to play a word association game. I’ll say a phrase, and you tell me the first word that comes to your mind.

Daniel: Ok sure!

a) Chile

Home?

b) Afterglow

Beautiful lights

c) Genesis

Untouchable

d) Hurricane

Trouble

e) Mullet

Poland

f) Nile

Great band

g) Sediments

METAL

h) Manowar

Other bands rock, Manowar KILLS! [Blackwater: no really they don’t - ed. yes they fucking do you poser scum!! ]

i) Fuzzy Scarf

Gay (the happy word)

j) Metalcore

MEATLOVERS (the pizza from Pizzahut)

k) Gorgoroth *sips wine* Satan

If these guys where playing in a church during the 50’s they would surely say that what they just saw LUCIFER playing guitar.

Blackwater Park & Cenotaph: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. We really appreciate it, and best of luck with the band and the new album.

Daniel: Thanks guys, thanks for having me. Please visit our website www.roundrec.com for more info on Mind’s Eye, and visit www.myspace.com/eyeofthemind to get some samples of the new album. For more info about me please visit www.danielflores.net

It was great fun to answer all your questions! Have a great weekend!

BYE,
Danny

This entry was posted by Blackwater Park on Wednesday, 28th November, 2007 at 12:10 and is filed under Interviews, Mind's Eye. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response below. You may view a   printable version of this page. You may download this page in   PDF format.