Interview with Hal Marabel of Mad Invasion (Sweden)
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Hal! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking
some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Hal Marabel: Hi there, thanx for
reaching out to us – much appreciated.
CV: How does Mad Invasion merge 70s hard rock with modern styles and sounds?
With a 40 plus year divide, does such a blending pose any challenges to avoid
sounding dated?
HM: A big part of getting
the combination to work for us is that although the approach is classic vintage
rock, the sounds and production are modern, from the guitars and rhythm section
to the keyboards and effects. We jokingly often say that this is what the old
bands wanted to sound like but couldn’t due to the technological limitations at
that time. Today, most things can be done but without the right mindset and
approach, it’s hard to find the ‘sweet spot’ between the traditional and
modern. As producers, Björn and I play an integral role in creating the
end result, bringing their best to the table with their combined knowledge and
experience, and together with Pete’s solid lower range vocals – the Mad
Invasion concept and sound has become both distinct and recognizable.
CV: Mad
Invasion, as a band, is a collection of seasoned musicians, touring
professionals and songwriters. How does having such a magnitude of talent
effect the band's day to day operation? Do egos ever find a way of rearing
their ugly heads?
HM: No…actually not at all.
Since we have very clear roles in the band, the different parts work very well together.
Being older and at a more mature state in life also helps. We have all become
more relaxed and flexible with age.
CV: The band's debut album, "Edge of the World," is set to
release in September. What can you tell us about the record? What can listeners
expect?
HM: Conceptually the album
has quite a dark touch to it, since many of the songs, in one way or another,
are about the fight between the good and the evil that surrounds us. That evil
is real and life is getting harder and tougher for everyone and that it isn’t
always good that wins. Combining this with bone-crushing guitars, a pounding
bass and thunderous drums, creates a sound experience that many will enjoy and
remember.
CV: Did the pandemic cause any delays in the
album's production?
HM: No, we took our time
with writing and recording this album and just continued the same way through
the pandemic. In Sweden, the restrictions have been less strict than in many
other countries so we continued the production as usual, although practicing
safe distancing when needed.
CV: How did Mad Invasion hook up with Motorhead/Scorpions
drummer Mikkey Dee to appear in the
video for the album's first single, "Devil's
Calling."
HM: Our singer Pete and
Mikkey know each other from before since they both come from Gothenburg and
have been part of the same rock communities throughout the years. So it was
Pete who tipped us to ask him if he would consider appearing as a special guest
in our three first videos.
Luckily for us, we found an arrangement that worked for both of us.
CV: Is writing an album for Mad Invasion an entire band endeavor or
does one individual stand as the primary writer with the rest of the members
serving as secondary sources?
HM: All songs are written by
Björn, Pete and Hal.
The writing process typically starts with
Björn laying down some basic guitar tracks in our studio, to try out a new song
idea. Next Pete will get introduced to the song and some ideas for lyrics and
arrangements. Once he has a feel for the song he will write the lyrics and
the vocals are then recorded. This part of the process is a bit different since
Pete likes to record his vocals just to the guitars and a click track – without
any backgrounds or effects in his listening. After the vocals, Hal comes into
the picture and the recorded tracks are transferred to the computer where the
actual music production project is officially born. Hal then adds keyboards,
sounds and effects, as well as working with the rhythm section and overall
arrangement of the song. At this point the final bass guitar and background
vocals are recorded. Throughout the recording and production process, the song is
continuously iterated within the band for input and ideas until all feel
satisfied with the result.
CV: What are you hoping fans come away with
after listening to "Edge of the
World?"
HM: That with Mad Invasion,
they have now found the great combination of classic vintage rock and modern
soundscape, something new and fresh but with a connection to rock history and
tradition.
CV: In addition to the debut album, what more
can we expect to see coming from Mad
Invasion in 2021 and beyond?
HM: We have already started
production of our next album, which will be even better – and darker.
In 2022 we will also go live and we are looking forward to it.
CV: Thank you again Hal for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
HM: Thank you very much –
say ‘Hi’ to your readers, we hope that they will like the album.
Check
out Mad Invasion at:
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/madinvasion
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadInvasion/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madinvasion/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/madinvasion
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