ON
THORNS I LAY
*Before we start the interview let
me say hello!
-
-Thank you for your interest on On
Thorns I Lay.It's nice to communicate with you.
*I noticed a lot of changes on your
new album.There are less female vocals and keyboards.Especially the first
2 songs are much different than the others!
-
-We wanted our new album to be heavier.We
wanted a more aggresive style and to try male vocals as a new way of expression.In
deed we tried something different and propably we will keep it this way
on our next album.
*According to the promo you have a
new singer.What was the need for that?Will he perform with you at your
concerts?
-
-Our new style brought the necessity
of a new singer.The guy who recorded the vocals on the cd is the sound
engineer of the studio in Romania but he isn't the permanent OTIL singer.It
was a lysi anagis.Now the lead singer is Minas who is a member of the new
line-up.He also plays the guitar.
*Finally,you left Holy Records too!Tell
us about your new label and how the deal was made.
-
-We were old friends with the guys
from Black Lotus.We had some propositions but from the moment we chose
to sign on a greek label,which would pay more attention to us and we would
have a better communication,I think we've chosen the best label.
*You haven't played many live shows
till today.Why's that?Many people say that a live concert is the best promotion.
-
-That's the way it is.We are always
very eclective and we think the fans are getting tired with more and more
live shows.So we made every best possible choice and it proved to be good
for us.On the opposite every live concert is very special for us and it
is not a routine or something like that.
*The line-up of the band is very fragile.Why
is that happening?
-
-Until last October we were all missing
for studies in Romania.The line-up of every album could never be permanent
because Greece is our base.Now the line-up is steady.
*Only the extreme metal bands from
Greece are well-known outside their country (ROTTING CHRIST,NIGHTFALL,SEPTIC
FLESH ETC).There is not something like that in the prog/power scene.What
do you think about that?
-
-In this scene ,central Europe is the
leader and so things are difficult for greek bands.Especially prog/power
demands personality,originality and certain skills,and of course great
productions which is something very hard to find in Greece.On the opposite,I
foresee a great future for death metal ,maybe because we are an aggressive
race...?...
*What does underground mean to you?Do
you still believe in its existence?
-
-It means to me some albums,demos etc
to be heard by few people.There is no matter of quality or categorizing.There's
only music and ways of expression.
*5 albums so far!Tell us about your
memories from each of your album.
-
-I cannot refer to each album because
it would take 3 pages!We really love writing music and we always do our
best and try to live it to the end!Memories vary and experiences are unforgettable!The
only thing I really have to say is that such experiences make us stronger
and keep us active and evolving!
*How are things going on with your
new album "Angeldust"?Your label seems to have done a very good promoting
work.
-
-We're very satisfied with Black Lotus
and even more from the sales of the album.There are many copies sold and
we're optimistic about the future.
*Finally you are back in Greece.The
members from Romania will go on with the band or is there going to be another
line-up change?
-
-As I said before the return to our
homeland made the things more steady.The line-up is the following:
-
Chris:guitars
-
Stefanos:Bass,Vocals
-
Minas:Guitars,Vocals
-
Fotis:Drums
*A little birdie told us that you're
going to have an album under the name Phlebotomy ,following the death metal
direction.It's going to be a project right?
*What are you listening to these days?
-
-Standard atmospheric metal like Anathema,Katatonia,My
Dying Bride...
*Any plans for gigs?
-
-We are going to play in Crete (Chania)
at 5/17 and then there is the Rockwave festival and some concerts in the
country!
*Was your sound completed at the studios
in Romania?You have a very different sound from bands that record at german
and swedish studios.
-
-That's exactly what we wanted.Although
the studios you mentioned make the best productions we prefered to have
something different in Romania and we did so while having a very good production.
*This fanzine is a webzine.What do
you think about webzines?
-
-They are necessary.They have to write
things right with a lot of details and have a big knowledge of the present
metal scene,which means to renew themselves often.
*Do you think that MP3's kill the bands
or they are a mean of getting to know a band?
-
-It would be better if mp3's were of
worse quality from the songs included in the album,of smaller duration
perhaps,something like commercial stuff.Having a lot of mp3's is good for
the audience but it is bad for our sales.No sales ,no contract!!!
*The last words are on you.Thanks a
lot for the interview!
-
-I wish the best to your webzine.I
really believe in the greek metal scene.I believe in On Thorns I Lay!Listen
to "Angeldust".
ADNAN "mezarkabul"
TEFIKOGLOU