Neopera have just released their rather fine debut album ‘Destined Ways’ on earMusic. The band were founded in 2010 by DARK AGE lead guitarist Jörn Schubert,  who was joined by GAMMA RAY bass player Dirk Schlächter, Mikis Trimborn (SYNDEMIC) on guitars and Mirko Gluschke (shouts), Nina Jiers (soprano) and Thorsten Schuck (baritone). Over to Nina Jiers...

What have you got planned for the next few months e.g. recording, new musical projects etc.

In the next few months we will work on our second album. Jörn has already written some new songs and we might start the pre-production this year as well. Also we want to play many concerts.

1. How did Neopera get together?

Jörn is the one, who brought the band together. He has been planning his own project for many years and in 2010 finally started writing the songs for it. He made an announcement that he was looking for classical singers on the website of his other band, Dark Age. That’s where I got to know about it and sent him a demo.

Thorsten was recommended by a friend of Jörn and Mirko was asked by Jörn to join after a show with his former band. When we started recording our Demo-EP in the studio, Dirk was around there and became interested in the project.

3. Who came up with the idea of mixing metal, classical and opera? Obviously bands like Nightwish and Tarja in her solo work have similar sounds but Neopera seemed to have focused a lot more on the operatic styling?

Jörn had this idea and he mainly writes the music. He wanted to put these different styles together to create one unity. He has many different influences, such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Rhapsody, Judas Priest, Nightwish etc. but he says that there is always something missing to him.

4.Could you take us through the new album ‘Destined Ways’ ? e.g. ideas behind the songs, song writing process

There is a common thread in all the songs, the free will of a person. Do we have a free will and can we really act freely? Or is the subconscious mind more powerful? He wrote about stories that actually happened to him or to people he know.

But there are also lyrics that are fictional. In the songwriting process, Jörn first writes the music. All the emotions and ideas that come along with the music give him an idea for the lyrics so that music and lyrics melt together.

5. How did you hook-up with earMusic?

When we were in the studio recording our demo-EP, Dirk was around because his studio was in the same building. Jörn asked him to play the bass on the record and that’s when he joined. He liked the music a lot and as soon as we finished the recordings, he handed the demo to earMUSIC. We are lucky, they liked it!

6. How have the live gigs been so far and are you looking forward to Wacken?

So far, we had only one common gig, which was the pre-release show for the album. It was very awesome and the venue was completely crowded! We didn’t expect to get such a great response from the audience, since it was our first gig, and nobody really knew, what we were going to play, since until then, only our single “the marvel of chimer” was released.

Now we are really looking forward to Wacken! It’s very exciting for us to have our second ever show on that festival! And since many of us have been visiting Wacken many times now, it is kind of a dream coming true!

7. How do you keep your voice in such good shape as singing in an operatic style is much more demanding I’d imagine?

I am not sure, if it is more demanding than singing other styles. The singing itself is not very demanding if you use the right technique. Probably you have to care more for it to keep it clean, like no smoking and no smoky environments before a show, you shouldn’t talk too much and not drink alcohol.

But also that depends on the condition of your voice. As for me I can say, I still take singing lessons to keep my voice trained and to make sure, I’m still using it the right way.

8. Who have been the band’s musical influences and why?

Well,  each member in the band has his own musical influences. I know that Jörn is influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen, Dark Age, Rhapsody, Judas Priest … the classical composers as Beethoven.  And I know that Thorsten has only classical influences, since he has no metal background. My influences are classical and metal. I used to listen to bands like Nightwish a lot.

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from music?

I think we do what everybody else does. Well, I know that Jörn mainly also spends his spare time making music. Me too. But we also go out, watch concerts, go on vacations, exercise in the gym and things like that. And I still have to finish my studies, which keeps me busy a lot.

10. Message for you fans…

Dear fans, thank you very much for your interest and for your support! We have many plans for the future and we hope that you will accompany us on this journey! We are very looking forward to seeing you on tour!

Album review

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

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DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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