1-METALICOS-Hola Angela, soy Mauricio de www.metalicos.com en Costa Rica, ¡espero que la estés pasando bien! ¿Cómo te está yendo a tí y a la banda hasta ahora en este 2010?

ANGELA/ Estamos tan ocupados como los dos años anteriores.. haha.. comenzamos con un tour en Estados Unidos y en Europa, y ahora tocamos los festivales europeos de verano y estamos componiendo un nuevo álbum.  Planeamos meternos al estudio en Noviembre (con un tour en Inglaterra atravezado en medio) y sacar el nuevo disco a finales de Mayo del 2011!.  A todo vapor como siempre.

2-METALICOS-¿Podrías contarnos cuando fue la primera vez que sentiste que esto era lo que deseabas hacer? ¿Hay algún evento en particular que marcara ese instante, o fue más como un proceso?

ANGELA/ Siempre quise estar metida en una banda de metal, pero nunca planeé llevarlo tan lejos.. No pensé que uno pudiera hacer esto a tiempo completo sin morirse de hambre… haha.. estoy más que encantada de que nos haya funcionado tan bien.  Trabajamos mucho.  Y vemos los resultados.

3-METALICOS-Sé que te deben haber preguntado esto algunas veces antes, pero para tus fans en América Latina, ¿Puedes contarnos cuáles vocalistas te han influenciado a tí y a tu estilo?

ANGELA/ Bueno.. adoro a Rob Halford y al Ronnie James Dio más reciente.. pero mis influencias vocales definitivamente vienen de las bandas death metal de inicios de los noventas: Morbid Angel, Death, Obituary, Carcass.

4-METALICOS-Arch Enemy es uno de los grupos más populares de la escena en este momento; ¿Cómo asimila esto la banda? ¿Significa algo para tí ser admirada por tanta gente alrededor del mundo?

ANGELA/ Ser admirada.. eso es algo muy abstracto y lejano.. soy muy abierta a los fans amigables y relajados, pero mucho entusiasmo me asfixia.  Me encanta estar en el escenario y tener mis momentos brillantes ahí, pero tan pronto como salgo de él, dejo de ser una ‘rock star’ y trato de alejarme de la atención.  Sin embargo soy muy agradecida de que a la gente le guste nuestra música.  Amo compartir el poder de la música en concierto.  Obtengo tanto de tocar en vivo como los fans.  Pero tan pronto sacas la música fuera del contexto y tratas de ponerme en un pedestal como persona… simplemente no es lo mío.  El culto personal me asusta.

5-METALICOS-Los hermanos Amott son una parte fundamental en la estructura de Arch Enemy, ¿Qué piensas de su contribución artística y técnica a la banda?

ANGELA/ Son guitarristas sobresalientes, y la química entre ellos es increíblemente única y poderosa.  Soy su fan más grande.  Quedo anonadada cada vez que los veo tocar.  Cada vez.  

6-METALICOS-¿Cómo es la vida en la carretera con el resto de los muchachos? ¿Les gusta hacer cosas juntos o prefieren pasarla solos?

ANGELA/ Ambos.. nos damos mucha libertad los unos a los otros.  Algunas veces salimos a cenar juntos, otras solamente nos la pasamos en nuestras habitaciones de hotel, disfrutando de la soledad.  Somos una familia y mentalmente estamos muy cercanos entre nosotros.

7-METALICOS-¿Qué es lo que extrañas más cuando estás en la carretera?

ANGELA/ Nada.  Todo lo que necesito cabe en mi maleta.  El mundo es mi ostra.  Me puedo acomodar en cualquier lugar.  Incluso si es sólo por una noche en una habitación de hotel.

8-METALICOS-¿Durante tu carrera has tenido que enfrentar algún tipo de crítica reduccionista por ser una chica?  ¿Si ha sido así, cómo te la has jugado?

ANGELA/ No soy una chica, soy una mujer, haha… (regañado por la frontwoman de Arch Enemy.. yeah N. del E.) La gente de mente cerrada existe sólo en internet, nunca me los encuentro en la vida real.  Son unos cobardes.  Y no respeto a los cobardes, su vómito cerebral no es nada a lo que preste atención.

9-METALICOS-Considerando que la banda ha sacado 8 discos de estudio hasta ahora (incluyendo “The Root of All Evil”), y que una buena dosis de madurez ha sido alcanzada, ¿qué hay en el futuro de Arch Enemy musicalmente hablando?

ANGELA/ ¡Escribir más canciones grandiosas! ¡Ya hemos comenzado y sé que el próximo disco será un bloque repleto de grandes himnos de metal!

SHARLEE

Arch Enemy just keeps growing.  Period.  This metallic head crushing machine, built by the ultra famous Amott brothers, and driven on stage by the beautiful and totally furious Angela Gossow, has proven that metal –and I’m referring to the most sharp edged kind– can be delivered with crystal clear sound without losing a bit of brutality.  The popularity of the band has yet to find a boiling point, and I’m sure that most of us agree on this. 
Arch Enemy is currently busy fulfilling their summer compromises on Europe, while also prepares to enter the studio in order to begin the creation of what will be their next deadly beast.
All this –among other topics naturally– was discussed by metalicos.com with Angela, on an exclusive interview.
Special thanks go to Nasrin Vahdani at Century Media for all the collaboration that made this possible.
But now, our worst arch enemy is on the loose, and it’s dangerous, don’t even dare to doubt it.

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1-METALICOS-Hello Angela, this is Mauricio from www.metalicos.com in Costa Rica, I hope you’re doing fine!  How’s 2010 going for you and the band so far?

ANGELA/ It’s just as busy as the previous 2 years.. haha.. we started off with a US and EU tour, now playing the summer festivals in Europe and writing a new album. We plan to go into the studio in November (with a UK tour wedged in there) and release a new album by the end of May 2011! Full steam ahead as usual.

2-METALICOS-Could you tell us when was the first time you felt that this is what you wanted to do?  Is there any particular event marking such a moment, or it was process instead?

ANGELA/ I always wanted to be involved in a metal band, but didn't plan to take it that far.. I didn't think one could do this full time without starving to death… haha.. I am more than delighted it is working out so well for us. We work a lot. And it's paying off.

3-METALICOS-I know that you must have been asked this question some times before, but for your Latin American fans (since we’ll be publishing this interview in Spanish as well), could you tell us which singers have been influential for you and your style?

ANGELA/ Well.. I love Rob Halford and the late Ronnie James Dio.. but my vocal style influences definitely come from the early 90's death metal bands: Morbid Angel, Death, Obituary, Carcass.

4-METALICOS-Arch Enemy is one of the most popular bands in the metal scene currently; how does the band assimilate this?  Does it mean anything for you to be admired by so many people around the world?

ANGELA/ Being admired.. this is something very abstract and far away.. I am very open to friendly, laid back fans, but too much enthusiasm smothers me. I love to be on stage and have my shining moment there – but as soon as I get off stage I am not a ‘rock star’ anymore and kinda try to hide away from too much attention. I am very grateful though that people like our music. I love sharing the power on music in a concert. I get as much from it as the fans. But as soon as you take the music out of the context and try to put me on a pedestal as a person – It's just not my thing. Personal cult scares me.

5-METALICOS-The Amott brothers are a fundamental part of the Arch Enemy structure, what do you think about their technical and artistic contribution to the band?

ANGELA/ They are outstanding players – and the chemistry between them is incredibly unique and powerful. I am their biggest fan. I am at awe when I watch them play.  Every single time.

6-METALICOS-How’s life on the road with the rest of the guys?  Do you like to do stuff together or do you prefer to be by yourselves?

ANGELA/ Both.. We give each other a lot of freedom. Sometimes we go out for dinner together; sometimes we all just spend a day in our hotel room, enjoying the solitude. We are a family and very close to each other mentally.

7-METALICOS -What’s the thing that you miss the most when you’re on the road?

ANGELA/ Nothing. Everything I need fits into my suitcase. The world is my oyster. I can settle everywhere.  Even if it's only for one night in a hotel room.

8-METALICOS-Have you ever had to face any kind of narrow minded criticism during your career for being a girl?  If so, how have you dealt with it?

ANGELA/ I am not a girl – I am a woman, haha… Narrow-minded people only exist on the internet – I never meet them in real life. They are all cowards. And I do not respect cowards and their brain puke is nothing I pay attention to.

9-METALICOS-Considering that the band has released 8 studio albums so far (including “The Root of All Evil”), and that a fair deal of maturity has been reached, what lies ahead for Arch Enemy musically speaking?

ANGELA/ Writing more great songs! We have already started and I know the next album will be chock full of great metal anthems!

10-METALICOS-What would you say it’s the best thing that has happened to you for being part of Arch Enemy?

ANGELA/ I have broadened my horizon a lot. I have seen the world. I understand it is one big planet.. most people can't see and think beyond the borders of their home. I have also become very flexible to adapt to any given situation in a second. I can take a lot of stress, changes, extreme stuff.

11-METALICOS-What’s your opinion about Latin American audiences?  We would love to see you over here by the way!  You have a very strong following in our country!

ANGELA/ We love Latin America! Very passionate and friendly people. The shows are always crazy, exhilarating and very powerful. Fantastic energy! I think we will include Costa Rica on the next Latin/South American tour – which will most likely be early 2012. So watch out and check www.archenemy.net for tour updates J

12-METALICOS-Well Angela, I can’t thank you enough for this great chance, I hope you liked this interview.  Please say whatever you wish to your Latin American fans as a final message, cheers and take care!!

ANGELA/ Stay Pure Fucking Metal – we will try very hard to come to Costa Rica! We love you!!!