Earlier this year Aeon Winds released their debut album and it did not disappoint. In fact, “Those Who Will Remain Silent Forever” had me salivating with excitement – it truly is a fantastic piece of work. So, I did what I usually do when I find a band I like… I hassled them into answering my questions. Thankfully, Svarthen (guitar, vocals, bass and keyboards) was kind enough to provide me with some answers…
Lou: Greetings Svarthen, thanks for agreeing to this interview. How are you today?
Svarthen: It has been quite a hectic time recently, I am busy with my work, music, so there is little time for everything. But i now starting work on the split album with Midnight Odyssey, and second split with Svartalv..
Lou: I understand that up until quite recently, Aeon Winds was a one-man project. Do you have a full line-up now? Who is in the band?
Svarthen: Since the first demo there were quite a few musicians taking part in Aeon Winds. Igric (ex-ALATYR, EINSAMTOD) programmed drums on first demo , Sladuban (CONCUBIA NOCTE), Dzana (DEPRESY), and Axorix where helping with live performances and with debut album. At the moment band Namtar (ex-IMPERIUM, KRAJINY HMLY) on guitar and Askold (ex-KARPATHIA, KRAJINY HMLY) on drums are part of the band. At the moment Aeon Winds is without bass player, so I am trying to find one to complete the line-up.
Lou: Now that you have a fuller band, will you be touring to promote “Those Who Will Remain Silent Forever”? Do you have any plans to come to the UK?
Svarthen: We made small mini tour to support the debut album which was limited to Slovakia. At the moment there are no plans to play abroad but in case we were invited to play in Britain, we will try to come and raise hell!
Lou: As someone who has experienced both ways of working, do you find it more rewarding to write and record music on your own or as part of a collaboration with other musicians? Which process yields the best results in your opinion?
Svarthen: Aeon was composed solely by my, debut album in collaboration with Axoris, at the moment it is business of whole band. Best results, I think I let the listeners judge the outcome.
Lou: Which bands have influenced your sound?
Svarthen: Emperor, Bathory, Seth, Graveland, Kataxu, Negura Bunget (old), Bal Sagoth, Ancient, Limbonic Art, Windir, Mortis (old), Wongraven, Moevot, Dark Sanctuary, Kraina Bez Wiatru, outside of black metal it should be Arcana, The Cure, Pink Floyd, Jean Michael Jarre and too many others to mention here.
Lou: Which bands originally got you into metal?
Svarthen: I got to metal music through bands like Helloween, Running Wild, Emperor and many others.
Lou: Other than music, what else inspires you?
Svarthen: Nature, mysticism, ancient history among others.
Lou: How long did “Those Who Will Remain Silent Forever” take to write and record? Did you encounter any problems along the way?
Svarthen: I think recording started in 2009, so it took about three years. Only problem was the lack of time.
Lou: What kind of feedback / reviews have you received for the album? Has it all been mostly positive? Do you pay a lot of attention to reviews?
Svarthen: Feedback we got so far is mostly positive, both from our fans and from zines. I consider reviews to be highly subjective and I do not pay much attention to such things.
Lou: How does the album compare to your demo?
Svarthen: The main difference lies in the composition. While I was the only composer on the demo, album was result of collaboration with Axoris and Askold. Demo was musically a combination of atmospheric metal with black metal and ambient touches, while the album is more black metal orientated.
Lou: What sort of subjects have been covered in the album’s lyrics? Are there any lines or verses that you’re particularly proud of?
Svarthen: Lyrics are based on themes like nature, mysticism and spirituality. My favorite text is one for the song Nechcena Pravda.
Lou: “Those Who Will Remain Silent Forever” has been released through Naturmacht Productions. How did you end up working with NP?
Svarthen: It is a result of long communication and above standard attitude and reliability of the guy behind the label.
Lou: Unfortunately, with the world as it is, it’s entirely likely that “Those Who Will Remain Silent Forever” has been pirated. What are your views on illegal downloading? Should the powers that be find a way to (fairly) put an end to it? Or does it not bother you?
Svarthen: I consider all attempts at internet censoring to be characteristic manifestations of totalitarian government. I oppose all such activities!
Lou: For those people who are keen to support you and buy the album, where is the best place for them to buy it from?
Svarthen: CD is available through Naturmacht Productions, LP version through Raging Bloodlust Records, fans can get both for example through Slovak label Tryzna Production.
Lou: Do you have any other merchandise available? I think an Aeon Winds t-shirt would look great on me! Haha!
Svarthen: Not yet, we will see what the future brings.
Lou: I’m a big fan of music videos and I still think that they can be a fantastic way for bands to promote themselves. Do you have any plans to make a video for any of the tracks on the album? If so, which track?
Svarthen: At the moment there is none such clip and the band has different priorities (new release) at the time.
Lou: What is the metal scene like in Slovakia at the moment? Is there a lot of support for bands such as yourselves?
Svarthen: I am not following Slovak scene closely maybe except for the black metal one which has notably rose in recent years. There are quite a few gigs here, people listen and support both bands from abroad but also Slovak bands. Quality of gigs varies but I think even here some improvement is notable compared to the past.
Lou: Are there any other Slovakian bands that we should be checking out?
Svarthen: I think you should check some of these: Ancestral Volkhves, Algor, Concubia Nocte, Sirin, Karpathia, Igric, Alatyr, Krajiny Hmly, Infer či Depresy, Korium, or young bands like Blackopathy, Raw cvlt or Oldblood
Lou: Where can fans catch up with you online?
Svarthen: Band has official myspace, facebook and bandzone. Fans can contact us through our labels or directly through mail aeonwinds@hotmail.com.
Lou: Thanks again for answering my questions. As you know, I’m a big fan of the new album. To finish off, do you have any messages for the readers of Loucifer Speaks?
Svarthen: Thank you for the interview, I wish you and your zine good luck in the future.
facebook.com/aeonwinds
myspace.com/aeonwinds
bandzone.cz/aeonwinds
naturmacht.com
