Anton Johansson

Galahad Suite

Anton Johansson's GALAHAD SUITE has released a new treasure into the Progressive and Power Metal scene, an album hailed by our very own YngwieViking as "brilliant", "uplifting" and "inspiring". With the chance to finally interview the man behind the masterpiece, YngwieViking takes the opportunity to learn more about the enigmatic Anton Johansson.

By YngwieViking

• August 2, 2013

Anton Johansson (Galahad Suite) interview

Hi Anton, firstly, congratulations!!! I think Galahad Suite is a fantastic release and is a very addictive, uplifting and inspiring album. As a fan of Swedish Melodic Metal, it was for me a real delight. What will be your words to describe it?

Oh thank you! Well I guess it is just like you say, somewhat easy to listen to but still needs a couple of listening sessions here and there.

Can you first tell us about yourself and your background as a musician including your past and your involvement with other bands? I want to know everything…Go!

Mister Kite has always been the main band. I left in 2005 due to lack of engagement. Since then I have played in some more or less realistic bands but mainly focused on Galahad.

Concerning your main band MISTER KITE, should we expect something soon?

I think it is time, yes! ^^

Can you tell us more about your collaboration with your colleagues Linus Abrahamson, Magnus Kristensson, and Alf Wemmelind from MISTER KITE?

Well Alf and the late Magnus were always the driving force of Mister Kite and the three of us wrote the major part of the material. Linus came in as the bass player when I left so we got to know each other on a separate level. That made me see very quickly that Linus was actually the one that could make Galahad happen.

How did your idea to create such a monster work as this concept album come about at first?

A friend of mine (Johan Dahlström of the band Colorstone) showed up one day with an idea for a song. It was about the knight Galahad. It never turned out to anything but stayed in my mind and grew from there.

Can we expect a Galahad Suite number 2? Do you plan on touring? If yes, how - I suppose the logistics will be huge?

Not a Galahad 2, he dies you know J But I am working on the next Anton Johansson album. The band is actually looking for gigs right now. They love to play the album so much and the chemistry within the band is magic so I totally understand them. I won't take part though. They will do it on their own J

How do you recruit the cast?

Friends who know friends who know friends. We even found one of them on Youtube and made contact.

Can you introduce to us the Full line up?

Linus Abrahamson – Guitar and bass
Carl Lindquist- Vocals
Mats Bergentz – Drums
Sebastian Berglund – Keyboards
Anna Forsvall Lundmark – Cello
Erik Wiss – Additional Keyboards
Evelina Andersson – Backing vocals
Ellen Abrahamson – Backing vocals
Mikael Cederhag – Backing vocals

Guest musicians. Who plays what and where can be found on www.galahadsuite.com

In my review for the superb new album Galahad Suite, I stated that the album reveals a unique personality, a true one of a kind Metal melting pot embezzled by influences ranging from Progressive Rock to Melodic Metal. What is your feeling about this quote?

You got it, Man!! J

I also wrote about the talent of vocalist Carl Lindquist, stating that he certainly holds a bright future. What is your opinion about him?

He is absolutely amazing. He can sing for hours and hours and only get better by the minute. Yep, a bright future indeed!

Do you think that the complexity of some song structures or the progressives parts in Galahad Suite can be a block for some listeners?

Maybe, but I think that since it doesn't go on for hours, most people can pull through.

How do you manage to keep the fun in the music while composing or how do you stay out of the pretentious cerebral schema of concept albums? Do you have a special recipe or did you just get the inspiration to flow?

No, I do whatever music that comes out of my mind and the see where it might fit in. That's the fun of it. Now on this project lots of the music has been co-written and been lying around all these years so they already had their places.

Can we expect a physical release of this great album in Europe or in Japan?

I will release a limited edition of 500 to the closest friends and fans.

What do you think of the state of the market in 2013? What is your opinion concerning digital downloading both legal and illegal?

Digital downloading is good since everything else is in a downloadable state from bank security to games to insurance and what not. Why would music have to be physical?

Tell us what we have to expect from your side in the future to come?

Oh as stated above at least two more albums if everything works out.

What is the last CD you purchased?

Actually I think it was some Mister Kite album that was on sale so I could give it to friends J Otherwise it was probably The Tall Ships by It Bites.

Please let us know your Swedish Metal Top Five?

Really don't know what Metal is or not but five Swedish bands I listen to a lot:

Pain of Salvation
Seventh Wonder
A.C.T.
Freak Kitchen
Fifty Grand Suicide

Please let us know your all-time Top 10?

It Bites
ELP
Frost*
Haken
Pain of Salvation
Alice Cooper
Dream Theater
Freak Kitchen
Seventh Wonder
U.K.

Now it's time for the Chinese portrait aka "Le questionnaire de Bernard Pivot, which is inspired by Marcel Proust. This questionnaire is probably more familiar to English audiences as the one that journalist James Lipton asks at the end of the TV show "Inside the Actors Studio."

What is your favorite word?

Home

What is your least favorite word?

Nazi

What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?

Food, wine, love, smells, colors, life

What turns you off?

Ignorance

What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck

What sound or noise do you love?

Aircooled VW engines

What sound or noise do you hate?

Drunk people shouting nonsense…also sober people doing the same

If not yourself, who would like to be?

Someone who knows it all

What profession would you never do?

Brain surgery

Who would like to see on a new bank note?

Albert Einstein

If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be?

A cat, because they always get people to feed them and cuddle with them. Normal people that is…

If God exists, what you like to hear him say at the gates of heaven?

Dude! Finally! Let's have some fun!

I wish to thank you for this epic interview and wish you guys the best of luck with the new album and on the path ahead. Anything else you want to share with the fans and our readers out there?

Just a very warm thank you for nice words and for taking time to reflect on my little project. Check it out at www.galahadsuite.com

Thanks a bunch and take care!

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