No problem.

Yeah, lets do it.

Oh, busy…(Slight chuckle.) We started out doing the tour with Fear Factor in North America, which was a really successful one. And we've been doing a bunch of festivals this summer. Had a little bit of a break here in July, and we're picking it up again, doing a few more shows, a few more festivals, and then we're heading to UK with Arch Enemy to do three or five shows. And after that we're going to hit South America in September, and then North America again. So... yeah, so far it's been very busy and it looks like it's going to be very busy all the way to Christmas.

No, this is the first time. We've gotten offers before, but for various reasons it hasn't happened yet. So that's going to be really exciting.

Yes, I am very much. I'm sure that it's going to be crazy.

Intimidating? Not really. At times it felt a little bit weird in China. We played five shows there, up by Harbin, and there was so much pollution that you could barely see. It was pretty crazy. And there were times when you felt a little bit watched as well. When we got to the hotel in Beijing for example, there were armed guards stationed outside. But as far as being really intimidated, no, I don't think we've ever experienced something that creepy.

Well, I would love to tour with one of the big dinosaurs before they quit. Priest (JUDAS PRIEST) would've been awesome. That's one of my all-time favourites. That would be very cool.

Well, it is basically a compilation of lost tracks, but it does have an album feel to it. It has songs from 2005 (and more), including two brand new tracks that were taken from "The Ride Majestic" recording sessions. I think it showcases our progression as songwriters and musicians. It's a pretty interesting journey for us to listen through this album.

It was interesting. Some of tracks did awake a couple of memories, because at that time I was quite 'bummed out' that "Martyr" and "Wherever Thorns May Grown" didn't end up on the record; because I thought that they were great tracks. Although today I somewhat understand why they didn't make it. But at the same time, because they were sort of progressive and had a different feel to them, and we were just more straightforward in our sound back then (today we're a little bit more progressive I would say) so it makes more sense now.

It happens that you find songs that make you think: "Wow, why are we not playing that song live?"  It's more like that and not listening back and thinking that we were so much better back then. I don't really get that. So I guess that's a good sign. And I don't think that I'm lying one bit to myself. (Laughs) I don't think that I'm in denial. I think that we've grown to become a much more interesting band; especially with "The Living Infinite" and "The Ride Majestic". And I think we sound more unique as well. I think we've managed to develop as a band and as a live unit, and as a songwriting unit also.

Yeah; it comes with age I guess. (Laughs)

Hard to say…I mean, we've managed to somehow rediscover ourselves as songwriters, and there is a great vibe in the band. And we're still a very good live act. We're not talking about corporate metal here; it's not a machine. There's a good vibe, and I'm really proud of that. And we're also at a stage where we're sort of sick of travelling - it's not as fun as it used to be. But it's always cool to tour and be on stage; because once you're there it's usually a lot of fun. Yet I have to say that my favourite part is still being in the studio and composing something. That's like the greatest kick to me. But then again, taking it to the stage, that's a different kick. And it's just as rewarding in many ways; especially when you have a new album out and you feel that the songs are really working out very well live and you get a good response. That is obviously quite addictive. I don't think that I could have just been in a studio band; that would've been pretty boring. But it is a little bit different nowadays, in many ways. Sleep is getting more important, and routines, and it's kind of hard to find those things on tour.

This might sound sort of shallow, but I'm actually most focused on the lyrics when I record them and when I actually write them. That's where my biggest focus lies. Then, when we take it to the stage, no matter how dark the lyrics may be, or how serious we are musically and lyrically, I still want it to be some kind of a celebration. I'd rather look at it as being as a celebration or a party. I know it sounds very shallow, but I think it would just consume me if had to go up on stage and constantly 'go there'; given that I do feel the lyrics and I know where they're coming from. But it's almost like you get some closure when you put them on an album and you take them to the stage.

Well, I don't know…(Slight chuckle.) I was a guitar player and I became a singer overnight, basically. I started in high-school, that's where I met Peter, and he could tell that I was into Metal. And he just came up to one day and said: "I can tell that you like Metal" and "would you like to sing in this band that I'm about to start?" And I was like "well I play guitar, but I had always wanted to try vocals, so let's try it out". So that's how I came to sing. So there was no master-plan behind all of this. I guess I was curious. So it's pretty interesting how life works out sometimes. I'm happy that he came up to me that day and asked me.

Yeah, I guess so.

Yeah, I play a lot of guitar, I write songs. I wrote eight of the songs on The Living Infinite and I believe I wrote four on The Ride Majestic. So I'm still playing a lot of guitar, but I could never pull it off live. I'm just so much better at singing. But I like playing guitar, I like playing bass too, and I like playing drums as well…(Laughs)…so all of the instruments. I really suck at piano though. I can't pull it off at all.

(Pauses in contemplation.) Hmm…I think…well I like GHOST; I think I would've been a great Papa.

Yeah, I do like them, I really like their songwriting and I think that they put on a hell of a show too. I love TRIBULATION as well; especially "The Children of the Night" album. There are not a lot of band that tickle my interest in the current Metal scene. But when I find one that I really like, I always try to promote them…because it rare nowadays.

I'm not reading enough books; I really should. I know that this may sound kind of boring, but I guess that I do get influenced from daily life. After all, I've been in this band for 20 years, and you make a lot of sacrifices in your private life and relationships. You don't get to have the same routines as "normal people". (Laughs). So that will create some interesting scenarios, generating feelings and thoughts that probably wouldn't have occurred if you lived a 9 to 5 sort of life. So I do get inspired from that. I do watch movies but I wouldn't really say that I get that much inspiration from movies. It's more of a personal thing. I channel all of my existential questions and thoughts through the music. That's one way of dealing with that. Given that you're not given answers to a lot of those questions, it's better to channel them through music.

We've been a very democratic band the whole time. We share everything equally and I believe in that. I think that's how you keep a band together. And maybe for some bands it works better to have a dictator who will get you further, but then again you will never have the same kind of vibe in the band if you were to share everything equally and work towards the same goal. And it lies in everybody's interest to take the band further. And I really believe in that. I'm not going to lie, sometimes some people in the band don't write any songs and I write a lot of songs, but I still get paid the same, and that can be frustrating at times. (Laughs) Because I'm always the one who is expected to be available overtime, because I am the frontman. But I'm sharing everything equally, and I very much believe in that. And the most important thing to me is the friendship in a band and having a good vibe when you are away from home. I really enjoy that. Personal chemistry is so important. So I think it is paramount, from the get-go, to find a formula that work for you, so you won't have to ask those questions later.

Did I mention the NIGHTFLIGHT ORCHESTRA?

Oh, well I have another band called the NIGHTFLIGHT ORCHESTRA together with David, who also plays guitar in SOILWORK; and it also features Sharlee D'angelo from ARCH ENEMY. It is basically late 70's, early 80's Classic Rock. We've recently been signed by Nuclear Blast and the new album is going to be out in the spring of next year. It's completely different from SOILWORK, but I think people will enjoy it, so keep your eyes open.