Circus Maximus

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Circus Maximus from Norway was compared to the best bands in the progressive metal scene when they released both their albums. The band is now plotting a new album and further world dominance. 

I caught up with Truls for an update.

-----------------------------------------------------------

When and by whom was Circus Maximus formed and do you have any
background from other bands ? Why did you choose that name ?

Mike, my brother Mats and I started the band in the mid nineties.
We were a "three-piece" until around 2000 when Espen Storø and Glen Møllen
joined on keyboards and bass.
We found the name in a videogame my brother and was playing on PC ages ago.
For us, It has nothing to do with The Circus Maximus in Rome actually.
We didn´t even it existed at the time....hehe.

Whose bands were you influenced by ?

In the early days it was Metallica, Judas Priest, Megadeth etc.
When we got a little older it was Dream Theater, Symphony X and other mid
nineties progressive metalbands. Nowadays it´s Muse, Mew, Carpark North
,old Toto, Meshuggah etc.

To start with; please give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns
on.......

The 1st Chapter from 2005

Our first album which got us from nowhere to everywhere..hehe.
I can tell that we are "rookies" on this record.
Guess the influences are a little to obvious and we were a little immature
at the time.
The reception of the album overwhelming though and so were we... :)
It has alot of great tracks on it.

Isolate from 2007

Our second record which turned out to be more like we wanted to sound.
Guess we found our own thing on this album.
It accidentally became a concept album as well, since Mike, Glen and myself,
all wrote lyrics that had the same theme without even knowing.
I remember it was alot of work putting all those lyrics together to get
that red line through the whole album.
I wish the mix had a little more "punch". It doesn´t sound as "metal" as I
wanted it to.
Very proud of this record.

There has been no new studio album since 2007. What have you been up to
these years, what is the latest update on your band and what is your
plans for this year, besides of the new studio album ?

A lot of things has happened like Mats had a kid, Lasse been working
with other projects, Glen has become a fireman and I´ve had lots to do
with other projects as well.
We´ve also been using alot of time making new material.

According to your website, you are currently recording a new album.
Please tell us more about this album.

Yes, we are. The songs are more or less done. We´re going to start
recording pretty soon. Can´t really reveal anymore as of yet...hehe.

How is the writing and creative processes in your band ?

It´s mostly Mats who comes up with the most material, but we all
contribute with ideas and riffs. I actually have two whole songs that I´ve
composed this time. Hope they make the cut... :)

How would you describe your music and which bands would you compare your
music with ?

I don´t really like to compare us with anybody, but for the untrained
ear we probably sound like a breed between DT, SYX, Toto, Meshuggah, TNT,
Mew, Muse, Metallica, Megadeth, Pink Floyd, Carpark North etc.

Circus Maximus is one of several really good progressive/power metal
bands from Norway. Norway is mostly known for the black metal scene
though. How is it to break out of the shadows of the goat herders and
promote your own brand of metal in both Norway and world wide ?

Well, it´s not that "new" anymore that other genres in metal comes out
from Norway than only black metal. I guess us, Pagans Mind, Illusion
suite, Aspera, Leprous any many other bands represent Norway very well in
this form of metal.

What is your experiences with the music industry and do you have any
regrets ?

There´s always something you regret like signing some contracts you
weren´t supposed to sign etc. The music industry is not at nice place for
rookies that´s for sure. Be sure to always have the right people backing
you up and don´t take any crap from record companies and managers.

What is your five favourite Norwegian metal/prog albums of all time ?

Tough one.....
In no particular order:

ARK - Burn the sun ( not entirely norwegian but almost )  
Conception - Flow ( a great classic and the bands last album )
Pagans mind - God´s equation ( good friends and a great album )
Aspera - Ripples ( Young guys that have released an amazing debut album )
Circus Maximus - Isolate ( Got to have one of my own...hehe )

Anything you want to add to this interview ?

Keep supporting us and stay metal!
New album soon... Be patient..

Thank you for this interview, Truls. 
Their PA profile is here and their homepage is here

Edited by toroddfuglesteg - September 15 2010 at 01:27

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toroddfuglesteg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Retired Joined: March 04 2008 Location: Retirement Home Status: Offline Points: 3658	Topic: Circus Maximus Posted: May 19 2010 at 16:33
	Circus Maximus from Norway was compared to the best bands in the progressive metal scene when they released both their albums. The band is now plotting a new album and further world dominance. I caught up with Truls for an update. ----------------------------------------------------------- When and by whom was Circus Maximus formed and do you have any background from other bands ? Why did you choose that name ? Mike, my brother Mats and I started the band in the mid nineties. We were a "three-piece" until around 2000 when Espen Storø and Glen Møllen joined on keyboards and bass. We found the name in a videogame my brother and was playing on PC ages ago. For us, It has nothing to do with The Circus Maximus in Rome actually. We didn´t even it existed at the time....hehe. Whose bands were you influenced by ? In the early days it was Metallica, Judas Priest, Megadeth etc. When we got a little older it was Dream Theater, Symphony X and other mid nineties progressive metalbands. Nowadays it´s Muse, Mew, Carpark North ,old Toto, Meshuggah etc. To start with; please give me your (long or brief) thoughts and lowdowns on....... The 1st Chapter from 2005 Our first album which got us from nowhere to everywhere..hehe. I can tell that we are "rookies" on this record. Guess the influences are a little to obvious and we were a little immature at the time. The reception of the album overwhelming though and so were we... :) It has alot of great tracks on it. Isolate from 2007 Our second record which turned out to be more like we wanted to sound. Guess we found our own thing on this album. It accidentally became a concept album as well, since Mike, Glen and myself, all wrote lyrics that had the same theme without even knowing. I remember it was alot of work putting all those lyrics together to get that red line through the whole album. I wish the mix had a little more "punch". It doesn´t sound as "metal" as I wanted it to. Very proud of this record. There has been no new studio album since 2007. What have you been up to these years, what is the latest update on your band and what is your plans for this year, besides of the new studio album ? A lot of things has happened like Mats had a kid, Lasse been working with other projects, Glen has become a fireman and I´ve had lots to do with other projects as well. We´ve also been using alot of time making new material. According to your website, you are currently recording a new album. Please tell us more about this album. Yes, we are. The songs are more or less done. We´re going to start recording pretty soon. Can´t really reveal anymore as of yet...hehe. How is the writing and creative processes in your band ? It´s mostly Mats who comes up with the most material, but we all contribute with ideas and riffs. I actually have two whole songs that I´ve composed this time. Hope they make the cut... :) How would you describe your music and which bands would you compare your music with ? I don´t really like to compare us with anybody, but for the untrained ear we probably sound like a breed between DT, SYX, Toto, Meshuggah, TNT, Mew, Muse, Metallica, Megadeth, Pink Floyd, Carpark North etc. Circus Maximus is one of several really good progressive/power metal bands from Norway. Norway is mostly known for the black metal scene though. How is it to break out of the shadows of the goat herders and promote your own brand of metal in both Norway and world wide ? Well, it´s not that "new" anymore that other genres in metal comes out from Norway than only black metal. I guess us, Pagans Mind, Illusion suite, Aspera, Leprous any many other bands represent Norway very well in this form of metal. What is your experiences with the music industry and do you have any regrets ? There´s always something you regret like signing some contracts you weren´t supposed to sign etc. The music industry is not at nice place for rookies that´s for sure. Be sure to always have the right people backing you up and don´t take any crap from record companies and managers. What is your five favourite Norwegian metal/prog albums of all time ? Tough one..... In no particular order: ARK - Burn the sun ( not entirely norwegian but almost ) Conception - Flow ( a great classic and the bands last album ) Pagans mind - God´s equation ( good friends and a great album ) Aspera - Ripples ( Young guys that have released an amazing debut album ) Circus Maximus - Isolate ( Got to have one of my own...hehe ) Anything you want to add to this interview ? Keep supporting us and stay metal! New album soon... Be patient.. Thank you for this interview, Truls. Their PA profile is here and their homepage is here Edited by toroddfuglesteg - September 15 2010 at 01:27

Mellotron Storm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: August 27 2006 Location: The Beach Status: Offline Points: 12651	Posted: May 19 2010 at 21:26
	Nice one once again Torrod I really like their debut and his five favs were pretty loyal to Norway. So much good Metal from that counrty.
	"The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN

Conor Fynes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 11 2009 Location: Vancouver, CA Status: Offline Points: 3196	Posted: May 20 2010 at 12:18
	I remember these guys! It's been so long though. I thought they had broken up or something.

BlindGuard Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 05 2009 Location: Israel Status: Offline Points: 182	Posted: May 21 2010 at 13:49
	its great to hear from them :] great band!

jampa17 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: July 04 2009 Location: Guatemala Status: Offline Points: 6802	Posted: May 24 2010 at 18:27
	Nice interview man...!!! This is one of my "new" favorite bands... but too few material still... I hope they make something soon... because they have the quality... and nice to know they are friends with Pagan's Mind dudes... both great post DT prog metal bands...!!! keep in proggin'!!!
	Change the program inside... Stay in silence is a crime.

progger7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: August 02 2009 Status: Offline Points: 238	Posted: September 14 2010 at 22:58
	great band even though they rip off a lot of DT and Symphony X songs ESPECIALLY the keyboardist but, it's all good. i still like them. no further complaints.