RAVENCULT
Well, it's not a secret that
I am a big fan of the Greek black metal scene. ROTTING CHRIST and "Non
Serviam" is one of my most favorite albums of all time. It was the first
time that I listened to such a perfect combination between Black and classic
metal. Now after years RAVENCULT with their second demo came to give me
the same chills. Simply, one of best new Greek metal bands which make you
think why they did,'t find yet a contract....
1.HELLO AND MY CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR NEW DEMO!
CAN YOU GIVE US A FEW INFO ON THE BAND'S HISTORY THIS FAR?
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The band was actually formed in summer 2001 with
only aim to deliver some serious bestial sonic assault under the banner
of Black Metal. So far we have done 2 demos namely “Despise The Blindfold”
(2002) and “Cosmic Chaos” (2003) and some live gigs all over Greece together
with Ancient (NOR), Rotting Christ, Crossover etc. We prefer our music
to be played straightforward, without keyboards, female vocals, violins
etc. Current line-up is Jim (vocals), Kostas (bass), Konstantinos (drums)
and me (Stefanos) on guitars.
2.YOU HAVE A REALLY INTERESTING NAME. HOW DID
YOU CHOOSE IT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND REPRESENT FOR YOU?
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Our name clearly defines what the band stands
for: black metal. That’s why we chose something that introduces the listener
to the dark aesthetic of black/death music. The raven is a mysterious and
dark figure connected with the presence of death while the “cult” word
is a reference to the darkside and the underworld in general.
3.YOU HAVE RELEASED 2 DEMOS, "DESPISE THE BLINDFOLD"
AND "COSMIC CHAOS". CAN YOU TELL EM WHICH ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES
BETWEEN THOSE 2 RELEASES? ON YOUR SECOND DEMO YOU HAVE CHANGED STUDIO.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FRAGILE SOUND FOR YOUR SECOND WORK?
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The second demo is 100% improved! Comparing it
with “Despise The Blindfold” is like comparing day to night… It is
more direct and violent and that’s more or less the style RAVENCULT will
present in the future releases. There are not many similarities actually…
The first demo has many early 90s greek BM influences while on the new
demo the sound is raw and closer to the Scandinavian BM style. We changed
studio because we wanted to do something new, something different from
our previous demo. We are absolutely satisfied concerning Fragile studios.
4.YOU HAVE SENT YOUR DEMOS TO MANY MAGAZINES AND
WEBZINES. DO YOU REMEMBER WHICH WAS THE BEST AND WHICH THE WORST REVIEW
YOU HAVE RECEIVED? DID YOU HAVE ANY PROPOSALS FROM LABELS?
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One of the best reviews was actually yours! Then
I would say the finnish Sinister Flame Magazine and Necroscope zine from
Poland, Ledo Takas magazine, Metal Realm webzine etc... Also “Cosmic Chaos”
was demo of the month in the greek Metal Hammer. Generally we get great
reviews for the second demo. No bad reviews so far… About labels, no we
haven’t had any serious offer so far.
5.IN MY OPINION YOUR MUSIC CAN BE DESCRIBED AS
EPIC BLACK/DEATH WITH MANY THRASH ELEMENTS. DO YOU AGREE? WHICH ARE THE
BANDS THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC AND ATTITUDE?
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I wouldn’t agree on the “epic” description but
I am definitely OK with the rest! I would describe our style as BM with
thrash & death parts. All in all it is extreme metal… Our influences
come from the mighty bands of BM’s 1st and 2nd wave like Bathory, Darkthrone,
Mayhem, Emperor, Rotting Christ, Satyricon, Necromantia etc but also thrash
hordes like the kings of evilness Slayer, Destruction, Sodom and some newer
bands like Aura Noir.
6.I HAVE DISCOVERED LATELY THE EXISTENCE OF SOME
BLACK METAL BANDS WITH WHITE THEMATOLOGY. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
7.IN THE BEGINNING OF THE DEMO WE LISTEN TO A
PERSON SPEAKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS? WHERE DID YOU TAKE THESE SPOKEN WORDS
FROM? DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT HUMANS ARE LIKE A DISEASE AND WHY?
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Actually it is taken from the Matrix film and
agent Smith is speaking. We liked it because it is a really harsh misanthropic
manifesto. It says “Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet…
you are plague”! It is a long conversation why humans are a disease. It’s
the only being on earth that only causes harm and only cares about its
profit. Man is parasite on this planet so… die human race!
8.WHERE ARE YOUR LYRICS REFERRING TO? IS IT THE
TYPICAL ANTICHRISTIAN ATTITUDE AND CONCEPT? WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE
LYRICS AND WHY DO YOU THINK METAL KEEPS INVOLVING SO MUCH THE OCCULT, RELIGION
AND MYSTICISM?
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The lyrics are written by Jim. They mostly deal
with classic black/death metal thematology meaning darkness, hate &
death. It wouldn’t be so “Black Metal” if we actually wrote about romantic
sunsets, flowers and faiytales, would it? It is a chance for us to express
the darkside of ourselves. “Cosmic Chaos” has a scent of chaos and destruction
brought upon mankind.
9.WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T KNOW
YOU IN ORDER TO INTRIGUE HIS INTEREST? WHICH IS ACCORDING TO YOU YOUR BEST
OR MOST RECOGNIZABLE ELEMENT AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE OR IMPROVE?
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The best way to make someone interested in music
is to put the music itself and let it touch the listener. Words are often
so poor to describe music…
10.IF YOU HAD A PROPOSAL TO DO A VIDEOCLIP, WHICH
SONG OF YOURS WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND HOW DO YOU IMAGINE IT TO BE?
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I would choose “Cosmic Chaos Pandemonium” or “Deathcult
Supremacy” and it would definitely be black & white. Also it wouldn’t
show the band playing all the time, maybe some seconds but generally we
would try to make it a vision of death & destruction and definitely
blasphemous! But I don’t believe we will ever actually make a video clip.
11.IF WE ARE ALL JUST A WORD IN THE GREAT BOOK
OF CREATION, CAN YOU SAY WHICH WORD COULD DESCRIBE YOU BETTER? CAN YOU
ALSO IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF AUTHOR WOULD BE THE CREATOR OF THIS BOOK AND
WHY?
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I can’t really speak form myself; it wouldn’t
be objective right? The author of this book? Yes I can imagine him – slaughtered!
12.IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME,
WHICH HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHY?
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It’s very hard to name only one… Ancient Egypt
perhaps, it’s so fascinating and mysterious.
13.DO YOU THINK THAT PERHAPS GOD GOT SO FRIGHTNED
FROM WHAT HE CREATED THAT HE MOVED TO HEAVEN IN ORDER TO KEEP DISTANCE
FROM HIS CREATIONS? :))
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I believe god has never existed but even if he
did, he is certainly a dead motherfucker! As Immolation wisely said… “No
Jesus, No Beast”.
14.LET'S SUPPOSE THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD WITHOUT
MUSIC. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN SUCH A CASE?
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Probably have a lot of psychological problems!
15.IF YOU WERE A FLY, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO
BE AND WHY?
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I would like to be on the wall of Euronymous’
house the night he was murdered by Varg so I know what really happened
there. You know there are so many rumors about it! Also maybe in an old
Darkthrone recording session (or a rehearsal) to witness them using the
glorious Necrohell “studios”, or in that old smelly garage while Quorthon
was recording the “Bathory” album!
16.WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR CAREER?
THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING
AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
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Megathanx for the interview and support towards
RAVENCULT. I think we’ve said everything important… Our demos are available
for 5 EU/$ directly from the band or some underground distro near you.
We will try to put out something new during 2004 so keep an eye open. RAISE
THE HORNS!
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Contact:
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RAVENCULT
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PO BOX 86530
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GR-18505 KALLIPOLI
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PIRAEUS – GREECE
Nikos "William_Kidd" Parastatidis
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