Today, Aaron is interviewing Progressive Doom/Stoner Metallers - Ethereal Riffian - who released their incredible new album - Aeonian - to some acclaim within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene.
We called the album - "Anatman
conquers the beaten warpath by unlocking a majestic Pink Floydian
introductory passage leading to a hammer down of perhaps the
wickedest rhythm on the 4 song epic. High
pitch guitar screams frantically echo through the boggy field of mire
while the battle-axes palpitate the landscape into liquid sludge.
The
album oozes seriously doomy bliss without surrendering its medicinal
marijuana card. Only getting better with each listen as more and more
buried treasures unearth themselves from beneath the belly of this
epic beast.
If
you claim to be a fan of the all mighty riff, the darkness of doom,
or the tripped out jammy type, you will find it all on Aeonian. Be on
the lookout."
Lets get straight down to business with these Psychedelic Visionary Doom/Stoner Rockers.
(SL) Welcome
to the Sludgelord, pleased to talk to you guys and welcome. First of
all, Congratulations! Your new record is something special. You must
reflect upon it with a sense of a pride?
Val
(aka Stonezilla): Hi Aaron! Thank you very much for the initiative
about the interview. We appreciate it. Answering your question I
should say that pride is not an appropriate word. We rejoice.
(SL) Let’s kick things off, who are you, state your name (s) and purpose?
Val
(aka Stonezilla): I'm the frontman of the band. I make sure that
we're reaching our goals and that our message finds a good physical
embodiment. Sometimes I play guitar and sing.
Max
(aka Southman): Lead
guitar.
(SL)
Summarise your musical journey (s) this point?
Val:
In terms of being a listener I've always liked music, but I started
listening to it consciously only at the age of 11 I think. I've
listened to a lot of heavy stuff since that time, but now I prefer
music that's able to touch you from within no matter the genre. I
think music is a universal language that everyone is able to
understand.
As
a musician – Ethereal Riffian is my first band. I also play in
Wolverine Blues.
Max:
Well, to be honest, Ethereal Riffian is my first band as well. Prior
to the latter Val and me have been already working together and
composing music in different genres, there is actually a lot of
material lying on the shelf, but God knows what the future of these
tunes is. Perhaps, someday we’ll try to make them public.
(SL)
What can fans look forward to from you
in 2014? How
is your schedule shaping up?
Val:
This is a very appropriate question, as we're just started to
implement the plan for 2014, which is a really ambitious one. We
intend to tour Europe with Wolverine Blues in September, create some
creative merchandise, work on the ideas for our live shows, find a
new band member for ethnic instruments, start recording our next
album and write a book for it. Wish us luck and determination, Aaron!
Max:
We have new outstanding ideas for a new album, hope we succeed in
recording it this year.
(SL)
What springs to mind when you think about the completion of your
new/current record?
Max:
Relief
and satisfaction.
(SL)
Who handles song writing duties?
Max:
There
are a lot of different algorithms, it depends on whether it is a
brand new idea or a tune composed a long time ago. As far as the
first one is concerned, Val and me develop the idea, make a rough
arrangement and show it to other members of the band; thereafter
we’re jamming and introducing alterations. In case of an old tune,
we think of its matching the conception, and if everything is fine we
either play together or adjust it to new criteria. But since recently
we’ve started writing new music all together.
(SL)
How long was the gestation of your new/current opus from conception
to delivery?
Max:
It
took more than three years to complete it. All the songs were written
and even recorded in different periods, so peculiarly it has been
developing similar to the life path of our book’s hero – chapter
by chapter.
Val:
We started to work on "Aeonian" in the end of 2011, but we
didn’t actually realize it then. The thing is that we recorded
“March of Spiritu (Rise of Sheol)” for the outstanding Falling
Down compilation. Then I had the idea of releasing the 10-inch record
with two 11-minute songs. That’s how “Wakan Tanka” and
“Anatman” came into being (though we were already been playing
“Wakan Tanka” during our Spring Rites Tour in 2012). When these
two songs were ready, we thought that we should include “March of
Spiritu” on the record because we liked the song, and we thought
that people should hear it. But how would a vinyl record look like if
there were two tracks on one side and only one track on the other?
That’s how the idea of “Thugdam” started to take shape, and
that’s when the concept of the album came into being. It gave way
to the birth of the story. As Max mentioned - all in all it took us
almost three years to finish the album and half a year to finish the
book.
(SL)
The artwork is really great, was it designed with a particular
physical format in mind? Who designed it?
Val:
Thanks for the compliment! To tell the truth some people suggest it
to be a cover for Justin Bieber's new album or the cover for some
unreleased album of Right Said Fred. We all had a really good laugh
while reading opinions like that!
We've
worked over 3 months on this artwork and are fully satisfied with the
result. It was designed for a double-gatefold vinyl and 4-panel
digipack. My friend from Russia, an excellent graphical designer Mila
Hopeful is the author. She's creating new designs for our t-shirts
right now. You can check her works here - http://vk.com/club36086427.
(SL)
As a music fan yourselves and given that music seems to be so
disposal at times, how is it to a great package to your fans, and yet
not alienate them by producing something which is not affordable.
What are your thoughts on the finished physical product? What format
is/will be available?
Val:
Packing
is essential because it transfers the idea of your music to the
listener. It can also differentiate you from thousands of other
artists. You see – giving the listener something special is
essential to build a certain kind of relationship with him/her and
integrate the image of your band into his/her consciousness. We
understand how important it is, that's why we always try to come up
with something unconventional, while keeping the prices reasonable. I
think if you try hard to create a great album – you should also try
hard to give it a proper production. It takes much effort but the
result is rewarding, believe me.
“Aeonian”
will be available on vinyl through Nasoni records soon, on tape
through Tartarus records and it is available on CD through Mulliogre
production. Limited editions, ER Bundles and hard cover books are
available directly through the band.
(SL)
Tell me more about the theme running through the record and the
accompanying book which comes with the vinyl? What was the thinking
behind it.
Max:
Val, as one of the key authors of the conception, will answer this
question more precisely. I would say it in a few words – “Personal
growth”.
Val:
Thanks for this question. However I can't answer to it fully as we
want everyone to make their own conclusions, because only the
insights which are achieved by a person him/herself are able to
transform him/her. We provide certain keys to the doors which hold
these insights.
What
I can do is to explain you one background idea which refers to the
title of the album. Aeonian refers to eternal search of human being
of its true nature. Aeon is a long indefinite period, may be a
billion years or more. So it doesn't matter when the urge for such
search arises - today or 100,000 years ago, because the call for such
search is timeless in relation to the human nature. A human being
lives a very limited amount of time, and it's that small in the scope
of the universe as an atom is small in relation to the size of the
human body. Nevertheless, peculiarity of our kind is that we can
achieve the right sensation and understanding of our true nature
despite of the limited time we have.
The
album consists of four songs; the book consists of four chapters of
the same title. The book uncovers the interconnection between the
concepts and allows the listener to feel the full "Aeonian"
experience.
(SL).
Speaking off, getting a record out there are you a) Indiegogo
(crowdfunding) or b) career no no.
Val:
Career no no.
(SL)
The best
and worst things about being in a band?
Val:
Best
thing – the ability to transform other people and grow as a band
and individuals together. Worst thing...well that's a good question.
Maybe it's the necessity to deal with your band-mate's demons. But
that's kinda rewarding.
Max:
The
first one is a team spirit, the second one… well, for me in most
cases it is a compromise.
(SL)
Influences and heroes, what are turn offs and turn on’s?
Val:
In terms of music, I'm influenced by Tonny Iommi, Freddy Mercury,
Matt Pike, John Lenon, Mike Scheidt, Roger Waters, Albert Ammons to
name a few. In terms of personalities my heroes are Buddha, Jesus,
Gandhi, Laozi, Goenka, Tesla, Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein, Rumi,
Dalai Lama XIV, Black Elk, Leo Tolstoi and all the wisdom spreaders
and peacemakers. In general I'm impressed by the complexity and
beauty of the universe. This is the greatest mystery.
Max:
For me the influences consist mostly of guitar heroes/virtuosos such
as Marty Friedman, Guthrie Govan etc, phenomenal pianists like Chopin
and Brahms, as well as old monsters of rock/art-rock/progressive rock
– Electric Light Orchestra, King Crimson, Queen. I have a weakness
for Dream Theatre too.
SL)
Any record from the past or present that springs to mind?
Val:
Bang
– Mother/Bow to the King
Max:
Queen – Flick of the Wrist.
(SL)
The last album that kicked your arse?
Max:
Among
old albums I’ve listened to recently – ELO “On the Third Day”,
among new ones – I would say “Psicomagia” by Psicomagia
Val:
Steve Hunter - Manhattan Blues Project.
(SL)
What was your first instrument or musical experience and what do you
use today?
Max:
My
first instrument was a cheap acoustic guitar produced in the last
circle of Hell by Satan himself, and which caused enormous pain
already after 5 minutes of playing. Fortunately, today I am using a
Gibsonish custom guitar and I’m quite happy with it.
Val:
My first instrument was my father's old guitar from St. Petersburg.
Now I use an old Greco Les Paul guitar.
(SL)
One item, gear or otherwise that characterises your band and one item
from your set up you cannot live without?
Max:
It’s
difficult to answer what item characterises us. I would say fuzz, but
it’s an obvious answer. The item from my set up I can’t live
without is my “all-time favourite” Suhr distortion pedal.
Val:
Fuzz
War & Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb
(SL)
Pro-tools versus old school?
Max:
Pro-tools and all modern applications take the first place, for they
enable the clearest and the most audible sound in comparison to old
recordings. The only thing that I hate in today’s recording
practice is the excessive compression.
Val:
Everything depends on what you want to achieve. Pro Tools works
perfect for ER because we put a lot of attention to details and it's
very flexible when it comes to experiments.
SL)
Has their been much opportunity for your band to do live shows and is
playing live still as important today given the influences of the
web and social media ?
Val:
One
good musician once said that if the band isn't touring and doing live
shows – it's dead. I think he's right. Live shows are the most
sincere act of communication with your fans.
For
our band, it is difficult to organize live shows because we have high
standards and we suggest that our music requires a proper visual
presentation, which isn't always possible to create at a usual gig
place. The good thing it that we have already started to work on the
ideas for our shows, so hopefully things will change for the better
for us in terms of live shows soon.
(SL)
Who are some your favourite bands you have toured with and what have
been your band highlight (s) thus far
Max:
I
liked touring with Stoned Jesus, awesome guys.
Val:
I agree
with Max.
(SL)
What
are your survival tips for the road?
Val:
Don't fart. Meditate. And watch out for your driver. If he's sleeping
and you're starting to fall off the steep – that's a bad sign!
Max:
Use every WC on the road and try to not miss any.
(SL)
Vinyl Junkie or Ipod flunky? Discuss
Max: Both. Everything has its pros and cons.
(SL)
Finally, do you have any final comments/word of wisdom you’d like
to bestow upon us?
Val:
Thank
you very much for the interview and a good set of questions, Aaron.
As for the final comments/words of wisdom let me tell you this: Life
a short flash, don't spend it wasting your talent, because you will
end up regretting. Be very attentive to everything – to the world
around and the world inside. The key to understanding and happiness
lies within. I sincerely wish everyone to fulfil the potential of
every second which is given to us. May you all have peace.
Written by Aaron Pickford
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