MYSTICA
BELGIUM
HAS A LOT AND VERY INTERESTING METAL BANDS, MYSTICA ARE FROM BELGIUM AND
FOR SURE IS A VERY INTERESTING BAND. THEY ALSO HAVE PLAYED WITH GREAT NAMES
OF THE EXTREME METAL GENRE AND BECAUSE OF THAT THEY GAINED A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.
I THINK THAT FRIENDS OF EXTREME SOUND SHOULD CHECK THEM OUT...
1.TELL US IN A FEW WORDS THE MOST IMPORTANT
MOMENTS OF THE BAND'S HISTORY. WHICH IS TODAY'S LINE UP?
Mystica was formed in June 1999.
Gathering 6 members resulting from the scene of Charleroi in Belgium including
the first guitarist of Enthroned. The first concert proceeds in October
1999 and the first demo "Follow your God To The Grave" was release in January
2000 before the first significant change line-up. In March 2000, a first
part of SOILWORK and in November 2000 first concert out of Belgium(Rotterdam,
Nl with IMMORTAL). We recorded in February 2001 our debut-album "BLINDED
BY MY BLOOD" for Painkiller Records. In March 2001 made a mini tour in
company of GRIEF OF EMERALD. The album was released in July 2001 and 15
concerts followed in company of bands such as SINISTER, BENEDICTION, MARDUK,
GOD DETHRONED, HYPNOS, NO RETURN and CANNIBAL CORPSE. After that 3 of the
members left the band.
2.WHY HAVE YOU NAMED THE BAND MYSTICA?
WHAT DID YOU HAVE IN MIND WHILE SELECTING A BAND NAME?
The name of the band was chosen
by the original line-up before we did not write only one note!!! Mystica
is the name of the second album of DIVINE BLOOD. The sonority of this name
was liked. Moreover, our bass player of the time was very attracted by
the occult sciences.
3.HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSICAL
STYLE? WHICH ARE YOUR INFLUENCES? COULD YOU NAME SOME OF YOUR MOST BELOVED
ALBUMS?
For us Mystica plays of a no limit
extreme metal. We listen to all as much of Black than of Death Metal as
well as trash and Heavy. We love bands such as Amon Amarth, Dissection,
Vader, Dying Fetus, Dew-Scented, Hypocrisy, Marduk, Morbid Angel, . For
me, "Storm of the light' S bane" from Dissection remains the reference.
On the level of the vocals, the Drudenhaus album of ANOREXIA NERVOSA is
the main reference! Hreidmarr is one of my idols with Legion But when we
compose, we do not put ourselves the question to know if the piece will
sound thus or thus, we take a feeling-way.
4.CONGRATULATIONS ON "BLINDED BY MY
BLOOD"!IT'S AN AMAZING ALBUM. I WAS REALLY ASTONISHED. COULD YOU TELL US
SOME GENERAL THINGS ABOUT IT?
I think that the force of "Blinded
By My Blood" is in its variety which had to the various members who have
write. Because each member brought his touch. Our first guitarist has an
incredible feeling. We miss him. The sound is also the most important point
of this album. We were agreeably surprised result because the studio had
not been invaded yet by other extreme metal bands.
5.DO YOU HAVE ANY PREVIOUS RELEASES
(EVEN DEMO) AS A BAND? CAN YOU TELL US SOME THINGS ABOUT THEM?
Yes, we recorded a demo "follow
your God To the Grave" in January 2000, 6 months after the formation of
the band but the sound was far from being good. The guitars are unhearable
and the keyboards too loud. 3 pieces of the 4 of this demo are on "Blinded
By My Blood". In September 2000, we recorded our concert in company of
ANOREXIA NERVOSA, we extracted "Promo Live 2000" 2 titles. The two pieces
are on the album also. We release this live because we needed a support
to find concerts and the demo was not enough quality.
6.HOW DID YOU GET TO SIGN WITH PAINKILLER?
WHICH WERE YOUR DEMANDINGS? WHIT WHAT CRITERIA HAVE YOU SELECTED A LABEL?
Although that the band was very
young and that we did not have a professional support. We wanted to record
a second demo. But Painkiller Records was then interested in us following
our services "live". The studio was thus envisaged and painkiller has to
decide to finance it and to release it. Thus we did not send a demo of
Blinded By My Blood to other labels. The conditions of Painkiller was interesting.
We are very satisfied with his work even if it does not have the budget
of a larger label. We still owe him an album and then we will see whether
we continue with him or if we seek a more significant label. But for the
moment, collaboration is positive for the two clans.
7.WHAT ARE YOUR LYRICS TALKING ABOUT?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE TITLE "BLINDED BY MY BLOOD"? DO YOU WRITE ABOUT
FANTASY OR REAL LIFE STORIES?
Our texts is a mixture of fiction
and facts lived. It is the vision of the man deceived by the religion and
its sects. I also like to take as a starting point films of horrors when
I write. But the texts reflects only my vision. The majority of the musicians
of Mystica are with me only for the musical feeling.
8.WHICH WERE THE REACTIONS OF THE FANS
AND PRESS? WHICH WAS THE BEST AND WHICH WAS THE WORST REVIEW YOU HAVE RECEIVED?
Although the youth of our band,
this album was only one more. We could geographically widen the number
of our fans. Many the fans of the beginning have to decide to disavow us
since we are on a label and that we made some concerts significant. For
them we are dirty whores!!! We have since the beginning the same determination
and we do not have at any time modified our music to follow a fashion or
the other. we kid this attitude more than underground completely close.
This album saved to us more fans to lose some. At the national level we
finally could have the recognition also in the north of the country what
was not gained in advance considering the linguistic separation of our
country. On the level of the press, it is much shared , we have very good
criticisms as of very bad but we benefit from very critical founded to
improve our weak points. We do not have yet the claim to be a cult band
but let us work for it.
9.WHICH DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST INTERESTING
PART OF YOUR MUSIC AND IN WHICH FIELD DO YOU NEED TO BECOME BETTER?
"Blinded By My Blood" was composed
and recorded in precipitation. For "Human Mutants", our next album we'll
take time and we'll do not put pressure to be under best the conditions
possible. Our new musicians are more precise and more determined than the
precedents. Cathy and me progressed since the last studio. As regards Keybords
we will call upon somebody of more qualified outside. For the production
we hope that it will be still better, we will turn over in the same studio
because to work with a producer who knows us and who understood what we
want will save ourselves of time thus we will be able to use this time
on the mix to push the whole even further. We are rather trustful.
10.WHY DID YOU HAVE SO MANY CHANGES
IN THE LINE UP? WHY COULDN'T YOU FIND A STEADY LINE UP?
To make a band in this part of
the country is really difficult because here nobody is not ready to sacrificed
himself for his band. Either they do not have mentality or not the musical
level. Our new members come from the center and from the north of the country,
100km separates us from each other. I think that the problem is that I
am not in the good part of the country, I really hope finally to have found
a good and fixed line-up because we enormously waste time with each change.
11.YOU COME FROM A COUNTRY WITH A SMALL
METAL SCENE. WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE UNDERGROUND SCENE OF YOUR COUNTRY?
ANY INTERESTING NEW BANDS?
We are from a small country, certainly,
but we have a certain number of bands of qualities. Entroned and Ancient
Rites are the confirmed values. New groups as Aborted start with well moving
out of Belgium. They are signed on Listenable Records and toured in company
of Vader last year. The problem is always similar in our country: the promising
groups come from the north of the country and in this part of other groups
will not be long in making known itself. (Surhim, Oceans Of Sadness, .).
The clubs and the public are also in north.
12.YOU HAVE DONE SOME LIVE SHOWS WITH
BIG NAMES. CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR EXPERIENCIES? WHO WERE MORE FRIENDLY
WITH YOU?
We played with more famous bands.
The first significant concert for us was in company of Soilwork, it was
in 2000 for the promotion of "the chainheart machine". They are simple
and good guys. I benefitted from it this evening to make there an interview
of the singer for my fanzine. In September 2000, it is with Anorexia Nervosa
that we made two dates. They are rather distant but they can have much
fun. It is one of my favorite bands. In November, we played with
Immortal in Rotterdam, the club was sold-out and it was the first time
that one played in front of as many people. In March 2001 we made 5 dates
in company of Grief Of Emerald (swe), it was the total total harmony, it
was the first time for the two bands to tour together. Rob accompanied
us every evening with the Keyboards on our White Princess' song. We really
hope to play again with them in the future. In July we played with Sinister.
Rachel is as nice as pretty. In September they were 4 dates with Benediction
and Throneaon. We were on September 11, days of the attacks, in Paris in
front of 20 people! Between September and November we played with No Return,
God Dethroned and Hypnos. In December we opened for Marduk at the Locomotive
in Paris in front of a very receptive public and very present to have fun.
One in our more beautiful concerts to date. We finally played a date of
X-Mass Festivals in company of a bunch of bands as Cannibal Corpse, Marduk,
Dark Funeral, unfortunately we all did not meet them.
13.WHICH SONG OF YOUR IS THE MOST IDEAL
TO REPRESENT YOUR WORK?
We do not think of being locked
up in a style. Our songs are diversified and it is what we like. It is
sure that each of us have a preferred one, it is not for that reason that
we will make an album like such or such songs. My preferred title is "Illusion",
but "Human Mutants" our second album will be rather different from what
we already did on "Blinded By My Blood".
14.WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN'T
ABLE TO COMPOSE MUSIC?
If I had not made music I would
be probably a serial killer because I like blood and the interrest of the
media for me!!!!! I do not dare to imagine to live without exerting my
passion and I do not have an other gift. I would be thus certainly at the
end of a cord!!!
15.WHY DID YOU INVOLVE WITH MUSIC IN
THE FIRST PLACE? WHICH ARE YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
Music touchs much more young people
than other arts. I was myself a teenage kid when I began my first band.
At the beginning, the goal of Mystica was to make some concerts and perhaps
an album. Our objectives of the beginnings are thus achieved for a long
time. We will fight to preserve what we have receipt and to spread our
music. Most significant will remain to be able to continue this exchange
with the public.
16.THE COVER ARTWORK IS VERY GOOD,
BUT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THIS AND THE CD'S TITLE "BLINDED
BY MY BLOOD". COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME?
Kris took as a starting point my
lyrics to drawn the "cover". I am rather proud work which he made, this
one represents in fact the monster which runs in our veins and which at
any time can arise and take possession of us, thus leaving us blind man.
Kris made a fusion of several of my texts like "Blinded by my blood" and
"My Malediction" for a cover which represents well the band and well this
debut- album. Kris is already is already working on the cover for the new
album.
17.IF YOU HAD THE ABILITY TO CHANGE
SOMETHING IN THE WORLD WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
You are the first to ask me the
question! I think that the major problem on this planet is the capacity
and the religion but the man is thus made, it is necessary to change all
the species!!! I also think that it would be preferable all to burn but
it does not remain much any more of time to wait before Final Chaos!
18.IF YOUR MUSIC WAS A FEELING WHAT
WOULD THAT BE AND IF IT WAS A PAINTING WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
I think that Kris represented well
what is Mystica for the period "Blinded By My Blood". As regards Mystica
today we have to be a little patient to see its work for "Human Mutants".
What is splendid with this artist it is that he understands the bands.
19.ARE YOU ANNOYED BY THOSE GUYS WHO
JUDGE THE ARTISTIC VALUE OF A RELEASE BY THE NUMBER OF COPIES IT SELLS?
Here in Belgium, it is of primary
priority to sell many albums so someone from here can be interested
in a Belgian band. Nobody wants to support a beginning-band! I do not think
that a band is better than another because it sold ten times more but that
the more significant budget gives more chance to a band to release a better
album. It is the same one for the concerts or the press: the money can
regulate many problems and unfortunately makes you lose hatred and damaged
the brain of the musicians!.That's the risk. Others criterias are important
to sell more records, if you come from Norway or Sweden, you stand more
chance than if you come from Belgium or France! The label has also much
importance. But the only thing which imports us is to make the music we
love, and without any constraint!
20.WHAT PROLOGUE AND TITLE WOULD YOU
LIKE THIS INTERVIEW TO HAVE?
This is your job, Don't yo think??
Do not reverse the roles! You could put a bullshit of the kind: "Of all
the people of the "Gaules", the Belgians are most courageous! "
21.THANK YOU!HAVE I FORGOT TO ASK YOU
ANYTHING AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
Thank you for this interview, I
do not know Greece very well but we hope that one day we'll come to play
in your land and maybe open for Rotting Christ!
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