When metalheads start talking about New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, everybody mentions big acts in this genre like IRON MAIDEN or SAXON. But only a handful of people talk about STAIRWAY, one of these diamonds, who are absolutely equal value. I talked to guitarist, vocalist and producer Graeme Leslie via e-mail about the new album "The Other Side Of Midnight", the band ... and our common passion: Heavy Metal. Here we go:



Hey Graeme, congratulations to the new album "The Other Side Of Midnight"! After 4 years of holding out and waiting I must say it's the best album since your milestone "No Rest, No Mercy" was released. Are you satisfied with the results of your work and how long required the recording process?
Hi Thorsten, thanks, I'm glad you like the album. We're really satisfied with the end result, it took rather longer to do than we at first anticipated - we had hoped to release it mid to late last year, but certain unforeseen circumstances that we won't go into, prevented us from doing so. Having said that, it gave us more time to work on the album, albeit over a fifteen-month period after doing the first demos.

Before we start talking about the new album, please give us a brief summary of STAIRWAYs history including the band's line-up development.
Well, we started whilst we were all still in High School. The band in those days was just Pete, Rob and me - Pete on drums, Rob on bass and me vocals and guitar; Andy joined us 3 or 4 years later and became the new drummer which meant Pete moved on to lead guitar, we've stayed the same ever since. We were signed to Edge Records in 1991 and recorded 2 tracks for the White Metal Warriors compilation CD after which we released our debut CD "No Rest, No Mercy" in 1993.

"The Other Side Of Midnight" is just your 4th release in a 28 years lasting career. This is really unusual. What happened with the band during the years 1993 to 1999 in which you have not released any new material?
We were signed by Edge for the "No Rest" album and the record company had an option to release one further album - we were still under contract to Edge for, I think, 2 years after that, so we had to wait until that came to an end before we could record anything elsewhere. We spent the next 3 years gigging and when Edge didn't take up the option of a 2nd album, we recorded and released the "Bleeding Heart" album on our own label in 1999.

With your '99 release "Bleeding Heart" you developed your sound more into a bluesy and epic direction without leaving your typical NWoBHM roots. I.m.o. you put a remarkable BLACK SABBATH and DIO feeling in your new songs. Intentional or unintentional?
I suppose it was intentional, we wanted to get back to our roots - you know - back to the "No Rest" sound and flavour, and make more of an in your face metal album, more or less getting back to the sound that first influenced us to form a band in the first place - like - Maiden, Priest and Sabbath.

Now as before my favourite song on the new record is "Taste The Blood" cause of the majestic and dramatic atmosphere. Pete has done a great job again. I think it's really a blessing to have a guitar hero like him in the band?!
Yeah! I agree, I think Pete is one of the best around these days, not only for the way he plays, but he has the canny ability of hearing something just a couple of times and then being able to play it almost perfectly note for note - genius! I often look across to him on stage in total wonderment!!

I'm deeply touched by the song "Pray For The Children" - musically and lyrically. You put an awesome VENI DOMINE/SAVIOUR MACHINE-like feeling in this track. While I'm typing these lines many innocent children in Lebanon were killed by Israeli bombs. Can you tell us a little bit about the intention of this song?
Thanks, I'm glad you like it. We've had many comments about this track, particularly the lyrics. It speaks about the innocence and helplessness of children and how they depend on us for their well being, support and love - the adult world seems over occupied with money, possessions, ownership of land and religion, and fights for their so called right to have it at what ever the cost; all the time it's the children, the future of our world, who are the losers. Too many innocent children die in the crossfire and of those who live through it, they are being killed psychologically by the bad example they are being shown.

What kind of inspiration you used writing sensitive and of course adorable lyrics and combine them with such powerful music?
Taking your previous question and the song as an example, world events tend to inspire me with the lyrics, together with my Christian faith. Pray for the Children would possibly have been different had not the situations in Israel/Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan been so prevalent in new reports.

You played your premier live show in Germany (together with NARNIA, ROB ROCK, SACRIFICIUM and others) last year at Metalfest. How satisfactory was the response for you?
It was great to play in Germany, everyone there was so friendly towards us and it was good to share a stage with the other bands. The fans were great and really welcomed us when we played. We had a great response from the fans after the show as well, especially as some had never heard us before, we were really knocked back by the response from the crowd and the organizers.

Many old Christian metal bands from the glorious 80s are rising up again in these days. Have you got a favourite band from this era?
I'd have to say my favourite is Bloodgood. I hear they are recording new material and re-recording some of the older stuff - can't wait to hear it! It would be great to share a stage with them much as we did with the other bands at Metalfest.

Do have any contact to other British bands or musicians who appeared on the "Last Ship Home"-Sampler? As I know only Ian Arkley (Ex-SEVENTH ANGEL, Ex-ASHEN MORTALITY, MY SILENT WAKE) is still further in the business.
No, I don't know anything of them really, except Ian. I spoke with him only a few weeks back - albeit via email - we keep in touch periodically, maybe, it's because we did a lot together in the early days of Seventh Angel and we have kept in touch on and off ever since. It's great to see he's still doing stuff and releasing new material.

What are your perspectives for the near future? If possible maybe extensive live activities outside the UK to promote the new album?
We are planning to do some live work - a couple of UK dates are pencilled in - we'd love to get back over to Germany for some dates at sometime and possibly other parts of Europe and maybe the States if the time and opportunity was right.

Any final comments, views, greetings, etc.?
Just to say - a big hi to everyone who has supported us over the years - we hope you like the new album, and we hope to see you sometime soon! God Bless!

Thanks for the interesting conversation and may God bless STAIRWAY and your fantastic ministry in the world of Heavy Metal!

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