Line Up:
Alesh AD-Vocal And Guitars
Ales Hampl-Guitars
Igor Hubik-Bass
Anton Samokhvalov-Drums
Well,Friends Of Aristocracy!
We speak again of our newsroom, where in a little while, we will have, in all its emotions, the interview 159 of the Aristocracy.This time, we talked with a band that arrives at its second album entitled In The Womb Of Sin. In principle, it doesn't seem aggressive because the interludes are symphonic and without the aggressiveness of the debut. But, the sound dirt remains there and so our interviewees mature their career. We are talking about the Czech band Ravenoir. Their great singer answered our questions that you start following now.
Before, we want to thank him and the whole band for the work done not only on this album, but as the body of work that started amid the pandemic in 2020.Keep the second complete album in its entirety and follow this exclusive interview for a Brazilian page.
A1:Talking about the composition work at In The Womb Of Sin?
Alesh AD: The composition of the material for the second album In the Womb of Sin
was already in progress during the release of the debut album The Darkest Flame of
Eternal Blasphemy. The musical issue of Ravenoir has been purely my personal
matter from the beginning.
A2:Not that I don´t like it, but how do you explain the fact that this album is more
morbid than the previous one?
Alesh AD: The connection between the two albums is that bleakness and rawness
that is interwoven with the different soundscapes that enhance the dark mood of the
whole album. These elements will always be the equivalent of Ravenoir´s work. I am
a fountain of musical ideas and I hope my wellspring will never dry up.
A3:For the interludes, were any orchestras brought in or were they your own
work?
Alesh AD: It is always about my own creation. I have the advantage and ability to
hear the final form of the songs before they are finished. When I close my eyes, the
arrangements of all the instruments flow in my head, including the orchestral parts
that I record on keyboards. I always have a clear idea of the overall mood of the
song.
A4:Some literature or film inspire the band?
Alesh AD: A big inspiration is my inner musical vision and emotions, which I try to
transfer from my inner self into musical form. Pathos awakens inspiration in me. I
would define it as the connection of brain, heart and fingers. A fusion of darkness,
rawness, fierceness with melodic elements. This is an apt equivalent for Ravenoir. I
have always had pathos and a darkened feelings deeply rooted in me and always try
to use it when writing music.
A5:What emotions did these albums cause you and how do you convey that to the
listener?
Alesh AD: With every song I unlock my darkest and innermost emotions. I believe
that the songs will have the same dark effect on the listeners who are drawn into the
overall atmosphere of the album and listen to the music very thoroughly. This is very
individual.
A6:Certain critics say that this album is more captivating than the previous one,
do you agree or disagree with this review? Justify your answer.
Alesh AD: I basically agree with this view. Both albums are exactly what I wanted
them to be. I can assure you that, even with hindsight, I would change absolutely
nothing about them.
A7:Why the band have this name?
Alesh AD: The name RAVENOIR is the invention of Igor Hubík. The first text he
wrote for my project was named exactly like that and it was clear to me at that
moment that this was the right name for my new, emerging musical plans. If you
know me a bit, you know that I love ravens. I am fascinated by the vivid and
distinctive symbolism they represent. As we know, the raven is a symbol of the mind,
knowledge and intelligence, a guardian of secrets, but also a dark icon of death and
a so-called messenger from the other side. Hence the pun composed of two parts in
two languages, which simply sounds nice and resonates with me: raven = RAVEN
(English) and black = NOIR (French).
A8:A very strong combination of Black and Death in the band's sound is visible to
me. But is it possible that one style overlaps the other or do the two coexist as
brothers in Ravenoir´s sound?
Alesh AD: Yes, I like these two styles very much. Ravenoir's work will always be
based on these genres.
A9:What´s the idea behind artwork´s album?
Alesh AD: The motive for the front cover was my idea. Let's say that the artwork
captures my vision of the paradise in which the main character is an ethereal being of
sorts, a goddess of sexual desire, arousal, carnal pleasures, lust and lewdness. The
Christian theology teaches that these sexual urges bring a person into this world
guilty of original sin and hereditary depravity. Personally, instead of practicing
abstinence, I like to indulge in all sensual pleasures that life has to offer and therefore
I consider the concept of original sin,a completely absurd proposition. Anyway, I’ve
had an opportunity to view some of the artworks by an Indonesian artist whose
artistic name is Jenglot Hitam. I outlined my vision to him in a few sentences and he
accurately captured them artistically. Peter Bet´ko, the head of record label Gothoom
Productions, visually aligned the cover art with the album’s booklet, including the
back cover, which was created by well-known Mexican artist Néstor Avalos. The
collaboration with both Jenglot and Néstor went smoothly through an exchange of
several emails. I would very much like to work with Néstor Avalos in the future. I
absolutely admire his art.
A10:How is Ravenoir different from your previous bands?
Alesh AD: I´ve been actively involved in music for more than thirty years and during
that time. I´ve developed a certain style and, let´s say, a certain handwriting. There
has always been a certain character and connection between darkness and melody.
A11:Who is the Mother Storm?
Alesh AD: The author of this beautiful text is bassist Igor. The content completely
captures the atmosphere when a storm is brewing and how this phenomenon
manifests itself in nature. Life, death, blasphemy, dark mysticism and nature are
lyrical themes that appear in our music.
A12:How band arrive to Gothoom Productions?
Alesh AD: I got the offer to release the debut album The Darkest Flame Of Eternal
Blasphemy from the Slovakian label Gothoom Productions before the album was
recorded. The boss of the label, Peter Bet´ko, offered satisfactory conditions, so there
was nothing to prevent me from signing a contract and there was no reason to
approach other labels. Under the auspices of this label, the second album In the
Womb of Sin was released. In the summer of 2022 the label was changed and after
two years RAVENOIR left Gothoom Productions and switched to Black Barn Music.
A13:This album is conceptual?
Alesh AD: No, In the Womb of Sin is not a concept album.
A14:If evil exists, should we question whether there is good?
Alesh AD: What is good and what is evil? From my point of view, these are just
words. What is good for one person may be evil for another. Am I right?
A15:What accounts for the strong growth of Czech metal?
Alesh AD: I think that the Czech metal scene is very strong and capable since its
beginnings in the eighties. I´m sure you know a few metal bands from this country
that have made a name for themselves abroad. The proof of quality and establishing
themselves abroad is undoubtedly Root.
News About The Band:
UNDER THE DARK WINGS
In the deafening roar of the planet's most active volcanoes, the Gates of Hell have
opened again to unleash RAVENOIR onto this dying world, a new project launched
by guitarist, vocalist and producer Alesh AD.
THE DARKEST FLAME OF ETERNAL BLASPHEMY
RAVENOIR’s atmospheric death metal sound on their irreverent debut The Darkest
Flame of Eternal Blasphemy has been a breath of fresh air on the currently
stagnating metal scene in Czechia and Slovakia. Released on February 21, 2021
under the banner of Slovakia's Gothoom Productions, the album has been warmly
received not only by the Czech underground metal community. The initial pressing of
„The Darkest Flame of Eternal Blasphemy“ sold out in a flash and found its way into
nearly all corners of the world. Apart from Alesh AD (Root), RAVENOIR's frontman,
guitarist and vocalist, the band's lineup is rounded out by bassist Igor Hubík (Root,
Solfernus), drummer Patrik Sas (Limetall) and guitarist Jakub Önslaughter Maděryč
(Debustrol). The band's first effort features two guests. Jiří BigBoss Valter of Root
contributed lyrics to two songs and lent his unique voice and inimitable delivery to the
Prologue to the album. The other stellar guest is guitar legend Andy LaRocque of
King Diamond, whose guitar solo is featured on the album’s title track.
IN THE WOMB OF SIN
In the fall of 2021, RAVENOIR parted ways on amicable terms with guitarist
Önslaughter, with the lead guitar duties now handled by Aleš Hampl (Minority
Sound). As Alesh AD doesn't like to waste time, it doesn't come as a surprise that
immediately after the release of the debut he started to write new material for
RAVENOIR's second album. The recording sessions began in November 2021 to
finally come to a close, fittingly, on Good Friday. In the course of the production,
drummer Patrik Sas was replaced by Anton Samokhvalov (Easy of Disgust). The
dark apostles' second full-length album, titled "In the Womb of Sin", will be released
on the summer solstice on June 21, 2022 via Gothoom Productions.
HOT SUMMER NEWS
In the summer of 2022, after two years under the wings of Gothoom Productions,
RAVENOIR left the record label and signed with Black Barn Music. The end of the
hot summer brings fans a cover of "Black Funeral" by the legendary Mercyful Fate.
The song will appear as a bonus track on the vinyl edition of "In the Womb of Sin".
Black Barn Music plans to release both RAVENOIR's albums on vinyl early next year.
At the moment, the Raven squadron is busy rehearsing for the upcoming live shows.
RAVENOIR YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNY15S7osLx0RCkCVEhrMQ
RAVENOIR Official Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RavenoirOfficial
RAVENOIR Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ravenoirofficial/
RAVENOIR Bandcamp:
https://ravenoirband.bandcamp.com/