Trouble Agency – Pre Fest Interview Wacken 2014

Trouble Agency are the Belgian winners of this years Wacken Metal Battle. They play at Wacken along with all the other Metal Battle winners from all over the world to compete for the Over All Metal Battle Champion!

Trouble Agency Wacken 2014Can you give the readers a quick introduction to the band?

Trouble Agency is a Thrash Metal band from Belgium, formed in 1993. It initially started as an old school hardcore crossover thrash project but quickly turned to more traditional and straightforward metal thing. The line-up has since then been renewed with young blood giving the music its initial edge back.

How would you describe your sound?

We strive towards the heaviest and richest sound possible. When writing the band aims at traditional song structures with choruses and lead solo parts. Music-wise crowds describe Trouble Agency as similar to American Thrash Metal acts like Sacred Reich, Annihilator,…

How would you describe the metal music scene in your country? What has changed over the last few years?

Trouble Agency has been around for more than 20 years in the Belgian scene and we’ve seen things change over time. The Belgian scene reflects Belgian society; there’s a big lack of self-confidence in what Belgian bands have to offer- also there’s two linguistic communities which doesn’t help. Bookers, promoters and record labels have become kind of shy when it comes down to boosting local talents, which is why Trouble Agency has always chosen to stand on its own feet and not depend on temporary trends or short-term initiatives which most often come from outside the metal scene. But what’s most obviously changed in 20 years time is that the metal scene doesn’t really stick together anymore. People have their local copy of this or that band and don’t really move to go and see something different.

Why did you enter the WOA Metal Battle Competition.

The answer to that question is quite simple. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to make some promotion for the band’s new line-up and thought it would be nice to have a few additional venues to play in, so we enrolled.

What was your initial reaction when you found out that you have won & you were playing at Wacken?

We were really sceptical at first about the contest, and didn’t really believe we could win. We had seen a lot of bands participate in other contests in Belgium before with stinky voting systems based on the size of the fanbase the bands could mobilize. When we discovered the voting system we thought we stood a fair chance but still considered it more as an opportunity to play rather than a competition against other bands.

Of course when we heard we were invited to play at the festival our reaction was enthusiastic. We consider it a true honour.

What was the best and worst part of the competition for you.

The best part was that we won. The worst part, that the others lost…

Would you recommend the competition to other bands? Any hints/tips for bands that are looking to enter?

Definitely! The voting system seems a lot more serious and focussed on the music than other contests. The tip we would give is; just go and play your best!

What can the audience expect from you at the festival.

They can expect a solid piece of metal coming straight their way! The set will be quite short so we’re going to make it as intense as we can!

What has been the bands biggest achievement so far?

Undoubtedly writing and performing our music for the last 20 years with the same passion.

Have you ever been to Wacken before? If so when and what did you enjoy most about it?

Our drummer has been to the festival a few times before. He’s enjoyed the sound quality quite a lot as well as the impressive size of the infrastructure and organization of the festival. Of course the number of people travelling to the festival is unbelievable. It adds to the magic of the fest.

Wacken 2014 Metal BattleWhat is your opinion of the Wacken line-up?

This year’s line-up is very “classic”. Of course it is enjoyable for people who haven’t had the chance to see some of those bands to still be able to discover them for the first time. But for oldschoolers like us it has a ‘dejà-vu’ effect. On the other hand since we’re sharing stages it is a huge honour to be able to play alongside Motörhead, Slayer, Sodom, Kreator, Saxon, King Diamond, Carcass and Megadeth.

Can you sum up Wacken in one sentence?

Wacken is the best therapy against the dullness of life

Any message you wish to pass on to the PM readers?

Trouble Agency will be opening WOA’s Thursday 31st at 11h35 on the Headbanger stage. We hope to see you all there!

Links:

www.troubleagency.be/

www.facebook.com/troubleagencyofficial

www.twitter.com/TroubleAgencyBe

www.youtube.com/user/troubleagency

www.myspace.com/troubleagency

About Sheila

Former Editor, Team Co-ordinator as well as PR, news poster, pass requester, Ex-Scottish Team Leader for PM since 2011 \m/ \m/ Also owner of the infamous Garfield L'arpie, who is a official mascot of RACPA UK. Check out RACPA UK (Rock Against Child Pornography and Abuse UK) http://www.racpauk.org/