The tale of Walter Trout's suffering, who was able to get a new liver transplant thanks to donations from fans, among other things, did not end after the operation in May 2014. It took a felt eternity until family, friends, colleagues, fans and the record company were certain that his body would take on the new organ and Trout could make music again with full power. "Battle Scars" is the comeback of New Jersey-born guitarists and singers. This album catapults him back onto the musical map with full force. This makes it easier for many who had already written off the former Canned-Heat and Bluesbreakers member. But the 64-year-old, who at a young age gave drugs and later alcohol, is bursting with fresh life energy.
eclipsed: It's a big relief we can talk to a healthy Walter Trout.
Walter Trout: To be honest, in the past it wasn't always fun to answer the same questions from the press on every album. You're not always in a good mood. I often thought it was about your album, and you can be happy if someone is interested and you are allowed to tell something about it. I often pulled myself together for what was a good thing for me. But now that I have miraculously recovered, my perception has changed. I appreciate some things in life all the more. This does not only concern my private environment, it also includes interviews. After such a caesura one lives probably automatically more in the here and now.
eclipsed: After all the health-related anguish and fighting, it must have been overwhelming when, after your recovery in the summer, you went back on stage for the first time at the Leadbelly Festival at the Royal Albert Hall.
Trout: When I think about it, I still get goose bumps. When I entered the stage, the whole Albert Hall stood up and I got standing ovations without even playing a note.
eclipsed: But it's the sounds that you offer so powerfully on your new album "Battle Scars" that fascinate.
Trout: That was one of my greatest struggles to be able to act musically powerful again. Playing and singing the notes on the guitar again was like a rebirth.
