First
and foremost I was taken back by the fact that I called the UK
and was gearing up to chat with Namaste vocalist/guitarist of
TWISTED AUTUMN DARKNESS. Something of a title
that Peter Steele would call an album or a song too. So I gathered
my materials with pen and paper as well as my handy laptop here
to unfold the greatest of Autumn mysteries. Rehashing some questions
what seemed to take form of it’s own, Namaste seemed to
know how to guide the soul to the essence of what makes this interview
twisted.
Jessie:
With the band recording in Norwich the studio is set within a
graveyard, as far as the enviroment around the site of recording,
did it give it an eerie element that added to the feel when recording
the album?
Namaste: Yes, being in a graveyard gave the eerie element
that gave the album a sense of something different. It was really
cold and pretty eerie. In between tracks we'd have a few beers
out in the graveyard. (Namaste laughs as he reflects on the time
that was spend on recording) It was perfect for us to record there.
Just the vibe itself gave it a sense of the recording a darker
feel Even just being at the graveyard that was centuries old it
gave it a medieval pagan feel to it.
Jessie:
Anything out of the ordinary happened when you were recording
there?
Namaste: No not really.
(I
so had to ask that question since the recording took place at
a graveyard site, to me I was expecting to hear something out
of the norm happened … but I guess not! :(
Jessie:
I heard that Metal Hammer gave the album a great review for Destroy
The Bastard And Trinity, what was your reaction to know that
the band did well in reviewing for album? (In deep thought Namaste
pounders what to say as I am sure that he has a smile on his face
due to the acclaimed review from such a high source from Metal
Hammer)
Namaste: We thought that we got a bad review since there
have been others that have given TAD, some reviews
that were not good. So to say here we were spending money and
time into the album getting it out there the best we can. And
getting not so good reviews and then MH comes out and gives the
band a great review, we were happy to see that.
Jessie:
Since the band is writing some new material for a future release
for an expect album later this year, anything different to expect
from this new material?
Namaste: More heavier, we got 4 new songs that we are
working on redoing some of the vocals. Sound is melodic, more
Goth, more melody this time yet more progressive. You see, band
knows each others work and we all have different stuff that we
bring into play when recording. Each member for example Sathon’s
(drums) way he is black metal and Aeon (guitar) has his. We don’t
want sound/write material in one particular way. We keep away
from others styles, being original to what is.
Jessie:
Has band toured with any other acts?
Namaste: Not yet. But we would to play with Emperor.
Dimmu Borgir, DarkThrone, Mayhem as well as others. Morbid Angel
and Deicide would be great!
Jessie:
What are some of the bands influences?
Namaste: WatchTower, Cynic, Death, Napalm Death, older
stuff from Iron Maiden, Megadath, Dead Can Dance. Ah....everything!
Jessie:
Describe the band’s sound?
Namaste: Well it varies, a different mix of being melodic
death metal.
Jessie:
The band has an unqiue sound not like a Death band. Do you draw
on some of the influences that the band has that makes the sound
completely unique on its own?
Namaste: It just comes out to what it is. We try not
to copy anybody or a sound. We just do what we feel is right.
You see, band has 4 people, different ideas that mix together
all 4 of us. We have riffs that we all have written.
Jessie:
How long did it take to record Destroy The Bastard And Trinity?
Namaste: Took about maybe 5 days to record, 2 days to
mix it, for we did not want to overdue the vocals. I once did
a record that took 8 days 10 hours of doing vocals, doing like
the same line 9 or 10 times, then picking the best. The funny
thing was, when they mixed the record they used all the original
rough vocals, because they had more feel. I hate doing redoing
the vocals. I like to get in there and get out. Maybe it's because
of that experience why I'm like that, but I know next time round
I get to spend more time. I'm getting the right feel and tone,
not just screaming my ass off as loud as I can.
Jessie:
Music is very deep as well as the lyrical content, who does most
of the writing for the band?
Namaste: Aeon writes most of them, while I write some,
it depends.
(Out
of curiousity I had to ask the questions to what there names meant.
Come on, with names as Sathan and Namaste ... caught the attention
of this gal!)
Jessie:
What are the meanings of the band member names?
Namaste: Sathan, is a name from the Satan bible the meaning
of one of the devils servants of course, as with Aeon ... that
is another name for something. Oskaroit, is sort of a biblical
name...something from the bible, and my name Namaste for which
it means “I bow to the divine in you”.
Jessie:
Where do you see the band in 5 years from now?
Namaste: Continuing what we are doing and being having
a signed deal with a bigger label.
Jessie:
If you were taken onto a bigger label who would that be?
Namaste: Well let’s see, would be good to be picked
up by Nuclear Blast, Century Media, any other label would be good
for us as long as we don’t have to keep up with paying the
money for this album, I used credit cards and both myself and
Aeon are in really debt, well Aeon managed to sell his house and
he some money left over so he used that, but I'm forever paying
off this record.
Jessie:
Any plans to play metal fests.
Namaste: Inferion Metal Fest in Norway. Still waiting
for a response, I think that we may have past the deadline for
it, but we are still waiting, maybe something can still come up.
Would be cool to play the Milwaukee Metal Fest and some others,
depends on what we can get into for now. I don't think we are
one of these bands that would be on the road for months at a time,
I think we'd do a couple of small tours then play a load of festivals.
We all have great lives back home, and I think we'd get a bit
home sick, I'm the only one single in the band, so I know the
guys would miss their girlfriends, and I think I'd miss my local
pub (laughs).
Jessie:
Thank you Namaste for letting me know what’s up with the
band. It was a joy speaking to you ;)
Namaste:
Thanks, and again thanks for your continuing support and I promise
we will do our best and getting over there and play some shows
for you guys really soon. Thanks again Darkest Regards Namaste. |
