Aleph
If a band has influences
from Megadeth, Queensrych, Kind Diamond and Opeth, what could their musical
direction be according to you? Take your time and read the things that
the guys from the Italian band Aleph told us concerning their latest album.
1. Hi guys! First of all I want to congratulate
you on your newest album!
Thanks again! A busload of thanks to you and
to all of the Greek listeners whom we'd love to make fall in love with
our songs!
2. The band started back in 1998. Can you tell
us the most interesting moments in your career so far?
I can remember a live show supporting countrymen
White Skull in our second gig ever! A lot of people and myself, not believing
we were facing such an audience, speaking to them in Spanish(!). Then,
besides our two previous recordings (both crucial, for different reasons),
we supported Italian thrash legends Necrodeath in February 2005). The dozens
(I'm serious) enthusiastical reviews written by magazines and e-zines were
something to be proud as well.
3. Why did you choose "Aleph" as the name of
the band?
Because of the strong fascination I felt while
reading Borges' tale and same-titled book: I think it does represent the
band's idea of chaos (creative process) and order (the moment we choose
what path the music shall take).
4. Last year your released your second self
financed album. How were the recordings of this CD?
Slow. We did record drums and bass on September
2004, the guitars in the fall of winter 2005, vocals and keys were done
in June 2005 with the mixing and final mastering after a few weeks. We
chose to do so so that we could afford what we knew would have been an
expensive work. The music was recorded without hurrying, and I think the
songs benefited from this: all of what you hear was played almost devoid
of tension and anxiety (almost...); the record is the third!
5. "In Tenebra"… why did you choose this title
for the album?
Because of the mood of the songs: we soon
realized that when choosing what songs to release: we began writing “Live
in tenebra” on our live placards, for we were already playing the cd's
tracklist as if it were a concept, which I think is true, from a purely
musical point of view: put simply, it was the best way we could baptize
this album, for it bears the name it deserves.
6. Tell me, which is the procedure you follow
when you write new tracks?
One guy comes up with a bunch of riffs, one
single riff, a structure and then each member contributes with his own
visions: drums are the first arrangement completed; last thing are vocals
and keyboards (whose ideas influence each other).
7. So far how are the reactions from the press
and the fans for your newest release?
Veeeeery good! It has been well understood
until now; the songs have reached a higher grade of self-consciousness
and the plan is clear for those outside the band, which with their
external view decide whether you've made a good job or not. Of course we
seem too progressive for this or too thrash for that, but we know this
is a part of the game. You can check the reviews (all of them put into
English).
8. Do you have plans for future live shows?
Yeah, check on the homepage: we are trying
to travel more (in May we will reach the boundaries of Northern of Italy.)
9. How can you describe your music?
Powerful, dark, intense, moving.
10. Tell me your musical influences.
Too many to mention, but I'll try: US thrash,
doom metal, progressive/psychedelic rock (NOT prog metal), death metal
(mainly US, but some European act as well), black metal. Above all: Megadeth,
Queensryche, King Diamond, Obituary, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Carcass.
11. Which things made you write the lyrics?
Well, most lyrics are very personal: we write
about what we do feel as members of a society that in many aspects we do
not like as hypocrisy, straight thought; others are pure fictional (as
the lyrics of “In Tenebra”, in which a dark landscape filled with “presences”
is depicted); some of the older songs are more “political”: against war,
environmental destruction, denial of freedom.
12. Thank you very much for your time and I
wish you all the best in your future plans!
Antonis Maglaras
|