Entretien avec EUGENE SIMONE (guitares), par Mel Delacroix
http://www.eldritchweb.com
http://www.myspace.com/neighbourhell
http://twitter.com/#!/Eldritchband
http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/eldritch
http://www.myspace.com/neighbourhell
http://twitter.com/#!/Eldritchband
http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/eldritch
ELDRITCH est un groupe très difficile a classer : il mélange prog, thrash, heavy... pensez-vous que cela peut interfèrer avec la visibilité de cet excellent groupe ?
Ce mélange de nombreux styles différents pourrait donner de bonnes critiques et beaucoup de considération par des personnes qui recherchent un groupe avec une forte personnalité. Je sais également qu'en fait il n'est pas facile d'être original et convaincant en même temps... malheureusement les étiquettes doivent promouvoir les trucs branchés et commerciaux et la masse préfère les groupes plus facilement « easy listening » . Juste une petite partie des fans de métal ose le pari de franchir les clivages. Pour nous il n'y a aucun sens a copier d'autres millions de groupes. Nous essayons toujours de proposer quelque chose de personnel, et qu'importe les tendances.
1991/2012 : Quels sont les projets immédiats (interview réalisée en novembre 2012) ?
Nous prévoyons quelques spectacles en Italie avant de participer au festival Ragnarokkr aux États-Unis l'année prochaine. Nous cherchons a jouer pour les festivals de l'été prochains, travaillant sur de nouvelles chansons dans le même temps.
Etes-vous content du partenariat avec Scarlet records ?
En fait, il est impossible pour n'importe quels groupes de prétendre a esperer enormement plus que ce qui se passait il y a 15 ans. Bien sûr, nous aimerions obtenir plus, mais nous comprenons que, maintenant, il est difficile d'investir beaucoup d'argent, en particulier pour un groupe de metal...
DREAM THEATER apparaît comme un fantôme sur vos épaules... vous acceptez cette remarque ou cela est totalement fortuit ?
Vraiment vous croyez??? J'espère toujours que nous ne rappelons pas Dream Theater. Ils sont un grand groupe et j'ai adoré leurs premiers albums. Mais nous tenons à être juste Eldritch... et pas quelqu'un qui se reclame de DT. Trop de groupes le font....Je veux dire, j'ai enormement de respect pour les maîtres du metal prog, mais nous aimerions que les gens nous aiment comme une bande avec sa propre personnalité.
L'Italie a une scène métal très active et importante. Quelle est votre opinion sur vos compatriotes ? Quels sont les groupes qui ont vos faveurs ?
Il y a deux groupes qui ont remporté un franc succès. Lacuna Coil et Rhapsody (Of Fire). Comme nous, les autres groupes sont dans la scène depuis le début des années 90 et certains d'entre eux avec un bon succès (Labyrinthe). Mais malheureusement l'Italie n'est pas un pays métal et les groupes n'obtiennent pas de support. Beaucoup d'excellents groupes de métal mais aucun soutien derrière. Les gros producteurs ici cherchent d'autres styles de musique (pop italienne). En Suède, il y a un autre respect pour ceux qui veulent essayer rock et metal ... En Italie ce n'est pas la même chose.
Les événements économiques qui ravagent l'Europe influencent-ils votre vision et le travail de composition ? Mécaniquement, cela durcit votre son ?
Habituellement tout, autour de nous, pourrait influer sur l'écriture des chansons (en partie). En tout cas ce que vous lisez dans nos paroles est pris par nos expériences personnelles. Notre premier album, "Seeds Of Rage" (1995) et "Gaia' s Legacy (2011) sont les seules exceptions.
L'écologie est un thème central de votre album à ce jour ("Gaia's Legacy) semble tenir une grande place dans vos préoccupations civiques ?
Nous tenons à expliquer que l'héritage de Gaia n'est pas un message pour les gens à changer leur style de vie. Nous le voyons tous les jours, le changement climatique et tous les tremblements de terre et tsunami dans le monde entier appellent notre attention. Bien sûr, nous essayons de rappeler toutes les fois que cela est possible que ce qui est sous nos pieds est quelque chose à respecter. Parce que nous sommes invités sur cette planète... et comme tout le monde, parfois nous nous souvenons, parfois pas...
Pour vous, que manque-t-il dans ELDRITCH pour accéder à la première marche du podium ?
Je pense que ce qui nous manque ne tient pas en une seule raison. Sans doute la principale raison c'est parce que notre musique n'est pas facile à comprendre. Nous n'acceptons jamais les compromis. Quelqu'un dans le passé nous a demandé des influences plus classiques, plus double grosse caisse et plus hautes parties vocales lyriques dans notre musique... pour obtenir plus de fans et de ventes... mais nous avons toujours répondu « Non Merci ». On n'a jamais voulu quitter notre tempérament et nous sommes fiers de notre décision. Des errements au niveau du ciblage publicitaire et aussi certains mauvais choix dans le passé (comme de quitter Inside Out) nous a mis dans la merde...De toute façon, nous sommes toujours dans la scène. Et les gens semblent nous respecter, disant : nous sommes l'un des plus originaux groupes métal prog dans le monde entier. Et nous sommes sûrs qu'une bonne promotion pourrait nous donner plus de chances d'augmenter la base de fans.
ELDRITCH est un nom respectable par sa longévité, sa prise de risque dans le développement d'une vaste et ambitieuse musique, par son éclectisme stimulant ainsi que sa technique instrumentale au service de mélodies somptueuses. Comment Imaginez-vous l'avenir ? et le prochain album ?
Il est difficile d'imaginer quel genre d'avenir s'offre à nous. Une chose que je peux dire... nous préparerons le nouvel album sans courir. 4 chansons sont presque prêtes, l'album... pas avant l'été 2013.
Vous avez travaillé avec Ray Alder (Fates Warning, qui reste une grande influence) et Nicholas Van Dyk (Rédemption). Quels sont les prochains artistes qui pourraient être invités en tant que guest de choix sur votre prochain chef-d'œuvre ?
Je ne sais pas. Pas sûr d'en avoir un pour le nouvel album. Pour le moment je n'en ai aucun dans mon esprit...
Vous aimez faire des covers, toujours très inspirées (Faith No More ou The Knack). Un indice pour la prochaine... ?
Lire la dernière réponse he he...
Avez-vous déjà reçu de bons commentaires au sujet de vos clips vidéo très réussis ? Un autre projet ?
Notre intention était de réaliser une troisième vidéo, mais à la fin nous avons changé d'idée. Il est bon de promouvoir le nouvel album avec plus d'un clip vidéo, parce que les gens vivent plus sur internet que devant une scène, mais c'est trop cher de faire une vidéo. Pour un groupe comme nous, deux vidéos sont assez... donc, nous recherchons des spectacles en direct parce que nous croyons en la musique live...
Quels sont les 3 albums de votre vie (toutes musiques) ?
Question très difficile... tout le monde dans le groupe a son propre album/groupe préféré. Je parle pour le groupe ...Opération Mindcrime (Queensryche), Parallels (Fates Warning), Master Of Puppets (Metallica). Mais je ne peux écrire beaucoup plus car nous avons beaucoup d'influences (Annihilator, les premiers Dream Theater, Coroner, Savatage etc...). J'ai mentionné les premiers dans mon esprit:)
Comment est l'ambiance dans le groupe aujourd'hui ? (pas de mauvais sentiments à la "Queensrÿche" ah ah...) ?
Oh ahah ! Tout est ok ! Tous les gars sont de très bons musiciens et il est formidable de travailler avec eux. J'espère vraiment que nous pourrons travailler ensemble pendant une longue une très longue période...
Derniers mots pour vous, vos désirs...
N'en peut plus d'attendre de vous voir vous éclater au-devant de la scène ! :D
ELDRITCH is a very difficult group a classify: it mixes prog, thrash, heavy... do you that it interferes with the visibility of this nonetheless excellent group? Mixing a lot of different styles could give great reviews and a lot of consideration from people who search for a band with a strong personality. I know also that actually It’s not easy to be original and successful at the same time...unfortunately labels need to promote trendy and commercial stuff and the mass prefers "easy listening" bands. Just a small part of the metal fans is so patient to listen hybrid and uncommercial bands. For us it has no sense to be a copy of other million bands. We always try to propose something personal, we don't care about trends.
1991/2012: what are the immediate projects?
We're planning some shows in Italy before taking part of the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse in US the next year. We're looking for the next summer festivals, working on new songs in the meantime.
Are you content to your partnership with Scarlet records?
Actually it's impossible for any band to pretend what labels were giving 15 years ago. Of course we would like to get something more but we understand that now it's hard to invest a lot of money, expecially for a metal band...
Your current work in ELDRITCH plans this group in full in a saving sound modern? What are your feelings on the composition of the music?
The feeling could change everytime...as you know, we're not a band who likes to repeat the same things. This time we'll do something different but still into our style...melodic, aggressive, technical... Nothing more about the new songs hehe ;)
DREAM THEATER appears as a ghost over your shoulders... is this accepted, causing or totally fortuitous?
Really do you think so??? I always hope we don't remind Dream Theater. They're a great band and I loved their first albums. But we would like to be just Eldritch...and not someone who remember DT. Too many bands remember DT...I mean, all the respect for the masters of prog metal but we would like that people remember about us as a band with his own personality.
The Italy has a very active and prominent metal scene. What is your perspective on your countrymen? What are the groups that have your favors?
There are two bands that have a big success. Lacuna Coil and Rhapsody. Like us, other bands are into the scene since the early 90's and some of them with a good success (Labyrinth). But unfortunately Italy is not a metal country and bands don't get the right support. A lot of metal bands but no support behind. Big producers here look for other music styles (italian pop). In Sweden there's another respect for who wants to try a carrier with rock and metal music...in Italy is not the same.
The economic events that Europe endured influence your vision and work of composition? This hardens mechanically your sound?
Usually all is around us could influence (in small part) the songwriting. Anyway what you read in our lyrics is taken by our personal experiences. Our first album Seeds Of Rage and the last Gaia's legacy are the only exceptions.
Ecology is a central theme of your album to date ("Gaia's Legacy") seems to hold a great place in your civic concerns? How do you daily?
We would like to explain that Gaia's Legacy is not a message for people to change their style of life. We see the climate change everyday and all the earthquakes and tsunami around the world put our attention to that. We just talked about this thematic because we think it’s very actual and we would like other people to share it with us. Of course we try to remember all the times that what is under our feet is something to respect. Because we're guests on this planet...and as everyone, sometimes we remember, sometimes not...
For you, what's missing in ELDRITCH to access the top of the podium? of more ambitious shot? a more increased work on the part of your label from the media?
I think what we miss is not for one reason only. Surely the main reason it's because our music is not easy to understand. We never accepted compromises. Someone in the past asked us to include more classical influences, more double bass drum and more high lyrical vocal parts in our music...for getting more fans and more sellings...but we always answered "no thanks". We never wanted to leave our temper and we're proud of our decision. Anyway, also a bad label work sometimes was a damage for us but also some wrong choices in the past (like to leave Inside Out Music) put us in the shit...Anyway, we're still into the scene. And people seem to respect us, saying we're one of the most original prog metal bands worldwide. And we're sure, a good promotion could give us some more chances to increase the fanbase.
After Angra, Threshold, Pain Of Salvation, Firewind, festivals Gods Of Metal, Sweden Rock, ProgPower USA etc... What would be the tour of dream for you? who on your side?
In the last years we got a good feedback from USA. So what we expect is to play there again. But we're looking for some shows in Europe and summer fests. We shared the stage with a lot of big bands and our dream is to have the chance to repeat those awesome experiences.
ELDRITCH is a name that commands respect by his longevity, his catch of risk in the development of a broad and ambitious, music by its eclecticism invigorating as well as his instrumental technology at the service of sumptuous melodies. How you imagine the future? and the next album?
It's hard to imagine what kind of future we'll have. One thing I can say...we will prepare the new album without running. 4 songs are almost ready but i don't know when we'll release it... Not before the summer 2013. Since we'll work hard, we'll stay into the metal scene for a long time more...
You have worked with Ray Alder (Fates Warning, which remains a big influence ) as well as with Nicholas Van Dyk ( Redemption ). What would be the next artists who could be invited as guests on your next masterpiece?
I don't know. Not sure to have one for the new album. At the moment i don't have one in my mind...
you like doing covers versions, very inspired (Faith No More or The Knack ). What will be the next?
Read the last answer hehe...
Have you received good feedback about your very good video clips (Déviation" and "Everything's burning"). Another project?
Our intention was to realize a third video but at the end we changed idea. It's good to promote the new album with more than one videoclip because people live more on internet than in front of a stage but it's too expensive to make a video. For a band like us, two videos are enough...so, we're looking for some live shows because we believe in live music...
What are the 3 albums of your life ( any combined music )? and the artist that you do the most?
Very difficult question...everyone in the band have his own favorite album/band. I talk as band...Operation Mindcrime (Queensryche), Parallels (Fates Warning), Master Of Puppets (Metallica). But I can write a lot more because we have a lot of influences (Annihilator, Watchtower, the firsts Dream Theater, Coroner, Savatage ecc...). I mentioned just the first ones in my mind :)
How is the atmosphere in the Group today? (not bad feelings as happened with Queensrÿche ah ah ... )?
Oh no ahah! Feelings into the band are ok. All the guys are very good musicians and people great to working with. I think this is the best line up since the first releases. I really hope we could work together for a long time more...
Last words for you, your wishes...
Can't wait to see you all in front of the stage!
1991/2012: what are the immediate projects?
We're planning some shows in Italy before taking part of the Ragnarokkr Metal Apocalypse in US the next year. We're looking for the next summer festivals, working on new songs in the meantime.
Are you content to your partnership with Scarlet records?
Actually it's impossible for any band to pretend what labels were giving 15 years ago. Of course we would like to get something more but we understand that now it's hard to invest a lot of money, expecially for a metal band...
Your current work in ELDRITCH plans this group in full in a saving sound modern? What are your feelings on the composition of the music?
The feeling could change everytime...as you know, we're not a band who likes to repeat the same things. This time we'll do something different but still into our style...melodic, aggressive, technical... Nothing more about the new songs hehe ;)
DREAM THEATER appears as a ghost over your shoulders... is this accepted, causing or totally fortuitous?
Really do you think so??? I always hope we don't remind Dream Theater. They're a great band and I loved their first albums. But we would like to be just Eldritch...and not someone who remember DT. Too many bands remember DT...I mean, all the respect for the masters of prog metal but we would like that people remember about us as a band with his own personality.
The Italy has a very active and prominent metal scene. What is your perspective on your countrymen? What are the groups that have your favors?
There are two bands that have a big success. Lacuna Coil and Rhapsody. Like us, other bands are into the scene since the early 90's and some of them with a good success (Labyrinth). But unfortunately Italy is not a metal country and bands don't get the right support. A lot of metal bands but no support behind. Big producers here look for other music styles (italian pop). In Sweden there's another respect for who wants to try a carrier with rock and metal music...in Italy is not the same.
The economic events that Europe endured influence your vision and work of composition? This hardens mechanically your sound?
Usually all is around us could influence (in small part) the songwriting. Anyway what you read in our lyrics is taken by our personal experiences. Our first album Seeds Of Rage and the last Gaia's legacy are the only exceptions.
Ecology is a central theme of your album to date ("Gaia's Legacy") seems to hold a great place in your civic concerns? How do you daily?
We would like to explain that Gaia's Legacy is not a message for people to change their style of life. We see the climate change everyday and all the earthquakes and tsunami around the world put our attention to that. We just talked about this thematic because we think it’s very actual and we would like other people to share it with us. Of course we try to remember all the times that what is under our feet is something to respect. Because we're guests on this planet...and as everyone, sometimes we remember, sometimes not...
For you, what's missing in ELDRITCH to access the top of the podium? of more ambitious shot? a more increased work on the part of your label from the media?
I think what we miss is not for one reason only. Surely the main reason it's because our music is not easy to understand. We never accepted compromises. Someone in the past asked us to include more classical influences, more double bass drum and more high lyrical vocal parts in our music...for getting more fans and more sellings...but we always answered "no thanks". We never wanted to leave our temper and we're proud of our decision. Anyway, also a bad label work sometimes was a damage for us but also some wrong choices in the past (like to leave Inside Out Music) put us in the shit...Anyway, we're still into the scene. And people seem to respect us, saying we're one of the most original prog metal bands worldwide. And we're sure, a good promotion could give us some more chances to increase the fanbase.
After Angra, Threshold, Pain Of Salvation, Firewind, festivals Gods Of Metal, Sweden Rock, ProgPower USA etc... What would be the tour of dream for you? who on your side?
In the last years we got a good feedback from USA. So what we expect is to play there again. But we're looking for some shows in Europe and summer fests. We shared the stage with a lot of big bands and our dream is to have the chance to repeat those awesome experiences.
ELDRITCH is a name that commands respect by his longevity, his catch of risk in the development of a broad and ambitious, music by its eclecticism invigorating as well as his instrumental technology at the service of sumptuous melodies. How you imagine the future? and the next album?
It's hard to imagine what kind of future we'll have. One thing I can say...we will prepare the new album without running. 4 songs are almost ready but i don't know when we'll release it... Not before the summer 2013. Since we'll work hard, we'll stay into the metal scene for a long time more...
You have worked with Ray Alder (Fates Warning, which remains a big influence ) as well as with Nicholas Van Dyk ( Redemption ). What would be the next artists who could be invited as guests on your next masterpiece?
I don't know. Not sure to have one for the new album. At the moment i don't have one in my mind...
you like doing covers versions, very inspired (Faith No More or The Knack ). What will be the next?
Read the last answer hehe...
Have you received good feedback about your very good video clips (Déviation" and "Everything's burning"). Another project?
Our intention was to realize a third video but at the end we changed idea. It's good to promote the new album with more than one videoclip because people live more on internet than in front of a stage but it's too expensive to make a video. For a band like us, two videos are enough...so, we're looking for some live shows because we believe in live music...
What are the 3 albums of your life ( any combined music )? and the artist that you do the most?
Very difficult question...everyone in the band have his own favorite album/band. I talk as band...Operation Mindcrime (Queensryche), Parallels (Fates Warning), Master Of Puppets (Metallica). But I can write a lot more because we have a lot of influences (Annihilator, Watchtower, the firsts Dream Theater, Coroner, Savatage ecc...). I mentioned just the first ones in my mind :)
How is the atmosphere in the Group today? (not bad feelings as happened with Queensrÿche ah ah ... )?
Oh no ahah! Feelings into the band are ok. All the guys are very good musicians and people great to working with. I think this is the best line up since the first releases. I really hope we could work together for a long time more...
Last words for you, your wishes...
Can't wait to see you all in front of the stage!
Yes, you read that right: David Bowie is back with a new record of original songs for the first time in a decade. The Next Day arrives in March, preceded by first single “Where Are We Now?” arriving today, his birthday (and mine, too). Commenting on his absence, the