Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
My name is Marius Danielsen, and I am a Norwegian singer, guitarist and
composer. Together with my brother Peter Danielsen we have created the
worlds of Valley Doom and Eunomia. We have just created a band for this
project, and the other members so far are Sigurd Kårstad, Børre Lervåg
Dalhaug and Bjørn Helge Lervåg. The album line-up is different. That
takes two pages to add, haha.
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
Legend of Valley Doom was a song I wrote in 2005 when I dreamed about
making my own fantasy universe like Tolkien had done. I started imagining
all kinds of stuff for that world. Valley Doom just popped into my head one
day all those years ago, and I started working from there.
Where and how was the band founded?
It started with that one song in 2005. But I never found a band to play that
kind of music. In 2009 I had a band called Nocturnal Illusion. We demoed
6 songs for the concept, but then it just didn’t go anywhere. So I put it on
ice and started Darkest Sins instead. It wasn’t before 2013 that I decided
to do something properly with this idea I had from 2005.
Have you played in other bands before?
Many bands. I had a band called Heavy Snowfall in 2003. Then a bunch of
random bands that didn’t go anywhere. I was in a black metal band called
Diabolium. But, being the only guy with a Maiden t-shirt and a BLUE!!
guitar, that didn’t last long, hahah. I then started a punk band called Pure
Faen. Working on some „new“ stuff there that is actually 8 year old un-
released songs, hehe! We are recording them now. Darkest Sins is my
main band. And I also play in Eunomia and a family band called Blodhevn.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band ( no guest )?
Yes. I have tried to create a band for this project since Nocturnal Illusion
died out in 2009 after our demo. Finally I have found some people who
can do the material justice! I am looking forward to continue work with
them and make this band ready for whatever gig offers may come.
What does the band name mean?
Marius Danielsen is my name, and the story is about a place I made up.
And it is a legendary story, so Marius Danielsen’s Legend of Valley Doom.
Hehe. The „doom“ part came because things ended so badly fort he
people in the story in the first songs I made.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them?
I write all the lyrics, except for one song called „Princess Lariana’s Forest“
on Part 2. That one is done by my girlfriend Anniken Rasmussen. It is a
continues story about what happens in Valley Doom and Eunomia and
how they can get freedom and get rid of the evil Dark Lord.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
Iron Maiden is my favourite band and biggest inspiration, but a Metal
Opera like this would not exist if it weren’t for Tobias Sammet. I love his
work with Avantasia and Edguy. Other favourites are Helloween,
Manowar, Ramones +++ If I were to describe my music to someone, I
would say Iron Maiden with the orchestration and drumming from
Rhapsody. I am not very neoclassical in my guitar style, so I lean more
towards Iron Maiden. But with those Power Metal elements to make it
more cinematic and epic.
Why should people listen to our music?
If they like to take their brain and ears on a journey to another world. A
world of mighty warriors, magic, and the good vs. the evil, then my music
is for you. There is too much shit going on in the real world, so I like to
take my mind on a journey and let the fantasy run wild.
Legend of Valley Doom Part 1 was released in 2015, how long did it take
you to prepare?
I wrote the first song in 2005, and it was finished in 2014. The last year
before release was spent on waiting for guests to finish, the mixing and
mastering and searching for a label to release it.
On the album you have worked with twelve different vocalists. How hard
was it to convince people of your plans?
I believed very strongly about my project and I think I sold it pretty good to
all the people who joined. Because they really loved the material and all
my ambitions in making this the most epic project ever. I have so many
crazy ideas on how to expand the universe of Valley Doom.
I take the liberty out and question you only about the singers as I am a fan
of singers and not so of the guitar players. I hope that's okay for you?
Of course!
I would like to ask you about the following vocalists about how you came
in contact with them, how the collaboration was and how they are human
as far as you can tell. At album one are Tim Owens, Edu Falashi, George
Tsalikis and Elisa C Martin?
With every singer, or guest in general, I either have to do LOTS of
research in how to get in touch with them, or maybe I am lucky and they
are available on Facebook etc. I have been networking with international
musicians since I started playing in 2003, so I am beginning to know a few
people. Most of the time I know someone who may know the persons I am
trying to reach. That makes it easier. Sometimes I need to be Sherlock
Holmes and sit for days, weeks, years to find a way to get in contact with a
certain guest. Hehe! I love them all and they have been so supportive of
my project!
Today, three years later, how satisfied are you with the album and how
proud are you of what you've done?
I often read comments from YouTube, reviews, or interacting with fans on
Facebook. And it seems like more and more know about the project now.
That means a lot to me. I put my heart and soul into creating this thing, so
I am extremely proud and have always delivered the best I can possibly
do.
The second part of Legend of Valley Doom will be released in november
2018. You only had about three years to prepare for the event. Was it
easier to convince people of your idea?
More people know of the project, so in that case it makes it a bit easier.
Because I can show people that I actually deliver what I promise. To make
the most epic project I can, hehe!
Eighteen vocalists can be heard on the new album. some new ones have
come and some are no longer there. Why is Falashi or Elisa no longer
there?
In Part 2 the people of Valley Doom flees to the land of Eunomia. Since
Falaschi and Elisa where sorcerers helping with getting the Warrior King
to Valley Doom in Part 1, their characters where not needed to tell the
story of how they fled to Eunomia etc. Since they are left in the Chamber
of Wisdom in the fallen city where the Dark Lord now rules. But their
characters live on and I am not ruling out their comeback in Part 3 ;)
The first thing I notice are two exceptional singers, Kiske and Bayley. How
hard was it to win the two for your band? How was the cooperation and
how are these two personally?
I was very happy to get both of them on board. Some of my favourite
singers. The hard part is when to present the material you want them to
sing on. Will they like it, or hate it? Luckily, they liked it very much! And
then there is schedule issues. I was very lucky to get in touch with Blaze
just when he was in the studio recording is second concept album. So he
could do my song at the same time. And the same with Kiske. I got in
touch with him just a few months before they announced the Helloween
reunion. A few months later and it would not have been possible at all
because he is extremely busy now! Both of them seem like fantastic
human beings =)
The other vocalists I'm interested in are Daniel Heiman, Mathias Blad,
Diego Valdez and Olaf Hayer?
I worked with Daniel on the Ana Metal For Charity song, and said I really
needed his voice for my other project (Legend). He loved the songs and
wanted to join in. For Mathias Blad I wrote a song called “Tower of
Knowledge” in 2010 with his voice in mind. I listened to Falconer daily in
that period, and this song was inspired by their folky ballad side. 5 years
later I presented the song to him, and he loved it. So that was awesome!
The song “Crystal Mountains” could have been released on an 80s Black
Sabbath/Dio album, so Diego Valdez was an obvious choice for such a
tune. With Vinny Appice and Tracy G from Dio on the track as well, it
really made the song very special. I was in touch with Olaf Hayer back in
2013, but then we suddenly lost contact. So I tried again in 2016 or 17,
and we reconnected. I am very glad for that, because he made the song
“Princess Lariana’s Forest” very epic!
What do you expect from the new album?
I hope it will bring in some gig offers!
Who is designed for the successful cover and will there be a shirt for me
shirt collectors?
Dusan Markovic did the artwork for Part 2. Rob Joseph did Part 1. I hope
to create some shirts soon, but I need to see how the sales go first.
Because it is very expensive to pay everything myself.
Would you agree with me if I say you are Tobias Sammet of Norway?
That would be a huge compliment! Haha!
Let's stay with Tobias Sammet for a moment. Could you imagine doing
something together with him?
That would be a dream come true. If I could get Tobias Sammet and Arjen
Lucassen on Part 3 it would complete the circle for me in a way. It would
be epic!
Do we stay the same in the future I know your album is not yet old but it
would interest me if there is maybe a third part with which musicians you
would like to work together? Or are all your favorite musicians already on
your albums?
I have mentioned it already, that there will be a Part 3. I have some song
ideas for it, but nothing recorded yet. I have worked almost every day
since 2013 on this project, so I will at least take 1 month break until after
Christmas to start think about it, haha. It has been intense leading up to
this release. BUT, when the time comes, there are a few I want to work
with. I mentioned Tobi and Arjen. But, Bruce Dickinson, Timo Kotipelto,
Tony Kakko. There are many! The problem is getting in touch with them.
So far it has been almost impossible! So, if you read this, contact me!
Haha!
I'm a fan of these we call them metal operas with many musicians. Like for
example Avantasia or Soulspell from Brazil. What bothers me a bit or what
I could imagine would be the courage to vote for others. I think it's a good
idea to play a role with singers like Mille Petrozza, George "Corpsegrinder"
Fisher or Silenoz. Why do not you have such contrasts on your album?
All are great vocalists, but it is not music I listen to much. From Dimmu
Borgir I would choose Shagrath if I had the chance. I have also tried to get
in touch with Satyr from Satyricon. But they have never replied back. I
have one short moment of Black Metal inspiration ala Dimmu Borgir –
Stormblåst/For All Tid type of guitar playing in one of the verses on
“Princess Lariana’s Forest”. I am not ruling out using some black metal
vocals on the next one. If I can get in touch with someone I am a big fan
of. Such as Shagrath and Satyr.
What was your first concert as a fan? And what memory do you have of it?
Iron Maiden 2003. I had only heard Run To the Hills before going to the
concert. When the “Clansman” banner appeared and Bruce started
singing about William Wallace, and my favourite movie being
“Braveheart”, I was blown away. It was amazing!
Do you think about bringing the whole thing live on stage? And what would
the spectator expect?
Yes, if the offers are there for us. And people could expect some epic
Norwegian Power Metal, hehe.
Who would you like to play live with and why?
For logistic reasons I am putting together a band in my hometown. Then I
would invite several guest vocalists to join us if a good offer for a tour or
just gigs where presented to me.
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
I work as an English, Music and Art teacher in elementary school. I am the
coolest teacher at school.
How important are social media for you as a band?
It is the only way I can interact with fans, since we haven’t done it live yet.
Very important to me!
What would you (her) want to achieve with the band?
A dream would be to do it live and have people show up to see us, haha.
What do you think about the Norway metal scene in general?
Pretty dead nowadays. All the venues around here has closed. Just big
venues and very small ones left. Nothing in the middle for us up and
coming bands. It is a bit sad. But there are many cool bands and projects
lurking. So I am hoping for better times to come very soon!
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
Not Power Metal, but Villrosa is a very interesting band. I think they will
get far with the right people backing them up. And I must of course
mention Darkest Sins and Eunomia! ;)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS !
Where did you grow up and how was your childhood?
I grew up on a tiny island called Bolsøya outside of Molde in Norway.
There were only 37 students in the whole school from 1st to 7th. When I
was in 5th grade, the 6th and 7th graders were in the same room and had
the same teacher, haha! So, it was a very weird place to grow up, but also
safe and good. The most weird thing is probably that I NEVER sang 1
word before I was 16 years old. I hated music class at school from 1st to
10th grade. It was a weird feeling hearing my singing voice for the first
time ever in my life at the age of 16.
How was your school time you were rather the good student or the break
clown?
I was the quiet guy who took all the crap from bullies. Maybe one of the
reasons why I decided to make this Valley Doom project as epic as
possible. To prove the mean people wrong.
How did your parents react when you started making metal music? did
they support you and how do you feel about your music today?
My father was a punk drummer and I found Iron Maiden’s Number of the
Beast and Powerslave in his vinyl collection. He was also the one who
took me with him on that concert with Iron Maiden in 2003. My mother also
used to clean the house while blasting Metallica and Guns N Roses on
MTV in the 90s. In other words, they have been very supportive all my life.
Would you be successful in making music as a musician?
If it was up to me, yes. In album sales? Not in this lifetime. Let’s hope for a
better world where people look at music like something that is worth
something, and musicians can earn money for their hard work. One day
Are you someone who loves the hustle and bustle of the big city? or rather
looking for peace and relaxation in nature?
I would much rather sit at home eating taco or pizza with my girlfriend and
stepsong than being out. But, that also happens sometimes. But my body
is built for relaxation, haha!
Do you actively practice sports or are you more of a passive spectator?
I was a wrestler for many years, before the guitar took all my attention.
Now I do my best to watch as little sport as possible. I have very little
interest in it. The only time I watch football is when the team from my
hometown Molde plays against the team from Ålesund where I live with
my girlfriend. She loves Ålesund, and I love it when Molde beats them
When it comes to your physical well you can cook or let you cook for you?
I can make bacalao, and I can warm a frozen pizza. I can even cook
sausages in a water kettle. One of my old student tricks. Hahaha. But
normally my girlfriend cooks, because then the food is amazing.
What does your environment tell you about your passion for metal (friends
/ family / colleagues)?
I think everyone have been very supportive and they are important to me.
How do you see the problem with the haters on the internet who have to
announce their mental garbage in anonymity always and everywhere?
People who feel the need to go and hate on random stuff can’t have a
fantastic life. They are most likely lonely and bitter people. I don’t let their
crap get near me. I always delete negative comments on my YouTube
channel and on my Facebook pages. Some may think of it as censoring,
but I just don’t want negative people in my life. As an admin of those
pages, I just decided that they do not deserve any attention at all. Not by
me or being read by others.
What do you think about the internet in general? a blessing or a curse?
MARIUS DANIELSEN'S
LEGEND OF VALLEY DOOM
THE AVANTASIA
FROM
NORWAY
answer by Marius
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner
