Well,Friends Of Aristocracy!
LINE-UP:
Kamila "Lasaira" Grabowska-Derlatka On Vocal
Jakub Zgorzelski On Guitar
Mariusz Hausenplason On Guitar
R. Przyłuski On Bass
Igor Pisarek On Drums
We return to our newsroom where in a little while we will start on all your emotions.The Aristocracy Interview 112.This time, we spoke with a Polish band that makes their debut work and is called Anthems of Eclipse. This band already presented above is called Sacrimonia. We thank them, their talent and of course our partner. Solid Rock. They showed us this great work. Thanks done, let's go to the interview. Remembering that the people who answered will be put in the credits.
A1:Before the debut album, an ep was made. For the album, was something from the EP used?
Kamila/Lasaira:Yes.Well,no previous recordings were actually used, but two songs were re-recorded in a bit newer style: “For the Universe to Shatter” and “Katabasis”. I think there is a difference and new versions sound somehow fresh.
Kuba: The newer style Kamila refers to changes we made in the arrangements. That includes new orchestrations produced by Wojciech “Flumen” Kostrzewa from the band Asgaard, some slight improvements and additional elements in guitarwork etc. - it all comes down to this new, “fresh” sound although the core elements of the songs stayed the same.
A2:What are the best aspects of symphonic black metal that inspired the band and consequently Anthems of Eclipse?
Kuba: Well, for me the best aspects of symphonic black metal are quality songwriting, more cinematic feeling to the music and overall musicality. I always considered such music to be way more captivating and stimulating my imagination than typical black metal and consequently that’s how I wanted our music to sound.
Kamila/Lasaira: But there is much more to that. There are gothic, post and doom metal motives, some parts are also slightly inspired by suicidal and depressive black metal.
A3:It's not that I don't like Gothic orchestrations, as I truly do. But what was the reason for them to happen?
Kamila/Lasaira: They were there from the very beginning of Sacrimonia – that is just the way the songs in this band were meant to be. Perhaps Kuba might tell more about it, but I think they are natural in this kind of music and in our band.
Kuba: Kamila is right, that’s how music we make in Sacrimonia was always meant to be. Again, it’s all about creating a cinematic feeling and stimulating the listener’s imagination in a way a soundtrack would - you won’t achieve the same results limiting yourself only to guitars, drums and bass. Also, orchestrations allowed us to create a wider variety of ambiances between particular songs.
A4:What style of Black Metal will never be found in any Sacrimonias work?
Kamila/Lasaira: I would say that everything might happen in this band, especially when we’re talking about metal. You never can tell.
Kuba: I can’t imagine us going in the direction of so-called war metal (namely, bands like Blasphemy, Revenge etc or some low-fi, raw black metal. Other than that, as Kamila said, you never can tell.
A5:I'm proud to hear of your dedication to your lyrics. Which members participate in this process most often?
Kamila/Lasaira:Actually I write them. I sometimes discuss them with others, but this is just my job in the group.
A6:What is Katabasis?
Kamila/Lasaira: The lyrical and literary motif of going under, the concept of coming down into the unknown abyss. Katabasis tells a story about the final journey, where you can finally meet your destiny and come at peace with your truest self.
A7:Any special reason to call the vocalist "Lasaira"?
Kamila/Lasaira: That is an old nickname, haha. The term “lasair” in Irish and old Scottish/Gaelic means something like a “flame” or “fire”. There was a time in the early days of Sacrimonia a few years ago, when we all wanted some nicks, but just mine remained.
A8:How is Sacrimonia different from your previous bands?
Kamila/Lasaira: It is much more organised and serious. Also, that is where my vision could actually be somehow executed and others were ready to cooperate. I like the fact that it is a band that does not limit itself to old school black metal, which is common in Poland.
Kuba: Yeah, also we’re way more experienced now, as musicians, composers and performers. Not to mention that in Sacrimonia we have a pretty specific vision of how we want our music to sound, without leaving anything to coincidence.
A9:Some literature or film inspire the band?
Kamila/Lasaira: There is so much literature in the lyrics! The new album is strongly inspired by French modernists and symbolists: Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine. Other than that, the song “Modern Prometheus” is of course a reference to Mary Shelley’s novel – the concept of a god-like parent figure, the grief of a creature. “Katabasis”, the old song previously recorded on the EP, refers to Mikhail Bulgakov’s novels.
Kuba: Music-wise, I would say that soundtracks are a really big inspiration for us. For me it’s maybe not that much movie soundtracks, but video game OSTs - some of them are absolutely phenomenal. When it comes to literature, while we do enjoy a good read, I don’t think it has a direct impact on us as composers, at least in my case.
A10:What´s the idea behind artwork´s album?
Kuba: The idea behind the artwork was to create something corresponding with the ambiance of the songs - in my opinion “oneiric” would be a good word to describe it. We didn’t want to fall into cliches that can be seen so often on the covers of metal albums. What is interesting, the author of our artwork, Dorota Bujak, has never done an album cover before - she is just extremely talented and somehow conveyed what we put in our music into graphic art.
A11:What band mean with razor-sharp riffs ?
Kuba: “Razor-sharp riffs” mean that although the guitarwork in our songs is quite melodic, most of the riffs are still aggressive, fast and heavy – very metal, so to speak. Some symphonic black metal (or simply symphonic metal) bands put the symphonic aspect of their music to the forefront, making the guitars work as a background instrument, doing some low-tuned chugs most of the time – we on the other hand decided that although orchestrations play a very important role in our sound, it should still be based on riffs that can stand out on their own.
A12:Due to today's technocracy and responding with your words, do you have the feeling that we lie a lot more than in the time of our fathers?
Kuba: I don’t think we lie more than before - I’d say we lie in different ways. As far as I’m concerned, we’re pretty fucked up as a species – the tendency to lie and manipulate has always been there and always will be, no matter the times.
A13:New World Ascension and Anthems Of Eclipse Are they conceptual works, continuity or none of the options presented?
Kamila/Lasaira: Just albums, songs connect aesthetically on every one of them, but they were not concept albums. Every song is a different story, but they have similar inspirations and the lyrics may connect throughout their topics. Similar to the music and its composition, I think.
A14:Can we say that songs two and five have a personal vibe?
Kamila/Lasaira: All of them have. I have written probably the only one non-personal, which was a bonus on the EP. This longplay, “Anthems of Eclipse”, is all very personal. As for “Mirror…”, it actually deals with my emotions at one moment in my life, which was very confusing and hard to actually understand. “Into Darkness…” is a poetic story – but I think that the most important aspects in this song are not the personal elements, but the general feeling and how the lyrics float with the music. Sometimes the pleasure from listening to something and living the ambience is the clue, and that is what I wanted to bring by the fifth song.
A15:Who would be the Modern Prometheus?
Kamila/Lasaira: As I said before, it is the parent figure. They are god-like. The Modern Prometheus is the creator of the new being, of something that longs for the love of the parent, but also has too much pain, anger and grievance for being brought to life. It is, of course, a reference to Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus”.
A16:Explain song six,please?
Kamila/Lasaira: “A Storm I Seek”, the ballad, yes… I think it is very personal both for me and Kuba. There were similar stories and emotions in our lives, so we decided it is the right time to create a love song, the love ballad. Those are true emotions that shine throughout this piece.
For me, it is the last cry of someone, who never really felt unconditional, eternal love and support. It is “a simple dream” of being with the one, pure emotion – the one that always was and will stay forever. Experiencing love in all its aspects – mental, emotional and physical. A sacred truth and connection, but also the one that opens your mind to the unknown dimensions.
Kuba: Yeah, it’s a very personal piece. I guess you could call it a love song, although a very bitter one.
A17:Interestingly, the band likes four bands that are Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Carach Angren and your interviewer likes the first two very much. But, among the four spoken ones, which would be the closest to the style of Sacrimonia?
Kamila/Lasaira: For me, definitely Dimmu Borgir. But, as I said before, there is much more.
Kuba: I’d say Cradle of Filth, then Dimmu Borgir. While we enjoy Emperor and Carach Angren, they are a bit further from our style, as I think we are more catchy.
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