band HammerFall, officially joins the roster of Wanikiya Record/Promotion for the international
promotion of his latest solo album, “It’s Time To Rock The World Again.” Magnus Rosén has built an extraordinary career spanning decades, performing on stages all over the world and collaborating with some of the biggest names in Rock and Heavy Metal history. His unmistakable bass playing, endless energy and artistic vision have made him one of the most appreciated and recognized musicians in the international scene.
1. Hi and welcome to this interview. Tell us about your latest release.
My album “It’s Time to Rock the World Again” is a musical journey. For many years, I have wanted to capture the different bands, artists and styles that have inspired me throughout my life.
The album contains influences and fragments from many different musical styles, which can be heard throughout the songs. It is a journey through rock music from the 1960s until today, featuring both new interpretations and newly written material. I have had the privilege of working with some fantastic guest artists. For example, Tony Martin, known for his work with Black Sabbath, performs an interpretation of the classic Bill Withers song “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The song also features guitarist Janne Schaffer, who has recorded more than 50 songs with the legendary band ABBA. Add to that my own bass playing, shaped by years of touring around the world with the heavy metal band HammerFall.
This is just one example of a wonderful meeting between musicians from different musical backgrounds and styles. The song “The Sign” is about opening our eyes to the illusions that power can create around us. It is about encouraging people on Mother Earth to look beyond those illusions and think for themselves.
So, as I said, this is a small introduction to the new album from the Magnus Rosén Band.
2. How would you describe your sound?
My sound is an expression of my spirit through my playing.
It comes from my thoughts and reflections, combined with my energy and my love for people, animals and nature. The sound itself comes from the attack of my fingers and the interaction between both hands on the bass. That is where the magic happens. I use different basses depending on the style of music, including Factor, Kubicki and Manne basses.My favourite amplifier is the Eden World Tour 800W, which gives me all the power and clarity I need. Of course, my sound also depends on the style of music I am playing. For example, yesterday in the studio, while recording the new album with Bleckhorn, I used a distorted bass sound that was aggressive, raw and heavy.
However, when I play my own solo material, I prefer the sound to be crystal clear and distinct.
With the glam rock band Bai Bang, I play with a clean sound but with more weight and depth in the lower frequencies. So, it varies depending on the music, but I believe that my personality comes through more in the way I play than in the equipment or sound itself.
3. What do you write about?
I mostly write about the magic of life from a philosophical perspective.
I also write about society and the struggle between good and evil — between people who have lost their way and those who try to bring something beautiful and positive into the world.
I think it is important to recognise and understand destructive behaviour so that we can consciously choose a brighter and more developed path. Somethings that I also find important to write about is positive choices and positive spirals in life, while trying to counteract the hatred that can grow within people. My belief is that we need to focus more on solutions and constructive visions rather than living in fear and hatred. These are subjects that I find very inspiring to write about.
4. What do you listen to when you are at home?
Mostly, I listen to silence. Because I play music almost every day, I sometimes need to recharge and gather my thoughts without listening to music. When I was younger, I listened to a lot of rock music — everything from Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to Queen, Sweet and many others.
Today, I find it especially exciting when you can hear the soul of the people and their culture through their music — when the culture, history and roots can be heard in the melodies and tones.
And when I do listen to music, I enjoy it deeply, but it has to create passion!
5. What has been your favourite live performance so far?
I love playing live. It is very close to my heart.
I have performed in both the biggest and the smallest venues all around the world. I have played in La Paz, Bolivia, at an altitude of 4,200 metres, and in jute factories in Bangladesh for the workers. I have also performed in China as part of Swedish government delegations, at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, and in Erbil, Kurdistan, at a medical fair. I have performed many times in South America for fantastic rock audiences, but I have also played in the Amazon rainforest. I have appeared at festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Monsters of Rock and the Sweden Rock Festival, as well as many others. I have also performed in hospitals and nursing homes, and for vulnerable and disadvantaged people. I cannot choose one specific performance or place. Diversity has become part of my path. For me, the most important thing is passion and always giving my very best, whether I am performing for thousands of people or for a small audience.
6. Tell us a funny story that happened in the studio or on stage.
When I toured South America with my solo bass concerts, I collected food for people living in poverty. It was a very meaningful and inspiring experience.
I paid for my own flights and hotels so that 100% of the donations could go where they were needed. The entrance fee for the concerts was two kilograms of food, which I later distributed together with aid organisations to people in need. It is probably not very common for rock musicians to go on adventures like that! I have also performed with the Swedish National Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. I have probably played around 30 concerts where the bass was the solo instrument. One slightly uncomfortable incident happened when I was performing with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in front of an audience of 100,000 people, with approximately 150 million television viewers. Suddenly, I could not get any sound from my bass. I had maybe 15 seconds to find the problem before my part was due to begin. Finally, I discovered that a small cable connected to my pedals had slipped out by about half a centimetre. I managed to fix it just in time and started only about a second late. It was a rather stressful moment, however, later a funny story to remember and to tell! After 49 years of playing bass, a lot of things have happened, of course. I have also written a book called “The Bass in My Heart,” which contains many stories and anecdotes for anyone who is interested.
7. What are your favourite albums?
There are many favourite albums.
I love “Rising Force” by Yngwie Malmsteen, “News of the World” by Queen and “Made in Japan” by Deep Purple. I could make a very long list! Today, I probably listen to a little more folk and traditional music from different countries, even though rock will always be my musical foundation.
8. Which musician would you like to meet for a beer?
That is a difficult question because there are so many people I would like to meet.
I have already met many wonderful musicians, but I think it would be very interesting to meet Brian May from Queen. He seems like a genuinely kind person and, of course, he is an incredible musician.
For me, it also matters what a person stands for. Freedom is very important to me, as is trying to understand our world without spreading hatred or constantly condemning others.
9. What would you ask for backstage if you were the most important band on Earth?
The best, cleanest food and excellent cooking! That would be a real pleasure before or after a concert. I try to buy food directly from farmers who avoid using unnecessary chemicals and toxins. I would also love to have a huge container filled with band T-shirts so that everyone who came to our concerts could receive one as a thank-you for supporting us. That would be my dream!
10. What are your plans for the near future?
I have many dreams and plans. Yesterday, I recorded the final bass track for Blackhorn’s new album, “Viking Rock.” We have also recorded a new album with Bai Bang, and there is a new album with Autumn’s Child planned for recording in September this year. So, there are already three albums with exciting possibilities and plans ahead. I have also put together a different project called Voice of the North. We premiered at an old fortress in Sweden, combining Swedish folk music, oil drums, choirs, rock musicians, smoke and lasers in a mysterious and atmospheric setting. At the same time, I continue working with the Magnus Rosén Band, which I would love to take out on the road.
I also perform my one-man-band solo bass concerts, which I hope to continue doing — preferably in connection with charity projects that can inspire and support a brighter, more beautiful, peaceful and friendly world.
