Bruno Kraler

Brunorock

METAL TEMPLE sat down to talk to rising(?) force BRUNOROCK, who get their big break in 2009 by releasing War Maniacs, an excellent piece of melodic Hard Rock music. Mainman Bruno Kraler tells us how BRUNOROCK and this new album were born, his paths up until now and his beliefs and future plans.

By Grigoris Chronis

• October 31, 2009

Interview with: Bruno Kraler from BRUNOROCK

Hi Bruno, thanx a lot for taking the time to answer our questions regarding BRUNOROCK and War Maniacs.

Thanks a lot to you for giving me the possibility to do this interview, and thanks again for the big review about War Maniacs.

Connecting your name with the band's name, is BRUNOROCK some kind of a solo project, also featuring guest musicians, or it's a normal band having you as some kind of a leader? Who has the last call regarding key decisions for the band?

Well, BRUNOROCK is a solo project but there are a couple of musicians (Alessandro Del Vecchio and Dominik Huelshorst) deeply involved into the writing process of the songs...so, in fact, we are working togheter like a band! The final decision is up to me, but I like to talk with my mates about every question.

Are you the one writing the whole music? The same question goes for the lyrics.

As mentioned before we are acting like a band, basically I start out with a main guitar riff...then I give the material over to my drummer Dominik, he works on the groove and finally we build the song! The most of the lyrics are done by a friend of mine. His name is Francesco Rubino and he is a very talented lyricist.

How many years have you been active as a band? We can see your first discographic step being 1994s self-titled album. Then there's a big absence and we hear from BRUNOROCK again 2002, now having some solid steps till these years War Maniacs album. Some key points in the band's history would be...?

Well, I was the lead singer for many years in the German based Rock band DARK SKY. In 1993 I started to record my first solo album...all the titles on that album are performed in Italian language so I think I failed to get a bigger success because we don't have a big market for melodic Hard rock music with Italian vocals here in our country. Some money was spent in that record and I was a little bit disappointed that I didn't gain more attention, so I decided to put my music on ice for a couple of years. I went back with a new album in 2002, this record called X-Over was a sort of transition and marks my return to a more melodic Rock oriented music with English vocals. The biggest success in my career was the third album called Interaction, mixed by Michael Wagener and released by MTM records worldwide.

The reason for the typical set of questions above is the sad fact that really a limited number of hard/melodic Rock fans was aware of BRUNOROCK's deeds. I think that with the new album's music (I still believe its the band's finest album to date), plus some new label/promotion/distribution deals you've been up to lately, the BRUNOROCK name will spread to a wider audience. The music is strong, really. How much time did you work on this new material?

Well, all in all...writing, record and mixing it took 2 years to realize War Maniacs. The musicians involved in this record are spread around the world, so sometimes I got to wait weeks for a single part, but I'm sure it was worth because some performances are really outstanding. I love every second of my new album...and in fact it's the best CD I've done to date.

Did you have any songs left from previous sessions that eventually made it to War Maniacs?

No, there are no tracks left, I usually work really hard to get the maximum out of every song, so there is no need for me to write in overflow.

The album's title sounds somehow strange the first time. Plus, the same-titled song does not feature any aggression in it's music making. Is there some special meaning behind this title?

Yes, I'm deeply against any form of aggression and any form of war, the lyrics of the song titled War Maniacs is rather cynic...and obviously the album title was chosen to gain attention!

As written in our review, the key factor in our opinion regarding War Maniacs is that it has a specific songwriting approach and a relative sound that applies to the wants of melodic/hard rock fans but successfully does not sound (even similar) like lots of other bands in the same general genre (as widely seen in e.g. the roster of a couple of labels dealing with this specific style). Where you determined you'd like some other production approach in this album or is it's something that came naturally?

I really put some time into the songwriting and production and I try to get a trademark that distinguishes a BRUNOROCK song from all the other artists out there.

At what critical point did you say OK, the album is ready? In other words, what was the initial scope for BRUNOROCK's new album? What's the feedback received by Media and the fans, as we speak?

I'm never ready to say OK...every song is a perpetual work in progress...and I'm constantly searching for perfection...but I have a record label that counts on me...and finally I have to give them a new album from time to time! The feedback is outstanding; I never got this amount of attention in the past.

Being a Rock album anyway, is it out of the question to ask if you filtered any other influences in War Maniacs? I mean, I never imagined e.g. TOTO being a solid Rock band and I think BRUNOROCK has let such wide music elements stepping in the songs. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Basically I love any kind of music...so it's natural for me, that elements of other music styles blends into my songs. For example In Search Of Faith features a Jazz feeling mixed with Rock music elements, on the other side the song Julia is a more Pop oriented song. War Maniacs is based on a tribal rhythm section and probably the influences from other styles are the base for the BRUNOROCK trademark.

Apart from your obvious guitar skills, truth is your voice fits the band's music like a glove. Is it a strong decision you handling the vocals or you ended up being the singer due to the lack of finding someone appropriate enough for the job?

Well...it's true. In 1985 I was forced to sing lead vocals because we didn't find a singer for my first band called NIGHTPRIDE!

Can you handle both duties onstage, you think?

I play some parts of rhythm guitar on stage and it's no problem for me to do both duties at the same time.

Speaking of stages, how're things regarding BRUNOROCKs live activities? No such info is available at your official or MySpace page.

It's a matter of money...I do not have the possibility to pay as the support act for a bigger name. I'm a solo artist and the only one in charge for everything...I have to pay my musicians because they are all professionals. And it's nearly impossible for me to pay tour and musicians...so I really can't accept gigs where we have to pay for.

There seems to be a good amount of talking between fans on whether the 80s days of Rock were the most glorious or good music still comes out but there's a change in the way fans listen to or evaluate it. Are you the kind of musician and/or fan stuck to the sounds you grew up with or you try to be attracted by something new and good coming out?

No, I'm definitely not stuck in the 80s. The typical 80s sound is obviously a big part of me because I grew up with that music and that sound...but I really like the new music and modern styles too.

Do you support the opinion that many 80s monster bands should quit in order to leave space for newcomers to keep the fire burning?

Hmmm...this is a good question! I think there is enough place for everyone...but we all together have to work more on the quality of our products because there is a big amount of crap overflowing the market.

At the end of the day, you think no matter how commercial a band/artist is or not, does it make sense to make music you're not 100% into just because of money, recognition, or just a way to make a living? Should Rock music return to some more underground patterns in order to become more revolutionary again or this is not the case at all?

I have a particular point of view, I like to make music but I would never do something that I don't like only to get money! So, in fact I have one project only and all my forces are working for BRUNOROCK. I know there are plenty of musicians involved in dozen of projects and they do it very well...but I am definitely not that kind of person. I really like to work on one thing only.

Bruno, thanks a lot again! Anything you'd like to add is more than welcome!

Again, thank you very much for your support!!

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