Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Brasil. Pele, football, almost naked women dancing the samba at Rio’s carnaval, but also the favelas, the disappearing rainforest and indian tribes. In this enormous country is a very active metalscene, and from this metalscene I had a short talk with Debora Serri, frontwoman of Seven Angels. Hope you enjoy this interview from this promising band soon. In the mean time you can try to find their cd’s (not an easy task, believe me, I haven’ found them yet) and hope to see them soon on a European stage.

The first, and usually boring question, can you give us a brief history of Seven Angels? (members, cd’s etc.)

Seven Angels is a melodic metal band with christian lyrics. Me and my husband Karim (Guitar) are the band formers. It was born in 1999. We have always lived from the music market. We are professional musicians, we played in coverbands for years but at this time we decided to form our own band and Seven Angels was born. We had from this time four different line-ups that can be checked at our home page. We recorded a 3 song demo-cd and 2 full lenght cd’s, “The Second Floor” (2002) and “Faceless Man” (2005). We play heavy metal because we love it, and no matter the line-up changes, we’ll always play metal!

Most of us over here in Europe think about Sepultura or Angra when you mention Brasil (and football and carnaval of course), but is there a big music (metal) scene ?

Yes, we have a big metal scene down here in Brasil with a lot of great metal bands. But from 3 years ago the scene has changed a lot, maybe due to the increasing of illegal downloads, it’s harder now to sell CD’s and to have money to keep recording new albums.

The Brasilian Indians are, together with the rainforest, endangered. Does this interest the musicians, are is music just for fun?

Brasilian Indians are in danger since the Portugueses arrived here in 1500. A lot of them are now civilized and nowadays we only have about 30.000 of them in our country between 180 million Brasilian citizens. We have a lot of programs from the government to protect them, but it’s not sufficient, unfortunately the progress doesn’t stop and the weaker will suffer more. About this on lyrics, we don’t use it, but it’s possible. Some bands have used those themes, but we never did it.

Have you played in Europe or North America yet?

Not yet. We are planning a tour in Europe for 2010 or 2011. Our last album was distributed in the USA and Europe by Bombwork Records but we never toured in the USA. We have a great public in South America and we have toured down here some times.

How would you describe your music? I would call it Female fronted power.

Female fronted woman melodic power metal.

What is for you the difference between touring and playing live, and recording in the studio?

These are two different sensations and both unique. Stage is pure adrenaline and studio is concentration. At the stage, we are free, no pressure. At the studio, everything must sound perfectly. These are incredible and amazing sensations.

When you are touring, can you see something from the cities you’re in, or is it just back in the bus/plane and to the next city?

Both. We never know what will happen. We always try to do what the public is expecting from us. But we like a lot to know new places, new cultures and new countries.

Can you live by being a musician or do you (and the other bandmembers) have got a regular job?

Me and my husband Karim are actually surviving on the music industry by teaching, playing or recording music, the others have regular jobs.

The famous musician Gilberto Gil was minister of culture for a while. Did this change a lot for the musicians in Brasil?

Not for the metal market. Maybe for the Brasilian popular music, but not for us.

What is for you the book, move, cd and concert of 2009, and why of course?

Book : “The Future of Humanity”, from a Brasilian writer called Augusto Cury, I’m a fan, I learned a lot from him.

Music: That’s a difficult question, but the first one in my mind is….“Alone” from the band Heart. I love Ann Wilson. I always try to know what she is doing, she’s an amazing singer.

Concert: The best one I have ever seen was Helloween in Sao Paolo in 2003, the best one we have ever performed was Seven Angels playing at that same concert as guest appearance, everything was perfect, unforgettable.

CD: Stratovarius’ “Visions of Europe” live.

What can we expect in 2010? A new cd? Touring in Europe?

We have a big dream, it’s about touring in Europe. We will work very hard to do this. We also will record a new cd.

And at last, any famous last words?

Thank you Marc for the opportunity of this interview. We really hope that the Brasilian scene will grow up again in 2010. The best to you and the mag.

Links

Debora Serri :  Twitter * Site

Seven Angels : MySpace

 Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Caladmor is a Swiss Folk Gothic band that released an their interesting debut cd called “Midwinter” this year. Earlier they released three demo’s and an EP under the name Pale. Singer Barbara can explain a lot what happened and will happen with the band.Can you introduce the band to us?

Caladmor from Zurich, Switzerland, is: Maede (drums, growls, clean vocals, synths), Nick and Plaeschy (guitars), Mäcka (bass) and me, the vocalist. Our music could be described as Gothic Folk Metal, though you can find much more influences in our songs than ‘only’ Gothic and Folk. Can you give us a brief history of the band?

The band was formerly known as Pale, founded by Nick, Maede and me in 2001. Our early years were dedicated to Alternative Metal and then the sound developed more and more to what it is now. Mäcka joined the band in 2005. By writing and recording our album “Midwinter” we decided to look for a new name which would represent our music in a better way. Caladmor (meaning “dark light” in Tolkien’s language Sindarin) is just perfect in that sense! After having finished the recordings of “Midwinter” in spring 2009, Plaeschy joined the band as the newest member.

I do but unfortunately I hardly ever find time for them ;) I love designing and sewing my own clothes or having a good glass of red wine and draw a picture. Further I’m strongly interested in history of our past’s rites, beginning in the ancient past to modern times. Switzerland for example holds a chest full of magic tradition! Have you got some affinity with other female vocalists like Tarja, Floor Jansen (ReVamp)?

There are several female singers I consider Goddesses! In Metal there is Anneke van Giersbergen (Ex-The Gathering) and of course Floor. Their voices are just perfect in every single aspect – intonation, expression, warmth … amazing and a true inspiration! Further I love the stunning voices of Tori Amos, Loreena McKennitt, Malena Ernman and opera legend Maria Callas.

Is there a song you wish you had written?

No, I cannot really think of 

If you had to go to a deserted island, which book, movie, cd, comic, music dvd would you take with you? And why?

Hard question! Only one of each?? ;) As a book, I’d probably take the full collection of Grimm’s fairytales – as a student of German language and linguistics I have a great affinity to the Brothers Grimm and their work, also to fairytales on the whole because they’re witnesses of old traditions and beliefs. And I have to admit that I’ve never grown up regarding fairytales, I’m still fascinated by their magic and mystic like a child.
As a movie I’d take “Braveheart” with me - I know this movie is quite pathetic and doesn’t stick in all cases to historical facts and yes, it’s Hollywood, but in spite of all these facts there has never been a movie touching me the way like “Braveheart” did.
But still, I’d need a CD on my Island ;) So I’d choose “Nighttime Birds” by The Gathering, an album which has already been inspiring me since years and it seems it’ll never stop doing so. Also it creates a certain magical atmosphere when listening to it, what makes the album even more special.

How is the CD selling? Are you pleased with the reviews so far?

Considering that we are still a quite unknown band in a country like Switzerland where Metal doesn’t really have a platform, the CD selling works surprisingly well, also thanks to our label Twilight Zone Records in Germany. The reaction to the album was really positive! We didn’t expect that mixing such a lot of styles like we do would find any recognition, but it did! So we’re truly pleased and motivated to make a further album.Sean Killey (Alice In Chains-drummer) once said :”All good singers are freaks”. Are you a freak?

The question is: What behaviour or attitude is significant for a freak? To me people doing absolute nonsense jobs like bank managers spending more money than they earn (which is definitely crazy regarding their incomes) are the true freaks. Compared to them, I’m quite normal… (which would then mean I am a bad singer ;) But to be honest, I often experience that people don’t get my very black sense of humour and then they glance at me thinking “oh what a freak” ;) If you called someone a freak who likes being dressed differently from the main masses and who doesn’t and didn’t always choose the straightest and most easy way in life (in order to be more free and pleased), then yes, I’m definitely a freak. Can you live from your music or do you all have “regular” jobs?

We all have regular jobs, Maede and me even have part time jobs and study at the university. The band work also takes a lot of time and it is sometimes difficult finding enough time for everything. I’d love to give priority to the music but I’m afraid we’d starve if did so ;) Therefore we need to do normal jobs up to now.How would you describe Caladmor to someone who’d never heard of you?

Caladmor – Gothic Folk Metal from the middle of where darkness meets light.After, or during intense touring, can you remember witch day it is, and where you are? And can you see something from the town you’re in?

I’d love to answer: “Well no, not really, you know, touring can be sooo exhausting!” ;) But unfortunately we’ve never been able to afford doing a tour so far. There were some offers for the opening slots of quite well known bands but the prizes we’d have had to pay were breathtakingly high and it’s a fact that as a small band you just get screwed after having signed such contracts. But still we’re open for any offers! Please contact us, we’d love to play at the venues all around the world! ;)What was the first record you bought? Your all time favourite? And what do you sing under the shower?

My first record was a compilation with some pop songs from the 80’s – nothing really worth to talk about ;) I have several all time favourites, accompanying me since a lot of years: “Who cares a lot?” by Faith no more; “Tuonela” by Amorphis; “Bestie in Menschengestalt” by Die Ärzte; “Nighttime Birds” by The Gathering; “Under the Pink” by Tori Amos; and a compilation of Celtic Songs – actually there are a lot more. I often use the time under the shower to do some exercises for my singing technique, as I hardly find any other time for them ;)What are the plans for the future?

We’re already about to write new songs for our second album which is planned to be out next summer. It’ll show again a broad variety of styles, beautiful melodies, thundering riffs… I can’t wait to enter the studios! Also we want to play some festivals next summer or do a little tour. Stay tuned!

It’s great that there is a platform like Femme Metal for female fronted bands! Keep up the good work and thank you very much for the interview ;)

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Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Yawarhiem is a power/gothic band from Lima, Peru. I don’t know much about this band, therefore this interview with leadvocalist Aurora D’Nina, a soprano voice of the Andes.

Can you tell us a little about Yawarhiem? (History, releases…)

Well, Yawarhiem has been formed in 2005 and since that year we have been working hard to express musically, and through each song, our Inca’s history that has been adapted by J. Miguel, contribute to our own mystified characters. In 2006 we launced our first demo with the song “Darkness, Blood & Tears”, that convert us as the revelation power metal band of the year, reviews in international webzines, interviews with one of the most famous and old rock radio’s (Radio doble 9 - a Peruvian local station), concerts in Lima and provinces (Ayacucho, Cerro de Pasco) among others. At the end of the same year began the recording session of “The Rebirth of the Empire”, our cd that was launched in July 2009.

What means Yawarhiem?

Yawarhiem means Winter’s blood. The bandname was formed from two representative’s mother languages: Quechua (Yawar) what is our Peruvian mother’s tongue and Latin (Hiem) as the first worldwide language.

Can you introduce the bandmembers to us?

The band’s current line-up is : J.Miguel Brendal - Vocals & Wind, Richie Salverredy - Keyboards, Oscar Martin - Guitars, Eddy Geott - Bass, Julio German - Drums and me, Aurora D’Nina - Soprano Vocals.

How is the metal-scene over there in Peru? Are there any interesting bands?

The metal-scene is much reduced. We say reduced because here as a metal musician you do not get enough private moneysupport for planning a good concert or a big one. Here you can just find a few bands that are trying hard to stay playing concerts around Lima or in provinces, many times without the minimum requires that one band needs to play well on stage, but despite the fact, they still are playing because the metal essence is bigger than those inconveniences or that kind of limitation, and because of what a real musician does : just looking to spread and share their musical art with the fans. Of course, here in Peru you can find really good bands that would love to have more opportunities to play here in Lima, provinces and abroad, and some of them also are looking to find a way to record their music.

What are your musical influences, heroes, favorite cd’s…?

Well, my musical influence comes from the classical music, from opera to jazz, bossa nova and the power metal music. Heroes, no one yet. My favorite cd’s are “Rain of a Thousand Flames” by Rhapsody of Fire, “Oceanborn” from Nightwish, “King of the Nordic Twilight” from Luca Turilli, amongst others.

Peru has been living in some kind of civil war between the government and Sendero Luminoso. Did this had any influence on the metal scene? And life in common?

I think, of course, that it had a macro impact, because it was something that affects the civil population and had consequences in the political and economical fields and one could say that it influenced the working class (including musicians) as human beings, living in that situation. I can not specify how I was influenced, because I was a little kid in those times.

Most of the songs handle about old history, mythology etc… Have you got a theory about Nazca?

The lyrics from the music we make is based on the Inca history…from my personal point of view of course, there are many theories about the Nazca lines, and one of them (for me), is that aliens could build it up with a special meaning everytime to remind them every time they come back.

A lot of bands are more respected outside their land than in their homeland. How is it with Yawarhiem?

What do you mean with respected…is it like recognized? Well we are well being recognized in Peru, with lots of positive critics, fan support and since we’ve launched the cd (July 30,2009) for the national market, we have received new local media opportunities where we have done interviews with the most important newspaper (Diaro El Comercio), interviews at one of the newest radiostations (Radio Capital) and at an old one (Radio Miraflores). We have recorded our second videoclip thanks to a local metal online support (Motor-Rock). And this support is what we value because the print and online promotion helps us to reach a more national and international audience, and we are grateful for it.

How was “The Rebirth of the Empire” developed? Did it took a lot of time?

The content of “The Rebirth of the Empire” was developed in the lapse of time around one year and a half. The recording and mastering took around two years; yes it took a lot of time to finish this work. You know that in the path to get the final sound (after the intense record-sessions) the most delicate and hard to define is to get the sound you have been keeping in your head as a final result. But at the end of this part it was a relief to see that the time we spent recording as a band (full days and nights) was worth it. We are satisfied with it.

Have you got regular jobs? (I don’t think you can survive as musicians)

Yes, of course, but for us the band is part of our ‘regular job’, because we are constantly thinking about new ways and things to contribute to the band with new arrangements, ideas etc..

Do you think the internet and webzines can help you to gain a bigger audience?

Yes I do. Nowadays it is one of the most important and efficient free tools to reach a worldwide audience.

And at last, any last thoughts?

Yes, we encourage all the musicians of the world to make the promise to spread their music as far and as long as they can, because music is the strongest worldwide language that keeps the soul of the world alive. Thanks for the interview. Good vibes and best regards to FemmeMetal.

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Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Annika Jalkaven is the leadvocalist of the Finnish female fronted metal band For Selena and Sin. They started in 2004, and they have two cd’s out, “Overdosed on You” from 2007, and the recent “Primrose Path” from 2009.

Hello Annika. Can you explain the band’s name?

Hello you all! Our music is melancholic and that involves things like darkness and moon. In Greek mythology Selene was a godess of the moon and the idea for the band´s name came up from that. Finally band name was shaped as For Selena and Sin.

A Kylie Minogue-cover (“Confide in Me”) on a metal cd???

We wanted to have a cover song and I heard the original version from TV and thought this could be it. I suggested it to other members and we all thought this would be very interesting song to make a cover. We tried few different arrangements and came up to that kind of version.

Can you tell us something about the songs on “Primrose Path”?

Compared them to “Overdosed on You” the songs are more energetic and straightfoward. Also most of the lyrics were writen by Pasi and me. Theme´s in the songs are mostly about life in general; love, hate, disappointments.

And maybe a brief history of the band?

For Selena and Sin was founded in 2004 and I joined the band 2006. There has been few other changes in line-up during these years too. After our first album was released we started to do live gigs and now there´s almost 100 gig behind us. We have been touring two times in Europe and done some other foreingn gigs not to mention about those several gigs here in Finland.

You come from a city called Jyväskylä. Other bands from there are Machine Men, Swallow The Sun, Ghost Brigade… is there an extensive metal-scene?

Yes, we have an extensive metal-scene here in Jyväskylä. I don´t know the actual reason for that. This city is quite small and because of that every metal musician knows each other at least some how. When you know somebody who knows someone it broughts about new bands..

Have you got, besides music, some other passions?

Music is my greatest passion and I don´t have any other passions. I actually study as a nurse at the moment and that it is another important thing in my life right now.

Do you have any affinity with other Finnish female vocalists like for exemple Kaisa (Battlelore), Tarja Turunen, Leeni-Maria Hovila (Kivimetsän Druidi)?

If you mean am I related to any of those, I´m not. And I don´t perceive myself as a classical singer because I mostly sing with normal style.

There are many Finnish bands, too much to mention, but is there enough work for all these bands? And how is the concert-scene in Finland? (Festivals, concerthalls etc.)

Of course it´s not easy to get gigs, you really have to work for it. To those biggest and legendary concerthalls are only for bands who are really really famous in rock and metal scene. In the summer we have a lot of different kind of festivals but unfortunately the biggest festivals are reserved for the same famous bands that I told you before. Smaller bands may have opportunity to have gigs in the smaller festivals.

Do you prefer to play live or record songs in the studio?

We definitely want to play live because you can be in touch with the audience and have straight feedback from them. I do like the recording session, but it´s so different from the live gigs. Maybe live recording in studio would be fun!

Any weird stories from on the road?

When we were recording the “Primrose Path” album in Vasterås our friend was also hanging around with us. Our producer wasn´t there anymore cause it was night. We were recording some stuff in the studio and our friend wanted to go to bathroom and needed a key for that. We had only this one key that was suitable to main door of our rooms. Well, it took a while when we started to wonder why our friend hasn´t come back. We rang him many times but he didn´t answer. So we had to stay almost the whole night in the studio because our friend was passed out inside the house..We had no other choice than record music while we wait him to woke up.

What is for you the book, cd, comic, movie, concert and event of 2009?

I guess our first European tour was really unforgettable and of course the release of our second album.

Do you read critics about the band? And do they have any impact on you?

Yes I read them. First they´ve got really a big impact on me but now I´ve realized to take them more constructive than be pissed off out of them if some critic comes out.

What are the plans for the future?

We´ll do gigs as much as possible and maybe a tour abroad too. Also we start to write new songs and next year we´ll go to studio to record our third album.

Any “famous last words” for the fans?

Peace and love to everyone and greetings from Finland!

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 Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Anachronia is a Melodic Progressive Metal band from the north of France (Lilles) and they just   released the second album called “One Second Before”. Following now is an interview with leadsinger Fay.

What was the weirdest place you have ever performed?

In a big plane shed! A plane was suspended right above us and I was always watching it as it was about to fall on us! I was in a ridiculously short shirt (in middle of winter!) and it was freezing like hell! I was crying because i wanted to keep my coat and scarf on me and my nose was red! Really sexy!

How is the new cd selling? Is there a difference between the American, the Asian and the European market?

How’s the metal-scene in France? Any interesting new bands we have to keep an eye on?

French metal bands are not really well received inside our frontiers. Indeed, as we are near Belgium, metal fans prefer to go and see the concert in there. Most of the bands play in bar.
There’s a rising of gothic/female fronted bands who meets success in France. I think that they make people dream. But i’d keep an eye on “male” bands like Klang who propose a more energetic and “fresh” music.

Are there any singers/musicians/writers/filmmakers you admire?

Any “famous last words”?

First of all, thank you for your attention!  Hope that fans and new comers will like this new album. Prepare your ears, AnachroniA is back. See you soon!

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Interview by Marc “Peston” Sels

Anabioz is a Russian band from Oktyabrsky in the republic of Bashkortostan. (for those who don’t know where Bashkortostan is, look it up, you lazy bastards!!). They play, according to the Encyclopaedia Metallum folk/doom/death metal. For me they just play good metal, you can listen to it on their latest album “…The Light” (2010) The following interview is with singer/violinplayer Olga.

Can you introduce the bandmembers to us (musical influences, professional occupations…)?

The band’s line-up is: Olga - vocal, violin; Anton - guitar, vocal; Damir - guitar; Dmitry - bass; Alexander - drums.  We’re all into different kinds of music. For example, I like folk and viking metal, Damir is into progressive and progressive/death metal, Dmitry is into doom-metal and sympho-metal and Alexander and Anton are listening to everything from math-metal and grindcore to jazz. All members of our band have a work, excluding me - I’m sitting at home with my baby. Damir and Dmitry are electrical engineers, Alexander and Anton are working at musical stores.

How’s the Russian metalscene? Any interesting new bands?

In terms of development of metal-scene, Russia is still behind Europe. There are certain moves ahead, though. Several interesting new bands I was listening to in the last time - Der Galgen, Fangorn, Grai (all are playing folk-metal), Armaga (dark-metal), Eclipse Hunter (prog-power metal).

Is there a special meaning in the band’s name?

We got this name as a some kind of heritage. Earlier Anabioz consisted of totally different people playing different music. The band was reborn in 2003, the musicians of former line-up were gone and the new line-up was completed in 2006. We wanted to change the name a few years ago, but at that moment our band was confirmed on several festivals, and we decided to stay with this name.

Is there, for you personally, a big difference between touring and recording? And what do you prefer?

These are two sides of life of every musical formation, and they are equally important and interesting! I can’t choose just one of them.

Do the recent terrorist attacks on the Moscow metro have any influence on the life as a musician in Russia?

We live far away from Moscow and we know about these terrible events from news on TV. You can’t absolutely defend yourself from terrorism, you know. People have to use metro every day, they just can’t not use it. As far as I know, life keeps flowing its usual way - and for russian musicians too.

Do you read your album reviews in mags and webzines? If you do, do they have any impact on you or the other bandmembers?

Yes, I try to read all reviews and opinions I can get. Of course, we listen to people’s responses about our music, but we keep moving on our own way. For example, nothing and no one can force us to change our style drastically.

Haven’t you ever thought - Why didn’t I become a waitress?

Funny question! No, I’ve never thought about it! I got a job as a waitress when I was 18, though, but I’ve worked there just one day. It isn’t my cup of tea, you see!

How would you present Anabioz to someone who haven’t heard of the band?

I’d say, we play heavy but melodic music with violin and the stirring folk motives! But I doubt I can name some really similar bands, maybe just the distant similarities… Amorphis, Eluveitie…

Any favourite violin players/componists ? I myself like Paganini. Did you have a classical schooling?

Paganini is a greatest violin player! Also I really admire D.Oistrakh, L.Kogan. My favourive composers are Vivaldi, Mozart and Bach. Also, what I like very much is the violin in celtic music. I have finished musical school in violin class.

How’s the new CD selling?

New album is selling just for a few days at this moment, and we even didn’t touch it with our own hands! So I can’t tell you anything about the sales numbers.

After the release of a CD, most bands start a promo-tour. Can we expect you on the European stages this summer?

I have a doubt about this summer. We’re going to send our new album to the foreign labels. Maybe in the next year we’ll have an opportunity to play at some European festival! Now we’re making the gigs here and there in Russia, maybe in some time we’ll make a little tour in Ukraine.

You (the band) describe your music as folk metal / doom / death. Isn’t that a bit confusing for the fans?

It’s the most accurate description of music we are playing. We have already thought about some way to shorten it, but decided to not change it.

Which book, CD, comic, movie would you take with you when they dropped you on a deserted island ? And can you give us a short explanation why?

Book - “The Lord of the Rings”, it’s a fantasy classic, I’ll never get bored with it! CD - Amorphis, I think. These guys always make the interesting and qualitative music, with a lot to learn for us! If I could take several CDs, not just one, I would take Blind Guardian, Turisas, My Dying Bride and Epica and be pretty happy! There are many movies that I like… I think I would take “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and watch it from time to time. It’s a timeless classic, just like “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”.

Any “famous last words”?

I wish all the best for your magazine, and real spring mood and more of good music for your readers! I hope you’ll like our new album! So far so good.I hope the band has got a great future, they deserve it, and I hope to hear from them very soon with more new, fantastic material.

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