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Hi,
first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album "Self
Exile". To
new fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it
all?
Kostis - Hi
and thanks a lot for your good words. Wastefall were originally
formed on March of 2003 and until now they have survived numerous
member changes and released three albums: ‘Fallen Stars and
Rising Scars’ in July 2003, ‘Soulrain21’ in November 2004
and finally the all-new ‘Self exile’ in June 2006. ‘Self Exile’ was composed and recorded during the autumn and winter of
2005 by the current line-up of the band and is-in our opinion- the
most complete creation of Wastefall.
How
has your new album been received by the media?
Kostis
- Although
it’s been a really short time since the album was released we
have received many reviews which in their majority are quite
flattering and encouraging. We have been also ‘album of the
month’ in the French Rock Hard magazine.
I
know artists don't like to put a label on their music - but a
spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and
is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to
an alien from another galaxy?
Kostis
- If
he was really an alien even if I was to put a label on our music
he wouldn’t understand what I’m talking about…I would tell
him that our music is a puzzle consisting of thousands little
pieces. Half of them are things that have moved deeply during our
travel through music. The rest are things that come from our lives
and from deep inside which we want to communicate to other people.
If
your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
Kostis
- Music
is never one emotion…
Who
and what inspires you when you write a song? Walk us through the
creation of a song?
Kostis
- It
could be anything…and nothing! I think that if we find out where
inspiration comes from then inspiration dies. It’s probably a
various selection of observations and emotions blended in mystical
way. Considering the birth of a song, Domenik and Alex come with
the main idea and then it’s presented to the rest of us. After
that we rehearse the ideas over and over again and then something
new is born. The final product is a result of teamwork.
Which
subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them?
And what inspires
you when you write your lyrics?
Kostis
- Alex
writes all the lyrics. He’s more into philosophy (especially
Hegel) and mysticism, combined with a personal perception and
events. The lyrics vary from record to record. There can be a
political, a philosophical or even a personal approach on things.
Inspiration comes from above.
Who
has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
Kostis
- The
album was produced and mixed by Tommy Hansen at Jailhouse studios
in
Denmark
during January 2006. It was the most pleasant and smooth
cooperation and Tommy brought out the work of Wastefall in the
best sound possible. We would definitely like to work with him
again.
Who
has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have
a great cover?
Kostis
- Personally
I believe that the artwork/the cover of every album are of great
importance because they offer an image of how the band sees its
music. The better the artwork the better the way this image is
represented. Additionally, an attractive cover can help the band
commercially.
Do
you have any touring plans?
Kostis
- There’s
nothing specific at the moment. Right now, we are concentrated in
our performance in the ProgPower festival in Atlanta, USA. It is a great honour for us to play there and it will help a lot
for our music to be heard in the other side of the Atlantic. After that and if the sales of the record prove satisfying I
believe there will be a tour.
Let’s
speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your
own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
Kostis
- I
believe that we all agree in this band that ideal touring partners
would be Pain of Salvation They are a band of extreme importance
and their fans would understand easier our music. My personal
dream is to tour with Tool.
How
do you feel about the co-operation with your label?
Kostis
- Our
co-operation with Sensory proved to be ideal! We definitely get
all the attention we want and they treat us the best way. We hope
it will continue this way.
The
internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do
you use the internet and how important is it for you and other
bands?
Kostis
- Nowadays,
a tremendous amount of what is going on in the music industry
takes place on the net. Fans all over the world have the chance
listen to our music, download our CDs, talk to you, talk about you,
and learn about you. It is very important for any band to dig into
that thing. As far as we are concerned we have uploaded on our
site songs and samples of our music, we talk to funs throughout
forums and we try to give to fans as much information we can
through our site.
And
how do you feel about the metal scene in general at the moment?
Kostis
- That’s
a difficult one. People keep saying that bands like Pantera,
R.A.T.M, and Metallica are either not in the scene any more or
they are but not in the way they used to be.
On
the other bands like Korn, Slipknot, Tool, Opeth, Pain of
Salvation rule the metal scene and have lots of things to offer.
So I believe that things in the metal scene are in a truly good
shape and will get even better.
Which
song do you consider to be the best one you have ever written?
Kostis
- Probably
“Empty Haven” from ‘Soulrain 21’ and “Utopia Fragmented”
from ‘Self- Exile’.
Name
an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your
life … and why?
Kostis
- ”Lateralus”
from Tool is definitely an album that had a great influence on me.
I must have heard it at least 200 times in a very shadowy an
complex period of my life. The effect the music of this album had
on me along with the lyrics made me search deep in me and find the
right answers.
Which
kind
of music do you listen to at home?
Kostis -
Whatever
sounds progressive in a sense that it has something new and
original to offer to music? I also listen to lots of Beethoven and
Chopin and some electronic music.
Vinyl
has had a small comeback lately – do you still prefer “the old
sound” or are you a CD/DVD kind of guy?
Kostis
- To
tell you the truth I was never a ‘vinyl guy’. Not that I
didn’t want to but the machine that plays vinyl records in my
home is broken since the day I was born and never replaced.
Last
question - do you have any famous last words for our readers?
Kostis
- Thanks
for your time reading this interview. We hope you enjoy the record
and that we will have the chance to play for you some day… Take
care!!!
Interviewed
by Kenn Jensen |
