[::
Interviews
Amphitryon
::]
___________________________________________________________________________
Interview
with
Amphitryon, by HssH
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Answers
by Laurent Desvignes)
1/
Who are Amphitryon and when did you begin ? Did you play with
other bands in the past ?
We
are 6 members: a drummer, Christophe, two guitarists Matthieu
and myself, a bassist, Gianni and two singers Barbara and Sarah.
Only Christophe does not sing in the band.
We began in 1996 with a different line-up and playing mostly doom-death,
sometimes doom-black, not symphonic metal as we play today.
2/
Could you display the step of Amphitryon to us ? What kind of
themes do you propose with your music and what kind of music and
lyrics did you choose to put it in concrete form ?
In
“Sumphokéras” we have done what was the best
way to fit our music: creating our own world. Matthieu wrote a
novel and the band created the “soundtrack” for it.
It's about ancient civilisations, beliefs, gods treasons... It's
an Ancient tragedy.
3/
“Sumphokéras” is your first full length opus
after an M-CD called ‘l’Entremonde”. Could you
tell us the evolution from “l’Entremonde” to
“Sumphokéras” ?
I
think Sumphokéras is the logic evolution of l'Entremonde,
in the same way but much mature, intense. The chants are polyphonic,
not just simple melodies. Riffs are louder, drums really complicated,
we really took care of the songs structures.
The most important is that we have mixed the music and the lyrics.
You don't have to search into the lyrics or in our explanations
to comprehend it's a concept album. Everything goes the same way:
lyrics, music, visuals. The album is a novel in a whole, not several
stories related to a same theme.
We have interpreted each character of the story, what sounds really
nice when you listen to the music taking care to the lyrics. We
are very proud of the result.
4/
You chose “Thundering Records/Manitou Music” for “Sumphokéras”.
Why ? Did you think it’s the best deal you could do with
this label ?
Thundering
Records lets us play what we want, distributes our music and visuals.
It’s a good deal.
5/
Are you ok with the final sound of “Sumphokéras”,
which mean mix, mastering and production ?
The
sound translates each subtility of the songs, that is what we
really wanted. We needed clarity because the songs are so dense.
We mixed it in about 3 months just after the recording. Sumphokéras
was masterised and achieved at 'La Source Mastering' studio (Gojira,
Oomph!!, ...). We managed to get a powerful and clear sound, so
we are satisfied with the result.
6/
Tell me about your experience on stage. If you had to choose 3
lives of Amphitryon, which lives would you keep on mind and why
?
Surely
the last one! We recorded it in order to release a live DVD. The
other last shows were my favorites too. We have worked hard on
the album, and worked hard to bring up the concept on stage...
Amphitryon live now displays a true new approach in metal.
7/
Your music reminds of Septic Flesh sometimes. Are you agree with
it ? Do you believe that this comparison is a handicap or maybe
more an asset ?
We
were playing things in that way as we discovered them, so we really
enjoyed their music. It was an example for us. I think they were
a great band.
8/
Do you care for the metal environment, I mean public and bands
? Where do you place yourselves in regard to them ?
I
used to be a huge thrash metal fan. Now I have not much time to
discover new bands, but I try to keep in knowing what is done
in the metal world. Metal fans are really great, and it’s
a pleasure for me to play that style. It's the only one music
style in which the music is a way of living, people are really
enthusiastic at live shows, and even on Internet, lots of people
send us their congratulations and encouragements. Metal fans rule!
;)
9/
Amphitryon seems to be appraised by the international press. Am
I right ? What do you think about it ? Do you believe that it
could contain the band in a hackneyed kind of metal ?
Actually,
the International press really likes Amphitryon. This is a good
thing to get their support. There are thousands of bands and critics
help to discover interesting bands all over the world.
In Amphitryon, we have always done everything we wanted, and nothing
more. We are always hungry of new sounds, new subtilities, new
horizons. We play to show our own idea of Art, so you can expect
Amphitryon will create more and more and will remain Amphitryon.
You should never hear something from us we could disagree with.
10/
What projects for future ? Another opus soon ?
We
plan to play live a lot, and yes we are already thinking about
the next album. Some rythmic parts are already written.
Less far away, we are releasing a live DVD with Amaury Dhennin
& Emilie Desbonnet who has received the Best Music Video Award
at 'Victoires de la Musique' 2007. It’s almost over and
is already a great experience. You can expect something really
great if you like our music.
11/
Your next experiences on stage ? Let me know…
We
will play at RaismesFest 2007 on the 9th september with Therion,
Glenn Hughes, After Forever, Pain of Salvation and Finntroll -
to name a few. We also play for other gigs in october (Poulpaphone,
Live with Amartia...).
12/
A word to add before ending ?
I
want to thank you for this interview, to thank everyone who support
us, all our fans.
To know more about us check www.amphitryon-music.com
We will release soon trailers of the upcoming DVD so stay tuned
;)
Contact
: http://www.amphitryon-music.com
[<< Back]
