Amphitryon
Laurent Desvignes
is the guitarist and vocalist of a new up and rising band that delivers
something close to atmospheric avant-garde doom death metal, having many
lyrical influences from the ancient Greek mythology and tragedies. A while
back they released their full length album "Symphokeras", which is a fine
example of the genre this band serves, containing songs that can be adored
by the fans of this musical idiom. For more information, just read below...
1. Hello and how are you? “AMPHITRYON” is
a new band, so I would like you to give us a short biography of the band…
Amphitryon were born in 1996. The line-up
is today Matthieu Scarpa (guitar/vocals), Sarah Barisèle (vocals),
Gianni Leone (bass/vocals), Barbara Haigneré (vocals/flute), Christophe
Demazeux (drums) and me (guitar/vocals). We have recorded a first EP called
"l'Entremonde" which was out in late 2001 and the "Sumphokéras"
album is available since November 2006.
2. Your name derives from the Ancient Greek language.
How did you choose it and do you believe that it is representative of the
music you play?
We have always been seduced by the Greek mythology
and we immediately loved this name. Our music has always been reminiscent
of ancient times, so Amphitryon is for sure the right name!
3. “SUMPHOKERAS” is your debut album. How long
did it take you to complete it? Did the whole producing and composing process
help you to become more mature and if yes, in which way?
This recording is an incredible experience!
We created the songs between 2002 and 2004. It took an entire year to record
all the instruments and vocals! We have really evolved during this recording
session and we have learnt how to play really clean and to bring feelings
in the vocal parts. I personally evolved a lot on death vocals during this
period, my voice is deeper now. We mixed it in about 3 months just after
the recording. "Sumphokéras" was mastered and achieved in December
2005 at ‘La Source Mastering’ studio (Gojira, Oomph!!, ...).
4. Now I would like to know which song that is
included in your album was completed first and which one took you more
time and why? By the way do you have any alternate versions of the songs
that you have included in this album?
All songs have been recorded at the same time
so it's hard to tell. ‘Pantheon’ was not really over when we started to
record: it has been written in a different way but it was really interesting
to perform too. Otherwise the longest and more progressive ones such as
‘Paths of Dementia’ or ‘Samsâra’ have taken more time to release.
5. Who writes the lyrics in the band? What kind
of things inspire you to write lyrics about?
Matthieu wrote a novel and adapted it in a
theater piece in order to take place in Amphitryon's music. Every musician
incarnates a protagonist such as in Greek tragedy or lyric opera. The Ancient
Greek literature and mythology are certainly his biggest inspiration.
6. From all the songs included here, which lyrics
that you wrote, you are most proud of and why?
We are entirely proud of all songs. I especially
like to play the heaviest ones, ‘Armadas conflict’ and ‘Paths of dementia’.
And the Lyrics are one piece! Each song is
a part of the myth…
7. You have a song on the album named “THEOCRACY”.
Do you believe that even in the most modern societies like Europe, religion
influences the biggest part of the people?
This wasn't right in the 80's and probably
in the early 90's according to me. But religions seem to regain their influence
actually in Europe and the rest of world.
8. Will you do any video – clips for your new
album? If yes which song would you choose to visualize and why?
A complete show has just been recorded live
and filmed. The film director is Emilie Desbonnet who has received the
Best Music Video Award at ‘Victoires de de la Musique’ 2007. We are actually
working on this DVD project and we are already very proud of all this!
9. Which were the reasons that led you cut a deal
with Manitou? Are you still satisfied with the cooperation with them?
Thundering Records/Manitou Music were already
interested on Amphitryon's music since our first EP: "l'Entremonde". We
naturally contacted them when the "Sumphokéras" full album has been
achieved. The collaboration is really nice because it's hard to find a
label that let you do your music and artworks exactly as you want.
10. Nowadays that new bands rise in the metal
scene almost everyday, which do you think are the elements that make a
band distinguish from the others?
Many bands distinguish themselves by the technical
aspects, or brutality. But it’s not our way. We try to make something different,
personal and with a strong identity. We always try to follow this way:
no matter with mode.
11. Do you remember a comment that you read and
made you think the guy that wrote it hadn’t had a clue about your music?
One day a guy wrote after a show that maybe
we didn't know what was the language of our lyrics! And right after he
wrote we use a clarinet on stage (surely thinking of Barbara’s flute!).
That was funny, especially because he came to us after the show and we
explained to him all about our music and these different languages.
12. Thank you for your time answering my questions!
The last words belong to you and good luck with your new album…
Nick “William_Kidd”
Parastatidis
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