Factory of Art, formed in Leipzig in 1990, made a powerful comeback in 2019. With their 2024 album Back to Live, they continue blending progressive metal roots with fresh creative energy.
1.
Factory of Art was originally formed in 1990 in Leipzig, and after a long
hiatus, you've returned in 2019. What motivated the reunion, and how did it
feel to pick up the instruments again after more than a decade?
Well, first
of all, after some disappointing developments for us in the music business, we
actually put all musical activities on hold for a few years. We started
families and continued to pursue our professional careers.
After a while, however, the desire to make music came back and we got together
to form a cover band project "Factory Under Cover" to perform many of
our favorite hard rock and metal songs on stage again. Then fans from the
audience asked us if we could include a few old Factory Of Art tracks in our
program. Well, we did, and the idea of actually writing new material of our own
developed from that. That was a very special moment for the whole band. It felt
really good and it still does today.
2. Your
latest album Back to Live was released in 2024. Can you tell us about
the creative process behind this record and what themes or messages you wanted
to convey with it?
Unlike our
first albums, this time we did the songwriting in teams. You can really say
that all band members have their creative share in the new material. Our lead
singer Petri is mainly responsible for the lyrics. His partly dystopian
everyday fantasies
run through all ten songs. The metaphors we use to describe these not
exactly positive emotions are, in my opinion, very strong, but also very dark.
3.
Factory of Art has gone through several lineup changes over the years. How has
the dynamic of the band evolved with the current members, and what does this
lineup bring to the table creatively?
Our
keyboarder and second lead singer Gunter, who has been on board with
Factory Of Art from the very beginning, often says that we currently have the
best and most creative line-up for Factory of Art. Sounds really good! And as I
said before, we work pretty well as a songwriting team.
4.
You've played with legendary acts like Grave Digger, Blind Guardian, and Iced
Earth. Are there any particular moments or shows that stand out in your memory
from those tours?
Well, sure,
these are great memories, many shows went very well for us back then. However,
there is also a slightly bittersweet taste, as things didn't work out for us
back then like they did for many of the bands we were on stage with back then
and who are now an integral part of the business... but well, we found another
way for us as F.o.A.
5.
Musically, you've shifted from art rock to a blend of power and progressive
metal with touches of thrash and speed. How would you describe the Factory of
Art sound today?
Okay,
that's not an easy question, as we're not really setting ourselves any musical
boundaries at the moment. At the moment, for example, we're busy producing an
EP with four purely acoustic songs.
But I think the brand progressive metal fits quite well for what
F.o.A. is doing in these days.
6.
Leipzig has always had a rich music culture. How has the local scene influenced
Factory of Art over the years, and how do you see your place in it today?
Of course
we have always been in contact with Leipzig bands, but the Leipzig scene has
been dominated by electronic music and alternative rock in recent years and
decades, so as a metal band of five elder statesman we stand out a bit...
7.
Looking back at early releases like ...No Better World! and Grasp!!!,
how do you feel your sound and songwriting have matured since then?
Nice of you
to ask. We still like the old stuff today, but in our opinion we have of course
developed further. But: when we started writing the songs for the new album
"Back to Life" we revisited unreleased material from back then
and adapted it to our current sound. The tracks "Blessing in
disguise" and "Walking to the Place I Love" are based on ideas
from our early days.
Today we work together creatively, more closely than before and give everyone
room for their own.
8. You
were part of the "Thrash the Wall" initiative right after German
reunification. How did that experience shape the early days of the band, and
what challenges did you face as an East German metal act in the early '90s?
It was a
bit of an ambivalent situation for us: of course, our status as a band from the
former GDR helped us at the beginning, but later we were sometimes really
reduced to that and that really bothered us. Looking back, however, it is of
course great to have been part of this exciting time as a band.
9. With
your reactivation and the release of Back to Live, what are your plans
moving forward? Can fans expect a tour, new material, or more surprises in the
near future?
Well, first
of all, we're still playing shows as Factory Of Art and as Factory Under Cover
in the next months. Then I've already talked about the planned EP with
exclusively acoustic songs. At the moment we're busy recording it.
But we've also already come up with ideas for 5-6 tracks for the follow-up to
"Back to Life".
10.
After more than three decades in and around the scene, what advice would you
give to young bands trying to establish themselves in today's metal landscape?
Hmm, I
can't offer the big secret that will pave the way to success. But, even if it
doesn't sound original: make the most of your musical skills and ideas and
don't follow trends, but develop your own.
FACTORY OF ART » Progressive Power Metal
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