Aristocracy arrives in its Eighth Interview with the Polish Band Asgaard. The band makes an intense mix between Gothic and Black Metal. The band shows us their seventh album entitled What If.The band have this formation:Przemysław Olbryt On vocal,Bartłomiej Kostrzewa On guitars and Wojciech Kostrzewa on Synth.The band had special guest appearances by Alvern on Drums and Przemysław Nowak on Bass.Wojciech is known as Flumen and he answered our questions. Which, you will follow in all your emotions. Before that, let's go to one of their songs.
A1:Talking about the composition work in What If?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:The album “What if was composed and arranged in three stadiums, processes. First,my brother Hetzer prepared the foundation of the composition for all the songs except Not never again.Based on this foundation, drums and guitars were recorded. The second stage was the preparation and recording of the vocals and their melody lines.I must admit that I was very surprised by the vocal lines.They came up very good, melodically interesting,multi-layered.The third step was to prepare and record all keyboards, loops, effects etc.It was quite a challenge for me because I wanted the keyboards to be well suited as well as add a certain value to the album. Hence, I focused on subtle small arrangements typical for small orchestral ensembles.
A2:Why the band split up in 2005?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:For trivial reasons.In the team, there has always been a very good atmosphere.We didn't argue.We've always had a good relationship.Unfortunately in the case of Asgaard,the point was that we were not able to rehearse and perform on regular basis. In the early 2000’s Quazzare moved out to London,I went to Warsaw.We simply chose a job that has a stable source of employment.The profession of a musician involves a lot of sacrifices, a certain financial risk that Hetzer and I were not ready for.
A3:What band mean with traditional way?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:My definition of a normal band in Traditional Way is a band that rehearses regularly at least 2x3 per week and prepares music together.Asgaard was such a "normal" team when all of us were studying. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before after 2005 it was impossible.Currently,Asgaard is more of a music project that will present a new album every few years.We may play some selected shows here and there.
A4:What kind of romance inspire the band for this album?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:Inspiration is a very broad issue, aspect.Other people and their musical preferences are sometimes inspiring,especially when they operate in completely different musical genres.Nature,sounds of nature can be an inspiration.For me,listening to classical music is very inspiring and mind-opening.Especially when I know some deeper context of the creation of the work,its historical background, etc.
A5:Some literature or film inspire the band?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:Each team member has their own literature preferences.For me, the works of Nobel Prize winners like Orhan Pamuk and Olga Tokarczuk are very inspiring. However, I have not read belles-lettres for a long time.They are definitely more often sociological,historical and political books.
A6:How band arrive to Szataniec Records?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:The answer is very simple.Quazarre has by far the greatest experience and connections under leading the Devilish Impressions team.We offered to release the album to quite a number of record labels, including Szataniec.They got back to us with certain proposal we were happy to go for.At this stage,we are very pleased with the cooperation. I can see that this company is very committed to promoting our band.
A7:What´s the idea behind artwork´s album?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:It was about visualizing our doubts, wrong life decisions,fate that is not always favorable to us,but often interferes, and our work in Sisyphus.It seems to me that these concepts are difficult to visualize.Bartłomij Trzos from Opole, an artist and professor of the art department at the University of Opole, has superbly translated the language of concepts into graphics. The form is a bit comic,which in my opinion somewhat emphasizes the unreality or grotesque nature of these problems-concepts.
A8:How is Asgaard different from your previous bands?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:For both,myself and Hetzer.Asgaard is the very first band. Quazzare joined us after having played with a couple of local acts to eventually form his very own Devilish Impressions back in 2000. Quazarre is an active musician mainly in Devilish Impressions. In turn, I have helped other bands many times as a session musician.This year I had the pleasure to cooperate with, among others with young and interesting bands: Sacrimonia or Königreichssaal.Each time I consider it a valuable source of experience. I can move in slightly different musical styles. Nevertheless,for me,Asgaard is no. 1. I definitely feel the best working with Hetzer and Quazarre. I don't think there is a music element that I miss in Asgaard. Shortly everything that I need I find in Asgaard.
A9:The band feel differences between Stairs To Nowhere and now in What If?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:Yes,in my opinion,the difference is spectacular.Anyway, each album is different. For this album, we decided to choose a very professional studio where we recorded the vocals and mixed the music material.The difference in sound quality is significant. We must also remember that ten years have passed since the release of the “Stairs to nowhere” album.That's a lot! Also in terms of the quality of music productions. However, I think each of us has become a bit more musically mature.For me, the passages without the keys were as important as the ones on which the keyboards are present. I mean, 'pausa' is also part of the song, very important part!
A10:Literally Speaking:Is the world ridiculous?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:I think the world can be grotesque.Maybe not so much funny as grotesque. Rather, it is often 'laughter through tears'.The ongoing war in Ukraine confirms that the world is most ruthless.However,I believe in my heart that we have an influence on the image of the world, we can change a lot.However, we need determination a lot of faith in success and determination.
A11:Outside of music,what the band loves to doing?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:As far as I know,Hetzer likes to play badminton take long walks in the woods and read books, mostly history books.Quazzare is sociable by nature, so he spends his free time with friends and colleagues.As for myself, I love open water swimming. I train at the pool five or six times a week. I'm getting ready for a few local competitions that will take place in Poland from June to August. I also love swimming in the sea when there are waves. Besides, I try to read and learn a lot.
A12:What´s bands influence ours?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:When it comes to metal bands,I really like to listen to Opeth, Seether, Papa Roach.I also like various other non-metal artists like Kinga Glyk, Wojciech Myrczek, Tigran Hamasyan, Steven Wilson and others.
A13:This album is conceptual?Yes or No and Why?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:It's hard to say if it's a conceptual album.If we understand conceptualism as a trend in art in which the very process of creating is the most important,it is difficult to say that the album What if is such a work.The listener is interested in the final product - music. How it was created is not more important than the final 'product'.I would describe the “What if…” album as multi-layered, polyphonic.The listener will find new layers and discover new elements with each successive listening session.This is the strength of this element.Yes, I think.
A14:How the death influence the band?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:We attach no more importance to death than a statistical normal person,I believe so.
A15:How band put symphonic in band sound?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:We have used symphonic sounds in our music many times.This time I wanted the orchestra's sound to be more intimate,chamber and delicate.Of course, I used virtual instruments that imitate real instruments very well.
A16:Based on the songs of album and your own opinion,is it better to thing the human being as agony than an animal for health?
Wojciech Kostrzewa\Flumen:I don't know if I understood the question correctly,but both man and animal have their subjectivity. I believe in the possibility of such an existence of the human species that will not destroy the entire global ecosystem.
On behalf of Asgaard: Flumen (synth)
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