Greetings here is a new interview with a good friend and band from Malta Prayer Of The Dying. Main man of this band Martin ciappara has doen a great job of writing excellent blackend death with traces of other metal influences
Regards
Patrick
Interview with Martin Ciappara of Prayer Of The Dying done by Patrick
1. Hails brother!! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Please tell the readers a little about yourself.
You’re welcome my friend and thank you for your time. Well hmmmm! something about me. I am a very simple man who lives for my family and music. I don’t really care about anything else.
2. At what age did you first become interested in playing music? What was the first instrument you learned to play? Did you take lessons for the instruments or are you self taught?
I think I was 10 when I got into music. I started learning guitar during religion lessons and funnily enough I started playing in churches heheheh. I learnt some chords and some fucking hallelujah. But it was a start. I never took lessons, no, so the few things I know I learnt them on my own. And then I heard a guy playing drums and he let me try, and it was like a shock for me. I said this is my fucking thing man.
3. Are there any instruments that you haven't learned to play yet but you want to ?
Oh yes I would like to know how to play all the instruments in this world. But the most I would like to learn is the piano.
4. Prayer Of The Dying is your main band that you have been working on for quite a few years now. When did you get the idea to form Prayer Of The Dying? How did you come up with the name for this project/band?
Prayer of the Dying was more or less always on my mind. But I never had the chance and the right people to do it with. And that is one of the reasons that Prayer is a one man band. It’s more personal like this, and I can do whatever I want. The idea came… I actually don’t remember where the name came from. But what it means to me is that, we have already started dying as soon as we are born. Sooner or later each one of us will beg his god to have mercy on him and not to let him suffer or die in this life. So this prayer belongs to each and every one of us.
5.For the readers who have never heard the band’s music how would you describe the music of Prayer Of The Dying?
A lot of people say that this is a mixture of Black, Death and Doom. Well, I think they are right. But I actually write depending on what my mood is, at that particular moment, and what comes out comes out.
6.Martin you recently released the bands new cd "Gods Failed Creation" how long did it take you to write the songs for this release? How has the response been from the fans and the press?
I am not sure, but I think it took me a year, more or less. However, I wasn’t working full time on the album. I had a lot more stuff to do, outside of Prayer of the Dying. The feedback was really great and I had a lot of good reviews so I can’t complain.
7.I noticed on the new cd you had some guest musicions on Gods Failed Creation? Is this your first time working with them? Please introduce them to the readers?
Yes, it’s the first time with most of them. There’s Daniel Bezzina who is the producer of this album. Daniel Bartolo, Patrik Carlsson from Anachronaeon, Elton Falzon from Thy Legion, Simon Dimech -I worked with him before, I think he is in all Prayer o f the Dying’s releases. Jacobo Cordova from Majestic Downfall, Atilla Kabak from Black Vulture, Richard Schierer from Dying Messiah, William Cauchi, Zatanic Tony Sundstrand from Demorian and Drifa Sigurdardottir. I would like to thank all of them, for the dedication shown on this album.
8.If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians [past or present] who would you love to work with?
Man trust me, I worked with a lot of musicians in my life. I really don’t know which one. But I can tell you, that the musician I mostly worked with, is definitely Atilla Kabak.
9.On Gods Failed Creation their is a song called "The Desert Inside" featuring some female vocals. Is this your time using female vocals? Do you plan to use them on the next Prayer Of The Dying release?
It actually was my producer’s (Daniel Bezzina)’s idea. He told me he could imagine a female voice in that track. He told me he has a friend, Drifa Sigurdardottir so Daniel arranged everything, and she made it happen. That was the first time I used a female vocalist but I don’t think it will be the last.
10.Martin in your opinion what does the underground mean to you?
Well man. One word Everything!
11.i mentioned earlier that you had some guest musicians play on the new cd.Have you ever thought of finding some new people to join Prayer Of The Dying to do live shows or do you prefer to stay a solo act?
Some people always ask me this question. Prayer of the Dying was born as a solo project and that’s the way it will die. As for live shows, I want to be honest. It has sometimes come to my mind, but it usually passes in a few seconds. So I don’t think there will be any live shows.
12.What do you feel are the advantges and disadvantges to being a one man band?
The advantages are way too much to mention hehe and as for disadvantages, there is only one – the money. In a band you split everything. Whether it’s for the release of an album or promotion etc etc. In a one man band, you have to pay everything yourself. And trust me it’s not fucking easy. Sales are not so good. I do not get to cover half of the expenses. I am not doing this for money of course, but if you cover at least 3/4 of the expenses it would be much easier. Music is like having another family, so I have 2. And with today’s wages it’s very hard.
13.Besides Prayer Of The Dying you also play in a couple of other bands can you please give the readers some information on these bands?
Yes. I am the drummer of Black Vulture, Sarratum, Luciferian Blood and Lustre. Something new is coming up but I can’t say any more because we need to try first and see if it works. Sadly, Sarrum and I have recorded the last track as Sarratum. He has decided to stop the band and I respect his decision. After all, he is the creator of Sarratum. Black Vulture have a new album on the way. I hope we release this beast soon! And I am recording some new tracks with Luciferian Blood. I think that’s all heheee.
14.Where can people buy your cd's and merchandise?
Just send me a message on facebook or e-mail me on martinciappara@gmail.com
15.Well Martin we have come to the end of the interview thank you again my friend for taking the time to fill this out. Do you have any final words for the readers?
Thanks to those who still believe in the underground. And of course those few sick followers of Prayer of the Dying.Cheers
