Tvangeste
Tvangeste released a year
ago an incredible cd with one of the best artworks and layouts I've ever
seen! The whole package is simply enchanting and breathtaking. The music
is filled with emotions, metaphors and images...so guess what? We couldn't
lose the chance of asking them a couple of questions about their inspiration
and the band in general...
1. FIRST OF ALL POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT
MOMENTS OF THE BAND’S HISTORY AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO THE READERS.
Hails Christine! Well…I believe that Tvangeste
name is quite unknown to the Greek metalheads so far but our current label’s
making wonders indeed – our promotion campaign is running now and as I
can gather – Tvangeste’s getting more and more popular but anyway: here’s
our brief history.
1997 – the date of band’s creation.
1999 – the first official contract with Norwegian
label VALGALDER RECORDS.
2000 – our debut CD “Damnation of Regiomontum”
is out. This CD got excellent responses from all over the world. For this
CD Tvangeste was awarded as “The best Black metal Act of CIS (ex USSR)
countries”, “Band of the Month” in many countries. It was a really big
step for the band.
2002 – we signed a contract with a big Japanese
label WORLD CHAOS PRODUCTION.
2003 – second CD “Firestorm” was released
by WCP for World wide. Some info about “FireStorm” creation:
- This CD was recorded at well known Polish
studio SELANI (Vader, behemoth, Lux Occulta).
- Real BALTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and PRUSSIAN
CHAMBER CHOIR were hired for this recording.
- After only one month from the release date
"Firestorm" got the top places in different metal charts from all over
the world's metal magazines and radios! Sales are going just great! Restocked
three times on RED STREAM and FOUR TIMES on another North American metal
monster DARK SYMPHONIES!
- Many metal magazines our the world have
recognized TVANGSTE's "Firestorm" as "one of the best metal creations ever
that will remain in world's metal history for ages" !!!! Critics that "Firestorm"
got so far are just awesome!
-TVANGESTE attracted METAL MIND's (the biggest
Polish metal label) attention. Polish guys have licensed "FireStorm" for
Poland and Germany. One of the biggest Russian metal labels CD MAXIMUM
have licensed "Firestorm" for Russian Federation and CIS countries + Baltic
Countries. CD will be released up to the end of October 2003. WORLD CHAOS
are negotiating with Mexicans and Americans about license deals. We are
looking forward to getting fresh news since it's just beginning....
2. YOU COME FROM PRUSSIA. WHAT MADE YOU SIGN WITH
A LABEL FROM JAPAN? HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO COMMUNICATE WITH A LABEL BEING
SO FAR AWAY? ARE YOU SATISFIED BY THE WORK THEY ARE DOING WITH YOU AND
WITH WHICH CRITERIA DID YOU SELECT THIS RECORD LABEL?
Actually it’s a long long story…our contract
with the Norwegian label was for TWO albums…the first was “Damnation of
Regiomontum” and the second one - “FireStorm”. But after some major delays
according to inner troubles in the label Valgalder Records decided to sell
all rights. There were some labels interested in Tvangeste’s new stuff
and as a result - WORLD CHAOS got this CD from Norwegians. So it wasn’t
our choice. But we are really glad seeing how WCP’s doing our promo campaign!
Very professional advertisement – that’s all I have to say! WE were interviewed
by hundreds of different metal magazines. Got awesome reviews so I’m glad
to see that Tvageste word is spreading so fast! To be honest – it’s not
too hard to communicate with WCP’s management. We live in the modern world
with internet, faxes and phones…so it’s really easy to talk about everything
with guys in Japan sitting in my native town.
3. WHAT DOES TVANGESTE STAND FOR? HOW DID YOU
SELECT THIS NAME FOR THE BAND? DOES IT HAVE A SPECIAL MEANING TO YOU?
It was an ancient time...XII Century. The
cursed Christians started their quest to the Prussian Land... Yes, it was
another crusade, drawn in blood to bring "true love, and a true God" to
the barbarians. Tvangeste was a small site of ancient settlement destroyed
in 1255 by Teutonic knights. In this place was a knight’s Castle, Koenigsberg.
The town where we live, the town we love, the land we respect...
4. YOU PLAY SYMPHONIC BLACK METAL, WHICH IS A
VERY DIFFICULT GENRE, BECAUSE BESIDES TECHNICAL SKILLS IT REQUIRES SENTIMENTS
AND PERSONALITY AND YOUR MUSIC IS SIMPLY ENCHANTING AND VERY THEATRICAL.
WHAT KIND OF PROCEDURE DO YOU FOLLOW WHILST COMPOSING SONGS AND HOW EASY
IS IT FOR YOU TO CREATE SUCH MUSIC?
Thanks for your kind words! I’m glad that
there’s a place for our art in your soul! “Firestorm” was created in half
a year. It was a big and very hard work for us since we had to finish it
before the end of 2001 as it was agreed in the contract with the Norwegians.
But I have to tell you that it was a really nice time…full of different
feelings, thoughts…almost all songs were created by me and my wife (our
keyboardess) Naturelle. It’s really fine to create music together with
your wife...he he…when keyboarder is always nearby. There wasn’t any “special”
procedure…we were just using our imagination. I believe that the process
of creating music is a kind of poetry creation. Sometimes I play 2-3-10
days without any fresh good ideas…all themes are just satisfactory…but
sometimes you can “catch the stream” and create one brilliant theme after
another! I think that there’s a general energy-information space around
us. And all humans are like “receivers”…we can get information from this
space…but after a “tuning” process…so after long tries to make something
good you can work something out…hmm...for example in the bed by night…that’s
how our CD was made.
5. DO YOU HAVE TO BE IN A CERTAIN MOOD OR FEEL
CERTAIN THINGS IN ORDER TO COMPOSE AND GIVE YOUR MUSIC THE RIGHT ESSENCE?
THE VIOLIN OFFERS A VERY BITTER, DARK AND MELANCHOLIC FEELING. IS KATERINA
A FULL TIME MEMBER OR A SESSIONIST?
Katerina is a session member. She could be
a permanent Tvangeste member but unfortunately she moved to St. Petersburg
(got an offer from a big orchestra there). I’m very glad about her work
on “FireStorm” – she’s really talented musician! As about particular moods…nope…as
I told you above – You never know when a brilliant idea will strike your
head.
6. THE ARTWORK IS SIMPLY AMAZING!!! THE BOOKLET!!!!
EVERYTHING! NO DOUBT IT’S ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR IT?
Thanks one more time!! Yeah – I was shocked
when we got an original CD from Japan. Such great quality of paper! All
paintings were made by our good friend Margo. The whole design and artwork
(except for the paintings) were made by Naturelle at Avesta Media (she’s
a professional designer). So this booklet is Naturelle’s and Margo’s masterpiece.
7.YOUR MUSIC BROUGHT TO MY MIND A LOT OF DIMMU
BORGIR, THERION AND ESPECIALLY ON THE KEYBOARDS ANCIENT RITES. HOW INFLUENCED
ARE YOU FROM THESE BANDS AND WHICH OTHER BANDS CAN BE FOUND AMONG YOUR
INFLUENCES?
He he…that’s good you haven’t mentioned Cradle
of Filth...ha ha...I hate all comparisons to Dani’s voice! As for the above
mentioned bands…well…I haven’t heard any songs of Ancient Rites…I like
Dimmu’s “Puritanical…” and hate Therion…all my influences aren’t from metal
world for sure! I don’t listen to metal music a lot (1-2 CDs in 1-2 month
as a maximum). I prefer classic music, soundtracks for movies and virtuoso
guitarists (like Jason Becker). I believe that our choirs are closer to
Rhapsody’s ones…the same goes for the orchestra…but I understand that human
mind want to find a comparison for anything in this world. Only after some
extraordinary things people say: “yeah...they are one of a kind!”…we play
metal…Mix of Black, Doom, Death, Heavy elements and classical stuff…of
course we aren’t the only ones who make such kind of music but we really
try to make it using OUR OWN WAY to prevent any thoughts that Tvangeste
is just another cool BM band. I hope …really hope that our tries were successful.
8.WHERE ARE YOUR LYRICS REFERRING TO AND HOW IMPORTANT
ARE THEY FOR YOU? WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE LYRICS AND WHAT CAN
TAKE THE INSPIRATION AWAY FROM YOU? HOW IMPORTANT IS IMAGE, PHILOSOPHY
AND IDEOLOGY BEHIND A BAND? WHICH IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND TVANGESTE?
Lyrics are the second and really very important
part of my life. Music is the main…but meaning of lyrics is important without
any doubts. My inspiration is my mind…my own thoughts and ideas…my vision
on this world. The main idea of this album is the Sorrow about Great Prussian
Land…about ancient (XIII Century) times…about brave warriors involved in
the great war for Independence of Mind…our lyrics describe Honor and meanness,
Valour and lie…we tried to show the ancient world not only like “world
of pagan gods and fights” but deeper…to show inner side of human, his mind,
his soul and heart…we tried to tell to everybody to go their own ways and
don’t follow another’s ideas…to be the Kings of ourselves
9.NAME SOME OF THE LYRICS THAT REPRESENT YOU…
To be or not to be –
There’s no such question!
To be! But to be WHAT?
A weak-willed sheep that’s taken to the slaughter
house
Or a proud wolf
Whose heart is filled with freedom?
What’s in your eyes, Human?
Fear or Rage? Blind Submission or Resistance?
Love and respect your friends
And let your enemies die!
10. DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS? WHAT
SHOULD THE METALLERS EXPECT FROM A TVANGESTE LIVE SHOW AND HOW DIFFICULT
IS IT FOR YOU TO PERFORM YOUR SONGS LIVE? WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE REST INSTRUMENTS
AND WITH THE CHOIRS?
Actually we played live several times. To
be honest such kind of music doesn’t suit to live performances because
it’s impossible to play with the real orchestra and choir…because of the
quite complex structure of the songs. Live shows are for thrash, death
metal bands…their music is a true energy for masses! And our songs require
thinking…maybe even headphones. He he...maybe it’s my point of view of
course but I definitely think so! …our live shows were interesting: kinda
theatre performance during a metal concert. We use a lot of visual effects
like fire, pyrotechnics etc…we collaborate with professional fighters as
well…being martial artist myself I’m very interested in true strength demonstrations
on stage so there were martial arts performances (hand-to-hand fights,
sword fights etc..). Whole stage was decorated so our live shows were really
interesting. I’m going to put some little fragments to our web site (http://www.tvangeste.com)
soon for free download. Maybe WCP will release our live performance on
DVD one day.
11. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T
KNOW YOU, IN ORDER TO INTRIGUE HIS INTEREST? WHICH IS YOUR MOST APPEALING
ELEMENT ACCORDING TO YOU?
Hmm…I don’t want to attract anyone’s attention.
People should choose using their own points of view and opinions. Intrigue…if
you like melody...if the motto “play as fast and as evil as you can”
doesn’t suit your inner feelings. If you like beauty and classical music
and storm of metal riffs – just try “Firestorm” and who knows??? – maybe
our work will be accepted by your heart.
12. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD
IT BE? IF IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
Hmm…interesting question….I believe it’s between
self esteem, grief, love, STRENGTH and hope. We aren’t pro-darksiders...he
he..songs like “Satan’s my Daddy” or “Kill Yourself and ones You love”
are too far from our art. So shortly: STRENGTH and HONOUR. I’m not an experienced
painting lover so I can’t tell you…sorry…
13. IF YOU HAD A PROPOSAL TO DO A VIDEO CLIP,
WHICH SONG OF YOURS WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND HOW DO YOU IMAGINE IT TO BE?
We have two videos (“From Nameless Oracle”
and “Raven”) that are available for free download on our site and were
spinning in some metal TV programs in Europe. I don’t like them both so
much…I have clear ideas about how our video should be and we are going
to start shooting. Plus another new video will be made for the “Sinners
and Saints” movie footage.
14. 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?
Love and Respect your friends and let your
enemies die…Be Yourself and Be Free...ha ha…so many words….I think that
one word isn’t enough…as about author…all of us are authors of our own
lives…but sometimes people forget it and live according to someone else’s
ideas, feelings and thoughts….
15. IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET AN IMPORTANT
PERSONALITY OR MUSICIAN, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU
LIKE TO ASK HIM?
I’d love to meet John Lennon and Paganini…I
respect these musicians. Both of them were very skilled and interesting
persons…I’d love to chat with them about many things. I can’t tell you
what exactly would I ask them but…I believe that all necessary words would
come to me if this meeting would be real.
16. LET'S SUPPOSE THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD WITHOUT
MUSIC. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN SUCH A CASE?
Ha ha…I could write books then…thank heaven
we have a great possibility to listen to music since it’s a really brilliant
thing!
17. IN WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK WOULD YOU LIKE TO
HAVE TAKEN PART OR HAVE COMPOSED?
Actually in March of 2004 will be out a Canadian
movie “Sinners and Saints” with our themes as an official soundtrack. Also
we have an agreement to write and record a new soundtrack for the same
film company. I’d really like to write the soundtrack for a movie! It’s
my dream. As about “in which movie”….well…I’d love to make something for
“Brave Heart” I know that I am able to create something really good together
with Naturelle!
18. THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING
AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
Thanks Christine! Thanks for the good, big
and interesting interview. Thanks for the chance to introduce TVANGESTE
to your magazine’s readers. I hope we’ll find a lot of new friends in your
country! For any additional info please contact our media department:
[email protected]
Visit our official web site http://www.tvangeste.com
. You’ll find three free tracks from the “FireStorm” CD for evaluation,
full “Damnation of Regiomontum” CD in mp3 files, videos, fan stuff etc…
Christine Parastatidou
|