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Interview by Alessandro Corno ITALIAN VERSION
After Andrea Pieroni from Live/Gods Of Metal, Thomas Jensen from Wacken Open Air, Jeff Mallet from Hellfest and Ralf Nüsser from Summer Breeze, Metalitalia.com, as official partner, offers you another interview with an international summer festival organizer. This time we have sent an email to Manowar bass player and Magic Circle Festival founder, Joey DeMaio. Unfortunately we sent the questions before the announcement of Donnie Hamzik's temporary comeback behind the drumkit. Furthermore, Joey didn't give us an answer to our questions about Rhapsody Of Fire which are facing serious troubles with Magic Circle Music, the label headed by the charismatic bassist. However, here are some anticipations about Magic Circle Festival next year edition that will be held in Loreley (Germany) on July 18, and of course something about the new Manowar album. Enjoy!
HI JOEY! WOULD YOU LIKE TO BEGIN WITH THE HISTORY OF MAGIC CIRCLE FESTIVAL? HOW WAS THE IDEA TO ESTABLISH THIS FESTIVAL BORN?
"This festival was conceived of in order to give fans more for their money, and to get quality bands with a quality festival experience, not just with people who are only interested in taking the fans' money".
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A STRONG FEELING BETWEEN MANOWAR AND GERMAN FANS. IS THAT THE MOTIVATION THAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN FESTIVAL IN GERMANY?
"Germany is our biggest fan base right now, and also, it is centrally located on the European continent, so it seemed like a great location for it. And of course our German fans are among our most loyal!".
 WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THE SAME HERE IN ITALY TOO?
"Well of course, and we will when we find a promoter with the balls to do it so our fans do not get fucked over. Mark my words, you will see a hero rise from Italy and then you will finally get the show you all deserve".
THIS YEAR YOU WILL MOVE FROM BAD AROLSEN TO LORELEY. WHY DID YOU TAKE THIS DECISION? WAS THERE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION?
"No, none at all. We simply are trying a different location which is a little closer to central transportation hubs, which was a concern to some
fans.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NEW LOCATION AND THE OLD ONE?
"This one has an early historic feeling".
WHAT CAN YOU ANTICIPATE US ABOUT THE 2009 EDITION? WHICH BANDS ARE GOING TO PLAY IN ADDITION TO MANOWAR, METALFORCE AND HOLYHELL? WOULD YOU GIVE US ANY ANTICIPATION?
"I would love to give you a definite answer, but we are still aiting on confirmation of the final line up".
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PRODUCTION, THE STAGE, THE LIGHTS, YHE SCENOGRAPHY, THE ARENA, THE SERVICE, YHE JOURNEY...?
"The production, lights, and stage will be the same high quality which Manowar fans have come to expect. Bigger than any other band, louder, cleaner and more dedicated to the fans".
WILL THERE BE THOUSANDS OF FREE DRINKS, FREE SINGLES OR OTHER KIND OF GIFTS LIKE THESE FOR THE FANS AS THE LAST YEAR?
"We will have to wait and see we are still planning".
YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU'LL PRESENT THE NEW MANOWAR ALBUM PERFORMING IT DURING THE MAGIC CIRCLE 2009. CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT?
"We will play for sure new songs from the new album".
ARE YOU ALREADY WORKING ON THE NEW RECORD?
"Yes, we are in the studio right now as I speak".
 ARE YOU WORKING ON AN ALBUM LIKE "GODS OF WAR" WITH A SYMPHONIC APPROACH OR ON A RECORD WITH A MORE GUITAR-ORIENTED STYLE LIKE THE OLD ONES (AS MANY FANS HOPE)?
"We're thinking that this album will be more guitar-oriented. At first we thought about pursuing the symphonic approach, but then we said 'no, let's never make the same album sound twice'. This one will be as heavy, but more guitar".
IS THERE A RELEASE DATE? A TITLE?
"Yes, 2009, Manowar's new CD! (laughs)".
YOU ANNOUNCED A COLLABORATION WITH WOLFGANG HOHLBEIN FOR THE NEW ALBUM. HOW WAS THIS IDEA BORN? COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S HIS ROLE?
"He is Germanys' best selling fantasy author and we are creating a new world of entertainment together please check out www.asgardsaga.com".
WOULD YOU TELL US SOMETHING MORE ABOUT THE CONCEPT, THE HISTORY, THE LYRICAL CONTENTS OF THE NEW ALBUM?
"It is a story centering around Thor, but that's all I can say, because I don't want to ruin the plot and the story ending!".
MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE YOUR LAST SHOW HERE IN ITALY. LAST WEEK WE INTERVIEWED ANDREA PIERONI (THE CHIEF OF LIVEINITALY) AND HE SAID THAT THERE ARE NO MORE PROBLEMS BETWEEN MANOWAR AND THE BOOKING AGENCY. HE ADDED: "MANOWAR FANS, WE HAVE A BIG SURPRISE COMING IN THE FALL!". SO, ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY HERE IN ITALY NEXT FALL?
"No, not until he or another promoter prove to the fans they will get the best show for the best fans".
WHEN WILL YOUR ITALIAN FANS SEE YOU HERE IN ITALY AGAIN?
"Of course, it's only a matter of time. When the time is right, Manowar will return to shale Italy and our loyal fans that have waited so patiently. Our Italian fans are the strongest and best fans in Italy we will not let promoters continue to fuck them. We will return and on that day our Italian fans will have their revenge".
 THOMAS JENSEN (ICS/WACKEN OPEN AIR) SAID THAT YOU'RE IN TALKS FOR PLAYING WACKEN, MAYBE THIS YEAR... CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT?
"I can confirm we will not play".
JOEY, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN FESTIVAL NOW. DO YOU FEEL THAT MANOWAR ARE MORE POPULAR THAN EVER NOW?
"We for sure are bigger and better than ever in fact we are headlining 6 of the biggest festivals in Europe this summer. All we care about is our fans, not really about 'being popular'. We want to never let down our fans, and if that makes other metalheads recognize that there is a band out there that cares about them as much as they care about the band, then we hope that they will become Manowar fans as well".
THANK YOU VERY MUCH JOEY! YOU CAN LEAVE THE LAST MESSAGE TO YOUR ITALIAN FANS.
"Be patient, be strong, never give up your incredible faith in Manowar and keep on traveling with as many friends as possible. It makes the enemies of true metal sick to see the fans travel to other countries to see Manowar. Soon that will make them cast off their greed and give the fans what they deserve. The day is coming,and don't forget that if its too loud, then it's Manowar!".
For more information visit:
www.manowar.com
www.magiccirclefestival.com
www.magiccirclemusic.com
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