Winterhorde
This webzine is familiar
with this band from Israel since we had the chance to listen to their previous
demo work. Back then we realized that these guys had potential in the extreme
metal scene and nowadays we can only say that our opinion was right. If
you want to find out more about this band read below what Morgenrot and
Celestial answered to our questions.
1. CONGRATULATIONS ON “NEBULA”! IT’S A REMARKABLE
PIECE OF WORK. ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH IT OR IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE
TO CHANGE?
(Morgenrot) Hails! “Nebula” is a fruit of
our latest work so of course we like it. I personally would not change
a bit of it. Of course there may be things I would add – but hey! One must
have a sense of proportion even (or especially) in our genre!
2. PLEASE POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS
OF THE BAND UP TO NOW. PRESENT THE CURRENT LINE UP AND TELL US HOW YOU’VE
DECIDED TO WORK WITH A GREEK LABEL.
(Morgenrot) - The band was started by Seth
[guitars] and Celestial [bass] back in 1999. The name was “AUTUMN PALACE”
and the line up was different (by 80% I would say :)).For example Celestial
was a keyboard player back then etc.
1 2001 – 2004: The line up stabilizes: Z.
Winter (Vocals), Hesperus (Battery), Celestial (Bass), Seth & Lex (Guitars),
and myself Morgenrot on the keyboards. There are a couple of gigs and our
first recording: “Live” – live show recorded at Tel Aviv.
1 2004: That year the four track “In Traditions
of Winter” demo was recorded at Fuzzy
Logic studio saw the light of day.
1 2004 – 2006: Lots of gigs with kings and
viscounts of the genre like Dark Funeral, Melechesh , Aeba and of course
lots of great Israeli bands.
2 2006: Finally!!! We got in touch with Ami(Miko)
Haronyan of Metal Sound and the product of that : “Nebula” – debut
10 tracks long full time CD. Made of atmospheric extreme metal material
only.
3 Got a deal with Greek label “Burning Star“
who turned out as great guys.
4 Got a deal with Romanian booking agency
“ProMusic Production” and went on extremely fun tour across Europe with
Catamenia. Kicked some major ass, had tones of beer and metal.
5 NOW: working on new material for the next
extreme album.
3. YOU COME FROM ISRAEL A COUNTRY THAT SINCE THE
DAWN OF TIME IS BATTERED BY CONSTANT WARS AND HATRED. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT
IT AND WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE CAN’T FIND A SOLUTION TO END ALL THESE?
(Morgenrot) Hey man! It’s one difficult question!
As you said there are troubles in this area since the beginning of time
– so I suppose there are tones of reasons for people to continue fighting.
Naturally all that has its part among our musical influences, but we NEVER
mix our music with politics!!! Music (as all art forms) must stay clean
of that mess!!!
4. HOW DO THEY TREAT YOU THERE? I THINK THAT METAL
MUSIC ISN’T THAT WELCOME OVER THERE OR APPRECIATED. HAVE YOU FACED ANY
PROBLEMS SO FAR?
(Morgenrot) Hehh!!! :) I think you have a
little misunderstanding of the situation we live in. :)))
Yes - there is war in some parts of the Israeli
border, and Yes – it’s the “middle east” area – but HEY – Israel isn’t
a third world county! They do not cut our heads for playing some good metal!!!
:)))))))
Actually there is a serious wide metal scene
in Israel, lots of good bands for all genres from heavy / punk to black/death/brutal.
So – NO – we never had any problem so far.
5. YOUR SOUND IS DEFINITELY ATMOSPHERIC MELODIC
BLACK METAL, BUT YOU’VE ENRICHED IT WITH SOME DEATH METAL TINGES AND SOME
CLASSIC HEAVY METAL SOLOS. HOW DID YOU CREATE THIS FUSION?
(Morgenrot) I think it[s all a matter of wide
specter of each band member’s personal influences. And we do have it all
– from hard rock/heavy metal to the heaviest! So here you got the final
mix! Enjoy!
6. GIVE US SOME REASONS WHY THE BLACKSTERS SHOULD
CHECK YOU OUT. WHY DO YOU DESERVE TO BE NOTICED ACCORDING TO YOU?
(Morgenrot) First of all – I say – LISTEN
first – JUDGE later! And if you listen to “Nebula” you’ll know for sure
what we have to offer. We’re here to kick some ass and break some bones
and were gonna do it no matter what!
7. IF YOU WERE ASKED TO WRITE A FEW LINES TO PRESENT
“NEBULA”, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TRYING TO BE AS OBJECTIVE AS POSSIBLE? PLEASE
ALSO COMPARE IT TO YOUR PREVIOUS DEMO CD.
(Morgenrot) I’m sorry guys – but you do that
so much better then me. So let each one do his/her part – we’ll write the
music – and you’ll write “a few lines” about it! :))
There is nothing to compare with “In Traditions
of Winter” demo: The material of “Nebula” is much more progressive, mature,
and includes a wide specter of elements – from melancholic melodies to
the most aggressive riffs! Well you can hear it all in the album itself.
8. YOU SOUND MORE SOLID AND CERTAIN OF YOUR MUSICAL
IDENTITY ON “NEBULA” COMPARED TO YOUR DEMO WORKS. DO YOU THINK YOU’VE FOUND
YOUR REPRESENTING SOUND OR ARE YOU STILL IN SEARCH OF IT?
(Morgenrot) We are always looking for some
new inspirations and new ways of self expression. So even if the general
sound will remain in the present direction – there will always be something
new.
9. WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER MAKING EXPERIMENTATIONS
WITH YOUR SOUND? IF YES, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD OR EXPERIMENT WITH?
(Morgenrot) I would add some live instruments
in the music, and of course I’m always open to experiments with new effects
and weird sounds in general. (hahaha what can I say – keyboards! :))
10. WHAT’S THE BEST AND WHAT’S THE WORST PART
OF YOUR MUSIC?
(Celestial) Our music is like our child, how
can we tell you what is the best or what is the worst? It's up to listener
only. We can't judge. Maybe later, after another album…
11. WHICH ARE THE MAIN TOPICS YOUR ALBUM DEALS
WITH? WHICH ARE YOUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?
(Celestial) The main topic is a coming apocalypse.
Look the news on TV and you'll find out our inspirations :)
12. TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE COVER ARTWORK.
WHO CREATED IT? I THINK IT’S VERY INFLUENCED BY THE POLITICAL INSTABILITY
IN YOUR COUNTRY. AM I RIGHT? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPRESS WITH IT?
(Celestial) The cover was created by SPINA
studios. It represents the world after apocalypse, but, hey don't look
at our country as politically instable, we're stable with one main direction
- to survive. Don't forget that if our couuntry won't survive the battle
– the rest of the world will be the next victim of terror. All we wanted
to express - is what the world will be if all of us won't stop the "holy
war".
13. HAVE YOU GOT ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS? IS
THERE A CHANCE TO VISIT GREECE AS WELL?
(Celestial) Yes we have some plans for touring
next year. Visiting Greece depends on Greek local promoters and our tour
manager. We would be happy to play there.
14. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD
IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
(Celestial) Emotion - hatred
Painting - the burning ice.
15. WHAT’S THE IDEAL TITLE THAT COULD SUM UP THE
WHOLE WINTERHORDE ESSENCE?
16. HOW’S THE ISRAELI METAL SCENE? ANY INTERESTING
BANDS WE SHOULD CHECK OUT?
(Celestial) What about Orphaned Land, Salem,
Arafel or Betzefer?
17. BY THE WAY WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND WINTERHORDE?
I MEAN YOU COME FROM A WARM COUNTRY, SO WHAT’S ITS MEANING?
(Celestial) Most of the band members were
born in very cold lands, but the name doesn't represent the weather in
our country. It represents the cold state of mind and heart to stand against...
18. THANK YOU! LEAVE A MESSAGE TO OUR READERS…
(Celestial) Cut the bullshit, listen to good
music and be yourselves. Thank you.
(Morgenrot) Stay Metal and most important
– Enjoy it! Thanks a lot!
Christine Parastatidou
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