A Dirty Dozen with MADELEINE LILJESTAM and RICKARD EKBERG from ELEINE – November 2019

According to a recent press release: “You’ve been betrayed sometime in your life, right? Imagine yourself walking out of that despair with a smile, a bleeding heart that will slowly heal, knowing you now have a clearer path to reach your goals in life. “United we join the fight, against our enemies.” “Enemies” is Eleine’s first single & video from the upcoming EP “All Shall Burn” and it kicks ass. After the instant success with “Enemies”, ELEINE is now keeping up the steam when releasing the band’s second single from the EP All Shall Burn. This time they’re covering the mighty Rammstein with the track “Mein Herz Brennt.” We get singer Medeleine and guitarist Rikard to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Rikard: There are actually a few nuggets hidden here and there, both instrumental and lyrical. I enjoy putting small Easter eggs in songs now and then, to both pay small tribute to something or someone and also keep the writing process interesting. Let’s see if anyone manages to find them!

Madeleine: There is one nugget in the single ”Enemies”. No one has found it yet tho! The EP All Shall Burn itself is a 5 track EP, and is actually our first EP. We’ve got two full lengths albums in the bag and this was a great way to give new and long time followers a little peek into what’s to come.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Madeleine: It has just always been very clear to me. Having a dad that has been a musician for as long as I remember might have helped me slide into pursuing a musical career, haha.

Rikard: The same goes for me with always knowing. I did spend a couple of years ignoring what my gut told me, and I became quite miserable as a result. But now, it’s all about doing what I love, and that is being a creative artist.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Madeleine: Hmm, no one specific as such… but I’d have to say that Queen at Live Aid made a big impact on me, it’s a good thing that they recorded it! In my teens I discovered bands like Dimmu Borgir, Rammstein and Iron Maiden. These four are great inspirations to me and it was in my teens I felt that metal was what I wanted to do in my life.

Rikard: My musical taste is all over the place haha. I love classical music, blues, like to listen to some forms of jazz/swing and of course… good ol’ metal!I think it’s more of a mishmash for me personally. I had this VHS recording of a Michael Jackson concert that I watched over and over again until the sound got warped as hell haha. His showmanship blew me away, and that is something that has guided me for a long time now.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Madeleine: Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Hans Zimmer, Moonspell, and Rammstein.

Rikard: Only five?! Ok here goes… Metallica, Dio, Arch Enemy, Hans Zimmer and Rammstein.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Madeleine: Dude, that list is long.. haha! But one of them is that I would love to make a collaboration with Till Lindemann, I mean… can you imagine? I admire him as a songwriter, and the poet he is. So that would be something special to me!

Rikard: Yeah, let’s go with Till!

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Madeleine: How would I describe it? THIS IS .ELEINE METAL!! Our music is dark, gothic symphonic metal with oriental twist and turns. Let’s say Dark Gothic Symphonic Metal for short, haha. Oh geeez. Good one. There are a lot of comparisons that we might disagree with, but none that have made me cringe out of my seat.  The closest to cringe moments are when you can really tell an reviewer has NOT listened to the actual album nor done any kind of research what so ever. It’s also very cringe reading when it’s an obvious female-in-metal hater behind the writing desk. Luckily, we haven’t come across many of those… and hey, haters gonna hate <3 ☺

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Madeleine: When you look out over a crowd and see people being taken by your music, when followers get empowered and grow as human beings. I know some very close fans that are very shy, insecure and never go to concerts since they’d have go alone. But here’s the kicker – You’re never alone at an Eleine concert. It is like a big family that just wants to listen to metal, have a good time and head bang. The very same shy fans know this and have mustered up the courage to head out, and sometimes travel really far I might add, to attend a show. Seeing them there at a venue, knowing that this was a HUGE challenge for them.. always makes me so proud. I know first hand what it’s like not feeling comfortable in public places, and seeing that we can lift each other up and be a strong unity, that’s larger than life.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Rikard: ‘Tis I who cook the food! I just love the creative process behind it all, and luckily it tastes good also! Still no singalongs I’m afraid, haha!

Madeleine: Mmmmmh Rikard’s food is like… you gotta try it to get it! So, when we’re hanging out we eat good food, watch something fun and we (me and Jesper) always enjoy cookies when they’re available!

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Madeleine: I’ve never been starstruck to be honest, but I am really shy to new people and there are some that I really admire for their work, for who they are etc. One of them is Alissa White-Gluz. Meeting Alissa when we supported Arch Enemy was a beautiful moment. I respect her for everything she does for animal- and human rights, for her songwriting and for her being one of the most awesome front figures at the metal scene.

Rikard: I don’t think I’ve ever been starstruck really. I’m kind of awkward at times anyways, so I tend to sometimes come across as weird regardless of who I’m speaking to. It is always fun to meet someone you admire tho!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Madeleine: Something with animals, that’s good for the animals I have to specifically say. ☺

Rikard: I’d say film/photography and also working with animals… filming and photographing animals!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Madeleine: If those are the term, I wish I’d ask more people to go to hell earlier. I’ve was bullied during all my years in school, and it has happened to me as an adult too. I accepted it for many years, but last year both me and Rikard were fed up. It was such a relief cutting the wires, and finally feel free.

Rikard: There are always those moments you think back to and wish you did things differently. Even if it wouldn’t change our current situation I would keep everything the same. Sure, the outcome is the same, but there is no lesson to be learned.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Madeleine: I gotta say that I like your questions. Thank you! There are two records I would love to do that with. Abrahadabra with Dimmu Borgir and Doomsday Machine with Arch Enemy. Both has been a support during rough times and also huge inspirations during the years.

Rikard: I like magic, and I enjoy time on a daily basis. I would sit in on Holy Diver for sure! Also, since magic is involved, I would be there during Rammstein’s sessions of “Mutter” and sit beside Madeleine at the Doomsday Machine recording with Arch Enemy.

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Category: Interviews