FREE SPIRIT

Hanna Tsepesh: Moro Sami! Welcome to THE GATES OF METAL and thanks so much for accepting this invitation! First of all can you tell to us about FREE SPIRIT history and make a little introduction about yourself and the other band members?

Sami: Terve vaan, Hanna! Free Spirit's history in one form or another actually goes back to the early nineties. The band was originally formed as a side project for carrying out the more metallic ambitions of a group of musicians from our small hometown. Me and Pasi are still original founding members, and Sami H. joined quite early too. Pretty quickly Free Spirit actually became the main project for all of us. After some initial success, Free Spirit's activity was quite periodic until late 2005 or early 2006, when after some lineup changes Vesa joined the band. Vesa's style of making music really connected with mine, and after making just one song, Until the Night, we all came to the conclusion that it was finally time to record the first full length album. Markku joined to fill up the second guitarists place, and on the album Timo played the keyboards as he always had on all Free Spirit recordings. Once the album was finished and the first gig was coming up we realized that, unlike previously, there were keyboards on almost every song, so at that time Timo joined as a full member and has since played with us also on stage. Unfortunately Markku had other obligations, and so he left and Marko joined in his place in summer 2008. That's how we came up with the current line-up.

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your inspirations to create the lyrics for FREE SPIRIT?

Sami: I think the main inspiration is some sort of romantic escapism. Romantic not in the sense of love stories (although you'll find some of those in the lyrics too), but in the sense of strong emotions and their metaphorical expressions. The escapism is a kind of a counter-reaction to the very close to earth, downright banal, style of writing lyrics that we've been mostly hearing for the last fifteen years or so. Of course it also stems from my own desires to experience something bigger than just the everyday life of waking up, going to work, eating, watching TV and going back to sleep.

Hanna Tsepesh: You have an amazing voice Sami, I am very surprised with your talent and i like to congratulate you for your work and also to ask you if you have any singing lessons or any kind of training?

Sami: Thank you very much! I’m almost blushing here. Actually I don’t have any official training in singing. I have always loved singing, and even though I started my musical career as a guitarist, I very soon realized that singing is my thing. When I first started singing in a band I sounded very different. Over the years I have realized that I have to develop my own style if I want to stand out.
We recorded all the lead vocals for the Pale Sister of Light album together with Vesa who was my “personal vocal producer” and I think we found out how to use my voice in the most effective way possible. We didn’t want to go the usual way because we wanted to concentrate on melodies instead of that classic hard rock sound and technique. Sometimes it was easy and fast to find the right vocal sound for a certain song, but then there was also a little bit of a struggle at times, such as in Strangers where we changed the whole melody line because we didn’t find the right vocal sound for the original melody line. In the end the whole song changed dramatically, but I’m very pleased with the result we ended up with.

Hanna Tsepesh: (laughs) don’t need to thanks is the truth! What are your favorite bands? Do you have any musician that you admire the most?

Sami: Many of my favourite bands come from the classic hard rock and heavy metal genre. Bands like Whitesnake, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Van Halen and Bon Jovi were my childhood heroes. I also like those earlier hard rock acts like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Deep Purple etc. My favourite modern rock bands are groups like Foo Fighters, Nickelback, Disturbed.
Then there are lots of artists who have nothing to do with hard rock or heavy metal, but their music has influenced me a lot. I like all kinds of music from pop to folk and from classic to metal just as long as the song is written from the heart and you can hear that the musicians really put themselves in to it.
There are many musicians I admire. One of them is Jim Morrison. I admire him as a poet and as the ultimate rock star. Of course there are also many other great vocalists and performers that I admire, like Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury and Ian Astbury. What unites all these artists is that they really put themselves into their music and their performance. They all are very charismatic figures that seem to believe in their music.

Hanna Tsepesh: Yeah you are totally right about Jim Morrison! FREE SPIRIT have a debut album out now called “Pale Sister of Light”. I only have to say excellent things about this album so it isin my opinion: The voices are amazing together, the lyrics are very positive, the riffs are very cool, I really recommend this album for rock fans because this album is simply amazing! I am really a big fan of old rock and FREE SPIRIT remembers me a lot when I was a kid and heard the big rock bands. Can you tell to us about the album and what the band want to accomplish?

Sami: The whole band loves those big rock groups from our childhood and we’ve been missing that sound. But we didn’t want to be just a replica of those days. We wanted to take those rich melodies and that shameless stadium rock attitude and combine that with modern rock. It was a challenging task to build a bridge between old and new, but we promised ourselves from the beginning that we would keep on working with the album as long as every song sounds just like we want.
One of the goals of this album, and Free Spirit's music in general, is to bring back the melodic and musical side of hard rock and metal music. Modern rock music is dominated by groups of angry men trying to prove their “attitude.” Even though attitude and aggression has always been a part of rock music, we wanted to be more than just that. So, we decided to concentrate on writing good songs and trying to bring back those breathtaking choruses, big emotions and most of all bring back the joy of making music. Considering all the comments we've had, it seems that we reached our goals quite well. I think people have been really missing that melodic side of rock music for some time now too and that is one of the reasons why this album really seems to enchant it’s audience.

Hanna Tsepesh: Can you tell to us about the recording studio process? The band feels pride with the final result? You recorded and mixed all the album, right? Congratulation for your work!

Sami: Well, the recording studio was our rehearsal room, which is an old schoolroom. The mixing was done in my bedroom, and mastering was the only part of the process that was done in a professional mastering studio by a professional mastering engineer (Henkka Niemistö, Chartmakers, Finland). I think we have no choice really but to be pleased about the results, since most of the reviews have been quite flattering! One of the big advantages of this DIY working is that we had the chance to spend as much time on each song as we like, and redo everything over and over until we were satisfied with it. This would be completely impossible in a commercial studio where you pay by the hour.

Hanna Tsepesh: there is any reason for the album title (“Pale Sister of Light”)?

Sami: The phrase Pale Sister of Light is a metaphor for the moon or the spirit of the moon. On the title track of the album, the protagonist travels in to another world to escape his everyday life, leaving the nocturnal streets of a city to meet the unknown. His guide in that world is the moon, that is, the Pale Sister of Light. In overall this theme of finding escape from the confines of a conservative society to a greater freedom, of becoming a true free spirit, is present throughout the album, and so one of the guides on such a quest is surely an appropriate title for the album.

Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the media and fans? I see at the band MySpace some cool reviews…

Sami: The response has been much better than we even dared to dream! It is very relieving to read all those great reviews especially after all the hard work we’ve put in to this record. Both critics and rock fans all around the world have praised songs on the album. That is something I’m actually a bit proud of, because there are so many great musicians out there, but what modern rock is missing today is great songs.

Hanna Tsepesh: If any readers want to buy the album what they have to do?

Sami: We are working to get the album released officially in different territories within the next few months, but before that the best place is to check out mail order shops like AOR Heaven in Germany, Destiny Records in UK, NEH Records and Wishing Well Entertainment in the USA, Rock Avenue Records in Japan and Record Shop X in Finland. Most of these shops ship worldwide. The digital version of the album can be downloaded from places like iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon.com and many more. At www.freespiritrock.com there is also a list of places where the album can be bought physically or digitally, so currently it’s the best place to check out your nearest dealer.

Hanna Tsepesh: If you have to balance/evaluate your work in “Pale Sister of Light” album, what will be your answer?

Sami: Of course I have to be pleased. All the great reviews and especially how people have been enchanted by our music is much more than I expected. Since I’m the lead singer, executive producer, sound engineer, mixing engineer and I have written/co-written the songs on the album and all those different parts have gained flattering comments it is very easy to be happy with the final result.
Pale Sister of Light is actually my diploma work for the school (Pirkanmaa Polytechnic) where I studied music production and marketing for five years, so it is also nice to see that I wasn't wasting my time in that school…

Pale sister of light

Hanna Tsepesh: About concerts, do you guys are thinking about an EUROPEAN TOUR or something like that? What are your future plans for FREE SPIRIT?
Sami: We definitely hope to tour Europe and around the world as soon as possible with these songs. First we have to get the album officially released in different territories and concentrate on promoting the album. That keeps us busy right now. We are also planning to shoot a new video sometime in the near future.

Hanna Tsepesh: What is your favorite music in this album and why?
Sami: There are many songs on the album that I like for one reason or another. If I really had to choose one song that would probably be Strangers. I really like the production of the song, but perhaps even more I’m proud of that overall feeling in the song. The music and the lyrics really form a cinematic landscape of nocturnal streets of a city by night. Depending on the day the answer could also be Preacher Man. I really like that twisted mood and melodic guitars on the verse and the song is constantly evolving.

Hanna Tsepesh: Do you want to send any message for FREE SPIRIT fans out there? Sami: First of all thank you all for your support! We really appreciate it! We hope that our music will give you lots of good feelings and keep you rocking. We are looking forward to seeing you all in Free Spirit live shows in the near future. Meanwhile, tell all your friends about Free Spirit and let them share your enthusiasm.


Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers and time! THE GATES OF METAL wishes a lot of success with this great album and we really hope to see one day FREE SPIRIT at Portugal…

Sami: Thank you very much Hanna! If we are lucky, we’ll see sooner than you think…

Hanna Tsepesh: i hope so! Thanks so much!

By: Hanna Tsepesh

To listen more FREE SPIRIT musics and for future information go at: www.myspace.com/freespiritrock
www.freespiritrock.com/

DAGOR DAGORATH

Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Vorog! Thanks so much for accepting this interview and welcome to THE GATES OF METAL! First of all can you talk a little bit about DAGOR DAGORATH and introduce yourself and the others band members?

Vorog: Hi Hanna! First of all I would like to thank you for your questions. As you know we're symphonic black metal band, I don`t like to put labels, but this is more or less what we are. We have started our way in 2003, "we"- i mean myself (Vorog - guitar and vocals), Getman Azach (keys) and Mizgir (bass), soon after Psychopatia Sexualis (drums) has joined the band. In 2005 we released our demo album "Times of distress" through the number of small labels in Europe and Japan. 2004-2007 this was a hard period for the band, because I and Mizgir were on regular army duty for that time, and it wasn`t easy to make rehearsals to write new songs and make shows. In 2008 we started to work on our first album untill summer we finished it, also Larion has joined the band as a front woman.

Hanna Tsepesh: I like a lot your band name is very cool! Correct me if I am wrong but Dagor Dagorath is in Sindarin (an artificial language ) the name of the final battle, which takes part in the work of British author J.R.R.Tolkien. It was from there that you come with the idea for the band name and why? If not can you tell me where and why did the idea come for the name DAGOR DAGORATH?

Vorog: Yeah, you're right, the band name is taken from Tolkien, it means "battle of battles" or "final battle". At the moment of the band's birth it was important for us to give the name that will reflect the spirit of the band and music (our demo is more pagan than symphonic). But with the development of the band its name has been turned in to something different.

Hanna Tsepesh: What are the inspirations to create the lyrics for DAGOR DAGORATH?

Vorog: Ok, I find inspiration (all lyrics are mine) in the all that stuff that are relevant to me in each period of my life, in books, movies, my own thoughts.

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands?

Vorog: There`s a huge amount of bands that i`m listening to from black to hard rock. Some of my favorites are Satyricon, Dissection, Shining, Watain, Deathstars, Halford…..

Hanna Tsepesh: About your demo album "Times of Distress" that you have for FREE DOWNLOAD at DAGOR DAGORATH Myspace: I liked a lot your work in this demo album and I am very surprised with DAGOR DAGORATH talent! Can you tell to us little bit about “Times of Distress" for the people that don’t know this demo yet? What the band want to accomplish?

Vorog: "Time of Distress" is our first work, we were inspired by European pagan traditions and ancient battles, so it was an attempt to release the wild, chaotic power within us. It was almost uncontrolled creation. While working on the new album we have learned much about ourselves and about how to control the beast within us. There weren`t some goals that we should achieve or something, as I’ve said, it`s been almost spontanuos creation.

Hanna Tsepesh: I can’t wait for the new album! The title is already revealed, will be called "Yetzer Ha'Ra", right? Can you tell to us what we can expect from the new album and what is the meaning of "Yetzer Ha'Ra"? Also you guys are searching for a record label, how are the things doing?

Vorog: We have already finished our work on it, everything is done it's just waiting to be released… The title "Yetzer Ha`Ra" is on Hebrew, literally means an evil inclination. In Judaic tradition it is some inner evil that you should fight with to be a good person and get to "heaven". For most of us, it's an inner struggle with our passions and our personal devil. On this album you may expect seven newest creations, we became more symphonic but our music is steel dark and you will not find sweetness there. You can listen to one of the track on our MySpace page and get some clue/introduction to the album. Now we are talking with labels to release the album, but it`s steel early to say something for sure.

Hanna Tsepesh: Great news! It is very difficult to find support of radios/webzines/magazines/etc. in your country (Israel)? How are the things going about metal music in there?

Vorog: The real problem of Israel metal scene is a small size of a country and its isolation from Europe. But we have a lot of metal bands here of all genres, some of them I really like and with others we are good friends. What about webzines, radios and etc. we have just few of them interested in metal so we don’t see much support from this side. But there are a lot of radios and webzines in Europe (like you guys) that support us for a long time.

Hanna Tsepesh: you also are asking for help to vote for the band to play at METALCAMP because we have news at HELL ON FIRE about that. Do you want to send any message for the people out there to vote for you guys?

Vorog: Yes, thank you. Vote for us, bring us to Europe!

Hanna Tsepesh: you are very welcome! You guys are thinking about EUROPE TOUR when the album comes out? any particular country that you like to play?

Vorog: Yes, we`re thinking about touring, but first we should release the album. There are a lot of places that I would like to play in, but most I'm thinking about South America, I have heard, there are crazy funs there. Hopefully, soon we`ll have opportunities to play in many countries.

Hanna Tsepesh: thanks so much for your answers Vorog! THE GATES OF METAL wishes a big success for your new album and we hope to see you guys at Portugal very soon! We will keep our eyes and ears open for the new album…

Vorog: Thank you and to all of your readers for your interest and support! Hope somebody will invite us to play in Portugal soon!

Hanna Tsepesh: You are very welcome don’t need to thank to us, it is a pleasure to help DAGOR DAGORATH!


By: Hanna Tsepesh

To listen more DAGOR DAGORATH music’s and for future information go at:
www.myspace.com/dagordagorath

To see some band videos go at:
www.youtube.com/user/DDagorathofficial

CELESTY

Hanna Tsepesh: Moro Antii! Welcome to HELL ON FIRE and thanks for accepting our invitation for this interview! For the first question can you tell us about CELESTY history and introduce yourself and the other guys?

Antii: Thanks! Well, Celesty was formed in 1998 by Jere Luokkamäki(drums) and Ari Katajamäki(bass). The line up back then was completely different except Jere and Ari of course. Things did not work out as planned and tapani Kangas joined shortly after the guys had done some early material together. Then was the time for members like Jp Alanen(ex-celesty) and Kimmo perämäki(ex-celesty). And of course Juha Mäenpää “the master of the keys” who still runs the black and whites…The first album from us sadly with out me, came out in (2002) “Reign of Elements” It got good feedback where ewer it was found and the revives wore promising and the guys wore filled with excitement and started to compose new material for celesty`s follower album “Legacy of Hate”. In this point Kimmo Perämäki decided to part ways with the band. Then started the hunt for the new lead vocalist for the band. And just two weeks before the recordings wore scheduled to begin I came in. I was in two auditions the guys later on told me that they wanted to keep me in excitement for a while before letting me know what they had already decided. And the other audition went well with some test audience as well.. And off we went to record our album “Legacy of Hate (2004)”. Few years passed and in there somewhere our roads with Jp Alanen (ex-celesty guitar) and our label “arise records” went on different path we are all good friends still though, so no bigger drama there.. And our new guitar hero Teemu Koskela joined the band.
And so came our third full length album “Mortal Mind Creation (2006)”. Shortly after that we decided to part ways with our record company “Dockyard 1”. We had already started to work on new Celesty material and we decided to contact our long awaited dream “Spinefarm Records” and what do you know they liked our new stuff and we started to make our first record via them. And now here it is “VENDETTA (2009)”. It is simply the best album we have ewer done in every way. We have sweated blood and tears but now it’s finally finished and ready to be listened by you guys! It has in it the symphony atmosphere of a real symphony orchestra and professional choir and some female presence of Suvi-Tuuli Dietrich (Escape). It is an album every power metal fan should own. And even if you are not a big fan of power metal you still should hear out this record!

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your inspirations to create the lyrics for CELESTY?

Antii: Well, My inspiration for making lyrics comes always within, And from surrounding situations and the nature and people and there actions. But with this album I took a step back from the lyrical composing and gave it to the hands of our drummer Jere Luokkamäki, He has always been the one to create our Story, as our albums are each and every one, concept albums. They follow the story of Cryon. An imaginary world created by Luokkamäki. So with this album I only did some demo lyrics…

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favourite bands at the moment?

Antii: hmmm… Well I have to say, Kamelot, “Tobias Sammet” Avantasia, Stratovarius, QUEEN, Helloween, Sonata Arctica, Judas Priest, Lamb of God, Sentenced, aa,and Celesty…

Hanna Tsepesh: (laughs)! Any of these musicians that you told us you admire the most? If yes, can you tell to us why?

Antii: Well, Timo Kotipelto from “Stratovarius” has been one of my biggest influences since I was a kid. Just because he is an amazing power metal singer and a charismatic performer! And now days when I have had the honor to work with him I find that he is also a very nice person, and a good Friend. And then of course Freddy Merqury from Queen has always been like a god for me and still is. I consider him to be the best singer there has ever lived. And I have tried to and I’m still trying to be at least a bit as good as he was.

Hanna Tsepesh: I agree with you! At what age did you start to sing? Do you have any kind of singing lessons? I ask that because you have an excellent voice and I am very surprised with your talent in “Vendetta” album… in some parts is like you have 2 voices or something! In my opinion you are very versatile singer! I think you will have a powerful career in the future…

Antii: Well first thank you! I have sung my whole life. But I guess you could say that I started to sing more professionally in 2001. I never really attended any singing lessons but I have had some coaches to give me some pointers. Mainly I am a self-studied singer. I have a dream to be a singer who has no boundaries, meaning that I could sing every technique there is, and when I say sing I mean that they really sound like 100%. In this album I have had the honor to sing really high pitched vocals some soft lines as well and even some Dark vocals, Growls if you will.

Hanna Tsepesh: Do you have another project at the moment or your time has musician is only for CELESTY?

Antii: Well most of my time off course goes into Celesty. But I also have the time to do some other stuff in the middle as well. I compose my own songs and I sing at the moment in a band called “Fall out Moon”. And I’m always open to new challenges. I have had some opportunities to be a guest musician in few albums as well, to sing backing vocals and even some complete songs.

Hanna Tsepesh: so cool! Let’s talk about the new album “Vedetta”, like I already told you I liked a lot your work in this particulary album! The riffs are very powerful and I only can give my congratulations for CELESTY for this amazing work! But, for the people who don’t listen this album yet I like that you told us a little bit about “Vendetta”, ok? And also tell me, you guys have an amazing help by Kalevi Olli, and he are much recognized for working with FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA, right? Can you explain to us about this?

Antii: Ok, So the album is a concept album witch ends our three album long saga. And it contains massive songs of evil, madness, love and even the end of the world! So the atmosphere is quite grand. But with our own unique style of Celesty so that the listener does not want to jump out of the window when listening one of the darkest songs on the album (laughs). No really it is an album witch binds our history in one. Kalevi Olli, had a really big part on our new masterpiece. He contributed his knowledge and master composer skills to create us this masterpiece we know as “VENDETTA”.

Hanna Tsepesh: (laughs) good one! It was difficult to recording this album? I ask this because CELESTY worked with Tampere city orchestra (I think). Do you guys feel proud with the final result?

Antii: Yes it was difficult. All the turmoil in the middle of all the recording schedules and such, But after all the ups and downs we raised victorious. And yes we are all very proud of our new album!

Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been to the album by the media and fans?

Antii: Well it is still pretty early for this question since the album comes out in one day after I have written this interview, but so far every one who have heard this album have been in love with it. The record company and every one who has heard it. The response from fans has been very good as well, you seem to like it as well so for that we are grateful. Thank you all! You make our efforts worth while.

Hanna Tsepesh: You also told us about Suvi, the girl singing with you in this album, can you tell us a little bit how you discover her?

Antii: Yes actually she is called Suvi-Tuuli Dietrich from the band called Escape. She was found by our keyboard player Juha Mäenpää. He was surfing on the internet and stumbled upon Suvi-Tuuli, and he proposed her to sing on our album and we all agreed she would be the right choice for us. And she did a fantastic job! It really was an honor to hear her sing and to meet her. She is a really lovely person and a great singer.

Hanna Tsepesh: Yes, she really has an excellent voice. The cover album is GREAT! Who was the person that create this great work? You have a lot of nature elements in here and also the colors are very nice! What was the major inspiration? Do you think this cover album transmit a lot what “Vendetta” tells to us?

Antti: Yes I agree the cover art on this album is also the best from us so far. The man behind the art is Toxic Angel From our label “Spinefarm” ( www.spinefarm.fi ). He is the man behind Nightwish and Sonata Arctica`s cover art as well. And yes I think the cover tells pretty much of the atmosphere on the album. It’s been made from the description of us what it should seem like. We wore more than happy on it. Toxic Angel really knows what he’s doing!

Hanna Tsepesh: Any plans for a future EUROPE TOUR and maybe to play at Portugal? Can you tell us some dates/places for our readers to know?

Antii: There are some planes and discussions of us coming to visit Europe and other countries, but for now I can not tell you any dates because they are not yet settled. Hopefully it will be really soon! We all would love to see your beautiful country very soon!

Hanna Tsepesh: You guys are happy to have SPINEFARM RECORDS as your label?

Antii: We are thrilled! The atmosphere with the label is all different than we have had before, the guys and the girls in there are great and everything is going really smoothly and they have treated us really nice! And they have given us the chance to create our masterpiece so a big thanks to hem as well!

Hanna Tsepesh: What is your favorite song in “Vendetta” album and why?

Antii: I would have to say “Legacy of Hate part3”, because it contains so much feeling and complex music and I think my best vocals in the history of Celesty. I also like Dark Emotions very much! In it there really is an amazing atmosphere and the end makes me almost to cry…

Hanna Tsepesh: One little curiosity: If you have to chose one CELESTY album (except “Vendetta album”) that you like the most, what will be your answer and why?

Antii: Well it has to be “Legacy of Hate (2004)” just because it was my first one with the band and it was a magical time for me and the real beginning of my professional singing career.

Hanna Tsepesh: Last question: Do you want to send any message for your fans out there and our readers?

Antii: Well at first to anyone who has had the energy to read this novel thru, a big THANK YOU! For you to like us, makes this all possible, worth while and for me personally is one of the main reasons for doing this. It is so heart warming to know that our music helps and entertains people. And please if you have not yet heard about us go to your local record store or simply order our new album Vendetta from the net and enjoy it the way you prefer. Thank you All!

Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much Antti for your answers and time! THE GATES OF METAL wishes a lot of success for this great album and we hope to see CELESTY very soon at Portugal…

Antii: Thank you again! I hope to see you all fine people on our upcoming gigs in Portugal! In the mean while go and check our web sites for any news about upcoming tours etc. on http://www.celesty.net . Lots of love and of course HEAVY METAL TO YOU ALL!!!

Hanna Tsepesh: We hope the same! Thank a lot.

By: Hanna Tsepesh

If you want to listen to some CELESTY music’s and for future information go at:
www.myspace.com/celestymetal
www.celesty.net/news.php

HELFAHRT

Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Max! Welcome to THE GATES OF METAL and thanks so much for accepting our invitation for this interview! For the first questions I would like that you start to tell us a little bit about HELFAHRT history and introduce yourself and the other members?

Max: Helfahrt are: Sebastian Ludwig: Guitars & 2nd vocals, his brother Tobbs Ludwig: Bass, Andreas Mecker: Drums, Markus Klüpfel: 2nd guitar and myself, Max Marquardt: Lyrics, Vocals, Flutes Mouthharps. We are all involved in the process of composition due to the simple fact that we all have nearly the same taste of music and art. Concerning Helfahrts history, I first have to tell you that I Žve always been involved in many bands and projects but could never find suitable musicians for my own view and taste of music. Honestly thatŽs the only reason why Helfahrt was a "solo-project" in the beginning. The early beginning was very weird - you have to imagine that especially Pagan Metal basically did not exist back in 1999. I started with some pure acoustic songs, mainly played on acoustic guitars and mouthharps which was very innovative and courageous as well. Later the songs evolved into more harsh compositions and I began using an electric guitar and screams. Ha, when I think back to the times when people jeered at me, as I said to them IŽd play some sort of "nature-associated-pagan-black-metal", I really have to laugh. At this time I also gave up looking for musicians because I had the intention to find proper people who feel and think like I do - then the time wasnŽt ripe. Look how the whole scene has changed nowadays. ItŽs really unbelievable. Pagan Metal has become a trend with thousands of fans, artists and magazines. If you would told this fact somebody 8 years ago, they would never believed you! In early 2005, during my stay in Finland, I spontaneously phoned an old friend of mine, Andreas Mecker, and asked him if he would be interested in playing the drums at my new "project" He surprisingly said yes and told me that he knew two guys that would totally fit into my new band. Well, BIG LUCK! I could find the best line-up for this band I ever could get. The time that past by was worth it! And those 4 people still form the recent line-up! Helfahrt stands and falls with those great guys - I would kill for them - and I am very proud about this!

Hanna Tsepesh: Markus is a new live member, right? What is your opinion about Markus work so far?

Max: Markus joined us 1 1/2 years ago as a pure session-guitarist for our live-shows. He got introduced to us by our former live-guitarist Steffen from the US-Death Metal Band OBSCURA. When we realized that his personal views and his outstanding behavior really fitted into the band, we took a heart and gave him the chance to become a full member of Helfahrt. So far without regret. He is also a rough drinker - thats one of the most important things by the way,haha!

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your inspirations to create the lyrics for HELFAHRT?

Max: OH, there many things where you can take your inspiration from. Mainly, for me, it´s just nature, the sun, our mighty mountains. Stuff like that. In the summertime I very often go hiking and I think that I get most of the inspiration from moments like this. The lyrics are written mostly be me and our guitarist Basti.and are basically about the dark essence of nature spirits as well as a metaphorical view upon the old ancient Germanic and norse mythology. I can say that all our lyrics have deeper meanings hidden inside and are full of feeling and emotion. We are not interested in yet another Odin-Worshipping-Mead-Drinking-Warrior-based lyrical theme, as that is just…well…stupid, boring and mainly incorrect.. We wanted to do something that we can stand behind 100%. We use exclusively the German language, using powerful yet very unusual images as well as old German and Bavarian dialects. That’s part of why all the lyrics are in German, I believe. We just couldn’t quite create the atmosphere we need using a foreign language. But we are thinking about a translation for our foreign fans.

Hanna Tsepesh: Very interesting! I read a little bit about you and I am very interested in the fact that you also play flutes, whistles and harps! That is very difficult instruments right? From what age did you start to play that kind of instruments and why?

Max: I always loved the sound of flutes, especially in Metal! I´ve always been influenced by Irish-Folk-Artists and bands as well as the old, mighty Jethro Tull! Ian Anderson is still some sort of archetype for me, so it has just been a matter of fact that I tried to embed these instruments also into my compositions. It is pure passion! I started playing the Irish-flute at the age of 20 and other folk-instruments like the mandola some years later. These instruments seem quite simple to play on the fist glance - but believe me, they are much more harder to learn than most of the people think. Apart from that, I never gave anything on the typical "metal-cliché" so had also never a pang of conscience concerning the usage of metal-foreign instruments... I did it my way!

Hanna Tsepesh: Do you have any singing lessons or any kind of help in your voice or do you practice your voice with time? In my opinion, you have an excellent voice for this kind of style! My congratulations for your work!

Max: Oh, thanks a lot for your kind words. Hum, I think I improved my voice from time to time more and more. I started with the extreme metal vocals 9 years ago - it is now really a long time and I suppose that even now I am still learning on how to use my vocals best. I never had any help or something. I dare to say having the luck that my voice is given me by birth…

Hanna Tsepesh: What do you like to do in your free time?

Max: Ha, alright - you may wonder where I take the time for it - but I have really a lot of hobbies which I do in my rare spare time. Beneath Helfahrt, which is taking 98% of my time, I am playing the Mandola at the bulgarian Folk-projekt "Svarrogh". Apart from that I love to go hiking and climbing and in summer you´ll find me on nearly every mountain of Bavaria, Austria, Italy or Switzerland. And shouldn´t that be enough - I am collecting military equipment of the Vietnam-war as well as stuff from the 60ies-era. I recently started to turn up my cellar into a little museum. Quite uncommon - but very interesting though!

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favourite bands so far? Any of those bands you admire the most? If yes can you tell us why?

Max: My favorite bands? You will be surprised - I warned you. So let´s go into the deep and hidden secrets of my personality: I am a big fan of "The Doors" and also "Jimi Hendrix" as well "Jethro Tull" and Ian Anderson. I recently rediscoverd their amazing and awesome songs - it is timeless music I dare to say! Apart from that, concerning Metal, I like bands like Kampfar, Helheim and all those late 90ies BM Bands such Fleurety as I grew up with this style of Black Metal. Right now I am listening to the new "Solstafir"-output KÖLD! Very good! Also "Loits" from Estonia are very good band. I often thought about inviting them for a gig here in Bavaria...we´ll see what time brings.

Hanna Tsepesh: Good taste on music! About your album “Wiedergang”, I have to congratulate the entire band for this excellent pagan metal album and I really don’t have anything bad to say! I like a lot the voices and all the instruments as well! The only thing is sad is that I don’t understand the lyrics, but I think that makes the album more genuine! I really recommend this album to our readers that like this kind of metal style! But for the people who don’t listen yet can you tell us about this album and what the band want to accomplish with “Wiedergang”?

Max: Wiedergang" is an old German expression and means translated revenant. Literally I´d say "undead person" in a "revenge"context. In ancient times, people where very aware and frightend of so called "Draugr" - persons who died a couple of days ago and came back undead to hunt down somebody who was maybe responsible for his death. To seek revenge I´d say. It is a very interesting topic and just hundred years ago, people (especially in Bavaria and Austria) still thought about this old and ancient cult some years ago. We have a lot of stories and tales about this custom in Bavaria.It is very mysterious and some people in Bavaria (especially the older generations) still believe in those stories. The songs are surrounded by a very dark aura - as the lyrics and title are very dark to create a haunting atmosphere. Just imagine you would walk through a dark forest in an autumn night, silence surrounds you. Cold wind comes up and breaks the dead leaves from the trees - every step you do crakes as loud as thunder - you are full of fear, your nerves hang loose. Beyond old trees and scrub Draugr is waiting for you - to take you with him, into too dark depths of Helheim.

Hanna Tsepesh: It was difficult to record this album? Can you tell us about the recording studio process? The band is proud with the final result?

Max: No, it wasn´t very difficult to record it. We are all quite professionals concerning work in the studio as we could collect a lot of experience with the bands and projects we were involved before we decided to sell our souls to Helfahrt. We recorded "Wiedergang" as well as our first album "Sturmgewalt" in Munichs "Helion-Studios Media". A very modern and big studio with a nice team. Recording just took us about 4 days, mixing and mastering 5 days. Quite a quick job if you ask me. Well, what is there to say:.hmm...we are not as satisfied with the output as we should be. We think that the sound on "Wiedergang" is a little bit too "modern" and not catchy enough to create a grim and frostbidden atmosphere. But that is just my personal view upon this. The others think different in this manner. For our next album, we will change the studio and try to go "back to the roots" and record in a real oldschool BlackMetal-Studio (laughs)!

Hanna Tsepesh: How has the response been so far to the album by the media and fans?

Max: Very good indeed! Not that good we had hoped, but it was still alright for us. In Germany it is very difficult to achieve a high status concerning reputation and fame, because the market is very saturated by tons of releases of other German bands. It seems that often the exotic status of a band counts more that the music itself. That´s really a pity but on the other side I can understand this problem. It is hard to get a good survey of all releases on the music market if you know what I mean.

Hanna Tsepesh: The cover album is very cool too! Can you talk about the person behind it? What did the band wants to transmit to your fans and listeners out there with the album cover?

Max: The artist is an old friend of mine. I did with him several trips to Norway and a few years ago we were also playing in the same band. So we konw each other now a long time. He is a very talented painter and really painted the album cover on oil! This is very seldom in a world full of technology and graphic-programs. We just want transmit the background of "Wiedergänger" with the picture.

Hanna Tsepesh: Wow so cool! If anyone wants to buy your new album what do they have to do?

Max: Well - just go into the record-store and buy it. If you like to order it directly, just type in www.Trollzorn.de/shop - there you will find everything concerning Helfahrt.

Hanna Tsepesh: Do you guys have TROLLHORN label! What was the feeling to have this label? You are happy withTROLLHORN work so far?

Max: Yeah - we cannot complain so far and we never regret cooperation with this label. The only problem so far is the matter of fact that we do not fit into their band-rooster. They mainly sign those typical Viking and Folk-Metal bands and I can really say that Helfahrt is the hardest and most extreme band under their wings. But we don´t really care about this - they pay our dues and they give us the possibility to record new stuff. Also the promotion is very good. Nothing bad to say.

Hanna Tsepesh: What is your personal view about Pagan metal in our days?Do you think that is getting better or poor? What is your advice for the bands out there that are starting Pagan metal bands?

Max: Of course Pagan Metal has become a huge trend - there are so many bands and projects out there. Most of them are pure crap, just trying to ride the trend and to become famous in a very short period of time. It seems that nearly everybody wants to have his own piece of cake. Ridicoulus! But you should never ignore that there are also many good and profound bands out there who don´t care about the trend. I´ve seen so many bands rising and falling within this trend - but today I can say that only the ones who did not expect to become a "big star" really created something outstanding and are still worth listening. Why? Because they never cared about a trend or concentrated mainly on PR and gigs and all that. They just wrote their music - how it should be!! Any advice for young musicians? Be true to yourself and do not expect anything!!! If you take a look to the really serious bands out there, like Kampfar, Nordafrost, Helheim or Solstafir, you will also realise that those bands partially started with their art 10 years ago - long before pagan metal became a trendy thing. They still exist, they still write very good music and - thats the most important fact: they are still with one leg in the underground. It´s really strange that all the good, extravagant and outstanding artists are not that famous than they should be. Sad but true. I think that the Viking/Pagan Metal-Trend won´t exist very long anymore. I give this movement approx. 2 years - not more. Pagan metal will experience the same downfall that the black metal trend experienced in the end of the 90ies. It is not the thing that I don´t like the trend - I just don´t care about it. We do not set ourself boundaries just to be "pagan" or "black metal"! I will write my own definition of pagan metal still when the trend is over and maybe Helfahrt plays gigs in front of 10 people. But that is not important. Art should always be self-fulfiment - no matter if you are famous or not and no matter if you play in front of 10 or in front of 10.000 people...

Hanna Tsepesh: Great answer! I understand a lot what you are telling us and I agree with you! About concerts, can you tell us some dates/places? There’s any chance in the future that we can see HELFAHRT at Portugal?

Max: We just returned from our second European-Tour - which lasted 16 gigs and went through Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britian, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Right now we are composing on our new album and there is really much work to do. So we don´t have many gigs this year. In summer we will attend some nice festivals in Germany and the Chech Republic. Next year we will do a third tour and I am sure that Portugal could be a very interesting tour stop. I will ask our management if they could arrange something. We would really enjoy playing in Portugal sometime. So, if there is anybody interested in booking us or just wants to share a couple of beers with me - do not hesitate and write us! We are not that expensive!

Hanna Tsepesh: Want are the future plans for the band? You are thinking in another album or something?

Max: As stated before we will record our third album this year in late summer. The release will be in March 2010!

Hanna Tsepesh: cool! Thanks a lot for that information! Do you want to send any message for your fans out there?

Max: Alright: Next time when you are in the record store - and you are unsecure wether taking the new Manowar or a Donovan-Cd, beat your forehead, buy our new album and be proud to listen to the right music!

Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers and time Max!THE GATES OF METAL wishes to all the band lots of success with this fantastic album and hope to see HELFAHRT here very soon…

Max: Thanks Hanna, for giving us the possibility of being interviewed in you Webzine! We hope to come over to Portugal next year! Maybe we can meet then - I am looking forward to this! Talk the talk - or walk the walk! R´n´R is Lord!

Hanna Tsepesh: You are very welcome and we hope the same! All the best...


By: Hanna Tsepesh

To listen some HELFAHRT music’s and for future information go at:
www.myspace.com/helfahrt
www.helfahrt.com

AETERNUM

Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Claudiu, how are you? Thanks so much for the interest to accepting to this interview and to talk a little bit about medieval music for me and our readers to know it and understand that a little bit!

Claudiu: Hello, dear Hanna, and thank you for your kind invitation!

Hanna Tsepesh: you are very welcome! For the first question can you tell us the AETERNUM history and also introduce yourself and the others members (what instrument they play)? When did you start to play this kind of music and why?

Claudiu: there would be a lot to be said about AETERNUM's history, but I think it would be very easy to invite the readers to visit us at : www.aeternum.ro, www.myspace.com/aeternumtransylvania, www.myspace.com/claudiusaeternum ... along the years we had 26 musicians in AETERNUM, there are 2 generations the actual second generation is now the following one:

Claudiu Cont - guitars, recorder, Aeternum's leader, and...
Ioana Lomnasan – recorders, percussions, Alexandru Kocsis – percussions, drums, vocals Andrei Androniciuc – cello, bass guitar, Iulia Baltes – flute, Iulia Kocsis - keyboards, percussions, Britta Seidner – lead vocals, Ioana Coma – violin, percussions.

In 1997, I began to adapt Medieval music for the guitar in 1999 I had the first Aeternum's official concert, it was such a long way until till today, this year AETERNUM will be 10 years of existence in 4th November 2009.

Hanna Tsepesh: It was hard to find these musicians? How you discovered these guys? You and the rest of the band have some kind of music classes or some kind of preparation?

Claudiu: I was lucky to find them one after another in the town near I live – I live Orlat - a village near the town Sibiu - Transylvania, Romania all of them live in Sibiu, there we also rehearse all of them are students now since the last year and all of them were rewarded with gold and silver medals in musical contests here in Romania and they were brillliant pupils in the highshool music. now we are able to play a lot of music, but especially a medieval one and also classical and rock medieval music.

Hanna Tsepesh: that is great! Can you tell to us the bands or musicians that you like the most? You like metal bands?

Claudiu: wow , there are a lot from different musical genres: old master's music: John Dowland, Tielman Susato, Adrian Le Roy, Antonio Vivaldi and ....Blackmore's Night, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Hallen, Annihilator, Vangelis, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia, John McLaughlin, Trio Rosenberg, Atrocity – Germany, Sepultura, Accept, Dio, Haggard, Iron Maiden....and many, many others.

Hanna Tsepesh: You play guitar right? Any of those musicians inspired you to start?

Claudiu: I am more an electric guitar player, although playing old music I use the classical guitar a lot. I began studying the Yngwie Malmsteen technique and also some classical guitar even now, playing at the electric guitar I can't play slow, I play very fast, like flying, I am sick of speed but to also know classical guitar is a blessed thing and Malmsteen, Vai, Van Hallen, Satriani and many others always inspired me a lot.

Hanna Tsepesh: Can you talk a little about what is medieval and renaissance music for the people out there that don’t know that style of music?

Claudiu: It's the Middle Ages' music starting around the 1000th year untill 1500 AD and from 1500 until the 1600th year is the Renaissance's era period of time.

Hanna Tsepesh: When you create music’s what are your inspirations?

Claudiu: speaking of creation, I am inspired from all my musical influences...until now, here in Aeternum I played almost only 99% old music, composed by the old masters musicians from the Middle Age and Renaissance times... in the future I will compose rock medieval music, I already began. In time, once I will have enough new songs, I will release a cd with my new medieval rock music, somewhere at the boarders of medieval, rock and what some call, ghotic music.

Hanna Tsepesh: About your first album “Ancient Beauty”, you guys have a lot of talent I am very surprised it this album and I also like a lot the voice! My congratulations for you and all the members for this amazing work! For me this is so fresh to my ears and I am very happy to show different music to our readers! Can you tell to us about this album for people who don’t know the album yet? You have music’s in here very old right? Some songs of the year1552! What you want to accomplish with this album?

Claudiu: it's about only of old music from Middle Ages and Renaissance. What is new is the vision in which the instrumental dialogue brings this music in a new light, with other words AETERNUM is not an “othodox” medieval music band, because the guitar is the heart of this band, making a lot of solos and “speaking” each second with the other instruments in the old times the lute played mostly alone and “the bands” of minstrells were made by percussions and recorders or whistles and another old instruments.

Hanna Tsepesh: It was difficult to record this on studio? Exist one music that for you was more difficult to make?

Claudiu: I made all by myself, the whole huge work of recording and mixing, using my personal computer and a M-Audio card and Ableton Live 7 software as you see, the sound is very clear and warm, this in spite of not having a very expensive studio or very professional microphones. It was a 7 months very hard work, I am proud of it! I am also a Romanian official producer.

Hanna Tsepesh: What is the music that you like more in this album and why?

Claudiu: I love all music on the album, each song is very special for me, for all of us! I am sure that the audience will love all songs, for those who are made to love this music, each song is like a pure light from Heaven!

Hanna Tsepesh: You guys play in a lot of festivals like:

- Expo Hannover 2000, "Cetati Transilvane" Sibiu 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006.
- Festival of Medieval Arts in Sighisoara 2001, 2004, 2008.
- Medieval Festival from Bistrita 2007,Caransebes 2007,Zagreb 2007.
- Medieval Festival - Brasov 2008

To name a few! So it was a good experience for the band? What was your favorite concert and why? You guys like to come to Portugal to play?

Claudiu: yes, we had a lot of concerts along the years and especially those performed at Sighisoara, in the heart of Transylvania, at the greatest Medieval Festival in Romania, are our favorites! To play in Portugal would be a great honor and a great joy! time will tell, but we have this hope!

Hanna Tsepesh: For people who want to buy your album in Portugal or in another country what they need to do?

Claudiu: not far aways since the last week, the fresh Aeternum's “Ancient Beauty 2008 – I - “ is already to be found and ordered at CDBaby now it's easier to spread our music with CDBaby and we hope that people will love this special music!

Hanna Tsepesh: Last question, you want to send any message for our readers about AETERNUM band and for your fans?

Claudiu: we love you all and we hope to meet you at AETERNUM's new concerts in the future, as we hope that once with the album's sales our concerts abroad to be as many as possible! God bless you all of you!

Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers and your time!THE GATES OF METAL wish you and all the band members a great 2009 full of success and good luck for your future concerts! Hope to see AETERNUM very soon in here…

Claudiu: thank very much, dear Hanna! We wish THE GATES OF METAL a lot of success and good luck with all your interviews; you are always doing a great job, promoting so much good quality music! I also hope to have the great joy and honor to invite you as soon as possible at one of Aeternum's concerts when we will come to Portugal, in the near future!

Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much Claudiu for your nice words, I really hope the same! All the best.


By: Hanna Tsepesh

To listen to some AETERNUM songs and for future information go at:
www.myspace.com/aeternumtransylvania

EASTERN FRONT

Hanna Tsepesh: Hello Holocaust, how are you? Welcome to THE GATES OF METAL and thanks so much for accepting this interview! First of all can you tell me about Eastern Front history and also introduce yourself and the other band members?

Holocaust: Hello, I am very well thanks. Eastern Front was formed at the end of 2006 and after a few months we recorded our first demo CD “Promo 2007”. We continued to write more material building up songs so we could perform live. Remembrance day 2007 we recorded the demo “Blood on Snow” and shortly after had our first live show. January 2008 we won “Best unsigned metal of 2007” competition by The Metal Underground. We then recorded a promotional video for “Blood on Snow” and played more shows throughout the UK to build up our fan base. Our first London show being Infernal Damnation Festival V where we supported Skyforger. In this time we also featured in Zero Tolerance Magazine and on various radio stations including Total Rock Radio. September 2008 we embarked on our first European tour supporting Lord Belial & Graveworm. On our return from tour we then won “The Faintheart Movie Competition”.
At the end of 2008 we then played some more UK shows supporting Hecate Enthroned and Averse Sefira, both these shows getting us good reviews in Metal Hammer Magazine.
February 2009 we entered Andy La Roque’s (King Diamond) Sonic Train Studios in Sweden with Anders Backelin (Lord Belial) to record our debut album “Blood on Snow”. On our return to the UK we then supported Natan in London and have just got back from supporting Taake, Helhiem and Vulture Industries on their UK tour.

Eastern Front are:
Metzger – Vocals
Holocaust – Lead Guitar
Krieg – Rhythm Guitar
Destroyer – Bass Guitar
Destruction - Drums

Hanna Tsepesh: When did you start to play guitar? Any guitarist inspired you to start?

Holocaust: I got my first electric guitar in October 2002 on my 16th Birthday after playing the acoustic guitar for a few months.
The main reason I started to compose and later perform music was as a means to express myself and gain a form of escapism from todays world.
No particular guitarist inspired me to play, just my extreme passion for music.
I strongly feel that life without music would be futile and plan to have some form of envolvement in music for all of my life.

Hanna Tsepesh: What are your favorite bands?

Holocaust: This list could go on forever but I will try to keep it short…
In no order:
Drudkh, Kroda, Agalloch, Katatonia, Xasthur, Burzum, Warning, Hate Forest, Temnozor, Nocturnal Mortum, Walknut, Rapture, Cult of Luna, Nortt, Skepticisim, Watain, Satanic Warmaster, Abyssic Hate, Enslaved, Morrigan, Lord Belial, Shape of Despair, Shining, Taake, Negura Bunget, Lyrinx, Fen, Wodensthrone, Winterfylleth, Necro Ritual, Iceni, Niroth, Paradise lost, Emperor, My Dying Bride, Endstille, Nasum, Bathory, Mayhem, Forefather, Graveland, Natan, Amon Amarth, Primordial, Black Sabbath, Pagan Altar, Leviathan, Blood Axis, Forest, Pest, Remembrance, Marduk, Macabre Omen, Immortal, I Shalt Become, Horn of Valere, Ekove Efrits, Besatt, Ad Hominem, Abigor, Cloaca, H.E.R.R, Wormtongue, Mournful Congregation, Strid, Nargaroth, Venom, Darkthrone etc.

Hanna Tsepesh: In your personal view of music, what do you think about the black metal scene today? Do you think it’s better or not?

Holocaust: I think Black Metal has progressed a lot over the years and due to the ease of being able to promote music online has overall become a lot more accesable than it used to be i.e cassette trading.
Personally I don’t think this is a bad thing as I have discovered a lot of great bands by researching online and can still trade and discover great albums in underground record stores.
As for todays Black Metal being better or not I think a lot of todays Black Metal is still deeply rooted to where it has always been and a lot of new bands are in vein and in regards to the first and second wave of Black Metal. I do however prefer it when a new band comes along and isn’t afraid of experimenting and pushing the limits, which is what Eastern Front want to do.
We keep a traditional Black Metal sound but don’t put limits on what musical genres we include in our songs as we are influenced by Doom, folk and classical music as well as Black Metal. I think the Black Metal scene is stronger today in a lot of ways than it once was due to it being a lot easier to communicate with other bands and fans around the world and also due to the increase of festivals, shows, magazine and webzines that support Black Metal and other forms of extreme music. However I feel it is a lot less controversial than it’s early days and could still be a lot stronger if bands supported each other more, especially within the UK.
Personally I feel that Black Metal will always remain an underground genre of music as it takes some form of intelligence to truely understand it, which truth be told, most humans don’t have.

Hanna Tsepesh: I know that the band gets inspired to write the lyrics about wars, right? Can you explain that to us and why about wars?

Holocaust: As a band we have all had an interest in the history of war especially World War II and The Eastern Front so it was only natural for us to write our lyrics about war.
We want to remind people of the events that happened in the past as we feel that slowly alot of history is being forgotten and erased, especially about World War II.
In the UK alot of the schools here are very brief when teaching about the world wars, the history of events have some what been edited in a way to encourage pupils to believe what was good and what was bad, it’s disgusting! All our lyrics are written in honour of the fallen soliders of war and through them we hope to encourage people to read history books and study the history of war.
We have songs that are written especially about certian areas and events of war and songs that are written from a first person point of view, which capture the emotions and evoke the feelings of what it was like to be on the front lines of war and live through these unfortunate times. This is all supported by the music and with the use of creating different atmospheres and sounds within the songs.
On our website we have also included a brief history of The Eastern Front:
http://wartornblackmetal.com/?page_id=172

Hanna Tsepesh: That is very interesting subject! Talking about your Demo “Blood on snow”, in my honest opinion you guys are GREAT musicians! The songs are simply brutal with brutal and powerful riffs, the lyrics are great and I also like the theme about wars! Can you tell to us a little bit about the Demo and what Eastern Front wanted to accomplish with “Blood On Snow” Demo?

Holocaust: When composing the music for this song/demo that was then later titled “Blood on Snow” I wanted to compose a faster more brutal Black Metal song compared to our first demo “Promo 2007” but also include alot of atmoshpere and emotion within the song.
When I played the song to the rest of the band Krieg had just finished reading the amazing book “Blood Red Snow” by Gunter K. Koschorrek and already had lyrical ideas that would fit perfectly with the music. Metzger then completed the song lyrics with these lyrical ideas and after reading “Blood Red Snow”. Overall we wanted “Blood on Snow” to capture the cold brutallity of war. When recording the song we didn’t want to lose the energy and dynamics we hear when playing it live, so we chose to record and produce it with a modern sound but also keep some of it’s rawness in order for it not to sound too polished.

Hanna Tsepesh: The band also have one video called “Blood On Snow”, can you talk a little bit about it? From who came out with the idea? I ask that because the video is simple and excellent, that prove that the bands don’t need effects and stuff to have a great video!

Holocaust: We wanted to make a video as a visual means to promote our music and express even more solidly what Eastern Front is about.
”Blood on Snow” was the chosen track to do this as it is also going to be the title of our debut album. In the video we mixed live recordings of us with war footage.
This was done with the help of Hans Beerbaum for providing us with German re-enactment footage and by the use of Russian stock footage supplied by Frank Capra.
We wanted to keep it simple and effective so did not need the use of any effects.
This will not be the only video we create, for most of our songs we also have video ideas due to the subject matter so you can expect another video in the future.

Hanna Tsepesh: The band is recording the first album! I must say, that i can’t wait to listen to it! The name is "Blood on Snow", right? Can you talk a little bit about the album?

Holocaust: We have recorded all the tracks for our debut album “Blood on Snow”.
We recorded the album at Andy La Roque’s (King Diamond) Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden with Anders Backelin (Lord Belial).
The album so far consists of 8 tracks and Anders and Andy will start on the final mixing and mastering in 2 months time. Once we have the finished product we will start to search for a record label to release the album later in the year.
You can check out the website for Sonic Train Studios here:
http://www.sonictrainstudios.com/
www.myspace.com/sonictrainstudiosvarberg

Hanna Tsepesh: The band wins the FAINTHEART MOVIE COMPETITION! First of all congratulations, the band must be very proud! For the people who don’t know yet can you talk a little bit about this?

Holocaust: We were very proud to win this competition and to have our music feature in this film and on the sound track. FAINTHEART is a British comedy film about a guy who has a passion for Viking re-enactment battles so much so that he ruins his relationships in his “normal” life so has to repair these relationships and win back his family.
Myspace created the competition, which over 300 bands entered, the director of the film then short listed 5 bands to be put to public vote which Eastern Front won.
The film was released in over 150 cinemas in the UK and Ireland in January and is now available to buy on DVD worldwide alongside it’s soundtrack that was released by EMI Records.
Buy the DVD here:
www.amazon.co.uk/Faintheart-DVD-Kevin-Eldon/dp/B001HN6POE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1237174571&sr=8-1
www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/7727963/-/Product.html?searchstring=Faintheart+&searchsource=0
Buy the soundtrack here:
www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/8700192/Various-Faintheart-Original-Soundtrack/Product.html
www.amazon.co.uk/Faintheart-Original-Sound-Various-Artists/dp/B001PB3RTE/ref=pd_sim_d_h__2

Hanna Tsepesh: So cool! you have been in a Europe Tour with Lord Belial and Graveworm! Can you tell to us how the things went on that tour?

Holocaust: This has been my personal highlight of Eastern Front so far and was such a great experience for us. The tour was called “The Black Curse Over Europe” and was to promote Lord Belial’s newest album “The Black Curse”.
This tour included The DevilHorns Fest Vol 1 in Slovakia, The Black Curse Fest in Bulgaria and Chaos Fest 2008 in Romania alongside other shows in Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia.
We received very positive reviews from this tour and met a lot of amazing people along the way that we are still in contact with now.
The best shows for me were The DevilsHorns Fest in Slovakia and The Black Curse Fest in Bulgaria due to the immense crowds and fans that were extremely into the music and subject matter of Eastern Front. It was an honor to support Lord Belial on this tour, as they have been one of my favorite bands for quite a few years now.
We have a tour diary of this tour on our official website as well as photos from the shows on our Myspace page:
http://wartornblackmetal.com/?page_id=212
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=131740130&albumId=2154669
We hope it won’t be too long until we will do another tour through Europe and we’re thoroughly looking forward to playing back in Romania at Rock City Open Air 2009.

Hanna Tsepesh: You have just completed another tour, right? Can you talk about it and also tell us about your future dates for our readers to know where they can see you?

Holocaust: We have just finished supporting Taake, Helheim & Vulture Industries on the UK leg of the “Lukt Til Helvete Tour”.
These shows we’re great and it was an honor to support Taake who have also been one of my favorite bands for a while now. Currently the rest of our shows in 2009 are all festivals, here are the dates:
9th May 2009 – Infernal Damnation Festival VI with Shining, Hate + more – The Underworld – London – UK
20th - 23rd August 2009 – Rock City Open Air 2009 with Immortal, Amon Amarth, Onslaught, Agathodiamon, Ancient Rites + more – Fetesti – Romania
29th August 2009 – Heaven in Hell Festival 2009 – Stockton on Tees – UK
25th – 27th September 2009 – MetalFest 2009 with Blaze Bayley, Swallow the Sun, Primordial, Primal Fear, Evergrey, Omnium Gathering + more – Dudley – UK
24th – 25th October 2009 – Hymns of Sickness Festival 2009 – Worksop – UK

Hanna Tsepesh: One thing that shook me is that you still are an unsigned band even with all of great things that you are doing and the music you are making! All the things that the band accomplishes until now are from your own hands, right? Was it a “long walk” since the band started? In your country do you have some kind of support (places to play/people/radios/etc.)?

Holocaust: Eastern Front are currently unsigned but as soon as we have our debut album mixed and mastered we will start approaching record labels in search for a record deal. We have had some interest from record labels already but wanted to progress and record the album before signing any deals with a label.
All that we have accomplished so far has been from our own hands and with the help of promoters, tour agents as well as radio play, magazine features, online promotion and of course our fans. In the UK there are a lot of venues for bands to play and magazines/webzines that support underground Metal bands, which helps the scene here.
However the Metal scene in the UK is still very small compared to other countries.

Hanna Tsepesh: Last question, do you want to send any message for your fans around the world?

Holocaust: Of course! We thank you all for the continued support and effort you have put into promoting our music around the world.
Keep supporting Underground Black Metal!

Hanna Tsepesh: Thanks so much for your answers! THE GATES OF METAL wishes all the success and good luck for your future concerts and we will wait for your album! Hope to see the band very soon in Portugal…

Holocaust: Thank you for offering us this interview; it’s been a pleasure.
Keep up the great work with THE GATES OF METAL and we also hope to see you very soon in Portugal.

Hanna Tsepesh: thanks so much Holocaust! The pleasure is ours! All the best.

By: Hanna Tsepesh

To listen some EASTERN FRONT music and for more information go to:
www.myspace.com/easternfrontuk
http://wartornblackmetal.com/