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This Russian Death Metal band doesn't need any introductory as they are quite well-known by their insane Death Metal releases in the underground scene. Anton Shirl (vocals, bass) was the one who has answered my questions. So read it attentively and find out what hides amongst the cold places of Volgograd.
What's going on in the TALES OF DARKNORD camp these days? Last I heard, there was a new material in progress...
- All is correct, after a long break we have again engaged in creativity. Now we write down songs, which will enter a new album. Most likely it will be devoted to events of the Second World War and Stalingrad's fight in particular. As a whole, we continue to play old kind death-metal, but in the new work there will be some musical innovations not characteristic for the last works of T.O.D.. I shall not tell what - will hear! In two words, we have introduced hardly more jazz, than it is accepted within the framework of classics of death metal.
Your line-up also changed. Who are the new members?
- I still continue growl and I tear strings on a bass-guitar. On a guitar plays Mr. Grikot, which we frequently invited to execute guitar's solo parts. Now he is a high-grade participant of the group, also executes all sets of guitars. Also I have invited new drummer. His name is Eugene Dementeff. Already as 1,5 years we play in this line-up and it is possible to tell that we were thoroughly played. While it is not known, in what quality its spiritual father and founder Alex Kantemirov will return to the group, but he already takes part in recording an album. In the first already recorded song we sang with him on two votes.
Is TALES OF DARKNORD looking to release the new record on a different label or will the band be sticking with R.I.P. Productions?
- Alex has based a label - "More Hate prod.", therefore now it is much easier to realize our albums. However, we always wait for interesting and mutually advantageous offers from other labels. As far as I know, our last two-three albums are rather widely submitted in various distro-lists worldwide. Alex frequently sells the rights on their realization by other small labels that our music was accessible not only for Russian fans, but also worldwide. Certainly, it is a drop in the sea, in comparison with circulation of the monsters of metal.
What is the response to your latest album "Dismissed" been like?
- I do not know I do not trace all opinions and reviews, which are reaction to our creativity. However, I shall not hide, got to me in hands, I read with interest.
It seems that our last album praised more, than abused. On the other hand, we do not play modern and commercial music to be scandal of year. Therefore I do not fly in dreams.
You have a couple of demos... Will TALES OF DARKNORD's old demos "Blackened Soul Remains" or "Absorbing Destinies" ever see the light one day on CD format? Maybe as bonus tracks on another album or something?
- To republish old demos? Full shit! Hardly they will interest someone seriously, if you not a star. Can be, we shall include separate tracks in quality bonus, or in compilations.
Concerning your live shows... What kind of atmosphere is there when you do and what bands do you prefer to play with? What do you feel inside when you play live?
- He-he! We did not play at concerts 3 years. Even it is difficult to express the ideas in this occasion. Certainly, we like actively to behave on a stage. If this charge passes to fans to play much more easily. The huge value has a sound on a stage. If it has powerful sound, the gig will turn out powerful. A lot of energy adds knowledge that in a hall the people, which came to listen to you.
The covers for "Endless Sunfall", "The Last" and "Dismissed" were very interesting and original. Who came up with the cover concepts? What inspired them? And why the CD cover of "Endless Sunfall" is different from the cover you chose for the MC version (Belorussian release)?
- Actually, we never have of the normal artist, and we had no time him to search him, therefore we are the hostages of another's, and frequently stupid execution of our ideas. For this reason I cannot explain you some details in those pictures, which decorate our CDs. And the mess with different pictures to the album "Endless Sunfall" has left that Alex has sold to three labels identical exclusive of the right:) Yes, for us the artist is still necessary, if who wishes, welcome!
In most editions your music described as Death/Black. And as for me your music is the pure essence of Death Metal. And how you can explain us your style?
- And in styles I do not understand at all. I think, that we play brutal death/thrash.
Alex temporarily is not a member of TALES OF DARKNORD. What's up with him? As I know he is involved in some Black Metal bands as DER GERWELT and ROSSOMAHAAR for example. Does it hindered the work with TALES OF DARKNORD so far or is TALES OF DARKNORD the top priority?
- Alex some time lived in the other city and was engaged only business in the party of T.O.D., as the musician he was realized in two other groups: ROSSOMAHAAR and STONEHENGE. Now he has returned to native city. Whether he will continue to play in T.O.D. depends only on him. We hope for him, in any case.
There were three coverversions on your album "The Last", namely SIX FEET UNDER's "Lycanthrophy", ACHERON's "Overturning Prayer-Book" and UNPURED's "Surrounded By Darkness". Why you decided to do all these tracks for one occasion? Is there any songs that you would like to cover for the new album?
- On one of rehearsals in 1998 Alex has offered to play these three covers. John and I were not against. That's all. There is no latent idea; probably simply these songs liked him. And what for still people play another's songs?
On the new album we shall play 2 another songs: "She is just killing me" by ZZ-TOP and "Fire" by Jimmy Hendrix. It will be cheerful.
What bands you prefer to listen nowadays and what bands had influenced TALES OF DARKNORD?
- In new structure T.O.D. the so different people now play, that it is difficult to tell, what groups influence our creativity. I am afraid, that it will be mix from jazz-rock, hard rock, and rock-n-roll, metal collectives. We listen to GOOD music of absolutely different styles from BLUES BROTHERS up to CANNIBAL CORPSE.
Say something about the members' interests outside of the band?
- I study (I try to receive masters degree), and it strongly has bothered to me already. This occupation does not bring money; therefore soon I shall throw it and set off on searches of food:)
Alex has finished the education and works as a teacher at military university. Grikot works in sphere of telephony. Eugene - builder and the designer.
We are the coevals, 26-28 years. Almost all of us have wife or girlfriend, family cares. In this connection remains to very poorly free time for music:(
You're the only band from Volgograd that I've heard. How's the scene there?
- There is no stage here; here in general there are not enough fans of metal. We did not play 3 years, and may be all already have forgotten as it sounds. It is necessary to begin all at first. But hardly we shall involve more than 300 fans, as it was in the best times.
Briefly say something about the lyrical conception of TALES OF DARKNORD. What did you try to express through your lyrics?
- I do not have any concept, which I would adhere in the texts. If it was possible to sing something such as bla-bla-bla without any sense, I only would be delighted to this. Major importance I give to sounding of lyrics, instead of its sense. Though, however, each songs of T.O.D. - is small realistic story about human life. A short story, if want.
Well, that's all I think... Any last tales from darknord you would like to add...
- Hey people! Do not take in head to pass on pop-music. For whom we then shall create?:) We still shall create for a long, we promise!!! Ha-ha...
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