- First of all, thank you for your precious time and welcome to Metalitty Webzine! Let’s start with a brief biography of the band.
- We hail from Greece and have been part of the metal scene for quite a long time, since 1990. Until now, we have released 9 full-length albums: Mystic Places of Dawn (1994), Esoptron (1995), The Ophidian Wheel (1997), A Fallen Temple (1998), Revolution DNA (1999), Sumerian Daemons (2003), Communion (2008), The Great Mass (2011), and Titan (2014).
- You just released your 9th full-length album entitled TITAN. Can you talk to me about this masterpiece?
- I think the title of the album describes its musical content well. For the production, we worked for the first time with Logan Mader (ex-Machine Head guitarist) as we were impressed with his work with bands like Fear Factory, Cavalera Conspiracy, Gojira, and W.A.S.P. Regarding the symphonic parts, we once again collaborated with the Fimharmonic Orchestra of Prague.
- What’s the concept and the message behind the artwork cover?
- The cover is intentionally minimal, avoiding many distracting elements in the background, and focusing on the main protagonists. The main figures display an intense bipolarity, provoking second thoughts about what is actually taking place in the scene. After a long gaze at the picture, the roles between them change to opposite directions. Is it really a lamb lying on the floor, or a masked predator disguised as a lamb (take notice of the wolf teeth)? Is the vague humanoid form what it initially seems to be, or something else? And there is much more mind-blowing and thought-provoking artwork inside the album.
- What do the lyrics deal with?
- There is a variety of themes on Titan and each song can stand on its own story. However, some songs can be interlinked. For example, “Burn” is about the fire of knowledge and can be connected to the song “Prometheus” that refers to the specific Titan who gave the secret knowledge of fire to man. Also, “Ground Zero,” besides telling a story of annihilation in a dark poetic way, sets the post-apocalyptic environment for the final song of the album, “The First Immortal.”
- According to you, which is more difficult: writing lyrics or composing music?
- Both pose their challenges and demand a lot of time and effort. Actually, I work on both in a parallel way as I want to provide the audience with the most appropriate “images” and emotions, in alliance with the musical background, creating a unified result.
- What makes TITAN different from other albums?
- Titan is built upon the most powerful elements that characterize the sound of Septicflesh while also going one step further. It is definitely the most homogeneous and focused piece of music that we have created so far, having a very intense and specific “aura.” Considering the metal parts, it demonstrates a more blackened death metal attitude, bringing a primeval rage fitting to an album called Titan. There are also more demanding drum rhythms in the songs and more challenging classical orchestrations. Finally, considering the vocals, besides the normal adult choir that we use, we utilized a complete children’s choir for the first time, bringing a “spooky” and cinematic sensation to the songs.
- Are you planning on making a video for one of the album songs?
- Yes, we want to make a video clip, but for the time being, we are focused on touring. So probably, if all goes well, we will manage to do it at the beginning of next year, as we want to have time to focus on it to create something visually enchanting and not just rush it.
- The band was formed in 1990, split in 2003, then reunited in 2007, right? Do you think the band has changed after 20 years of existence?
- There has been continuous evolution, while the core identity of the band was always present. Surely, we were never afraid to experiment and push our boundaries. That is one of the main characteristics of Septicflesh. We have developed a very distinct musical identity, a specific musical portal to strange mystical worlds.
- You’re just back from a tour with the Italian band Fleshgod Apocalypse. Tell me more about that tour, and any Septicflesh news and upcoming events.
- We are like brothers with Fleshgod Apocalypse. They are great to work with and, of course, great musicians. So it is always fun touring together. The latest USA tour this summer was very successful. Next week, we will return to the USA, this time following the “In the Minds of Evil” North American tour of Deicide.
- Thank you again, and is there anything else you would like to add?
- Stand tall as Titans.
