AURORA BOREALIS: "I will not compromise the sound of the
band."
Although Ron Vento, AURORA BOREALIS main man, denies any implication to the USBM genre, most of his fans don't see the band beyond it. Truthfully, I'm on their side too and "Northern Lights", the latest AURORA BOREALIS album, underlines my rightfulness. However, in this interview Ron tried to prove the contrary. He also spoke about "Northern Lights" re-release via Die Hard records and the band's conceptual background. Let's see how things turned out...
(Krasniy; 22.07.2001)
Greetings, Ron! What's up? How's your mood today?
Hello, Things are going well, with me.
What is the meaning behind the band's name?
Well, the band's name just means northern lights. I thought that this was an interesting name and a change from the every day gore names etc. I think it is very memorable and I just think it fits us.
AURORA BOREALIS has unleashed two full-lenght releases so far plus a MCD so far. What are your plans for the future, any upcoming outputs on the shore?
Well for now Die Hard music had just signed us for a re release of our latest CD Northern Lights with 5 bonus tracks from our second CD, as well as a new release at a later date. We are about 85 % done writing the new CD and it is in the same vein as the other stuff only faster and better song writing.
How do you evaluate the escalation and instant development of USBM scene that's been on for around 2 years till now? And by the way, do you consider yourselves a part of it?
Although most people call us US black metal I dont consider us to be all black metal. If you really listen to our music there is alot of death and thrash influence in it also, besides to be black metal you have to usually only sing about Evil this and that and thats not what our lyrics are at all about. I do listen to alot of black metal and I do think that we have heavy elements of black metal, but not all black metal. Maybe people say this because the drums are so fast with mostly blasting like Dark Funeral or something but we actually have break parts as well as many other things going on. Also because maybe the vocals are kind of high pitched. I dont know why
this is so popular here now but it has been around for longer than two years. We have been around from 94 or so and our first CD was released around 96.
Is there any ideological background behind your music? If yes, I'd like you to reveal it to us.
Not really, I wish I could elaborate more but I genreally just write about historical type things because I tend to read alot and this kind of stuff just sticks with me. I am really into history, I know it sounds kind of stupid but I think it is much better than writing about Gore or satan or something that is just done to death.
AURORA BOREALIS has always been facing line-up changes and now it's a duet if I'm not mistaken. What causes them? Does it impact the overall result of the band's activity?
It has no affect on our activity. Actually there hasnt been that many changes. The first MCD it was Myself and Tony Laureano (ANGELCORPSE) on drums and then on the second CD I recruited Derik Roddy, (MALEVOLENT CREATION, DIVINE EMPIRE, and now HATE ETERNAL) for drums because Tony was so busy with ANGELCORPSE. I also added Jay Ecker on bass. Now on the third CD it is still Derik and myself and we dropped Jay because I thought we could keep it tighter on the recording just having two people. Also this helps in mix down because there is not so many people to please. On our next CD it will be myself and Derik again.
Die Hard Records have recently re-released your latest album "Northern Lights" with some bonus tracks and alike goodies. Are you pleased with this deal? How many copies have been pressed and how long are you going to collaborate with this label?
So far I am very pleased. I pressed 2000 original copies with out the bonus tracks and they pressed and additional 3000 I think with 1000 promotional. We have just signed for the re release and another CD later. They have been doing great so far.
How often do you perform live? Any plans of visiting Europe and especially its Eastern part? May be Russia? I'm sure that Die Hard is able to provide that. Have you received any proposals of this sort?
Well the deal is kind of new so hopefully in the future they will bring us there. We do not really play live because Derik is in HATE ETERNAL, and he lives about four states away from me. So just to play some local shows would not be worth it. We need to be very well rehearsed to play live and maintain the album sound, so unless there is a tour we will not be coming there any time soon. I do however have a full band ready to go in the event of a tour with just a couple short weeks of rehearsals.
Anyone you support or despise in US and international underground scene? Any faves among East-European bands?
Well i try not to talk bad about any bands but rest assured there are alot of bands that i think suck. On the other hand there are some really great bands in the US and Europe to name them all would take forever..
Any sort music you prefer to listen outside Metal genre?
Well I do listen to alot of different kinds of music but metal has always been the main stay. I work at a recording studio so I have to record all kinds of music all the time. I try to stay up on all styles although I like some more than others.
What are your non-musical occupations?
I really dont have too many. As I said my daily job is even recording music, so I'm around it all day. I read alot when I have time, but I enjoy music so much I try to be around it as much as possible.
How do you spend your free time? What sort of literature you prefer?
I really enjoy the Tolkien books alot, as well as any kind of history books I can read. I am always reading all my recording manuals and things like that on sound or recording anything I think can help me on the job also.
How do you see AURORA BOREALIS in 5-7 years? Will it still be on the run? What would you like to achieve in this context?
Well eventually i would like to make a living playing this kind of music, I know its almost impossible, but I can hope. There are so many horrible bands out there that are making a great living playing that are so undeserving and No talent as well. I would like to see many real metal bands doing the same. There is alot of talent in the metal scene when you really look for it with the right bands. I know there is alot of garbage to but alot of really good bands as well. I will not compromise the sound of the band any in the future only get faster and more extreme. Hopefully will release quite a few more CDs as well. I just like to play the stuff so we will be doing it for quite some time.
Your final words and comments regarding this interview...
Let me just thank you for giving us the chance to be heard in your zine. I always appreciate any help at all. I would encourage all your readers to get in contact for any reason, we asnwer all mail. We can be reached at p.o. box 1327 Clinton MD 20735-5327 or via the internet at [email protected] Also visit the web page at www.auroraborealis.org
AURORA BOREALIS Official Homepage
Interview taken by Krasniy
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