Interviews

To say "these guys rock" would be nearly a gross insult compared to the immense and unimaginable talent possessed in this truly international band (band members comprising of two nations). NordicFest, in the third Nordic nation that is a part of Renascent's experience, was their first gig, and I had a chance to talk to the Swedish "half" of Renascent, Barry Halldan and Jani Stefanowic, about their origins, their upcoming full-length album, and their faith.

Tell us the story of Renascent, especially how you guys got together coming from two different nations (Sweden and Finland).

Jani: It's actually a long story but I used to live in Finland, Helsinki for about 8 years. I moved away in 2001 back to Sweden and joined Sins Of Omission. After the break up with Sins in the beginning of 2003 I was planning on getting my own band together and so I phoned Eero in Finland and told my plans. I was the only one from Sweden at that point when we recorded our first EP "Demons Quest" and Barry our new vocalist joined as the second member from Sweden some months after the first release.

"Demons' Quest" was a fantastic CD, however, a very short fantastic CD. Tell us about the upcoming full-length, including the infamous "bonustrack".

Jani: Actually I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say that we were very surprised about the positive reaction about "Demons Quest" cause we weren't that pleased with the result our selves ( laughter ). So this Full-length will be on a whole new level, same elements that the EP but to get it into a nutshell Melodic death/thrash with atmospheric keys is coming up. It will be recorded in a really great studio so the sounds will also be on a whole different level. As it seems to be now it will contain 11-12 tracks including the bonus track which I can't tell you guys about now ( laughter )

Barry: The best Christian album ever made (laughter) No just kidding, I'm exited[sic] about it though and it will be great.

Considering that half of you are from Sweden, and half of you are from Finland, how on earth do you guys even practice?

Jani: (laughter) Well yeah that is the sad part about this band so far. We don't get to practise as much as we would want to because of the distance. We try to get together every other month, and while that period we are very effective and practise like 7-8 hours/day for 10 days in a row or something like that. It takes a lot of preparing on your own when you're home. So basically everyone has to know their stuff when we come together. So under the circumstances it works fine.

Barry: Well I have all the songs recorded so that I can practise on my own. So as long as the band knows their business then the practise sessions together goes very smoothly.

Tell us about your experiences playing last year's NordicFest in Norway. How was it for you and what stood out the most of your time there and playing?

Jani: Nordicfest was a great experience for me and was actually our first performance live under the name Renascent so it was altogether a very special moment. Oslo what a beautiful town, really expensive though [No kidding! Ugh.. --ed]. The band that stood out most for me was actually the young guys in Inevitable End. They had such a great focus on God that it really made me glad seeing them live. Plus it was fun watching some of the other bands as well of course.

Barry: Well singing after a break for about 3 years it went ok for my part but knowing at the same time I can do this way better than this. So maybe a slight disappointment for my own part. I was really exited[sic] about Nordic fest cause I also thought there would be meetings like on Bobfest, so a slight disappointment there too. Despite these few things I enjoyed being there a lot.

What Christian and/or non-Christian band would you want to see Renascent play moreso than any other, and why?

Jani: We like playing among the Christian people and they also need to hear the gospels to waken up or if there's just something that God needs to fix in peoples life. But our main goal is to get out among the non belivers that REALLY needs the gospels, cause they are not saved yet. So yes Renascent would play with non-christian bands without hesitation. To hard to pic one band i would like to play with cause there's so many. If i have to pic one i'd say Testament

From a musical perspective, how would you best describe your music, and how best do you feel it reaches the lost?

Jani: For me Renascent is a melodic death/trash band but what makes it special in my opinion is that upon that we add those atmospheric keys. The lyrics are very spiritual Christ centred and together with good music and really strong lyrics. I wuld say that is our weapon.

Barry: I would say the music in it self is our weapon cause it is very aggressive. On the full-length there'll be more lyrics in my taste, lyrics that are more directed towards unsaved people. How it will affect people in the end no one knows, God can touch people in all kind of different ways both through the music and lyrics.

Which do you feel is more important: to be a good band with watered-down lyrics, or a "watered-down" band with good lyrics?

Jani: Hmmm that was a tricky one, but no not really. I would choose to be watered-down band with good lyrics.

Barry: I believe in multitude, i can't control God. But personally I would choose a band with good lyrics.

If the amazing were to occur and someone came up to one of you and asked how they could receive Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord, where would you guys go from there?

Barry: I would talk with this person and explain some things, pray with him/for him then ask him to pray after me accepting Jesus Christ as his personal saviour. Encouraging looking up a local church or something where he/she can get some Christian relations.

Final Comments?

Jani: Remember to cherish your faith, stay focused. Those of you who are coming to Bobfest come and say hello. God bless people take care

Barry: If you're coming to Bobfest come and say hi.