Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Calliophis Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Florian: We finished recording the album last December. After that we worked on the layout and promotion and we searched for a record label. Luckily we quickly found a serious partner in Solitude Productions. Actually we are focussing on preparing for our tour with Victims of Creation in April. Some new song ideas came already up, too.

2.You have a new album coming out during the end of March, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Florian: Compared to our first album „Doomsday“ the new one is a big step forward for the band and the sound. I think „Cor Serpentis“ is really heavy and intense with a dark atmosphere. Now that CALLIOPHIS has two guitar players the album offers much more melodic parts than the old stuff. On „Doomsday“ each song sounded different. Back then we didn't know where we wanted to push the band. Now we have found our way I think. The new album feels more consistent than the first one.

3.This is the first album to be released since 2008, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Florian: Oh yeah, it took us nine years to come up with the new album. After the release of „Doomsday“ we focussed on playing live. We also wrote a couple of new songs, which we played on stage, but we never went back to the studio. We never reached the point, when we felt ready to record new stuff. Also time became a problem. When we started the band we all went to university and had much more time for the band. In 2012 we decided to take a break and quit the band. After three years we started again with a new line-up.That was the right time for a new beginning.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Florian: We always got inspired by fables and fairy tales. So the half of our lyrics are about fables. On “Cor Serpentis” there are three fables we put to music. “Yuki Onna” is based on a Japanese and “Seven Suns” on a Mongolian fable. “Munk” is the second part of the popular German fable “Heart of Stone” by Wilhelm Hauff. Die first part was released on “Doomsday”. Besides that the songs are about tragic feelings and inner struggles. We write songs about the world how we see it, and that's quite nihilistic ;)

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Calliophis'?
Florian: Calliophis is a genus of snakes. To be honest, it has no special meaning for us. We just wanted a short and snappy name for the band.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Florian: I think the most impressive live experience was at the legendary Doom Shall Rise festival in 2010. Also our shows with The Bottle Doom Lazy Band and Children of Doom as Triumvirat of Doom are great memories. Each live show has its very own atmosphere, so we enjoy every single gig. I can't describe our stage performance. The audience can do it better, I guess. I would say it fits to the music, haha.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Florian: Right after the release of „Cor Serpentis“ we will go on a little tour with our friends from Malta, Victims of Creation. We will play a couple of shows in Germany, Czech Republic and The Netherlands from April 13 to April 19.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom and death metal?
Florian: The feedback was mostly very positive. Even when we came back after our three year break many people told us that they are happy that we started again. We used to play a lot with Death Metal bands in the past and I think for death metal fans we were too slow, haha. But doom fans seem to like the stuff we do.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Florian: Matthias is vocalist for the local Brutal Death Metal band DEKREPITATION. They will release their first EP “Fragmented Perception” really soon. Thomas also sings in DYNAMATION. It's more oldschool Death Metal. They had some line-up changes in the past and will return on stage in a couple of weeks.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Florian: I don't know what the future will bring. We'll see how the music will evolve. We are always open for experiments and try a lot as long as it fits to the music.One thing is for sure: it will remain Death Doom Metal.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Florian: We all listen to many different styles of music. Of course Metal music is dominating our cd and vinyl collections, but I would not say that there is a special influence, e.g. a certain band or album. Sure, there are some bands that made a mark on us, but we never tried to imitate a band or sound like a certain band. But it's obvious that Death Metal is probably the main influence, not the technical and hyper-fast, blastbeat overladen style. I listen to metal, rock, postrock, hiphop, electronic music many more. And of course I got inspired by this too in some way.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Florian: Music is a large part in our life. If we don't take care of our own music we go to concerts. We do some sports. I personally love to travel and try to spend time in other countries as much as possible. I'm interested in art and like to visit galleries and museums. But as I said before time is limited and beside our jobs and the band there's not that much left.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Florian: Thanks for the opportunity to spread our message. We hope to see loads of you on tour in April.


No comments:

Post a Comment