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Interview
Deutsche VersionInterview mit Enochian Theory (27.02.2010)
HH: How are you doing after having done your new record Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio?
Ben: Greetings to the readers of Heavyhardes.de, thank you for allowing us this opportunity to talk to you and your readers.
We are doing well thank you for asking, things are slowly but surely moving forward with every aspect of the band... from the promotion of the record, to sales and most importantly, getting shows in Europe.
That is our current priority, to use the press we've had and hopefully secure some shows through like minded people.
The plans we laid down over four years ago with this project are all slowly and deliberately coming to fruition and we are pleased... but we'll never stop wanting to better ourselves, always pushing the band and our record label in the right direction.
We've had some amazing press for this record, which has been overwhelming at times.
Of course we hoped things would happen, as we work very hard every day but when a magazine like Classic Rock ask you do an interview and other mags like Terrorizer and Powerplay are giving you excellent reviews, plus all the webzines and online mags showing us support... it can truly hit home that we've created something that is worthy of people taking note and that is something that is quite a shock when we actual stop to think about it.
We're a rather selfish band in most instances, what I mean by this is that we NEVER thought about anyone else when we were writing what we did... we just put our heads down, disappeared into our own minds and returned from those often dark and introverted places with an artifact that represented where we were at that time. It's being recognised as a good thing and this is a massive pulse of positivity that overshadows it's negative beginnings.
HH: Did you expect this positive feedback?
Ben: As mentioned before, we didn't expect it... But there's always self belief in what you're doing.
The record, to me anyway, is a dark exhibition of schizophrenic melancholy musings by three guys living in this often confusing modern age.
I never thought it would be accepted like it has, but we always hoped that it would.
I guess it says a lot more about us than we tend to hand over when pressed... so that's interesting to think about...
HH: According to the promo sheet, when the record was finished at the beginning of 2009 some record labels offered you contracts to release the album. Why did you refuse to sign to a "big" label like Century Media, Nuclear Blast, SPV, Inside Out or AFM Records and released the record on your own label Anomalousz Music Records?
Ben: I'm not sure it says they offered us contracts on our press sheet, what it does say is that all those labels gave us high praise for our efforts... i.e. garnered good feedback from the labels. They were all impressed with what we had created and what we had planned... all off our own backs with very little self-funding.
Sadly due to the fact we'd been 'out of the loop' musically/PR for while and that there was a financial issue going on in the business world, most the labels said that although they were very impressed... they couldn't work with us at this time.
Some just took ages 'ummming' and 'aahhhing' about us... so we set deadlines for things, as we had a plan to adhere to... and some labels just took too long to make up their minds... so we decided that we didn't need to wait anymore... and besides, we couldn't.
We had a product to get out and we always knew it was going to be a long-shot trying to get a bigger label onside at this stage of our 'evolution'... so we'd simply do everything ourselves, like we did with our previous E.P but on a MUCH larger scale.
We're only about halfway through our European PR campaign and it's going amazing... we're looking forward to starting the U.S. and rest of the world. The record has been picked up by people in places like the U.S already... simply through word of mouth or one of the many, many 'avenues' of self promotion we are doing.
I think we've proven that with a sound battle plan and the right drive, you can do EVERYTHING a bigger label can do... for a fraction of the cost they'd charge the band. It's a no-brainer really... of course we'd have no problem with working with a bigger label, we'd be silly not to at least hear what they say as the contacts they have are numerous... but we're proving we can do things very well with our own efforts and we feel that at this stage of the bands development, keeping things under our own banner was the best thing for us.
HH: What was the main reason to found Anomalousz Music Records?
Ben: Simply to work in the bands interests... and hopefully in the future, sign a few others bands and help develop them through the things we're learning day to day.
We always knew we'd never get 'signed' playing the music we choose to play, so we wanted to learn how it all works in the industry and keep everything under our control... hence us forming the 'AMR Group'.
There's a fierce sense of independence associated with the band because we've always done everything ourselves and that trend looks set to continue... but on a further reaching and wider level as we learn from our mistakes.
HH: How are your experiences with your own record label so far? Do you regret not having signed a contract to one of the labels mentioned above?
Ben: If you had asked us at the beginnning of 2008... I'd have probably said I hated it all!
Things weren't going well, but that was more to do with our own lives and various issues we had in the bands itself.
But that was before we recorded the new record and actually started talking to these bigger labels.
We've learnt a vast amount about what we're doing and yeah, we've made a lot of bad financial decisions... but we've learnt and we're continuing on this path we started because to turn back now or even stop would be unthinkable.
We're finally getting to do some of the things we really want to do and having that come about through all your own efforts is a great reward.
Long may it continue I say...
HH: Ok, let me congratulate you for your awsome record Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilo. On one hand the album works perfectly as a whole and it grows from run to run, on the other hand one can listen to single tracks without destroying the feelings and the spirits of the songs. Do you see Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio as a concept album or a "normal" record with standalone songs?
Ben: Thank you Thorsten, we're glad you enjoyed our efforts.
I think you summed it up perfectly enough for me there, it is an album you can listen to as individual tracks, but it was designed to be one fluid piece.
I firmly believe the songs sit well enough on their own or in the context of the whole thing, neither detracts from the other... and ultimately it is down to the listener to decide what they want to do with it.
As for the 'concept' side of things... there is a main theme running through the whole record and each piece of music represents a little slice of the main theme. What the theme is this you may ask? Life... and all it entails.
The record was born from a dark and confusing place in our lives but is ultimately a reflection of a sheer determination to destroy that which would try to destroy you and a positive and bright outcome to paths that are dark.
HH: What does the title of the record express?
Ben: It works on different levels really. On one hand it's a rather playful and sarcastic title... almost mocking certain things that I find rather amusing considering how these things are portrayed... and that is something that we are very much about... getting ideas across and letting the individual decide for themselves.
There are certain things in this world that truly worry us as people and a band, mostly these things are caused by one of the biggest cancers of our entire existence as humans.
On another level, it says we've evolved as a band and as people... creating a record out of nothing when we needed it most. Using our self determination and passion for life to push forward.
I could quite happily explore the main ideas I have on the title in much depth... but I feel that would take a lot more space than I think you guys are able to give us!
HH: How is the cover artwork related to the title and the songs?
Ben: The artwork is the interpretation of our music, the title and the lyrical themes within the record and this interpretation was realised by our friend Robin Portnoff.
He really connected with us and did a lot of hard work on the artwork, you only have to look at it to feel the connection between the visual and the audio.
We are partly driven by a need to get Robin's artwork out there for people to see, as we're proud to know such a great artist and a genuine person who's supported us since we first contacted him.
We hope to continue working with Robin on everything from artwork, to video direction and more.
When we have a little more money stored away, we're considering doing a short film... but that's something that is a lot further down the path yet.
HH: What do people like better, the more silent or the more furious passages of the songs?
Ben: It's been different for different people in all honesty.
This was proven by a interview I did for a Norwegian mag and the guy asked me if there'd be future material with more death grunts like "Apathia"!
Some of the 'heavier' inclined listeners like the more 'aggressive' songs/sections but fully understand the need for the contrast and then again vice versa for the people who like the more reflective passages.
It's always interesting to hear what people think of the record but ultimately we did create this record for ourselves with what we had at the time... we're just happy that there are other people out there that can relate.
HH: What is your favorite song on this album?
Ben: I don't really have a favourite song, neither do the other guys... I think how we're looking at it now is "How do the songs make us feel when we play them in the live environment?"... and our response to that would purely be reflective on our moods at that time. I like certain riffs and things where we really 'lock-in' as a band live... those bits make me truly feel part of something bigger.
It's great that three people can come together to perform something they all enjoy and we feed of each others' energy when we play.
HH: Which bands did inspire you most for this record? I think one can hear influences of bands like Tool, Devin Townsend or Dream Theater, can't you?
Ben: I prefer to leave it to the listen to decide what they are hearing.
Are they hearing a blatant rip off of certain bands or are they hearing the summation of their influnces performed by three individuals at this stage of a young band's evolution?
That choice is yours my friends and not for me to say.
We listen to a lot of music, ranging all across the globe... but I definitely agree that certain acts planted an inspirational seed in our heads.
As for the acts you mentioned, Shaun and Sam listen to Dream Theater or at least have a few of their songs, I don't know anything by them!
Devin is an inspiration because of his music, his work ethic and his production, we like that a lot and obviously Tool, being the biggest progressive rock/metal band on the planet are a hard influence to ignore... But we like it when people spot the more 'random' influences in our music.
HH: Where do you see Enochian Theory in five years?
Ben: I can only hope we are all still fit and healthy, doing what we love doing but hopefully on a bigger level doing bigger shows and continuing to share music with people who like it.
We're growing day to day and if this trend continues, then we'll be doing quite well for ourselves in five years.
HH: Imagine Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio is a vegetable. Which one would it be and why?
Ben: Haha, quite a random question... but I'll play along.
How about a random genetic combination of a tomato (with it's vibrant colour and sweet taste), a cabbage (for it's earthly feel and multiple layers) and finally a banana (for it's association with being a bit odd i.e. "Going bananas!" and it's... ermm... 'bendiness'... hahaha)
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable, I never remember!
Think I need to research that one... haha
Thanks for the random question, it made me laugh!
HH: It's hard to imagine that it is possible to bring all the complexity of Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio to the stage because of all the keys and guitar lines. What do you think?
Ben: With the increasing power of technology, nothing is ever impossible to imagine I feel.
In this instance, we use technology to bring the ENTIRE record into the live arena... I guess you'll just have to attend a show to see how it sounds but we're pretty confident that it works very well. The human and machine interaction works well for us... Spinal columns and binary code, one and the same... A brief liaison of creator and the created.
HH: Thanks for your time and good speed! The last words are yours!
Ben: Thank you for your time Thorsten, we hope your readers find time to listen to our record and we hope even more to play some shows near them in the near future.
Darkest Regards,
Ben
(on behald of Enochian Theory)