Dark Greetings
Here is a new Interview with Italy's black metal band "VIII" Who recently released their debut cd "Drakon" through the mighty U.S label Black Plague Records so definitely pick this release up soon and be sure to check out Black Plague Records other release's some good one's out now.
Regards
Patrick
Interview with Drakone M vocals,guitars and bass for VIII done by Patrick
1.Dark greetings DrakoneM. When did you first become interested in playing music? What were the first instruments you learned to play?
Hi Patrick. I don’t remember exactly when I started to play music, maybe when I was 13 or 14 years old I think…My first instruments has been my voice, ‘cause I started as vocalist in a black metal band. Anyway, the first instruments I played was an old Ibanez Gio guitar…it’s not bad to begin to play.
2.When did you get the idea to form VIII ? How did you come up with the Name for the band?
The project, and the idea of the project too, was born in the last months of e.v. 2009. The name of the project change after the first demo…at the beginning the name was Division VIII, as “Division HATE” and not eight as number. But, when Mark joined the band in the summer 2012, the name changed in VIII, ‘cause more things was changed in the project. Primarily, the music became black metal whereas before it was more death metal oriented… but generally, it changed all the concept of the project so we decided to delete the word “Division”. VIII still means Hate, but it means much more things…as the number of the Death and much more. I don’t like to explain all the meanings…
3. DrakoneM. you recently released your debut cd through Black Plague Records how did you come in contact with Mike and the label?
Before to spread the promo all around the world we had a pre-agreement with an Italian label, but their attitude with us was too “flabby” so I sent the promo to many different labels and Mike reply for first…his attitude was strong and his terms were very clear and advantageous for us, so we decided to collaborate with Mike and Black Plague Records.
4.How long did it take you to write the songs for the new cd? Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics?
We wrote the songs for this new cd approximately between October 2012 and February 2013.
It’s too hard to say where I draw inspiration for the lyrics ‘cause I don’t have a single “book” to read or a single “window” when I look…broadly, the lyrics are focused to my personal point of view about my Individuality as Man, Soul and Nothing. The lyrics concern the religion, how humanity lives their belief, their fears and how I live these prospective…
I haven’t inserted the lyrics in the booklet ‘cause it’s too personal to be shared.
5.How has the response been from the fans?How about the press?
It’s too early to give an answer to this question…we are a new project with few years of activity so we haven’t fans or people that followed us before. I hope the work will be appreciated and our name will be known in many places.
6.i know you have a session drummer Mark who plays the drums for the band.But have you ever thought of adding more musicians for live shows or do you prefer to keep this a studio only project?
No no, I want to clarify that Mark is a member of the project. Mark is the official drummer and he wrote much riffs for the album. Mark is an VIII member as me. About the live shows, I don’t see VIII as a live project…VIII was born as a studio project and I thinks it will be forever a studio project ‘cause I don’t think we can repeat our musical proposal in live shows, primarily for the atmospheres and then ‘cause we would need much musicians and gears. I like to experiment when I compose music, to use more solution with guitars, vocals and especially with the effects so I don’t want chains that stop my creativity and a live show is a big chain.
7.If you could work with any musicians {past or present} are their any that you would like to work with?
Mh…I don’t know.
I’d like to work with the Opera’s composers like Wagner, Chopin (who said Marcia Funebre?), Bach, Musorgskij, Beethoven and much more…yes undoubtedly!
8.DrakoneM. you come out of the great country of Italy.What is your opinion of the scene in Italy?
I don’t think that Italy is a great country… Italy is the land of the sheep, a big flock of dumbass.
No, Italy is beautiful only for the tourists eheheh…anyway, we don’t have scene or something like this. There are much band yes, some of them are very good, others are shit…like in all the countries of this world.
9.Who are your all-time favorite Italian bands? Are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out?
I don’t have a single favorite Italian band but some favorite bands. I could say Aborym surely…also Spite Extreme Wings was a great band, that created a little scene in the past called B.M.I.A. with more nice bands (Janvs, Black Flame, Hiems and more)…just listen “Signvm Martiis” compilation. Another good band is Thee Maldoror Kollective, experimental black metal, with ebm elements…to conclude I say you to listen Urna, Sine Luce, Infamous, Progenie Terrestre Pura, Opera IX (the first album) and Inchiuvatu!!!!
10.What does black metal mean to you?
For me Black Metal is Music. But for me, Music is not a simple hobby to spend my time, rather it’s a column of my personality; with music, I carved my individuality and what I am today. So black metal is what push me to rebel when I was a little boy, black metal is the soundtrack of my evolution from man to “Differentiated Man” and black metal is an Opera that I still write every day, ‘cause black metal is a big part of mine.
11.Are you currently working with any other bands or projects? If yes please tell the readers about them.
No, I haven’t any other band or project.
In the past I was the guitarist of the black metal band Crowned in Thorns but know I want to focalize only to the VIII.
12.You handle the vocals for the band.When did you first become interested in Singing/screaming? Do you do anything special to keep your throat/voice healthy?
I started my “career as a musician” as singer in a black metal band. I think it was in the 1998 and the voice was the only “instrument” that I had in those times, so this is way I become to sing. I haven’t a beautiful voice but now, for me, it’s ESSENTIAL to sing my lyrics ‘cause these are a basic component of why I make music… so I don’t want anyone to sing my words. About keeping my voice healthy, I don’t do anything to preserve the throat. Usually I drink much Jack Daniels or Grappa before and during the recording sessions ‘cause these drinks keep my throat wet but gruff…some cigarettes help to do this work.
13.Who are some of your influences/favorite vocalist?
Attila Csihar without any doubt!
His voice is the most powerful and atmospheric of all the extreme music. I also like the voice of Mortuus of Marduk and Funeral Mist.
I haven’t a vocalist that influence my style…I sing spontaneously, so I don’t spend the time to study the riffs and how I could sing these parts..
14.You also play the guitars when did you become interested in playing the guitar? Are you self taugh or did you take lessons when first learning?
Yes I’m self-taught. I started to play the guitar approximately in the 2001. I’ve always been interested to play guitar, since I was twelve years old, ‘cause I grew up listen Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Dissection, so, the guitar was the “star” of these bands…and I wanted to play like these guitarist.
15.Who are some of your influences/favorite gutiarists? Do you play any other instruments?
Yes, I play also the bass and the piano, but my instrument is the guitar. My favorite guitarist is Jimmy Hendrix…I love how he plays the guitar, so emotional and technical at the same time. In metal music I love the style and the music of Jon Nodtveidt. He was a great musician and a genius with the guitar, his style was unmistakable…about influences, I take many ideas from various genres of music and musicians; I grew up playing metal music, but now I like to mix various styles to create something that I can define mine. Obviously, I haven’t conceived nothing, just I like to experience rather than focalize my style on a single influence.
16.Thank you Drakone M. for taking the time to do this interview do you have any final words for the readers?
Thank to you Patrick. Nothing to say, follow us through our official page: www.viiieight.wordpress.com or facebook page: www.facebook.com/VIII.drakon ... or contact us for info, orders or for any other reason at this email: div_viii@tiscali.it
Greetings, thanks again
DrakoneM/VIII
If you wish to contact the band his contact Info is the final answer.But if you live in the U.S.A or your a label interested in some trade's or wholesale then contact Mike and Black Plague Rec. here
http://www.blackplaguerecords.com/
Email
orders@blackplaguerecods.com
