Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 04:42 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Metal Invader seized the opportunity and exchanged a few words with Marios Iliopoulos, the founder of the Melodic Death Metal Band Nightrage. Marios talked to us about their latest release, the band’s new lineup, their source of inspiration and Nightrage’s future plans, among other things! Enjoy!
Hello Marios! How are you!
Just fine! Thanks for the interest and this interview!
Let us know the latest news from the Nightrage camp, since a while has passed from the release of “The Puritan”. Are you satisfied with the feedback and the sales?
We are pretty pleased from the feedback and all the reviews and the fans had only good words to say about “The Puritan”. It was a 3 ½ year period since the release of the last album and we had a lot to do in the meantime, concerts etc. I returned to Sweden, made it my base here, so it took a little longer than planned to finish the album. Still, I am very pleased from the feedback and I think that we have returned with a strong album, we did not compromise, nor changed our style. We remain faithful to this familiar -death metal with thrash influences- motif as always.
How’s the new line-up working? Has the new singer, Ronnie Nyman lived up to the expectations of Nightrage?
He is a fantastic person, I am very lucky that after all these setbacks I have found the singer I was looking for. You know, we are close in age and we understand each other. He has a hardcore background, he also sings in a hardcore band called Always War and he understands what Nightrage is all about, what it stands for and what we are set to accomplish. We fit well one with the other, there is good chemistry among us while writing songs. Together we wrote the lyrics for the entire “The Puritan”, of course, he also helps me with arranging the songs and I believe the best are yet to come, working together with Ronnie.
So, you are optimistic that the line-up will be steady from now on?
Yes, I think so. Ok, I know we had a lot of ups and downs and bad luck in the band, but we definitely have returned with a solid album and did not quit. I’d say the band was resurrected all over again and we are here to do what we like and express ourselves through it.
Why did Antony Hämäläinen leave the band?
He proved to be the wrong guy for the band. We didn’t get along. He was nothing but trouble for Nightrage. He couldn’t make it in concerts, he was complaining about the tours, he didn’t like touring and wanted to get back home… All in all, his actions didn’t strike well on a personal basis and I think it was in the common interest that he left the band and that’s that. I suppose everything happens for a reason and this was for the band finding its way. I don’t want to work with people that try to backstab me, I have given a lot of chances to people and at the end I didn’t hear as much as a “thanks”. Well, that’s life, what can you do?
Why are you facing so often problems with band members leaving?
Because many people view Nightrage just as a step in order to built their career. I have myself made many mistakes, I think. I wouldn’t like to it all on other people, it’s my own fault as well for putting these people in the band. Some had a different viewpoint on Nightrage, they didn’t love the band as they should have. On the other hand, I am very demanding. When I welcome someone in the band I demand his dedication. Sadly, many of them had no dedication, they were mere opportunists. This was the main reason why we had all these rearrangements in the band, if we hadn’t done them the band would have probably broken up. It was the only way…
Recently Cradle Of Filth made a poll between the fans on how they would like the next album to sound like and that led to their decision about its content. Would you have done something like that? Letting the listener have a say on the process of the album’s making?
I think that only the artist, only the band has a say on this… I don’t think the listener has anything to do with that. We are here to do a work, a work of art. Of course, we want to be the first who like what we produce, but we are not here just to play in a room behind closed doors listening to ourselves. We certainly like it when people enjoy what we write, however this is not a legit way to approach the audience. It’s better to follow your heart and be true to yourself and if people like that, all is good, if not, all the same…
In what way do you think it would be possible that a non mainstream music like the one Nightrage is playing could access a larger audience?
We have the potential to do that, I don’t think we’re the most brutal death metal band in the world (laughs)! We are not constantly playing at 256 bpm! We are trying to written nice songs and, in our own style, blend melodic death metal, classic heavy metal, some thrash and some black metal influences. I think that this amalgamation of metal influences is what makes Nightrage what it is. We have a special distinguishing melody that differentiates us and through that and our hard work I think we have the potential of reaching a broader audience. Sure, our style is not the most mainstream, though we are always aiming for the best, to reach out to more people who will appreciate our music. That’s the goal.
It seems that we are looking at two fundamental trends nowadays. The one is the complete virtualization, where songs and albums are digitally released. The other is solid product with music, artwork and package. Where do you stand among these two?
These two can exist at the same time, as the metal fan wants to hold the actual product within his hands. He wants to own the vinyl or the cd, because the metal fan is filled with purity. He does not follow any trends. When he loves a band he stays loyal until the end. At the same time, one cannot stay blind to what goes on around. I suppose digital download is the future and even right now it is no1. Everyone listens to music through smartphones, either through spotify, or tidal, or apple music, which is a new streaming service, google play, groove music. There are so many out there nowadays! I think these two can coexist, one being able to listen to his favorite songs or bands through digital downloading, still when one really likes something he buys the actual product, at least that’ s what the metal fan does. After all, we do not sell millions, we are not truly interest in that dilemma, just want to have a solid fan base of loyal fans, who will believe in the band. And I think that is the case with Nightrage and I am very happy with it.
Have Nightrage albums and the older stuff from Exhumation been released in vinyl form?
The first album by Exhumation “Seas of Eternal Silence” has been released a few months ago in vinyl by Floga Records, after all these years. The first two Nightrage albums “Sweet Vengeance” and “Descend Into Chaos”, as well as “Wearing A Martyr’s Crown” and “Insidious” have also been released in vinyl again by Floga Records. Only one album has not been released, “A New Disease Is Born” and I ‘m trying to release that too.
What is your major stimulus to start writing music?
Everyday life and what it brings. Our lyrics are very personal, we are trying to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Through all these difficulties we are facing, the message we are trying to give is not to give up and always do what your heart tells you no matter what. Always carry on and try to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Overall, life itself, the stimulus we get, the situations we face as individuals, this all inspire me to write lyrics and music for Nightrage.
With the number of musicians creating music increasing day by day, do you sense some lack of originality overall?
It’s difficult to be original nowadays, everything has been played – though music is endless and the previous comment may be untrue. Metal has a unique style and I think it is recycled a bit. I believe that what an artist can do is write music which comes from the heart, overlooking all fashions, sales and what is trendy. It’s better to follow your heart and let a chosen few listen to it.
If you had to open the gigs for one band for the rest of your days, which would it be?
I’d have to choose between Metallica and Iron Maiden, although that will never happen! No matter what, those bands would be my choices. I’ve listened to the new Maiden song and I really liked it, I think that the new album will be very good (he is referring to the song “Speed of Light” – the record “Book of Souls” hadn’t been released when the interview took place).
What are your thoughts about the future of extreme music?
Extreme music has a past, a present and a future. Metal will never die, because the fans will always support it, they will love it and promote it. I guess we will be listening to some new genres in the next decades. New amazing bands will spawn. Thought this music is not commercial, it is not played on the radio or Tv, there will always be a fanatic crowd to support it till death.
Are you writing any music these days?
I have already began writing new songs, I have a lot of inspiration. I want us to release an album next year. It might come out after summer 2016, maybe earlier, not sure yet as we will have some European tour dates in April. I want to release an album pretty soon, a back-to-back, in order to show that Nightrage is here and we will continue doing what we love, as we are full of inspiration and we wish to externalize it.
Your future live acts? Any chance of coming to Greece?
We would really like that. I believe next year we will have the chance to come. I am really working on it. We are playing a headline Festival in Gothenburg, Sweden. Later on we will be doing some shows in France, Italy and Spain. We have been offered to do a North American tour next year and an Asian tour, as well as a Headline European Tour in April 2016 and after all that I hope that we will enter the studio to write the new album.
If in the future you had again problems in the vocal department, would you ask from a familiar singer (like Lindberg) to record with you?
Ok, Lindberg is a god, I am very pleased that I have worked with him and we are good friends! I am totally satisfied with the singer that is with us right now and I don’t want to look back. We did what we did with Lindberg and it’s the best thing to leave it as it is, for that matter he is occupied elsewhere… he wouldn’t be concentrated on Nightrage. I need people who love what we do and are 100% dedicated… so I want to go on with the band as it is now. However, as people say: “never say never”, so who knows what tomorrow brings?
What does death metal mean to you?
Look, I think it’s a way of life… it’s something that comes from the heart. I play Melodic Death Metal for quite a few years, so I’m not really interested in trends. I don’t want to play something that will be a bestseller, just what I like best. And being, not narrow-minded, but a bit romantic, I always follow my own interest in music and hope that it will interest others as well. So, death metal is a way of life for me.
The ending is yours…
First of all thank you for the interest and the interview. I would like to thank all the Greek fans and friends that follow us all those years and we hope to see you in our next gigs in Greece! We hope we will be there soon!
