Since recently things are in motion in Lord Impaler’s camp, Metal Invader seized the change and talked with the band’s frontman Tragon. In this interview, Tragon elaborates on the band’s upcoming releases, their future concert plans and so much more! Take a look!
Good evening and welcome to Metal Invader! I hope everything’s fine!
You are a band that has several years of presence in the Greek Black Metal scene. You have released several demos, splits and a full length album entitled “Admire the Cosmos Black”. How do you think time has treated you all these years? Are you satisfied with your career so far?
Tragon: We’ve definitely had our mishaps, it’s actually quite reasonable after so many years, but overall we have no complaints. As you mentioned before, we were able to produce several releases and of course we continue walking this path. This is the essential purpose of any art, to create, to offer and if it’s reciprocated by the crowd, it gives you something back to carry on doing what you do.
As far as I know, at the moment you are working on your second album. Have you finished the recordings or the mixing / mastering process?
Tragon: Currently we are still recording. It has taken longer than we expected because we work a little differently than we did in the past and at some point we decided to take it all from the beginning in order to deliver the best result. As band that’s what we prefer, our work to have quality rather than quantity. Nonetheless, we are on track and if all goes well our work will be finished by the upcoming summer.
When you are thinking of releasing the record and via which company?
Tragon: It is too early to know. We will send some demos to some labels and we will move accordingly. Especially if a label will be involved and we don’t have to do things alone, then the release date does not depend solely on us.
Talk to us about the record’s creation process… Which synthesis pattern did you follow and how easy or difficult was it for you? Did you encounter any problems?
Tragon: Usually everything starts from an idea on guitar; we take it from there and expand it as far as possible without pressuring it, in order for it to become a skeleton of riffs that flows smoothly. After that, Nodens will clothe the pieces with drums, I’ll work ideas in the lyrics and vocal lines and slowly everything is transformed into a song. Of course nothing is considered finished until we do the mixing. For “In Full Regalia” now, the biggest share of load is shouldered by Lord Nebulah because when we started working we were just the two of us in the group, but now, having a full line-up enables us to easily find ideas, to filter things etc.
In the record “Admire the Cosmos Black” drums were handled by legend Hellhammer, whose musical course is enviable, to say the least. Will a cooperation of a similar caliber take place in your new effort?
Tragon: Only if it occurs naturally. We don’t try to engage the crowd by having big names in our records. If we feel that a particular musician will give that “magic” in a piece, we’ll surely consider it. And of course that’s something that doesn’t entirely rely on us. So far, however, there is no such cooperation for the next record.
Apart from the upcoming second full length disk, a split album titled “Carved By The Winds Eternal” is expected to be released, in which Hell Poemer and Dizzeness will participate. How did this happen?
Tragon: We had met the guys a long time ago and kept contact, so when the idea was created, we instantly agreed. In no case is this considered a “marriage of interest” since we are bands with matching style and switching from one band to the other does not surprise the listener.
The release of the split is expected in late March – early April… Have you agreed on a specific date or everything is cloudy at the moment?
Tragon: This depends on the labels that are responsible for this release. As soon as they provide us with a specific date, we will announce it to you, but keep in mind that it doesn’t depend on us. Our part ended when we handed the mastered editions.
In order to promote (as I understand) the release of the split, you released the track “The Fire That Burns” on 22nd of February. It’s one of the two pieces that will be included in the split record. What’s the feedback you get from your fans? Are you satisfied?
Tragon: The track goes well. People liked it and that’s pleasing. This was the first time we handled the mixing / mastering process, so we’re expecting as much feedback as possible so that we can improve further.
On May 13th you will play along with Rotting Christ in Kastoria! How do you feel about it?
Tragon: We are very happy, of course. Presenting our music live is something that we eagerly wanted to do and it’s something our listeners were asking from us for a long time now. We’re a little bit anxious because we want everything to be perfect, but I believe that no one will be disappointed.
Apart from this concert, do you have something else on your mind; perhaps a tour, inside / outside Greece, to support your upcoming record?
Tragon: We will try to play other show but at this moment I cannot say anything with certainty.
How do you about the Greek Black Metal scene nowadays (even if you walk in more Nordic trails compared to the local groups)? Is there a future?
Tragon: The Greek scene has always been strong and special, and definitely has a future. The fact that in previous years its value wasn’t weighted as it should perhaps worked positively and in favor of the scene, since it has not been commercialized as the scenes of Sweden and Norway, and maintains its sentimentality and edge. There are now countless bands producing quality music and have character, something missing from scenes abroad.
That’s all from me, thank you for the interview! Want to send a message to our readers?
Tragon: I’ll probably sound tedious and cliché, but support your local bands. The dinosaurs and monsters we all grew up with are slowly retiring. If you don’t give power to new bands to lift their heads I fear that we will end up with a dead genre and we will only listen to what big labels want us to. Thank you for the interview and your interest. Keep the flame burning!
source: http://metalinvader.net/interview-with-tragon-lord-impaler/
Lord Impaler 