Monday, February 25, 2013

Eternal Solstice Interview


1, Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
   Last year we finished recording two songs for an upcoming double 7" spilt EP with old school dutch death mtallers Pentacle. This EP will be released on  Dark Descent Records in the beginning of 2013. In January we will start rehearsing for some gigs we want to do in 2013. Not sure how it will work out but the plans are that both Misha( who played drums on our split album with Mourning and our first full lenght "the wish..." ) and André (who played on the other releases) will be part of the show.
 
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new material and how it differs from the old recordings?
 I don't think it's that much different but it's been 15 years since we last recorded an album and it's almost 2013, we're using different amps etc. so that influences the sound a little bit. Recording is much easier these days so more time to experiment a little bit more. Song structures are the same so are the tempos etc. We try to keep it as old school as possible with a touch of Eternal Solstice.
 
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new music explores?
 Anti-religion, death, agression, all cliche things really but it suits the music I guess. Writing lyrics is very hard sometimes, I don't have a lot to say and I don't want to change the world. It's more that the vocals are part of the music and songs. I really like to repeat verses in a song, it makes a song more recognisable.
 
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
We are big Massacre fans and before they changed the title to "dawn of eternity" they had a song that was called "dawn of Eternal Solstice" It sounded cool back then and you could tell where we got our influences although we never were a Massacre copy.
 
5. I know that the band took a long hiatus, what was going on during those years and what was the decision behind getting the band getting back together?
Well André and Philip started or joined other bands, André Dark Remains and Warmaster, Philip Mourning and Xerpentor I myself played for a short time in Dark Remains too. Few years back I got in contact with Wayne from Decepitaph who found out I played in Eternal Solstice and he asked if we were interested in doing a split 7". We had some songs lying around which I wrote with André in the late '90's and we still had plans to release 'm one way or another. So this split 7" was a good opportunity. Matt from Dark Descent Records was very interested in releasing it so that was the start. He also wanted to release our first full lenght "the wish is father to the thought" on vinyl and so he did. We still had some songs left which we re-wrote a little and those will be on the forthcomming split with Pentacle. So there was still some interest in Eternal Solstice. I also got in contact with Roel from VIC Records who wanted to re-release our first split with Mourning.
 
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Best show we did was in Belgium, great audience and we sold 40 shirts in a heartbeat. We like to move a bit on stage not to wild but we try to use the stage, since I'm the vocalist I need to be close to the mic. back in the day I did some headbanging but still I got hair back then hehehe, Not sure how that will turn out now.
 
7. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
I have no idea, it really depends on how it all turns out and if people want to book us.
 
8. Recently Vic Records re-issued your split album, what are your thoughts on the re-issue?
Great !!! It's nice to see that after all those years people still put money and effort in this release. We thank Roel from Vic Records for the energy he put's in it. We recorded it in 1990 and who knew 22 years later it would be re-released. By the way Wim Baelus first released it in 1992 on his Midian label and he did some liner notes on the re-release!!! Thanks Wim !!!
 
9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?
Mainly positive, but we have to find out now that we're back what people think. I'm curious what people think of the new material.
 
10. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
Not sure what André is up to at this moment, as for Philip, Xerpentor will release an album soon.
 
11. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Same style as our last split 7" with Decrepitaph and the upcomming release with Pentacle. As I write most of the music I like to keep it within a certain style. No need to do different stuff or blast beats for example, it's tempting but there are lots of other bands who do that kind of stuff.
 
12. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
What really influenced Eternal Solstice are every old school thrash and death metal bands. When I write songs for Eternal Solstice I leave a lot of ideas out 'cause they don't fit the music, as I said I like to keep it within our style of music. I Listen to a lot really but mostly heavy stuff like Down, Immolation, etc.                                                                               
 
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Mainly what every other healthy 40 year old man likes to do. (Eating and sleeping that is )
 
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
No !!! (But thanks for the interview ;-) )
 
 

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