Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 12:07 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
A new album for you, its title, “Deathcall”. How did you come up with this title?
We were always fond of small -one word- titles for our albums, something we wanted to continue doing. With that being said, this word suited us even though there were some disagreements in using it. In the end we thing that it fits perfectly with the album’s atmosphere and unfortunately with the times we live in.
8 years have passed since your last release. Were you productive this whole time?
Not really but adding to our known non-movement, we had to face some more difficulties, like the departure of our bassist and founding member, Errikos Negros. Fortunately the spot was filled by Lefteris Kasmiris who gave us the proper push to go on. Moreover if we take under consideration that the album was recorded during the fall of 2017, the big burnout was the time needed to finish it. Long story short, the word productivity is not so much compatible with our band.
It is not the first time that you collaborate with Venerate Industries, right? How did this sort of reunion come up?
This procedure was a kind of relief. Indeed, our 2 previous albums were released under the banner of Venerate, so the contact and the relationship existed already. It is just that down the road we kinda lost each other, you know how life is. When at some point we talked to them by chance and we said that we have new material ready, they were more than willing to release it. In general, it was a pleasant coincidence, the end of our slumber and Venerate’s return to the scene.
The cover artwork, without being something majestic, leaves its own mark I must say. Who designed it? Tell us a few things about it.
Thank you for the observation! Speaking for myself, I would never want something majestic. To be honest, we have had our share of majestic emptiness in the metal scene, we all did. To the cover art now, our intention, was to have something measured, cold and imposing, so after talking about it, we ended up with this. The whole designing was handled by our colleague and good friend Nikos Tsiolis and we really believe that he fitted very well with the minimalistic and cold approach of the cover art.
The album is full of post/doom/black elements. Was the result what you wanted?
As far as the music part goes, it is something that just came out, like a subconscious basket of various influences we all had. What happened deliberately though this time, was to emphasize the songs structures and arrangements as well as to how to blend all our influences in them. In terms of production, I think that “Deathcall” is our best work so far, thanks to Joan’s very delicate job in the album’s mixing as well as the mastering, done by Brad Boatright.
Regarding the vocals, samples of which can be found here and there, are there any plans for them to have a more active role in your upcoming releases?
If you are referring to the clean vocals, I must remind you, that the band is coming from a more “orthodox” doom past with many heavy metal influences and down the road we moved into more extreme paths. Our target is to use the vocals and their different approaches, according to the needs of each song, which of course leaves the door open to a future use of them.
How did the pandemic influenced your productivity and you as individuals?
Regarding the composing procedure, not at all and the songs were completed like aeons before the pandemic, as well as the recordings of the songs. As a band, we faced some difficulties in rehearsing. Moreover we missed playing (even those few) live shows we were sometimes playing. How much we were affected in our personal live, is something that will show in the near future. Maybe this whole situation, getting ripped off our everyday activities etc, took away the joy of living just like our music is doing to each listener.
Being formed as a band in 2001 if I am not mistaken, do you feel that you accomplished everything you wanted during those 20 years?
No way, unless composing 20 songs in 20 years is considered an achievement! On the other hand, taking under consideration our slow paces that is ruling over us at times as well as the difficulties we faced during our existence, I believe that our big achievement is that we are still here and we are creating music.
Your style and sound is for sure improved throughout the years. How important (or not important) is for a band to have a signature sound?
I don’t think there is a better compliment than having your own, special sound, to be recognized from the first 5 seconds of listening. Even if that is accompanied by something like “ok you can turn it off now”… hahahaha
What are your plans for the future?
To keep on playing and writing music and to wait 8 more years before we release a new album!
