Interviews: GJÖLL

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Metal band GJÖLL from Japan. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?  

I named after the river which is appeared in North European mythology. The Name of the river also means what murmurs, and I selected the name since I want to play the music by which they are murmured.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?  

It is because I like heavy metal bands from North Europe, especially Scandinavian countries. I am influenced by heavy metal music, so I want to play this genre and show what I’m affected by.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

I knew the bassist Chaos from when I was a student. All members but him joined after the band was formed.

4. Each band member favourite band?  

Julia(Vocal)：Nightwish, Nine Inch Nails, Opeth and so on Tuhka(Vocal)：Alcest, Anathema, Sonata Arctica and so on Rei(Viola)：Dry the river, Nightwish, Everything Everything and so on Botti(Violin)：QUEEN, Perfume, Ego Wrappin’ and so on Chaos(Bass)：Spiral Architect, Opeth, Rhapsody of fire and so on Nagamasa(Guitar)：Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy, In flames and so on Shindo(Guitar)：Van Halen, Journey, Whitesnake and so on Ratchman(Drums)：Galneryus and HIBRIA Ojo(keyboard)：Chopin and Momoiro Clover Z

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?  

About lyrics I make ideas from what I think usually. If I write something fantastic and unrealistic, I am inspired by mythology, Anime and Video games. About composition, though varying from person to person, some members compose from when they determine to do.

6. Where was your last gig?  

I played last summer in Tokyo. I wanted to release the EP earlier, so I prioritized the preparation over the gig.

7. Where would you like to act?  

I hope that I would play in North Europe. I want to feel the atmosphere of heavy metal, especially in Sweden and Finland.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?  

I would like to feature with the bands we like. If we played with them, we could make new songs in our excitement.

9. Whom not?  

I’ve never thought on that….

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?  

I am always nervous when I play on the stage since any trouble can happen. But, if there is someone who enjoys himself with us, you feel encouraged and enjoy yourselves. And then you try to do as much as you can. Unfortunately, I think there is not a solution like magic.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?  

This is the most difficult for me to answer. I am really affected by many heavy metal bands from North Europe. However, if I tell you the examples, I was inspired by Sonata Arctica, Nightwish or Children of Bodom, since I experienced the heavy metal for the first time by listening to their songs.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?  

Though it is not “weird”, when Ithilien, which belongs to Worm Hole Death, came to Japan for the first time, someone told us to feature them in our radio program and so it was surprising to me. Now, it is also surprising that we belong to the same label.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

I’m so sorry for waiting for our fans to release the EP. I’m determined to do next, that is, I want to release the next record as quickly as possible and I’ll do my best to do so.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think that your site is of course cool and stylish!