First of all, I'd like to thank you Douglas for this interview. It's a real honor.

My pleasure.

It has been a few months since the release of your latest great album "Tug of war". Are you satisfied with the way the media and your fans have responded to it? Did the sales of the album meet your expectations or is it too early to tell?

The fans as well as the media have responded well to Tug. We were very happy with how the album was received, I think everyone really liked the record.

As you mention in your website, despite the fact that you live in the States, you enjoy more success in Europe. Why do you think this is happening? Is progressive rock/metal or generally rock/metal music a "waste of time" in the States after all?

Well for us it is because that is where our record company started promoting us. After years and years of touring and promotion in Europe, it has become the hub of our sales. Things are picking up in the States, but it's slow. That and the major Record companies don't really push the genre at all. If there was support, I think there would be more of this type of music in the States as well, because there is still a huge fan base here, it's just a matter of getting to them.

Let's talk a little more about your latest release. Taking in account its title, front cover and lyrics, someone can easily assume that it deals with the constant and desperate internal battle of a person that tries to discriminate wrong from right and generally to understand the meaning of existence? Am I correct or do I push it too far? Is this the way someone really feels in the modern consuming society, lost and desperate, trying to find hope in the air?

Your close. I was trying to sum up the internal struggle one might have with himself/herself…you being your own worst enemy. Fighting your inner demons that only you really know about and see when you look at yourself in the mirror.

Taking all the above under consideration, and recalling the past albums of Enchant, would you agree that you write a kind of "pessimistic" or "depressive" music? Is pessimism and desperation you favorite musical and lyrical themes after all and why?

Well I wouldn't say pessimistic or depressive, Ted and I have a tragic muse, that's a fact, but we always try to give some hope to the situation if lyrically possible. I mean, What to Say was a song that you can't do anything with, someone's gone and that is that. It more about just having to deal with it. Let's take Beautiful from Tug: It's about trying to understand and acknowledging the problems in a relationship and then do something about them. It doesn't have to be depressing. I guess it's all how you look at it in the end.

The production of "Tug of war" was arranged by you, something that has happened in some of your previous albums, too. Which is the main reason for this? Maybe total control of your sound?

I started producing our records because I wanted to capture how I heard the sound of the band in my head on tape. Since I write most of the songs I figured I had the best idea of how they should sound. That and I really enjoy the process of recording and arranging. Maybe someday I'll bring someone else in but for the time being…I like what's happening right now.

I noticed that the front cover besides the main theme, contains your previous albums' covers. Is this a sign of "ultimate desperation"?

Just wanted to do a Marrilion/Rush kind of thing (Fugazi, Moving Pictures) Just an idea I came up with while Thomas Ewerhard was working on the cover. I always liked finding cool things in albums that the average person might just glance over and this was me just putting myself in the shoes of our fans. I thought they'd get a kick out of seeing older Enchant references in the cover art.

You are under a label that in my opinion has gathered some of the best progressive rock and metal bands. How is your cooperation with Insideout? Does it expect from the bands to meet certain deadlines or are you able to follow your own timetable?

Inside Out is a great company and some of my closets friends. It's a great relationship we have. Yes we have deadlines but I also pretty much get to call the shots on what I want to do with each record we make. I like deadlines by the way, they keep you focused

Tell us a few things about your current line up. Except the three of you, that have been together from the start, how are things with the new guys? How much do they contribute to the composition of the songs? Are they going to continue with Enchant full time, because I know they are participating in other project bands, too.

Sean and Bill are in the band fulltime. They aren't playing with anyone else at the moment. They both bring their musicianship and professionalism to the table. Sean helps flush out the drums on the songs and Bill comes up with keyboard parts that compliment what I've already written.

I know that the progressive rock of the 70's is your main influence, as it has been so for some of the most important bands that represent progressive rock/metal in our days. Do you believe that its past and present form is still attractive to the public? Which of the present bands do you like the most?

I'll always have a fondness for the 70's stuff, but I also loved the later stuff that was done. Like Rush the 80's or Saga, UK, Marrilion, etc. A lot happened in the 80's as well for prog. I can't say that I listen to a lot of progressive music these days. Spock's Beard, Dream Theater, Star One, etc. I tend to listen to other styles of music then go home and put a great melody to something in odd time!

Do you have any future plans for a new album or is it too soon to think about that?

Well, we are going to be doing a live album and DVD before another studio record. We have it planned, at the moment, for March 13th in Oakland at I-Musicast. It will be simulcast on the internet as well for fans that can't make it to Oakland, California. That's where my focus is at the moment.

Do you intend to go on tour this year? Is there any chance of seeing you in Greece any time soon?

I can't say when we will get to Greece. Something we would love to do but it all depends on record sales in the country and whether it makes sense for us to play there.

Okay Douglas thank you for this interview. You may close it as you like.

Thank you Alekos, I hope to see you and our fans next time we are on tour. Take care and have a Happy New Year! Douglas A. Ott