Anders Buaas used to be known as Andy Boss. He has played guitar for metallic legends such as Paul Di Anno (Iron Maiden) and Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest)… now he is on his own. The last album of his instrumental trilogy "The Witches of Finnmark" is about to exist released and it is the perfect soundtrack for these days of quarantine. Anders talked to Metal Imperium and told us all the juicy details about the new album…

M.I. - First off, many thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new album "The Witches of Finnmark III"! It's amazing! You used to be known as Andy Dominate and, for these releases, you use your existent name… why did you experience the need to start using your real name? Is it because your music path is slightly different now?

Admittedly! When playing with an 80's metal ring, and bankroll artists like Paul DiAnno information technology was important to have a name that was easy to remember and that fitted the band prototype. It´s not easy to pronounce my name correctly in other languages. At present, as this is my solo project, I feel like information technology is OK to utilise my full and real name.

Thousand.I. - "The Witches of Finnmark 3" is the last anthology of the conceptual trilogy about the persecution of witches in the 16th and 17th centuries in Finnmark. How tin can a persecution be interesting enough to inspire a trilogy?

This part of history is the darkest in my country, and I was mainly inspired by the book "At the gates of Hell" by historian Rune Blix Hagen. I have always been fascinated by this era in history, and also by the occult. The title and showtime inspiration came to me when playing in the prog band Amarula in 2004, but it remained an idea in the back of my head for many, many years earlier it fitted some music I wrote in 2016.

M.I. - This trilogy was inspired by the book "At The Gates of Hell" by Rune Blix Hagen. How did you come up beyond the book?

I first saw the writer on a documentary about Witches in Finnmark and later he released the book, which I bought immediately. He is well-known in Kingdom of norway for his knowledge virtually this office of Norwegian history.

M.I. - What were your first thoughts when you read it? Did the thought of "converting" it into music come up up immediately?

I already had the title and the thought, so the volume inspired me to human action on it and make the idea into something real.

Thou.I. - Why did you feel the need to tell stories with your guitar? What'southward your relationship with it?

Some of the songs were written for vocals, but I never quite got it to work with lyrics. I tried playing the melodies on guitar and it worked correct abroad. I continued on that path. I have ever enjoyed instrumental music, and I feel that nowadays nearly all music is with vocals. Lots of great music, for sure, simply it does not always have to be with vocals fronting information technology. I want to acknowledge the great instrumental music out there and get in accessible and more than mainstream again, similar in the 70'due south.

One thousand.I. - Parts I and 2 were released in 2017 and 2018, getting great reviews both locally and around the globe. What kind of reviews did you lot receive for Role III?

Mainly neat ones for function III every bit well. I am so grateful for this. I got signed by Apollon Records on function III, so the distribution has been ameliorate, getting out to more countries and listeners, but I hope that they will give role I and Two a mind also, every bit this is a trilogy where all parts are connected.

One thousand.I. - All 3 albums include six tracks… whatever particular reason for this?

666.  Yes, you got it!

One thousand.I. - The albums of the trilogy are by and large instrumental… why include vocals in tracks like "Requiem"?

I consider information technology all instrumental, as there is no lyrics. The vocals on the cease of Requiem are more like an effect. It was kinda cool to include vocals at the very end of the trilogy, equally I don´t think listeners expected it.

One thousand.I. - The instruments used in this album were guitars, keyboards, mandolin, banjo, drums, bass, percussion, snare drum, tuba and bass trombone… how do y'all decide which instruments fit ameliorate in which part of the vocal? Is it a long procedure?

For demos, I play everything myself in my home studio. I have plenty of fourth dimension to endeavor out unlike ideas and instruments. I had a clear thought for office Three. For example, the song "Firehorn" is well-nigh the Devil and his trumpet/horn that shoots fire when played. I mixed Tuba, Trombone and synths to make a horn audio like no other.

M.I. - The encompass fine art was done by Yannick Bouchard and, in my opinion, it is the best embrace of the trilogy. What's its meaning? Is the witch being seduced by Expiry?

Yannick has done the cover art on all three parts of the trilogy. He is truly gifted. There are many meanings subconscious in the artwork for function III. The devil (or death) is seducing the witch, yes. This is what the vocal "Firehorn" is almost, and also the vocal "Raven" from office II. You can see the raven on the comprehend, as well every bit the roses and skulls from the other artworks. And much more…  Growing up on Iron Maidens album covers, I love when artists take the fourth dimension to include details and hidden stuff on their album covers.

M.I. - The embrace fine art of the albums suggest that the music is heavier than it really is… is it intended? Why choose such intense visuals for your music?

Just my taste, I estimate. I have always loved metal and the great anthology covers of bands similar Iron Maiden, King Diamond, Ozzy etc…

1000.I. - The music contains elements of folk, dejection, progressive stone, jazz and classical and you were inspired by bands and artists like Mike Oldfield, Genesis, King Crimson, Al DiMeola, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marillion, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore. I guess you're a fan of music in general, despite the genre. Why is music then important to y'all? Can you imagine your life without music? How old were you when y'all showtime realized your life had to revolve around music?

I started playing guitar at 14, and was hooked when I heard Iron Maiden and Yngwie Malmsteen. Later on, I discovered prog rock and fusion. Great music is great no matter what. I do not similar genres, every bit I believe information technology often keeps listeners from discovering new and slap-up music. Music can give you all kinds of feelings and moods, and it is a swell outlet also.

M.I. - This trilogy was written and produced by yourself simply you had several musicians playing with you. How did you lot choose them?

I have known them and played with them for years. Are (bass) also played when we toured with Paul DiAnno and Ripper Owens. The choice was easy. Great musicians and even better friends.

Thou.I. - Supposedly you played some mini concerts in Oslo last February… how did it become? Was it an audio-visual presentation? Exercise all the musicians that play with you in the album join you live?

That was a promo show with just 3 songs. It was only me with backing tracks. The full band has washed a concert for the release of role I and II. We are now rehearsing for a long testify with the total trilogy performed alive.

M.I. - On the 8th January, on a Facebook post, y'all asked your fans to give y'all their meridian 3 tracks from the trilogy… which ones are your favourite?

The Witches of Finnmark, Christmas Eve and Cunningham.

Thou.I. - The witch trials and persecutions in Finnmark in the 16th and 17th century were some of the worst mankind has seen. Has mankind evolved for the best or for the worse?

Mainly for the improve, but we notwithstanding have a lot to learn from our sins of the past. Fearfulness of the unknown and racism still exists, only in new forms and ways.

Grand.I. - At present that the trilogy is complete… what can nosotros expect of Anders Buaas in the nigh future? Another album? Some other trilogy? Has any other volume inspired you lately to write more music?

I am working on a new project at present. Writing a lot of new stuff. Yous´ll simply have to wait and meet...

M.I. - Have you lot got any plans to perform the trilogy alive? Which songs will there be on the setlist?

I plan to play the full trilogy live, and Rune Blix Hagen, the author of the book will exist joining u.s.a. on stage, introducing the songs.

G.I. - What were the main lessons you learned when you toured as guitar player for Paul Di Anno (Iron Maiden) and Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest)?

To practice a lot more than you call up y'all need to.

To accept undecayed gear, and fill-in gear.

To first songs immediately, and not waste time on stage.

One thousand.I. - How many guitars do yous own? Is there a guitar that has a special place in your heart? If so, which one and why?

Well-nigh xv guitars. I love my sonic grey Fender stratocaster the nigh. My main guitar these days. Also the black strat with ii humbuckers I used for almost DiAnno shows is awesome, but has been played to death.

M.I. - Do you call back your music would be the perfect soundtrack for a flick about the persecution of witches? Would that be a "dream come true"?

Absolutely. I beloved film music, and many reviews accept suggested this. A dream come truthful for sure.

M.I. - Any concluding words you'd like to share with us?

Only thanks for reaching out… All the best!

Questions by Sónia Fonseca