| Metal Perspective |
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| Tuesday, 14 December 2004 02:18 | |||
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Hi Spyros and congratulations for your impressive album. How long have you been working on that? I believe this is your first release ever, right? Hello Alekos! Thanks for your nice comments! We have been working on this album for about 6 months. It’s our first official release. It’s our first full-length album. Although before this we had two tracks included in the vampire-adventure PC game “Erevos”, as soundtrack. Give us some more details about the recording of the album such as where it took place and who is behind the production. The recordings of the album took place in Thessaloniki, at Rock Sound Studios, by George Brigos and Out Of The Lair, except the guitars recording that were recorded in our personal studio by Dim and me. Fotis Demertzis and Out Of The Lair made the mastering at Mix studios. Are you satisfied with the final outcome? Looking back now is there something you’d like to change or correct? We’re very satisfied with the final outcome. I can’t think of something that we would like to change. It has been produced very carefully and professionally. Psychotear’s main subject is about vampires. Is there a concept behind the lyrics or we have 9 individual vampire stories? Which one of you is the Vampire-freak? Psychotear’s main subject is not about vampires. Nosferatu and Vampire Lady are the only tracks referring to vampires. The rest of the songs have different lyrical ‘direction’. Most of them are referring in society’s or individual human sided matters. The vampire-freak was John Ayub, our former guitar player, that wrote those two songs. In General what inspires you most to write a record? Who is responsible for the songwriting? Inspiration comes from the whole life. Everything may inspire us. Responsible of the music writing is mostly me and Dim, but everyone in the band contributes for the final result. All the lyrics except Nosferatu and Vampire Lady were written by me. Your music stands somewhere between heavy and speed/thrash metal with many references to Iron Maiden and Iced Earth, is that true? Are these two bands your main influences? There are too many influences to refer them, not only from heavy metal. We listen to all kind of metal music and we like all of them. We only care for good music. There are many changes and moods on the cd proving this. I think that the audience would not be bored. On the contrary, it should be surprised. You decided to enrich your album with a cardboard case, an impressive booklet and a multimedia section. This is too much trouble and money for an independent album release, don’t you think? Why did you come up with an idea like this? We wanted everything to be more than good about the cd. It’s expensive but it’s rather cool and impressive. The booklet was made by Chris Carietis, who is a professional and talented artist. The multimedia section was made by me, so it costs nothing more than many sleepless nights. We came up with an idea like this because we wanted people to be attracted by the package too, beyond the music. Are you satisfied with the sales so far? It has been released in a very short quantity. It’s mostly for promoting the band. Anyway we’re satisfied of the sales, indeed. Have you got in touch with any labels so far? What is their reaction to Psychotears? Is there a glimmer of hope for a big contract? First of all big contracts and big labels are very hard to be convinced, despite the very good reviews that have been done about the album. You can have a look at them at our Official Site (www.outofthelair.com). We have been in touch with some labels for releasing “Psychotears” in vinyl too, but we’re looking for something better and safer. Which brings us to the question I always like to ask to a Greek band. How difficult is it for a domestic band to pull off great things worldwide. What do you think is missing from us? Are you optimistic about yours and the Greek scene’s future? It’s very difficult for a Greek band to succeed worldwide. It’s more probable to succeed worldwide, than in Greece, though. Greek audience is prejudged negatively most of the time against Greek bands. There are many Greek bands that are equal or even better than foreign bands. Greece is a small country though, so labels are afraid to cooperate because of financial reasons. There is not something missing from Greek bands that are serious in what they‘re doing. I’m always optimistic in what I’m doing. In a meeting I had with your bassist George (Kantzios), he told me that you have enough live experience so far. What is the reaction of the crowd to your music? Have you arrange any new dates? Indeed, we have been touring in Greece for sometime, visiting many cities in Greece and abroad in Sofia, Bulgaria. In these gigs we’ve played with many great bands too, like Nevermore, Candlemass, Sentenced, Evergrey, Primordial and Rotting Christ. We’re satisfied by the crowd’s reactions. It has always been good and enthusiastic. During 2004 I was serving the Greek army, so there were not any gigs taking place. We are ready to rock the people in 2005. As I foretold you belong for the moment in heavy/speed metal. Will this remain your main musical direction and philosophy? Do you think of it during the songwriting? There is no schedule or any form for writing a song. Heavy metal is the base of our music. Everything is acceptable in our music as far as we like it. What should we expect from Out of the Lair in the future? Do you plan a new release? You should expect more gigs, so we can promote “Psychotears” and make possible for the crowd to listen to our new songs. We’ll release a second album when we think we will be ready. Thank you very much for this interview Spyros. I wish you all the best of luck and success for the future. Is there anything you’d like to add? I would like to thank you for this interview. Thanks for your wishes about the future of the band. I would also like to congratulate you about you site. It’s definitely one of the best in its kind. If you would like to get to know more about the band visit our site at www.outofthelair.com. Heavy greetings to all your readers.
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