Famous for his work with such acts as Majestic, Adagio, Space Odyssey and his latest musical adventure Time Requiem. We caught up with Richard to discuss the new Time Requiem album, The Inner Circle Of Reality, delve a little into the past and see what the future holds... enjoy!

Let’s start right up to date, The Inner Circle Of Reality has been out for a few weeks now, how has the reaction to it been?
Very good actually! I have expected more reactions according the line-up changes!

Can you give us some background information into the album (how long it took to write and record etc)?
It usually takes about 4 months to compose and another 2 months to do pre productions and the final cd recording.

What led to Jonas Reingold and Zoltan Csorsz joining the band?
Actually Peter Wildoer had to say no to this one because of his illness and far to much to do. About Dick! Well it worked out fine in Japan but there are to many years between us and he did not agree about how Time Requiem should progress etc. The one and only choice was Jonas Reingold. I have nothing but good to say about him. Zoltan off course is always a safe card.

What did you set out to achieve with ‘The Inner Circle Of Reality’?
There are a small group of people who can cope with me and understand exactly what I am looking for when it comes to music. One of these 5-7 people is Jonas Reingold. Actually there were only a very small group that made the new record reality for me. These people are in the inner circle of my reality.

What led to slight shift from a pretty neo-classical sound as heard on the self titled Time Requiem debut, to the more progressive sound of The Inner Circle Of Reality?
Well! That is what my ears wanted to hear in that particular moment. I really would like the production to be very tight and well arranged.

Do you have any favourite tracks on the new album?
The first track is a killer one. I am also very proud of the instrumental part in "The inner circle of reality"

The one that that really struck me the first time I heard Time Requiem was that this music would go from this most intense technically difficult passage straight into a soaring chorus with a sublime melody line, how do you make it sound so natural and easy?
I grew up with bands like Rainbow, Purple and Malmsteen. So basically it's in my spine and I always turn to that special thing!

I liked the way you used some of the Paganini and Bach themes to build a basis for a few of the tracks. I know you are a huge classical music fan so who are your classical influences?
Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart etc. etc.

I was also a fan of Majestic, but to me Time Requiem seems a step up on every level, how do you compare the two?
I see it as a natural evolution in my career.

What were the high and low points of Majestic?
The low points were the singer and the drummer and the way everything was handled. It was recorded during pretty bad circumstances. But I learned a lot! The good points is that there are a few very good songs on that!

You contributed keyboard to Adagio’s ‘Sanctus Ignis’ – another superb album but I have heard you were not overly happy with the mix your keyboards received, is this correct?
Yes! The final sound engineer putted loads of effects on it (chorus, delay and God know what!!!) so it sounded very far away and week.

Space Odyssey is a project of yours I am unfamiliar with in the actual hearing sense. I noticed that it featured quite a few members of Time Requiem, was this a one off project?
No! I am in the middle of composing the second one.

You have been very prolific over the last couple of years, what keeps the energy levels up and the inspiration high?
This is what I do for a living and probably the only thing that I can handle

Ok the big question, its widely known that you and Yngwie are friends, are we ever going to see you two team up for a project – do you think it would work?
Absolutely! We are very much a like. I have nothing but good to say about this wonderful and very talanted person. If the timing is right I will join him!

What plans do you have for the rest of the year – are Time Requiem going to tour or am I gonna have to rely on the recent ‘Unleashed In Japan’ live album to get my live fix?
As I said before I will record the second Space Odyssey record this summer. After that I will do a super Andersson collection cd including re-recordings of songs from all my bands. These songs will be performed with new musicians. Yngwie might appear as a special guest on one of the songs!

What kind of equipment do you use?
Well! You have to check my website www.anderssonmusic.com

What advice do you have for anyone just starting out in the music business?
Just rely upon yourself and your own music. Don't pay attention to record labels and other shit. If your music is good things will go in the right direction anyway. If not! You have tried your wings!

Anything else you would like to tell the readers of virtuosityone.com?
Well! It's nice to know there are people with similar taste for art as I do. I really do respect you guys! And do not hestitate asking me anything! Send me an e-mail and we will have a nice chat!

STAY METAL!