Hail and welcome to Iron Backstage! Before we begin the interview, could you please introduce yourself to our readers and provide a brief history of Ephialtes?
Quazarre (voc / guit): Hi! It all started over the course of the global pandemic. During that period I’ve been hard at work on what would later turn to be our debut album, “Melas Oneiros”. At the time I just grabbed the guitar and started writing without even thinking of where these new tunes would end up on. I mean, I already had this idea in mind for quite a while to introduce a new project, a new brand that would take the global metal community by storm but back then I wasn’t even sure this would be eventually marked as Ephialtes. Once the album’s pre-production was at an advanced stage I had asked my bandmates from Devilish Impressions (drummer Avernatvs and bass player Tzar) to join in for both, the recording sessions as well as for the new band’s future live performances. Another figure to compliment ‘Melas Oneiros’ is Marcus Edvardsson from Sweden’s Souldrainer, whom I asked to lay down tracks of synthesizers on the album. Recording commenced in 2021 at different locations in Poland and Sweden (Icaros Studio, Metallfabriken Studio, Studio Młyn) and was completed by the end of the following year under the helm of Przemysław Nowak at Impressive-Art Studio.
How would you describe your music, and which bands have been your biggest influences?
I would say it is not only brave but also utterly meticulous in its vision of how the Melodic Blackened Death Metal might sound like nowadays. Being mostly into Black and Death metal we also love all the classics that we grew up with, thus have also incorporated elements of Heavy Metal into that peculiar blend of ours, especially the melodies, guitar harmonies and so on. To cut it short, we remain loyal to the classics yet at the same time are not afraid to push boundaries.
As for our biggest influences, I can speak for myself only. I am a huge fan of the 2nd wave of Black Metal, with all the Scandinavian bands such as Emperor, Immortal, Dissection, Mayhem, Marduk, Dimmu Borgir, Hypocrisy, Limbonic Art and many many more. Also Poland’s Christ Agony and Taranis played incredibly huge role in blackening my musical taste. When you add my love for Metallica, Death, Maiden or W.A.S.P. on top of that you may have a hint on where Ephialtes’ tunes may come from.
Has your musicianship evolved over the years, and if so, how? Playing in a band like Devilish Impressions should provide valuable experience.
I believe it does. I mean, having been around for quite a while, be it with Devilish Impressions but also all other bands we’ve been or still are involved in, makes us all better musicians, both when it comes to composing the music and, what I find equally important, when working on the songs’ arrangements. The experience we had gathered all over the years also helps to build sort of a critical balance in perception of the tunes we create as well as solidifying a self-esteem which is yet another important factor whether you are in studio or up on stage.
How long does it typically take for Ephialtes to record an album?
Taking the circumstances it took us way over a year for “Melas Oneiros”. Though I’ve got to point we did not work under any sort of a time-pressure. Starting the band from scratch means there wasn’t any deadline to deliver the album, photo session, cover art – whatsoever. We just took as long as we felt it was necessary to have it all done. It doesn’t mean we’d need the same amount of time for the next one. It always looks different if the band’s signed and has certain contracted obligations towards the record label and so on.
Can you tell us more about your latest album, "Melas Oneiros"?
We really pulled ourselves out of the comfort zone which translated to the attitude towards the composing and later to the recording and post-production process – no boundaries, no restrictions and fulfilling only the expectations of our own. From the beginning it was meant to be a loud, untamed roar from the very bottom of our hearts. And I believe it is one of those “love it or hate it” records. Remorselessly honest, touching and uncompromising. We are certainly not re-inventing the wheel down here, it is just our own take on the genre.
What's next for Ephialtes? Are you working on any new albums, and if so, can you give us some details?
Nope, not yet. The album’s out for not even two months now so there’s still plenty to do in terms of its promotion. I know there are people who tend to write new music right after having the old one recently released but I doubt it would work for band such as Ephialtes. I believe every record reflects certain state of mind of the composers, thus I find it more natural for the next record to let the older things digest in first place and to eventually let evolve and resonate the new ones. To place yourself in a different planet, so to say, than the one you have been at while conjuring up the previous one.
Do you have any upcoming tours or gigs planned to promote your latest album? Are there any plans for Ephialtes to play in Europe or the USA in the future?
We shall see. We are doing our best to secure the band some gigs here and there, will see what comes up of it.
Have Ephialtes ever done any opening acts for major heavyweight bands? If so, when and where?
No, we did not play a single show under this moniker thus far. It’s actually going to be fun to feel as debuting live musicians at this age, hahaha.
What is your opinion on the metal scene in Opole?
There are a few bands around, none of them actually is big enough to ring the bell at someone’s church outside of Poland I suppose.
Do you have any messages for our readers?
Well, if you are one of those who do not stubbornly claim that, for example, Black Metal ended with the first albums of Dark Throne or Mayhem, then I am convinced that bands such as Ephialtes can provide you with many great experiences in contact with our art. Check us out and let the Black Dream haunt your minds tonight.
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