Section A
Interview for the Brazilian site Metalvox by Rosberg Lima, June 2004.

01. Torben, before coming up with Section A you already had solo works. How did you have the idea to come up with the band? 

I got the idea for this band in the beginning of 2001. Having released a few instrumental albums, I felt like doing something completely different for a change. I wanted to do a vocal album and gather a band of musicians that I really liked and admired. I made a list and sent out a few enquiries. By May of 2001, the line-up was complete.

02. Torben, you began to play very early in the beginning of the eighties. Very influenced by great names of the music like Tony Iommi, Richie Blackmore, and Edward Van Halen. Was that decisive to the band’s musical directioning?

No, not specifically. The guys you mention were big influences on me at the very beginning, but I am now listening to, and being influenced by, a lot of  other different bands and musicians.  

03. Forming was a hard task, knowing you are a very demanding musician. Tell us a little about the process of choosing the band members.

Well, as I mentioned earlier I simply sat down and made a thorough list of musicians I admire and would like to work with.

04. Section A has just released the first work called “The Seventh Sign”. Many bands when releasing their debut are still searching for an identity, would you say that the group’s identity is already defined or will there be huge changes on the directioning?

I would say that the bands sound is pretty much in place. I also think that we have now pretty much found our own unique style and our new album “Parallel Lives” is, in my opinion, the album that will define our style and sound all together.

05. I confess when I first heard the album “The Seventh Sign”, I was surprised by the musical complexity shown. How was its complete recording process? 

It took quite a while to record the album. We started out with recording the drums and bass in Finland and after that, I recorded the guitars here at home in Denmark in my own studio. All of this took a few months and then I started working with Torben Lysholm in his studio where we recorded the keyboards and acoustic guitars. Derek Sherinian did his keyboard solos at his own studio in the U.S. and Günter Werno also did his solo at home in Germany. Andy Engberg did all the vocals at a studio in Sweden where he lives. All of this took a long time because of the fact that everyone involved are very busy guys indeed…  

06. Torben, all the disk was composed by you. Where does all that inspiration come from?

Beats me :-)

I guess it comes from playing a lot and from being alive basically…

07. Many bands and musicians say they don’t like to plan anything before composing. The work the band shows on this debut album is excellent. Would you say that it was a planned album or everything came naturally? 

I compose all the music and arrangements, but I am always open to new ideas in the studio. Some times really great stuff comes from being spontanious while recording. I would say that if it feels good and natural, then it’s worth keeping. I do however firmly believe that you need some kind of structure to the songs in order for them to work.   

08. Many bands end up leaving behind characteristics that show better the heavy side of their music and go deeper into technical or even climatic aspects, elements originated on the Progressive Rock of the seventies and eighties. You show a disk with heaviness in its songs and in the same time balance it with the technical and climatic aspects of the style. Would Section A be a differentiated band on the current Metal scene? 

I think that we are. I am yet to hear a band that sounds like Section A out there.

09. Regarding lyrics, can we say you created a disk individual lyrically? 

I didn’t write the lyrics, but I think that some of the lyrics are very straight forward and maybe not that unique. I definitely think that the lyrics do the job though!

10. How is the acceptance for “The Seventh Sign” being? Do you think the album reached your expectations?

We have received some amazing feedback and truly great reviews, so we really can’t complain. As a band, we are all very happy with the album indeed!

11. Section A is a perfect soundtrack for a travel to the subconscious mind and to the deep feelings. When you compose, do you imagine that a song will be part of the life of people or you just want to pass what you feel and what you are? 

I am only concerned with pleasing myself really. I can only hope that I am able to reach other people out there, but I honestly don’t think about that while composing.

12. How is the promoting work of the new album being done? Are there tours being made? 

At the moment we are very busy working on the new album “Parallel Lives” and this takes up most of our time. I am also currently working on my third all instrumental album “Flying Solo”, so we are all very busy working on our studio tan :-)

We are simply not able to go out on tour just yet, but I sincerely hope that we will be able to tour as soon as the new album has been released.   

13. Torben, do you think about releasing another solo work? What would be the directioning in case of a new work? 

Well, as I just mentioned a new album is in the works. The style is very melodic hard rock and it’s all instrumental. 

14. What will be the next steps for Section A? Is there anything new being prepared already? 

Please check question # 12

15. I thank you for the opportunity of interviewing this excellent band. Your last words...

Thank YOU!