Septicflesh

(Giugno 2008)

I am fine, thank you. It is just a very busy time as we have so many things going on. We are currently promoting "Communion" and have an incredible number of interview-requests. At the same time there are the rehearsals for our upcoming tour and so on. I have built a studio with our drummer and there is my regular work in England, but is great to use all my efforts on labours that I really enjoy.

First of all, I would like to start talking about our reunion. Why you decided to end up the band and now to start again?

We had many discussions and after mature thinking we decided to reunite Septicflesh. We had 4 years break in order to cope with decisions crucial about our future. Let’s take the things from the beginning. Our relations with Hamerheart. The company had financial problems. Then Sotiris and I had to take some crucial decisions regarding our future. İ found a job in England as exclusive composer of a company that specializes in Video - games, my brother also took his path with his artworks.
Septicflesh couldn’t continue, if we did, it would affect our music. We didn’t want to deceive our fans. It is really great to experience once again the atmosphere and entity of Septicflesh through creative work, live shows and studio sessions. The circumstances now are better than before. We have our works we have a label that support us, we have an agent and the most important of all we are in our most productive period full of inspiration.

title “Communion” makes me think about something religious...what does it really means?

The title Communion is referring to a mystic kind of communication between a human and a “higher” intelligence often viewed as god, demon or in modern ages alien. It is worth mentioning that mankind, throughout history is displaying a deep need to be in union with this kind of “our of this world” powerful entities, making attempts utilising various means and methods in order to “seal” a pact, a special “fellowship”,or in other words communion.  This is one of the themes developed on the album.

This time you support the classical heavy sound of the band, with a full orchestra and 32 chorister..

Yes I was very lucky to collaborate with such a great musicians. Filmharmonic Orchestra consists of the best players from Prague. Their members are from Philharmonic, National Prague Orchestra and various other ensembles.
Czech-Republic is a country with rich history on orchestras and classical music in general.
We used nearly 140! Set Orchestra including Choir. The result was excellent their musicality and interpretation was unique. I didn’t have any problems everything was under control as they have done many film scores and video games. Of course many people worked for this project. We had a producer from England, contractor, assistants, copyists etc. We decided to use some modern techniques in orchestration with many dissonant and atonal elements as our music was ideal for this purpose plus to avoid the traditional use of orchestra. We consider the orchestra the fifth and an indispensable member of our band.

According to me the best track is “Persepolis”...what can you tell about it and what’s the song that best describe the new SEPTICFLESH?

About Persepolis, Seth had the main musical idea then I made the orchestration, while Soiris transmuted the emotional result into the specific lyrical concept. Persepolis also was one of the most difficult songs of the album. However, the result worth’s the effort. When we listened for the first time the song completed with the addition of the orchestra everybody was left speechless. Especially Seth, that had the original musical idea and experienced the whole transformation. One has to really close his eyes and let his imagination drift with the song. Now regarding the new Septicflesh I would say can be mixture of the dramatic Persepolis the avant-garde Babel’s Gate and the evil Lovecraft’s Death. It covers all the elements of the new Septicflesh era.

Now you’re under French label Season of Mist, how is going?

Season of Mist from the beginning have supported us in all areas. That they are from France played a major role in our decision as our best market is the French one. We knew Michael long time ago he gave us a good budget and we communicate really well. Till now our relationship is great.

Yes, Seth showed us the artwork with the name as one word. It was really nice and we decide to keep it like that. You can also say that this represents our new Era and second phase.

What can you tell me about our lyrics?...I suppose I’ll have to translate them all, so what should I expect?

Our aim is to make Septicflesh stronger while making also better songs and inserting new ideas to keep the creational fire burning. If this basis will not be evident there is no reason for us to keep Septicflesh. Definitely it is in our plans to continue, that we have 3 tours in order to promote Communion for the first time speaks from itself. I have Chaostar which will continue next year I ill prepare the new album and Sotiris has created a band called Aenaos and he will start to search for a label very soon.

Do you want to spend some words for your live activity?

Is there in Greek some bands, or artist you like much? Personally I usually think about Diamanda Galàs...

Diamands Galàs is the artist, THE MUSICIAN she is so experimental and every artistic step from here is revolution. Iannis Xenakis also is one of my favourite. His music is so deep and intellectual with tense and originality. From the scene bands such as Rotting Christ, Horrified and Necromantia.

We dedicate Communion to our fans that supported all these years even when we were inactive.
Enjoy the pleasures of flesh.