Mechanical Poet

Upon the bands latest release Woodland Prattlers, MECHANICAL POET’s musical variations take on storm with an album score of melodious prowess bestows an ambiance of aloofness; I had the chance to interview a new element to the band mix. Vocalist Max Samosvat an endowed individual of thought expresses in simplistic emotion how he came into the lead singer position works for a new album and other side projects. One can almost sense an intriguing appeal to his character through his articulated responses. Much to my surprise MECHANICAL POET is face front into a new chapter beginning that will lead them to destinations of unknowing future success.

Mechanical Poet

Jussi: First I would like to say friendly hello greetings here and glad to see that the band is doing well.
Max: Hail! Hope you are doing well too.

Jussi: Heard that the band had an avant-garde metal twist before the launching of the MECHANICAL POET project, what happened to that?
Max: This project became MECHANICAL POET that’s it. Tom and Lex just decided to transform Glazemaker’s tracks into songs, as I know.

Jussi: Why describe MECHANICAL POET progressive orchestral metal?
Max: And how do you think? We do it so because music sounds most similar to such term. Of course I can call it extreme black metal but it is not true :)

Jussi: MECHANICAL POET came into life by the former seeds of the band Glazemaker, why branch into a new turn of musical flair? (I mean for one such as myself transitioning from gothic to progressive orchestral music has to be intense music wise that is.)
Max: As I know Glazemaker was an avant-garde, but not gothic in ordinary meaning. We usually use the term “gothic” just because we need to describe the atmosphere of our music, some suspense mood. So there were no pivotal turnings.

Jussi: First nine-track demo Trace Of The Dead Leaf are revised songs of former Glazemaker mixes, do you think that lead into a sound where the band is now with MECHANICAL POET?
Max: If we are talking about sound production I think you can say so. Every former experience that we have had took an effect. And Glazemaker too.

Jussi: Why did it take a length of time to find a vocalist considering it took seven months to seek a proper replacement?
Max: I don’t know. It was very quick for me. I’ve received a track, made a record at home and send it by email. Later evening Lex called me and said that I am in the band.

Jussi: Was the label considerate to the band on finding the right fit on vocals? (some labels sometimes press the band to seek that spot filled as soon as possible) Were they also supportive in your search, since the recording the other singer left right in the middle of the process?
Max: No, you have wrong information. Former singer left the band during the recording of the demo, so our band was unsigned… There was no time limit and any kind of pressure. I guess it’s good.

Jussi: What influences does the band draw from musical inspiration?
Max: What can I say? Is it real to create something without inspiration? I can’t.

Jussi: With the recording for the CD, I was quickly impressed with it’s feel throughout it’s length of that of a film movie score, was that the emphasis of what the band wanted to portray with the recording of Woodland Prattlers?
Max: Such our music is. We don’t like to portray, we like to express our inner selves. When you hear the CD you hear only pure creative work, not demonstration of our skills.

Jussi: Why the title Woodland Prattlers?
Max: You can find the answer on you question inside of the booklet, in the letter of MECHANICAL POET. We felt crazy about forest subject and everything concerned with it…

Jussi: How does the band do it all, with the orchestral sounds that are generated, I mean when performance of the music can be a challenge?
Max: You are right! It’s terribly hard! I can not even imagine how we will rearrange all this stuff. Time will show.

Jussi: Speaking from a listening perspective I noticed that Lex P. and Tom K. are quite the crafty musicians, did the learning of various instruments (since both Lex and Tom are fluent in bass/keyboards) have it’s advantages when songwriting?
Max: Yes, it is very important and helpful. You can easily share your ideas. Showing some riffs and melodies becomes quicker.

Jussi: Speaking of bass here, since the band does not have a full time bassist how does that affect recording or live situations unless a fill in bassist is used?
Max: We don’t give any concerts yet. Lex and Tom played bass during the record sessions and they did it well. We had no problems with that.

Jussi: Is the band seeking a bassist?
Max: Yes.

Jussi: What imagery comes to mind when describing the sound of Woodland Prattlers?
Max: It is deep, rich, suspenseful, benign not evil.

Jussi: Does the band have any plans to maybe doing some movie score soundtracks someday?
Max: We’d love if there is ability. We can try to make soundtrack ultimate close to the movie’s atmosphere.

Jussi: How does MECHANICAL POET come up with sophisticated music that is attention grabbing? (I listened to the entire CD twice before reviewing it, there was not a time when the music seemed to stagnate or lose my interest. In fact it kept me very interested to listening to each track spin it’s tale from one song to the next.)
Max: Is it sophisticated? You won’t find here technical virtuosism only music and melodies. You think that melodic music with pretty simple harmonies is sophisticated? We prefer to call it richly arranged. I hope that mankind will recall the eon of beautiful music someday.

Jussi: In your own words how would you describe MECHANICAL POET’s music to some one that has never heard of you?
Max: Beautiful progressive metal CD. Established for headphones listening.

Jussi: I heard that there is a future work to release album number three (Troglodytes) at the end of this year, any musical insight as what the sound might be?
Max: Not so soon. It is hard to plan, because you never what will come on mind. But we want to add more suspense to the sound.

Jussi: Any touring plans to support the new material?
Max: As soon as we find bassist and keyboardist.

Jussi: Favorite drink or beverage?
Max: Chinese tea.

Jussi: Any other workings asides MECHANICAL POET?
Max: Tom has his own business, Lex is a former journalist and no current occupation right now, I am sound engineer of live shows and a singer of famous Russian power metal band Epidemia.

Jussi: Just wanted to say a great thank you for this time out on your busy schedule for this interview. Keep up with the good music!
Max:
Thanks a lot. We will take our best to measure up your hopes!