Sovereign
Sovereign is, as you can
find out from the following interview, a very young and yet extremely talented
band. Taking the release of their first demo CD as an opportunity, we thought
it would be nice for the metallers to start knowing about and meeting the
band... They deserve your attention!
1. FIRST OF ALL, GIVE US A SHORT BAND BIO
AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO THE READERS…
The band formed in February 2005 by Nikos
(guitars & vocals) and Christos (drums). After six months of composing
and rehearsing our own material we decided to record our first demo. In
spite of the difficulties and the fact that the band didn’t had a complete
line-up, in September 2005 our first demo-CD, called “Winds of the Old”
was released. In the same time the band was joined by two new members:
Chris (bass) and Dimitris (guitar). Now, we are working on new material
and we are looking for live performance opportunities.
2. LET’S SUPPOSE THAT YOU WERE ASKED TO REVIEW
YOUR DEMO CD “WINDS OF THE OLD”. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TRYING TO BE AS OBJECTIVE
AS POSSIBLE?
We would say that it's an epic/ black demo
from a new Greek band that deserves to be noticed. Good songs with good
sound and production that manage to express an epic and heroic feeling.
3. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO SOMEONE
THAT HASN’T LISTENED TO YOU YET? GIVE REASONS WHY THE METALLERS SHOULD
CHECK YOU OUT.
It is heavy and aggressive. Epic and dark.
With Rotting Christ, Primordial and Naer Mataron influences. Anyone who
likes these bands we believe that he won't be dissapointed by our demo.
4. WHAT’S ACCORDING TO YOU THE BEST AND WHAT’S
THE WORST PART OF YOUR MUSIC? ARE THERE ANY ELEMENTS YOU’D LIKE TO ADD
OR EXPERIMENT WITH IN YOUR MUSIC?
The best thing in our music is that it would
be interesting not only for the black metallers, but for everyone who likes
heavy metal generally. The worst part would be that some influenes are
obvious in our songs. We would like in the future to add more epic elements
or maybe some keyboards.
5. TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE LYRICS. WHICH
ARE YOUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION AND WHICH ARE THE TOPICS YOU MAINLY DEAL
WITH?
Generally, our lyrics refer to the most valuable
virtues and beliefs of humankind: honour, valour, dignity, wisdom and all
those things which the modern world has forsaken. Our inspiration comes
from many sources. Music, movies, books, our lives, hystory, mythology
or by a castle that stands on a top of a mountain forgotten by time.
6. WHY DID YOU NAME THE CD THIS WAY? DO YOU IMPLY
THE FACT THAT YOUR SOUND HAS AN EPIC AND QUITE REMINISCENT OF THE OLD BLACK
METAL DAYS SOUND?
The title of the demo has little to do with
the old black metal sound. It is more about the ancient Hellenic way of
thinking. Wisdom, critical thought, honour, self-awareness and all those
things as they have been written in ancient books, mythologies or cultures.
7. HAVE YOU SENT YOUR DEMO TO ANY LABELS? ARE
YOU UNDER NEGOTIATION WITH ANY LABEL? WITH WHAT CRITERIA WILL YOU SIGN
A DEAL?
Not for now. We are not interested right now
to search for a label. But, it is in our future plans.
8. WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED SO
FAR FROM THE PRESS AND THE METALLERS? ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE COMMENTS
YOU RECEIVE?
The feedback we receive is, most of the times,
very good and encouraging for us. We are very satisfied with the comments
we get, especially, from the metallers.
9. HAVE YOU GOT ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS? HOW
DIFFICULT IS IT FOR YOU TO BOOK LIVE SHOWS HERE IN GREECE?
It is in our plans to make our first live
perfomances although nothing has come up yet. We believe that in Greece
there are few chances for a band to play live. That is...sad but true...
10. YOU COME FROM LIVADIA AND I SUPPOSE THINGS
MUST BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU… DESCRIBE THE SITUATION AND THE PROBLEMS YOU
ARE CONFRONTED WITH.
The main problem is the limited choice of
musicians who would be in the same place as you and who are willing to
make some sacrifices and take any responsibillities for the good of the
band.
11. WHY DID YOU GO TO KAVALA TO RECORD YOUR DEMO
AND DIDN’T CHOOSE SOME STUDIO IN ATHENS? WELL, THE TRUTH IS THAT NEMESIS
STUDIOS HAVEN’T RELEASED A BAD SOUNDING ALBUM YET… IS THIS WHY YOU’VE DECIDED
TO TRAVEL ALL THIS DISTANCE?
The basic reason we decided to record in Nemesis
studio is that our drummer Christos had already recorded there in the past
with his former band, Mass Infection, and he had nothing but very good
words to say about the studio. Also, we had noticed that every work that
comes from that studio has a very good sound and production.
12. DO YOU THINK THE GREEK METALLERS SUPPORT THE
GREEK BANDS OR ARE THEY NEGATIVELY PREOCCUPIED? WHICH ARE YOUR THOUGHTS
ON THAT?
We think that there are many Greek bands who
don't get the attention they deserve. Luckily, nowadays this thing tends
to change and the Greek metallers are getting more supportive.
13. BY THE WAY HAVE YOU GOT ANY NEW SONGS READY?
IF YES, WHAT DO THEY SOUND LIKE?
We have already some new songs and they sound
more epic and aggressive. Also, our personal elements are more obvious
than before.
14. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD
IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
If it was an emotion it would be certainly
valour! If it was a painting...well... check out Behind The Veil's review
for your answer!!!
15. WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS INTERVIEW TO
HAVE?
Title: "Words of the Old are spoken". It's
OK.
16. THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING
YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?
It was our honour to be in the pages of Behind
The Veil. Thank you for the great review and support! Stay true to yourselves
and support the Hellenic metal scene!
Christine Parastatidou
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