INTERVIEW WITH KILL BY INCHES

 

Interview with Kev (bass/vocals) of the powerful Kill By Inches:

Is your new release ready? How can you describe the music on it?

Our last release, the 5th Kill By Inches cd, came out in 2002, which feels like a million years ago. The music on that cd was a real cross section of what we do as a band. It has 4 tracks on it, Nu-metal, Rap-core, Metal amd Hard Rock. It's done fairly well her in the underground scene and a few places abroad.

Since then, we've been playing our asses off. In January 2004, we decided to stop performing until we finished our next record, which still isn't done. Believe it or not, we ran out of money. The studio costs are crazy-$75 an hour. A few days in the studio can cost up to a months pay!

How would you compare your newer music to the one in for example "In the Flesh"?

"In The Flesh" was us as babys. We were just starting off. The record was basically metal/hardcore but even then, you could hear our style starting to grow. Now, our music has a very unique, very New York City sound. In NYC, you are exposed to so many different kinds of music, food and culture. I think KBI is a blend of all that is heavy in NYC.

How is the process of composing a Kill By Inches track?

Usually one of us comes in with an idea and then the other guys fuck it up! But seriously, we all build on everyones ideas so that the final product sounds like KBI.

How did you team with famous producer Jim Sabella?

Pete, the guitarist is very good at getting in touch with people. A year ago, he got in touch with porno star Brittany Andrews and had an interview with her in hotel room (very, fuckin' hot!) Anyway, we knew Jim Sabella had work with rap ground breakers "Public Enemy" and Death metal legends "Suffocation", so we felt he was our man.

How do you feel about songs like "Man With No country" going up in the metal charts?

We're very thankful to all of the music fans for voting for us and listening to the song. If you readers haven't heard it, they can download the song at www.killbyinches.com/noise and as always, please drop us a line to let us know what you think of the song at kbi@killbyinches.com

What are Kill By Inches lyrics about?

There usually coming from an angry perspective, but not in a self-destructive way, more like, I'm fuckin' pissed, but let's do something about it! The self titled cd touches on being away from home and feeling a little lost or ungrounded, trying to be the best at something so people will take notice and tearing shit up.

How would you describe a typical Kill By inches show?

Here in NY, it's tough to get a good crowd going. There are so many other things to do here in NYC, movies, dance clubs, restaurants or just staying at home and watching television that people don't always come out for local shows. We did open up for Cro Mags singer John Joseph's new band "Bloodclot" who has members of Biohazard, H2o and Sick Of It All, which was a good show. A lot of hardcore kids going crazy so it really pumps us up. A lot of jumping around and sweating!

Which is your live and studio equipment?

Live, our drummer Steve plays a monster Pearl kit, Guitarist Pete uses a Marshall set up specially made for his 7 string ESP guitar! (he's trying to get Les Paul to make him a custom 7 string!) I play out of a Harke bass rig and use a Wasburn bass.

Any final words?

I'd like to thank Music Extreme and all of your readers for keeping the underground music alive. Keep spreading the word of different bands and especially local bands in your area. Without you, we are nothing! Keep It Fuckin hard....kEv from KILL BY INCHES!

KILL BY INCHES WEBSITE: www.killbyinches.com

INTERVIEW WITH BENIGHTED

How has been "Insane Cephalic Production" received in the underground?

"ICP" is the third album of Benighted. It's available since last February on the label Adipocere Records and the reviews we could read are fantastic! We received lots of propositions of concerts and we could play with this album with bands like Dying Fetus, Impaled Nazarene, In Extremo, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Nasum, Slipknot... and we've done lots of interviews for mags, webzines, radios, fanzines... This album opened us several gates.

Since you are coming from different backgrounds such as black metal and death metal...how did you reach the sound that is characteristic of Benighted?

We worked for a long time to have the actual sound of Benighted, we want a sound which shall be powerful, heavy and crushing! As we recorded at the Kohlekeller studio in Germany, it helped us to find the best sound for each of our instruments.

How was the process of composing the music in "Insane Cephalic Production"?

The process of composition in Benighted is the same since the beginning. A guitarist comes with riffs and a beginning of structure for a track and we work together to make this track find its final version. It's the work of all the members which gave it's identity to the music of Benighted.

Are you satisfied with the deal with Adipocere?

Adipocere trusts in us since our first album, they always helped us to become well-known and gave the money for the recordings and the promotion. From album to album, they do more and more for us and we've got very good relations with all the team of Adipocere. We'll continue with them for the following releases.

How would you compare "Insane..." with "Psychose" or "Benighted"?

"ICP" is more direct and brutal than the other albums, the way of composition was more instinctive and the tracks are more powerful and easy to remember. These songs are the best tracks we've never composed. There's a big difference of sound too because the last album has the best production we never had before! It's our best album!

What are the lyrics in "Insane..." about?

The concept of Benighted is about psychiatric pathologies as I work in a psychiatric hospital in France. "Psychose" was about adult psychosis and persecution delirium and "ICP" is about mental madness of the child and the woman in pregnancy. All the lyrics are inspired by real facts and pathologies. I'm not talking about a fucking bad horror movie. Lots of bands talk about mental pathologies but many don't know what they're talking about.

Which is your equipment live and in studio?

In studio we're using our personal material as on stage as well. We play with guitars like Washburn or Jackson and the drummer use Pearl but as I'm just a vocalist, I can't tell you more! (laughts)

Which are your memories on your older bands such as Osgiliath and Darkness Fire?

We've got very good memories because it was for each of us the first band but when we decided to create Benighted together, we understood this band had a bigger potential. We had no time for the other bands any more and Benighted became for each of us the absolute priority!

Any final words?

I just want to thank you for this interview! I hope the people in your country will discover our music and enjoy it! I send you all our greetings from France!!! Stay brutal!!!

BENIGHTED WEBSITE: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/benighted/

INTERVIEW WITH OMNISCIENT

Interview with Leslie Hargrave (keyboards), James Hargrave (drums) and Andy Hargrave (guitars) from the brutal Omniscient

Your music is extremely brutal...can we describe it as death metal with black metal elements or is this definition too narrow for you?

That is a pretty good definition. Being called strictly black metal would definately be too narrow. We have always considered ourselves to be brutal symphonic death metal. But we have several other elements that we regularly incorporate into our music such as thrash, speed metal, classical and shred.

How has been you album received in the underground?

The reaction so far has been very good. Considering we did all our own promotion, we have been very happy with the response. Our fan base has grown from national to international fairly rapidly.

How is the process of composing an Omniscient song?

None of our songs have been written in any set pattern. Some start on keyboards, others on guitar. Once we have several riffs that we like, we put them together in the way we feel works best. The lyrics are then written according to what inspires us from the song.

What are Omniscient lyrics about?

Our lyrics are mostly in reference to the idiocy of mankind, life, death, and brillance. Some of the lyrics are so deep and metaphoric that it is hard to describe them in just a few words.

Which element is more important in Omniscient´s music: aggression, rhythms, speed?

A combination of aggression and rhythms. But our intensity and technical, powerful writing is equally important to making memorable songs.

How would you describe an Omniscient show?

Intense. Very Intense. Full of energy that you dont get from just listening to the cd. A certain mixture of brutality and melody thats critical to Omniscient's message.

Which is the band´s live and studio equipment?

Andy uses Jackson guitars and Crate amps and speakers.

Steve uses Kramer and BC Rich guitars, and Peavey amps and speakers.

David uses Jackson professional basses, Carvin amps and speakers, and Shure wireless systems.

Bob uses Shure mics.

Leslie uses Korg keyboards.

James uses Tama rockstar drumset and Vic Firth drum sticks.

Which are the band´s main influences?

Jason Becker, Limbonic Art, Hirojoshi, Emperor, Chopin, Myrkskog, Old Mans Child, classical composers, Kitaro, Vangelis, and Dimmu Borgir.

Any final words?

The Omniscient has been unleashed.

OMNISCIENT´S WEB SITE: www.omniscientgods.com

INTERVIEW WITH OPHIS

Interview with Philipp Kruppa, Ophis´ brain:

How was Ophis originally conceived?

Ophis wasn´t concieved really. I found myself writing material for Rain Of Ashes, that didn´t really fit to the style of that band, since it turned out to be more sinister and slow, Doom Metal style. I thought the material was pretty good, so I decided to create a project for it. I had always a deep feeling towards Doom Metal, ever since I hear Metal in general, so it´s no wonder that I felt Doom Metal the best way to express my emotions and thoughts. Thrash Metal is good for letting out aggressions, but Doom Metal goes deeper to the core of your negative emotions.

Which is the main ingredient in Ophis music: aggression, slow tempos or dark atmospheres?

That´s hard to say, because all these ingredients are very important to the Ophis-Style. If I had to decide, I'd chose the dark atmosphere, because without it (or even with a happy mood), Ophis is unconsiderable to me. The

aggression comes automatically, but it could be missing, as long as the song is dark and depressing. I mean, think of the "Breavement" pieces, they are´nt brutal at all, but still transport the atmosphere. Slow tempos are the best way to express this atmosphere in my opinion, but that won´t stop us from doing some fast parts once in a while, when it fits to the mood of the song.

Why did Ophis split up in 2001?

That had simple reasons. Our second guitar player Fred left the band, because he joined Rain Of Ashes, my other band, but had no time left to perform in both groups. He had no input to the songs anyway, but we were rehearsing in his garage at that time, so we lost our rehearsal room too. I wasn´t pleased with the remaining line-up combination anyway and we didn´t even manage to do some fucking gigs, so I decided to put Ophis to a rest for some time. I think we didn´t put enough energy into this band back then. Our drummer then joined Anguished because we could not find an able bass player, and after a long rest, I decided to resurrect Ophis all on my own in late 2002. Then I recorded "Empty, Silent And cold" all by myself. 

How did you decide to take care of all the instruments on your own for the recording?

When I made the very first Ophis recordings in the year 2000 (which never were released), I was still in an experimental phase and had no other musicians, so I did the first tests all on my own on a small 4-track recorder. I´m mainly a drummer, but I also wanted to test my guitar skills.

After the first Ophis line-up had split, I knew from my early experiences, that I was able to make a record all on my own. I had absolved an education as sound assistant, so I knew about the technical stuff, and it was no problem at all. Also, as I told, I wasn´t pleased with how things had turned out with the first line-up, so now I was able to put things up as I had imagined them. I felt enough motivation to push Ophis forward. I wanted to do something on my own to avoid frustrations and to express what I felt. I think that was important for me, although it´s much more fun now that Ophis is a band again.

Which is the concept behind Ophis lyrics?

Well, maybe "concept" is a too strict word, because there is no definite topic the lyrics cling to, but still, most of them deal with my personal disappointments in life, especially those caused by other people and/or myself. They are about inter-personal relationships that failed, about situations that hurt me and about people I lost. I never write about these situations directly, but I try to find metaphors and images for them, so that the listener, who might have experienced something familiar but still something different can identify with the song. Also, I try to express the inner pain I feel with the lyrics. I used to be a very depressive person in my teenage days, and nowadays I´m still oftimes sick of how people generally handle each other. I sometimes feel really misplaced in this world, so I express this within the songs. "Sledgehammer Assfuck" for example is about this situation: someone you love says something to you, just a word maybe, harmless in his or her ears, but it crusches your world to pieces. Just a little gesture maybe, but it shows you, that your thought about this person were just an illusion, and all crumbles to pieces.

How did you find your new bandmates for Ophis? Are you rewriting the old material to record it with the new lineup?

No, we are not rewriting the old stuff. Of course we changed some details in the arrangement here and there, but the songs stayed that way. We all thought the old stuff is great the way it is, and didn´t need an overhaul. Richard, our drummer changed some drumlines too, but we didn´t add new riffs or something. It wasn´t difficult to find a new line-up, because the line-up found me, haha. Richard was our drummer in the first Ophis line-up too, so when he listened "Empty, Silent And Cold", he was keen on a reunion. It was his idea to make Ophis a full band again, since I wanted to do everything alone at first. Of course I agreed, because he was always the best part in the old line-up. So he and myself are the only remains from the old line-up. Jan, our guitarist was a friend of mine who hadn´t played in a band for a long time, and as I told him that I was thinking about reforming

Ophis, he wanted to join us. As in the first line-up, I took over the vocals and the first guitar, because I wanted to do something different than drumming and since I write most of the material, it´s better that way. For bass, I asked our actual Rain Of Ashes bass player Chrille, because I knew that he had a preference for Doom Metal as well, so he joined. Shitty thing is that he left the band last week because of the often recited "musical differences", it´s not technical enough for him. But we have a new one in sight, I think it will work out well. Our plans for the near future won´t be delayed, I think.

How do you combine your work with Ophis with the one in your band Rain of Ashes?

That´s not too difficult, because Rain Of Ashes aren´t as active anymore as they were in the past. Sometimes it´s making me pretty busy, but yet Ophis isn´t big enough to harm Rain Of Ashes. Both bands play live as often as possible, but not every week or such, so it´s no coordination problem.

Richard still plays in Anguished as well, that´s far more difficult for him. As far as the songwriting goes, it's no problem either because in Rain Of Ashes, our guitarist there writes most of the music, so I can focus on writing stuff for Ophis.

Do you have plans for Ophis in the near future?

Yeah, becoming the most famous Rockstars of the world and earn so much money, that we can buy the fucking White House, haha. No, of course we shit on money. Seriously we are planning to enter a studio in late September and to record a new promo with three or four songs for open sale and for contacting record labels. We are hoping to get the ability of recording a full length album some time. After these recording sessions, we hope to make a small tour through Germany with Wytchcraft and Tortured Spirit, but this won´t be before November, so let´s see about that.

Any final words?

Yes, I want to ask everyone to boycot Nu Metal shit-crap, because it commercializes and infests the force and the spirit of any real Metal in the world. Beat them Motherfuckers up wherever you meat them. Let them celebrate their own shit and stay away from real Metal. Metal is religion!

I wanna thank everyone who supported Ophis this far and everyone who will in the future. Greetings to al ye South American Metalheads out there, stay the way you are and keep it moshing. To you, Federico, tanks a lot for the interview, it´s been an honoiur to us and it was fun too. Check out our website www.ophis.net

If you are interested in CDs and infos, just contact me under

rain-of-ashes@gmx.de

Stay Doom, thanks from Ophis!

OPHIS WEBSITE: www.ophis.net

INTERVIEW WITH PERPETUAL DUSK

How do you feel about your "Incarnated Darkness" CD now that it has been released? 

I am very proud of it. Even though it sounds fuckin' great, I really Think that we can always improve our music. For an instance, I'd record "Incarnated Darkness" one more time, just to make it faster.

Do you have the songs for the debut album ready? 

Most of them are ready, but there's always room for more good ideas. When it comes to omposing, Perpetual Dusk  works constantly until the song is fully recorded. Then, there's no way back.

How did the line-up changes affect the sound of Perpetual Dusk´s music?

The current line-up is more aggressive and solid than the old one. Our songs are more sophisticated and complex, but we're still extreme, so cohesion and aggressiveness have to be our biggest musical foundations.

How is the process of composing a Perpetual Dusk tune?

It all begins with a couple of riffs. We take it to the studio and start throwing ideas over it, until we have a structure. Once the song it's structured, we take notes and build the more  complex parts at home. Then we go back into the studio and  modify the whole thing. Then we add lyrics. We had situations in which the songs became so complex that we had to rewrite them all over, but most of the time there's a point where we're totally satisfied with it and nobody touches a thing. We just find a way to play them faster and heavier. 

How important are the keyboards in Perpetual Dusk´s music?

VERY important!

What are the lyrics on "Incarnated Darkness" about?

The lyrics fit perfectly in the concept of the album. They're all about What shall happen when darkness takes over, when the unholy and heathen Desires of the hidden ones finally take place.

How would you compare the music in "Incarnated Darkness" with the one in "Waiting for the nightfall"? 

Despite the fact that both are from the same band, I'd say "Incarnated Darkness" is a more mature and complex record.

Which is the band´s equipment live and in studio?

The equipment of a record studio has a big difference from the one that works on a stage, we like to use on stage something  that we can setup faster and works like the studio equipment. The big difference is on the guitar amps (Laney, Mesa Boogie, Marshall), that are replaced on stage by amp simulators. 

We like to use the follow set of equipment on stage:

-B.C Rich and Ibanez Guitars 

-Yamaha Basses

-EMG and Dimarzio Pickups

-Behringer Pre-amps

-Roland Synthesizers

-Zildjian and Paiste cymbals and mapex

drums. 

Any final words? 

Thanks for your support! Keep up the great work! 

Hail Satan!

INTERVIEW WITH NECROMEMISIS

 

1. Do you like your music being labeled brutal death metal or do you think that it is too narrow?

Yes and no, yes because we do incorporate a lot of aggressive and intricate stuff in our songs, but then again we do have some melodic parts too, we don't want to be held to just writing a certain style of music all the time, we like to experiment with a lot of different styles of music, black, death, grind, hardcore, etc.

2. How has the "Demo 2002" been doing since its release?

Since the release of our demo it has been doing really well, we have a pretty good following out here because of it, we have been sending it all over the place, to people in other countries, radio shows, fanzines, etc… just who ever wants a copy, It is being played on some radio stations out here, 89.9 KUNM; Tomb Stone Rock, (very brutal radio show) and also on 104.7 The Edge on there local hour, and our shows seem to be getting bigger every time we play.

3. How did your music change when Bill left the band and was replaced by Wayne?

When Wayne came into the band, we think that the music has gotten more and more technical and intricate with every new song that we write he is very unique in his style of lead playing, as you will see on our next CD. He is a really good fit for us.

4. How important is having a good technique with your instruments for Necromemisis music?

It is extremely important to have a good technique with our instruments so that we can pull off some of the intricate and technical stuff, that we incorporate within our music.

5. How were the songs in "Demo 2002" composed?

They were composed in 2001, they had been written by all four of us, Ian Andres, Nick, and Bill, all of us pretty much knew how to play different instruments, so we just through all of our idea's together, and in July 2002 we went to a local studio (Third Eye Creations) and recorded our demo.

6. Do you have new material to be recorded?

Ever since the release of our demo we have been playing a lot of shows, but as of late we have written some new songs, and we have a lot of other idea's that we are working on, we are going to be recording here pretty soon, the new material is very sick and brutal, and should be available soon, check the website for updates.

7. Which is your equipment live and in studio?

All equipment is used both live and in the studio:

Ian: Marshall VS100 Head with a JCM 1960 Cab, L.T.D. Viper Guitar, and B.C.

Rich NJ Mockingbird

Wayne: Johnson 300 Head, VGH 412 Cab's, Jackson Warrior, Reverse Dinkey 7

String, Digitech DSP Whammy Pedal.

Andres: Carvin 500 Head, Hartke 4x10 Cab's, Ibanez bass

Nick: Pearl Export Series Drums, Zildjian & Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads,

Alesis D4, with DDrum Triggers, and Vic Firth Drum Sticks

8. How was your experience opening for bands like Soulless or Gorgasm?

Excellent, Educating, and Exciting.

9. Which are the band's main influences?

We have a lot of different influences, Deeds of Flesh, Gorgasm, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and Slayer, just to name a few…

10. Something more to add? 

Keep it sick and very brutal, and thanks to all the sick muthafuckers out there who support the scene, and fuck off to all who oppose.

Check our Website for updates,shows, merchandise, etc…

www.necromemisis.homestead.com/necromemisis.html

Contact: necromemisisevil@cs.com

INTERVIEW WITH SERIAL BUTCHER

 

1- How has been the "Serial Butcher" CD doing since its release in June?

Since we're not selling it on a major scale i can't really answer that question. we're primarily sending it to zines and labels to get some exposure. we sold a handful at shows and through the website as well. weare however on the brink of signing a deal with a record label so i guess it will be sold to the general audience in a matter of weeks.

2- How would you compare "Serial butcher" to "Exhumed Rotting"?

Well it's 4 years later so it's definitely more advanced as far as songwriting and technical skills go. the production is also a lot better. The only thing unchanged is the lyrical level (or lack thereof haha). Our drummer Nico also wrote more songs this time around compared to Hendrik in the older days.

3- How did Serial Butcher´s music change when Bob and Steve left the band? Which is your lineup now?

I don't think it really changed significantly. steven has rejoined us last year so now it's just me (nicolas) on second guitar who's new in the band.

4- What are the lyrics in songs like "Brutally bashed Baby Boom" about?

Something with a broomstick and a woman's womb. i don't wanna go into details here.

5- Which is the equipment of the band live and on studio?

Live we use Kramer and BC Rich guitars, and Engl and Digitech amps. In the studio we used a pod pro and protools instead of the digitech though. Nico has a tama drumset. Steven just drinks a lot of beer.

6- How is the process of composition of Serial Butcher´s music?

Since Hendrik is too busy with his bar these days it's mostly nico who comes up with new riffs. We'll work on it together and mold it into a song.

7- How do you see the evolution of the band since your first demo tape?

Over the course of the past 6-7 years i'd say SERIAL BUTCHER has always had one focus in mind - being the most brutal band around, without turning into some ridiculous grind band. we try to write catchy tunes as well and i think we pretty much succeeded in doing that.

8- Why was your first demo tape never released?

Because it sucked.

9-Which are your plans for 2003?

Releasing the album, playing more shows and hopefully touring a bit around Europe so everybody can witness the wonder that is SERIAL BUTCHER.

10- Any final words?

Yup thanks for the interview, check out http://www.serialbutcher.com and see you at our shows! peace out

INTERVIEW WITH CAUSE FOR EFFECT

 

How has been your "Album" received by the audience and the press?

- Mostly the feedback has been really positive, actually surprisingly positive. I mean I first doubt how metal press would react but so far reviews have been good, almost all of them, of course there's somebody who doesn't like us.

Metal fans have found us and that's a little surprise to me, especially here in Finland I have always doubted our "success" but people have liked our music and now we have more gigs in Finland than never before. Also people from all over the world have liked. Atmosphere for this kind of music is more open than few years ago.

How different is "Album" from "Fast Material"?

- Fast Material has guitar, it's more straightforward stuff. Really fast and even faster. I played guitar to it and it's still a good album, but somehow we walked that path to the end, we had to check our vision and songs started

to change into more complex/jazzy direction. Dropping guitar out was a critical decision and in time we weren't sure about it but later it was clear that it was right decision.

Album is more complex, more different parts and rhythms, it's just better.

Fast Material showed what we were in 1998 and Album showed us in 2001.

How is the process of composition of Cause For Effect´s tunes?

- Just a normal weekday after the work. Sometimes I have some sort of vision but usually we just start to play and if the mood is right, then something new starts to born. We aren't perfectionists; we don't re-compose or re-arrange our songs over and over again. We trust our intuition and we can feel almost right away is the song good or not.

Why did you decide to become a duo in 1999?

- Two reasons: Our guitarist was kicked out in 1996, between 1996-1999 my brother was a session guitarist for us but because of lack of time and his own band, he decided to leave. Then we didn't find any suitable guitar player. We thought the situation and then decided to continue without guitar. It wasn't a sudden decision, it took several weeks to think and make a decision.

Which are your plans with Cause For Effect in the near future?

- Playing gigs here in Finland, European tour in October, 6way compilation CD will be released in august where we participate as live material. February 2004 new miniCD.

Do you have plans of a new recording for 2003?

- We recorded 15 new songs in may 2003 and they will be released in February 2004 as miniCD. Also we will compose few songs more in autumn and add them to the miniCD.

Are you going to play older material (1992-1996 material) or rerecord it in the future?

- No, we have so much new material to play that we don't have to use nor play old stuff. It doesn't interest us.

Which is Cause for Effect´s equipment in studio and live?

- At the studio we use normal mixing desk and hardware and computer with audio software, sorry I don't remember the name. The studio is our friend's band's rehearsal place and he has all equipments you need for a studio, he run a studio with his friend but quitted and then built his own.

At live, there usual PA system and then my own bass and bass amplifier, Ari uses his own drums because it's easy to put them in the front of stage. Because we are two man band Ari's drums are beside me in the front of the stage and he's a bit sideways towards the audience.

Do you have other bands or parallel projects?

- Ari has a stoner rock band called Mount Moses. I don't have time nor energy for second band. CFE is enough for me.

Something more to add?

- Thank you for this interview! For info, mp3 etc. visit at

http://listen.to/cfe

INTERVIEW WITH ASTRAY

 

Is "Project Earth - Deathcult Ritual" ready? How is the music on it?

VESA: Yes, the lyrical and compositional wholeness have been very clearly in our possession for some time. But until the final mixing, the opus "Project Earth - DeathCult Ritual" can't be reached in it's ultimate physical essence which will be incarnated in form of a full length album. And the final embodiment of this work also needs someone to release it, which we still don't have.

MARKKU: The music on the album is a mix between extreme chaotic hate and gloomy depressive melodies. The album consist of nine songs and has duration little over 50 minutes. We released a couple of months ago "Promo 2002" with three rough mix songs as a sample of what the album is about. The promo can be downloaded for free from our website, so check it out!

How would you compare your new music with the one in the "Alone" MCD?

VESA: The hate has grown deeper. The depression has grown heavier. The agony has grown more painful.

MARKKU: Referring to the reviews that we've received from "Promo 2002" so far, our new material is much more original compared to "Alone". And besides the things that Vesa just mentioned above, the whole production (songs itself, playing skills, sounds, etc.) is more mature compared to earlier material.

How was the process of composition of the songs in "Project..."?

VESA: It was very painful, mentally and physically. Markku got literally sick with the pressure of the burden of making this album. We have travelled through really thick fog with this. At the beginning of the recordings Astray had full line up as a band and now there are only me and Markku left, just like when we started this band. But what can you say, only the strongest survive. Our songwriting process has always followed the same pattern. Markku composes all the material all alone. He makes some kind of demo version of it and gives it to me so that I can start planning the lyrics and vocals for it. And that goes also for every track at "Project Earth - DeathCult Ritual".

MARKKU: Well, in fact the composition process of the songs was easy, I composed all the material in a few months, but everything else since then (I mean the recordings) has been very difficult (I guess that's the thing that Vesa meant)... You know, it's not very easy to record everything just by yourself in studio, so that's the reason why the recordings has took so long time.

How important is the dark and melancholic atmosphere in Astray´s music?

VESA: The words "dark" and "melancholy" are the keywords along "hate" and "agony".

Do you have still ties with Beyond Prods.?

VESA: Astray has nothing in do with Beyond Productions anymore. We have nothing against them neither.

What are Astray´s lyrics about?

VESA: Human kind is very destructive unit which seems to have one common goal. In spite of it's attempts to give some value for life and hope, nothing can't help me seeing things from the point of view that gives me a good look to the whole race as a one big crawling suicidal animal, which' destination is nothing but death. In this cult of the mortals (we're all in) is one thing we are apparently trying to avoid but what we actually do is that we are unconsciously trying to reach it. It's not really hard to see the mankind with it's drive of death as a great cult of death, is it? That's what the lyrics of the "Project Earth - DeathCult Ritual" are all about. 

What do you think of the progress the band has done since the "Until I´m Cold Enough" MCD?

VESA: I said it once and I will say it again: The hate has grown deeper. The depression has grown hevier. The agony has grown more painful. We know better how to express these things and we are more skillfull to fullfill ourselves.

Which is your equipment live and in studio?

MARKKU: Well, as we are not able to play live at the moment, so here's the gear that I used in studio (and I use at home): Jackson Soloist guitar, Jackson bass guitar, Zoom multieffects for guitar, Korg N5 synthesizer, Tama drums with Paiste and Sabian symbals, Laney and Marshall amps.

Which are the feelings that you want to transmit with Astray´s music?

VESA: Hate ...and the inner smile of the sick mind when all hope is lost. The Devil is doing his deeds and we paint the picture -where we're all in.

Any final words?

VESA: Just serve the Cult for we're all in. All hail Death!

MARKKU: Thanx a lot for the interview and support! Visit everyone in our website at www.astrayband.com and download our "Promo 2002" for free! Stay cold!

INTERVIEW WITH SEAR BLISS

1- How has been "Forsaken Symphony" received in the undergound? 

"Although Forsaken Symphony is out only for one or two months, it can be said that the responses are very good so far. We have received positive reviews mostly and quite a lot of metal radio stations play the songs. So, we are totally pleased."

2- The sound in "Forsaken Symphony" is raw but yet really effective...was this done on purpose?

"Definitely. In case of the previous album, Grand Destiny, we relied on the sound engineer, who wanted as clean sound as possible. Now the time has come for us to take the control on the sound. Our aim was to create a raw and unpolished sound because it fitted very well to the mood of the songs this time. We wanted to produce a really unique atmosphere and we succeeded in producing it. "

3- Do you consider Sear Bliss a black metal band or is that definition too narrow to describe your music?

"Basically, it is black metal but not in ist purest sense. The arrangement of the songs are for example not typical. It is enough to say that we have been using a brass section since the very beginning of the band. All in all, I would say that we play a black-metal-based music without limits. We believe that black metal is about originality. We don't see reason to copy the Norwegian bands, however we like and respect them. When black metal started in the 80´s, the bands tried to be as unique and original as possible. This is our aim too."

4- How importan are Zoltan´s trombones and barytones to Sear Bliss´ music?

"We have been using a brass section from the beginning, so it is a kind of trademark of the band. When somebody hears the name of Sear Bliss the first what comes to their mind is that "Oh, yes! The band with the brass section!". And musically they play a very significant role: these instruments give the music a real classical touch."

5- How are Sear Bliss songs composed? Do each member bring ideas or each member composes a complete song and then teaches the other ones ?

"We do not have any special way of composing songs. One of us brings an idea and if it is liked by the others, it inspires us to do our own parts. Usually the guitar players are those who compose the basic themes, but the keyboard player, Oliver had also a lot of ideas. We can compose music when we are in a certain mood. It´s definitely needed to be alone when composing. "

6- What are "Forsaken Symphony"´s lyrics about?

"We get our inspirations from inside. The lyrics on Forsaken Symphony are escapes from today´s rotten life and morals. In our lyrics and music we try to be as far from everydays life as possible. Our lyrics have got nothing to do with earth-bound things like politics or social problems, etc. They come from inside and born by our imagination. "

7- How do you see the evolution of the band from "Phantoms" to "Forsaken Symphony"?

"We have definitely improved a lot since then. At that time we were much younger and less experienced than we are now. But our attitude and enthusism towards playing our music is the same as that. We have been trying to make as great music as possible. Yet I think Forsaken Symphony is very much in the vein of Phantoms in its mood. It is a very similar album in my opinion.

8- You have toured with great bands like MArduk, Anathema, Tiamat, Dark Funeral and many others...which was your favorite gig?

"Well, all these gigs had great influence on us and it is really great to remember to them. But without doubt the most remarkable one was the European Tour with Marduk in 1997. It was very exhausting to travel 8200 kilometres in 12 days, but it was worth. We met a lot of exciting people and it was great to play to a different crowd each evening. And it was also great to get aquainted with the guys from Marduk. We had unforgettable parties together."

9- How important are the dark atmospheres and melodies to Sear Bliss´music?

"Two types of music characterize the music of Sear Bliss. On the one hand there is black metal on the other hand the atmospheric/melodic side. These two are the major constituents of the music of ours. But these two serve the same aim: to guide the listeners on the path of darkness."

10- Any final words?

"Thanks a lot for your support! Check out www.searbliss.hu for up-to- date information. We wish you and everyone in the scene of South America a metallic new year!!!"

INTERVIEW WITH CADAVERIA

 

The first is one questions that I have to make. Why did you leave Opera IX?

Hi Federico and all Music Extreme! Well, there is not one exact reason. Simply, around one year ago some problems started inside the band, regarding the direction the band must follow, the ideology, the music, the compositions. For these reasons the relationships among the band members began to deteriorate. Instead of wasting our time in stupid arguments, me and Flegias decided to take the only possible and intelligent decision and we left the band. Some weeks later we founded CADAVERIA, a new and free project where every member can discharge his metal instincts and express his ideas, without ideological restriction.

How did you choose Frank and Killer Bob to play with you? What have they brought to Cadaveria´s music?

Me and Flegias already knew Killer Bob and Frank and we were sure we could trust them as persons and musicians. All new members are experienced musicians: Frank and Baron Harkonnen have played often as tour men, while behind the name Killer Bob there is John, Necrodeath bassist. We already were in contact with Frank 'cause he is in the musical underground, he has got his own recording studio (the studio where we recorded The Shadows' Madame) and have helped us in the past, with Sacro Culto album. He plays since he was a child but, as I told, he always played as session man and he never had a steady band. For him CADAVERIA represents the opportunity to be really part of a band, to cooperate with other people to compose his own music, and to show his talent. Killer Bob is a person open to new experiences, and even if he already plays in other two band (Necrodeath and DyNAbyte) he was glad to participate to our project as bassist and sound engineer. They are all open minded people and everyone has a different musical background (thrash, classical heavy metal, nu metal). The brought a fresh air in the band and a new energy in our sound. The union of five different minds and of five different musical tendencies is the main responsible of the many contaminations you can find in CADAVERIA music.

What can you tell me about the way in which "The Shadows Madame" was composed?

Some songs from The Shadows' Madame came from my and Flegias' past musical experience. Some ideas we didn't expressed in Opera IX are now developed in CADAVERIA. Some songs have been built on some voice melodies I had worked on during the last year. These melodies have been the first point where to start from. Other ideas come directly in the rehearsal room, brought by the new members. When the main songs' structure was ready, we entered recording studio. Having a studio at our complete disposal, with no time restriction, allowed us to care about all details. Here the arrangements were set, some songs were modified and keyboards were added. Then we started studying the details of the sound and finally we started recording.

Why did you choose Scarlet Recs. to release the album?

Among the labels we contacted, Scarlet was the one that immediately showed to appreciate our musical proposal and to be truly interested in the band. We had already been in contact with Scarlet some years ago, when Opera IX had to decide for which label to sign for The Black Opera album. Even if the band had opted for another label, me and Flegias had maintained good relationships with Scarlet (that is also Necrodeath's label). The fact to already know Scarlet stuff made negotiations be more easy, and we quickly reached an agreement. They were positively impressed by our music, they trust our potentialities, they were ready to put CADAVERIA among the label's priorities and to give the band the proper promotion. With these premises, there wasn't the risk, for us, to be one of the hundreds forgotten and "left-to-their-destiny" bands of a big label's roster. These are the main reasons that led us to sign for Scarlet.

What are the lyrics in "The Shadows Madame" about?

Well, all lyrics have been written by me and they deal with my personal interests, with my believes, my memory, my dreams and nightmares, my credo. Darkness, magic, death, existence are the main themes. "Spell", for example, talks about a young witch who places trust in cosmic energies for her rituals, it deals with meditation and natural elements, while "Declaration of spiritual Independence" deals with the power of mind, it hymns to self confidence, to freedom and to action. "In memory of Shadows' Madame" is a sort of epitaph ante mortem, dedicated to a charismatic lady survived to the jokes of fate, while "Absolute Vacuum" contains my personal meditations about evil and death. Some sentences I wrote belong to my past, some other lyrics have been composed in a second time, after the most part of the music was ready. The Shadows' Madame lyrics can be considered as the mirror of my personality, some songs have been influences by my readings, above all by Charles Baudelaire and William Butler Yeats.

Are Baron Harkonnen´s keyboards one of the main points in Cadaveria´s music?

I don't think so. In the beginning we thought not to use keyboards in CADAVERIA, then, when the main songs' structure was already set, we decided to introduce some keyboards parts in order to amplify and sustain the atmosphere of the tracks. So keyboards strengthen the atmosphere of our songs but aren't the basis of our music. I think the main point are represented by the guitar and by the voice.

Are there any songs that were left out of the album and maybe will be released in a Mini CD ?

There were some ideas for a eighth song, just made of acoustic guitars, keyboards and voice and an half idea to make a cover, but finally we opted for a different solution. There are no project for a mini CD now and I don't know if these ideas will be developed in the next album. Actually we are just thinking about some new riffs and only in June we will start the composition process for the new CD, so now it is early to say which direction we will take.

Do you have any plans of touring to support the new album?

We will play some live dates is Italy in April and May. Another live show is in preparation for July and we received an offer to play at a festival in summer, but nothing is sure at the moment. Please, check out our website for any updates!

Any final words?

I would like to thank you for this interview and all old and new fans for their never-ending support! Keep the metal flame alive and let you be enveloped by the shadows of darkness.

 

CADAVERIA WEBSITE: www.cadaveria.com

INTERVIEW WITH ETOILE NOIRE

 

How would you define Etoile Noire´s music?

Ferruccio Milanesi: We usually define our music simply "gothic rock", because it's a very general definition: magazines call in this way really different bands, from MARYLIN MANSON to MISSION, to LACRIMOSA, to 69 EYES and we thought it could include also our music.

But it's really hard to find the right definition: probably "rock", with no other adjective, could be the best, because we have various influences, from gothic to stoner rock, punk and metal.

Pasquale Scotti: Yes, our promo starts with "Ascension", aggressive and direct, to finish with "Point Of No Return", with a melodic and calm first part soon becoming red-hot and with a painful atmosphere.

I think the key of our music is "Melt", fusion of dark/gothic and desert rock with a marked tendency to '70 rock.

Has the promo "Sleeping Black Eyes" been well received by the media?

Pasquale Scotti: "Sleeping Black Eyes" has received till now many reviews: the greatest part of them have really appreciated our attempt of mixing different styles, of doing something that could be considered our personal way of making music with something original. Only some of them, even if giving good opinions about our work, has lingered too much over on our yearning for '80 dark music: we're really honoured for they compared us to CHRISTIAN DEATH, but we don't think that it's a good comparison, because it's enough to listen to "Melt" or "Sleeping Black Eyes" to understand that we have a different approach, more rock oriented.

Ferruccio Milanesi: In general, media has been divided in two groups: the open-minded have listened to music we play, judging it for what it is, the others listened but were waiting something they wanted: so we were too dark for metal magazines, too metal for dark ones, too obscure for rock, too rock for gothic.

This is not a problem for us, because don't want to be a gothic band at any cost, to make a copy of any band of the past, or play what they expect from us to be sure they'll appreciate. We want only to be a straight rock 'n roll band, playing what we want, and we decided in this band to be free, so if a stoner riff could be good with a darkwave bass, or a straight rock song after an acoustic part with a violin, I think we have to ask nobody to do this. If people will apreciate (as many are doing) we are happy but if some magazine wants the same pre-cooked soup we are not the right band for it.

Are you planning to release a new album in 2002?

Ferruccio Milanesi: Yes, we hope that our first album will be out before the end of this year, but till now we have not found the right label for us and we're still searching

It seems to me that Pasquale´s vocals have something of a punk influence. Am I correct?

Pasquale Scotti: I don't think so... or I've not thought it till today. I listen so much to punk music but I'm strongly bound to dark rock and gothic. If your opinion about my voice is referred to its being really direct and sometimes filthy, and to the screaming, yes, you're right and I'm happy for this.

How is the process of composing all Etoile Noire´s songs?

Augusto Maiolini: There's no particular procedure, at least concerning the songs that started from my ideas: what I try to do is simply to transfer my grudges, my suffering into the songs I write. I think there's no procedure, this is what you have inside yourself and that's enough.

Ferruccio Milanesi: Usually one of us proposes an idea, and we work all togheter to arrange the song and to make it always better. Composition is for us a work that should be done with the contribution of every member of the band: each one has his own ideas and influences, and that's the way to make our music not unidimensional but the mix of different genres that is our characteristic.

Which are your plans for this year?

Alessio Sica: Our plans are to intensify live activity and at the same time to continue working on new songs: we do love live dimension and we find it's the best way to test new songs and find the best arrangement.

Which are the styles that have influenced more heavily Etoile Noire´s music?

Augusto Maiolini: As far as I'm concerned I'm influenced by every musical genre. Every music that succeed in being expressive could influence me. Music is evolution, not bound to a specific musical style. There are band I listen to more than others, as KYUSS, MOTORPSYCHO, PINK FLOYD, but I'm also interested in bands with a more modern attitude such as MASSIVE ATTACK or PORTISHED. I think that ETOILE NOIRE will be modern and people will like them as long as nobody will be able to define us and enclose in the ghetto of a single style.

Ferruccio Milanesi: I listen to a great variety of music, classical and rock, dark, every kind of metal from glam to grind, punk and industrial. I try to be open-minded, even if obviously I've my preferred styles and bands. I think Etoile Noire has to thank for its music at the same time BLACK SABBATH and CHRISTIAN DEATH, MOTÖRHEAD and KYUSS, CURE and MISFITS, CULT and JOY DIVISION, just to mention some.

How was your work in Amok´s "Ethereal traveller"?

Pasquale Scotti: AMOK was a collaboration between ETOILE NOIRE and our friend ALESSANDRO IZZO, a really talented artist doing electronic music. This project has been our way to attempt different genres and has received receive good consent from listeners and magazines.

The band split up because we listen to electronic music but we don't like too much to play it. But probably in the future we'll resume it, maybe we'll release something, because AMOK's promo "Ethereal Traveller" was really well reviewed by magazines.

What can you tell me about your collaboration with the dark/folk band Argine?

Ferruccio Milanesi: I joined ARGINE in 1998, and till now there has been a great collaboration: we've issued a live Lp, a mcd and the second album, not mentioning various tracks for compilations. We've played live in many italian cities and in Switzerland and I think they are a band with great chances for the future, even if they've been too often limited by labels with too underground attitude who didn't promote, distibute and reissue when necessary. They are finally returning to their post-punk origins and this is a good thing for me because they're coming out of the restricted scene of apocalyptic-folk and trying to reach the world outside. Yet, playing in aggressive way is surely more natural for me, while playing in acoustic concerts was sometimes hard. Probably we'll play live as ETOILE NOIRE togheter with them in some dates.

Alessio Sica: I was enchanted by that kind of music, so when ARGINE contacted me to play on "Luctamina In Rebus" album I did it with great pleasure. After some months they asked me to join the band and I accepted at once, above all cosidering the artistic quality of Corrado Videtta and his band.

What can you tell me about the other members projects?

Pasquale Scotti: I and Ferruccio have formed in 1998 ANIMA IN FIAMME, band dedited to neoclassic dark music, with the use of piano, cello, violin, harp and sometimes contaminated by industrial influences. We've released many tracks for compilation all over the world and the first album "Sub Occasum Solis" for French label PRIKOSNOVENIE.

Ferruccio Milanesi: Music is my life, and my work, so I play also as session bass player in various bands, and unfortunately they're not always playing music I like. I hope in the future I will dedicate all my time and eneregy to my projects, with no need of doing something else.

Yet, I love collaborations, and when some guy of a band I like asks me to play in a song or to work togheter I can't help accepting.

Something more that you want to add?

Ferruccio Milanesi: We really thank you for the interest you have shown in on our music and for the space you give us on your magazine.

If all the people working in extreme and underground music would seriously work and with devotion as you music such as dark, metal and punk could be not only a drop in sea of indifference.

Contacts: ETOILE NOIRE, c/o Ferruccio Milanesi, Via G. Jannelli 45/D, 80131 Naples, Italy

etoilenoire@katamail.com

www.etoilenoire.net

ETOILE NOIRE - DISCOGRAPHY

Sleeping Black Eyes - promo CD (2001)

 

ACTUAL LINEUP

Ferrucio Milanesi - bass

Pasquale Scotti - vocals, acoustic guitars

Augusto Maiolini - guitars

Alessio Sica - drums