Arsis
This is the second interview
we do with Arsis and since the last time things have been looking up for
these 2 guys. However, as it's natural nothing happens on its own and without
struggles and hardships. That's the case with Arsis and with "A Celebration
Of Guilt" in particular, which is the band's debut release. So, if you
want to find out more about this interesting and highly promising band,
just check out the interview below with Mike and James...
1. CONGRATULATIONS ON "A CELEBRATION
OF GUILT"! IT'S AN INCREDIBLE ALBUM!
2. ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE FINAL RESULT
OR IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE OR ADD?
James: Well, considering "A Celebration of
Guilt" was recorded with no budget, at a time when drama/problems were
common both inside and outside of the band, I don't think it could've come
out any better. If I could change anything I would go back in time and
make sure we had more money for the recording. I would also have made wiser
decisions with my personal life at that time and would have made sure Arsis
didn't have so many line-up changes right around the time of the recording
of that album.
3. I WAS REALLY GLAD TO FIND OUT THAT YOU
HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY ONE OF THE BIGGEST METAL LABELS, EARACHE! DO YOU WANT
TO TELL US HOW THIS COOPERATION HAPPENED? ARE YOU SATISFIED BY THEIR PROMOTION?
Mike: Earache has done a great job with "Celebration"
and it will be great to see our next full-length released overseas by them
as well. The distribute and release the Willowtip titles outside of North
America.
4. WHAT AMAZED ME WITH YOUR MUSIC IS THAT
ALTHOUGH YOU ARE A MELODIC DEATH METAL BAND AND YOUR SOUND IS CLOSE TO
THE COLOSSAL BANDS OF THIS GENRE AT THE SAME TIME YOU SOUND TOO DIFFERENT
AND UNIQUE. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? HOW DO YOU COMPOSE YOUR SONGS?
James: I have no idea how this worked out.
The fact that I don't really listen to much metal probably has some influence
on the situation.
5. MOREOVER YOU ARE MAINLY A MELODIC DEATH
METAL BAND, BUT YOU OFTEN REACH THE BRUTAL DEATH METAL LIMITS AND TRESPASS
THEM AND YOU ALSO HAVE MANY BLACK METAL ELEMENTS. DO YOU AGREE? COULD YOU
MENTION SOME OF YOUR BELOVED BANDS AND ALBUMS?
James: I do agree with the statement. Some
of my favorite albums are: Mercyful Fate's "Don't Break the Oath", Queensryche's
"Rage for Order", and The Cure "Disintegration".
6. LET'S SUPPOSE THAT YOU WERE ASKED TO
WRITE A REVIEW OF "A CELEBRATION OF GUILT". WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TRYING TO
BE AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE?
Mike: Well, I'd say it's a strong release
- especially considering it was done under rrather stressful circumstances
(as Jim mentioned earlier) and also that fact that it was done by 2 kids
who had never recorded an album before, and had hardly any budget to work
with. I personally would love to see it re-mixed and re-mastered someday
because the production is a little rough, but the songs are strong and
I think that's why a lot of people enjoy it.
7. COULD YOU DESCRIBE AND TELL US A FEW
THINGS ABOUT THE COVER ARTWORK? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT?
James: The artwork was supplied by an artist
name Mark Riddick. He and his twin brother have been involved in the underground
metal scene here in the states for years. Not only are they artists but
they do play in bands as well. The cover art I believe came from one of
Mark's illustration that was entitled "Goatlord" or something to that effect.
Mike and I were enthralled with the artwork immediately as well as the
logo that Mark designed for us. Anyone interested in looking into the artwork
of Mark Riddick any further should visit www.riddickbros.com
.
8. TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE LYRICS
OF YOUR DEBUT ALBUM. WHICH ARE THE TOPICS THAT INTRIGUE YOU TO TALK ABOUT?
James: The lyrics are very personal to myself
and I don't really care to explain to the public the specific meaning of
the lyrics. The basic topics dealt with are love/betrayal etc. I would
prefer that those who care read the lyrics and come up with own personal
interpretation of the songs.
9. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE TITLE "A CELEBRATION
OF GUILT"?
James: Guilt is an emotion that I am very
familiar with and the album was a vehical for me to explore and deal with
the personal issues regarding this emotion.
10. WHAT'S THE BEST AND WHAT'S THE WORST PART
IN YOUR MUSIC, ACCORDING TO YOU?
Mike: Well I love playing music, but the amount
of sacrifices one has to make in their personal lives in order to become
a "professional musician" (whatever that means) is definitely ridiculous.
Things are starting to look up for us, but people just don't realize how
we kill ourselves to do this stuff. As long as we continue to make progress,
it is worth it. But playing music (metal music in particular), can be a
very difficult way to make money.
11. WHAT WAS THE MOST FLATTERING AND WHAT WAS
THE WORST COMMENT YOU READ ABOUT YOUR MUSIC? WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK HAVE
YOU RECEIVED?
Mike: Pretty much all the reviews have been
flattering in one way or another - worst comment - there were one or two
reviews from Germany that were quite critical of the production of
"Celebration". Can't please everyone I guess.
12. WHAT'S THE IDEAL TITLE OR WORDS THAT FIT TO
ARSIS' MUSIC?
13. WHICH WILL YOUR NEXT STEPS BE? HOW ARE YOU
THINKING OF PROMOTING YOUR BAND?
Mike: We will continue to make music, but
it's pretty much up to the record companies as to whether or not this will
become bigger than it is. We do our part and have proven ourselves, so
as long as we get a good offer we will continue to do this for quite a
while I'm sure.
14. WILL YOU DO ANY LIVE SHOWS? YOU ARE A 2 PIECE
ACT AND IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY YOU LIVE IN DIFFERENT CITIES. SO, HOW CAN
YOU SURPASS THESE OBSTACLES AND TOUR? ARE THERE ANY PLANS?
James: Well, since the last time you interviewed
us a lot has changed. Mike relocated from Boston to Virginia in 2003 so
we could really start working together. We put a live line-up together
and started playing shows immediately. Within a year we were singed to
Willowtip Records in North America and had released "A Celebration of Guilt".
Touring ensued both by ourselves and also with such bands as Misery Index,
Incantation, Mortician, The Chasm, and Invocation of Nehek. In 2005 I moved
to West Virginia and Mike moved back to New York and only then was the
album released in Europe via Earache records. Shortly after that we recorded
and released "A Diamond for Disease" EP through Willowtip records. I don't
think that it is available in Europe yet. Now, we're finishing up the recordings
of our 2nd full length album and we are also getting to hit the road with
Necrophagist this spring. In short, yes we tour and no, we do not do it
as a two piece.
15. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO INVITE FAMOUS MUSICIANS
TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF YOUR LIVE SHOWS, WHO WOULD YOU INVITE AND WHY?
Mike: I'm not really into the "guest musician"
thing - there are a lot of musicians that I have a huge amount of respect
for, but we don't need anyone to help our credibility. We do just fine
on our own.
16. IF THE TYPICAL WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HEAVY METAL
MUSIC DIDN'T EXIST, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE EMOTIONS AND IDEAS THAT
IT CREATES TO THE LISTENERS?
Mike: Lots of energy, and a good outlet for
frustration in life.
17. THANK YOU! THESE LINES ARE YOURS, SO LEAVE
YOUR MESSAGE!
Mike: Thank you for the interview, we appreciate
it!
Christine Parastatidou
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