URANUS
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FEW THINGDS
TO SAY HERE IN THE PROLOGUE. FOR ME URANUS HAVE RELEASED THE BEST PROGRESSIVE
BLACK METAL ALBUM OF THIS YEAR. A MONUMENTAL ALBUM. SO TRY TO FIND IT,
BUY IT AND BEFORE DO THAT READ THE INTERVIEW OK? THAT'S ALL FOLKS :)
1. FIRST OF ALL MY CONGRATULATIONS
FOR YOUR GREAT ALBUM! CAN YOU MAKE A SHORT PRESENTATION OF THE BAND’S HISTORY
TILL NOW AND GIVE US THE CURRENT LINE UP?
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URANUS took their first halting steps
as a band back in year 1994. The release of first demo tape «Advance
Tape ‘96» was a surprise to all underground community since
it introduced a new pagan and original band to the audience. Then appeared
the first encouraging and sometimes triumphal reviews for the band. Sales
also were nice. In 1998 saw the moonlight the band’s second release
«Clang of lances». New sound, new studios, new band members.
The result was unexpectedly great. Sales around 1600 copies worldwide,
triumphal reviews, around 60 distributors around the world spread it to
every metalhead seeking for it. URANUS were recognized as an original pagan
/ black metal band offering new intelligent and innovating elements to
heavy metal music. To us it’s just our music, uncatigorised and uncompromised.
To us it’s metal on metal. Nothing more, nothing else.
We’ve been offered places
for CD compilations, like from Teutonic Existence Rec, Ballbuster
‘zine, Ancient Ceremonies ‘zine, and others. We’ve been offered some
deals that unfortunately we had to turn down due to personal reasons.
By the end of the
20th century we released the self financed CD «Heathendome
1999». It followed the trails of the previous releases but it took
everything further as it was far better. URANUS had developed a new devastating
sound, taking their original style far beyond. It was around 47 minutes
of music and contained 9 original anthems.
Due to certain inconvenient
situations the band had to slow down its march to glory. The band broke
up. Orpheus had to stand alone and keep the flame burning. The band broke
up for a while but not the spirit. New warriors were assembled around the
mean/main man Orpheus and all five of us, we walked the path of the most
painful artistic creation I’ve ever experienced.
“Doctrine of immortality”
is the bands 2nd CD release, as this time we are signed by one of Europe’s
greatest underground label SLEASZY RIDER REC.
The latest line up of the
band as it was at least up to the recordings of the “D.O.I.” CD is: ASTRAIOS
– howlings, ORPHEUS – guitars, OPHION – bass guitars, VOREAS – keyboards,
GRYPS –drums. During these recording sessions we enjoyed working with Elizabeth
Kotronia on the female vocals. She added these ethereal elements that make
the difference in this release.
2. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THE NAME URANUS?
IT MEANS “SKY”, WHICH IS THE CONNECTION WITH YOUR MUSIC? DOES IT HAVE A
SPECIAL MEANING TO YOU?
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No URANUS was the first ruler of the
universe according to pre-history. Has nothing to do with “sky”. You know
not only God & Christ had the privilege of ruling the universe and
they surely will not do that forever. Things change you know.
3. HOW DID YOU CO-OPERATE WITH SLEASZY
RIDER RECORDS? ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH HOW THINGS GO TILL NOW? DID YOU HAVE
PROPOSALS FROM OTHER LABELS?
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I know Tolis for a long time now our
relationship goes back in years, since the first demos of the band. I guess
he liked the promo that was released last year and signed us. I was lucky
to have my band signed in SRRec. I think it’s one of the premier labels
in European underground.
4. GENERALLY YOUR MUSIC BELONGS TO
THE BLACK METAL GENRE, THOUGH I’D SAY THAT YOU ARE AN EXTREME PROGRESSIVE
METAL BAND. HOW DO YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR MUSIC AND WHICH BANDS HAVE INFLUENCED
YOU?
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I just call it extreme heavy metal.
Anyone can call it whatever. I don’t mind I’m trying to combine all music
styles & traditional sounds together and create some tunes that I feel
comfortable listening to them. Influences are quite controversial – Celtic
Frost, Rotting Christ, Accept, Running Wild (note :good taste my firend
haha), Manowar, some Norwegian bands of the early 90`s (Arcturus, Emperor,
Dimmu Borgir), Rage and others that cant recall right now.
5. MOST OF YOUR LYRICS ARE ANTICHRISTIAN.
WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A HATE AGAINST RELIGION? DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELVES
TO BE SATANISTS? DON’T YOU THINK THAT SOMETIMES THIS INTENSE AND “FANATICAL”
ATTACK AGAINST CHRISTIANISM BRINGS YOU IN THE SAME POSITION AS WITH THE
FANATIC CHRISTIANS?
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Religions are the worst curse/pestilence
ever appeared in the surface of this planet. It’s an insidious way to exploit
weak human souls and lead their miserable existences to bondage, slavery,
war, death, and destruction. Religion is equal to political power and politics
suck in general. I wish I were in the same position with Christians since
they have all the power to inflict whatever shit they want. I don’t consider
myself in the same level. I `m just performing an artistic gorilla-war.
6. OTHER THEMES THAT YOU “HURT” THROUGH
YOUR LYRICS IS WORLD WAR II. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS WAR? WHAT IS
THIS THAT YOU FIND SO INTERESTING? AREN'T YOU AFRAID THAT YOU MIGHT BE
CHARACTERIZED AS NAZIS OR FASCISTS?
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World War II was the bloodiest ever
in this planet think this fact alone is enough for me to have my imagination/inspiration
pushed to the edge. If World War III ever happens I`ll probably make a
CD about that, if I survive it of course. As I said before you can characterize
the band, as you want. I don’t care, but you have to know that I’m no nazi
or fascist. URANUS is not a political band. –Period-
7. IN YOUR MUSIC YOU HAVE PLENTY ELEMENTS
OF TRADITIONAL GREEK MUSIC. HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT FOR YOU TO ADJUST THESE
INFLUENCES TO THE HEAVY METAL SOUND? WAS IT A NATURAL PROCEDURE PERHAPS
TO YOU?
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In fact whether you like it or not
you’re bombed with traditional music 24/7 through radio and TV. You cant
close your ears. So, this music binds within your brains. Can’t help it.
8. YOU HAVE COVERED THE SONG “FIRE”
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS SONG? ARE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT CIRITH UNGOL
HAVE ALSO COVERED THIS SONG SUCCESSFULLY?
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I think it goes along with our music
style. It has everything in it – keyboards madness, howlings, atmosphere,
and fire. I don’t think I would ever cover another song. Plus it was easier
to get the license to do it. The guy is dead for more than 30 years now.
No, I haven’t heard the Cirith Ungol cover. I’ve heard the Cathedral one
though recently.
9. YOU ALSO MADE A VIDEO CLIP FOR THIS
COVER SONG. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS SONG AND NOT ONE OF YOUR OWN? GIVE
US A FEW INFORMATION FOR THIS VIDEO CLIP AND DESCRIBE IT TO THE READERS.
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It was only 3 min. This way it was
cheaper to shoot it and edit it. If I was to choose I`d like to optimize
the “Only That Is Religion” track which is my favorite in the CD. The readers
should buy the CD and check it out…..
10. HAVE YOU EVER PERFORMED LIVE? HOW
IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO PLAY LIVE? DO YOU REMEMBER ANY FUNNY OR WEIRD
INCIDENTS OCCURRING TO YOU WHILST YOU WERE PERFORMING LIVE?
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No ever, due to certain inconvenient
circumstances and frequent line up changes. It’s great performing live,
but only if the conditions to do that are really positive.
11. WHICH IS THE BIGGEST DREAM YOU
WANT TO MAKE TRUE THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?
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To keep recording till my last
breath??
12. WHICH ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS
BLOODY AND CATASTROPHIC WAR GOING ON AGAINST IRAQ?
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Wars always used to blast in this planet
and I don’t see the reason why this will stop happening. Wars were always
meant to be bloody and catastrophic, otherwise they’d call it something
else. I don’t take sides. I choose to remain a quiet observer. Human kind
is used in this kind of bloodbaths. It goes with the nature of human kind.
Somehow I find it fascinating.
13. IF YOU COULD BE A HISTORICAL PERSON
FOR A DAY WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AND WHICH PERIOD OF HIS LIFE WOULD YOU
LIKE TO SEE?
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I may be one- you don’t know. If I
will not be one just ask me this question before I die.
14. WHAT TITLE WOULD YOU LIKE THIS
INTERVIEW TO HAVE?
15. THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO
ASK YOU ANYTHING AND YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?
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No man you didn’t forget anything.
Thanx for everything
NIKOS "William_Kidd"
PARASTATIDIS