Interview with Waran (vocals, guitar)
Q>>
Hello guys! How's life in Poland these days?
A>> Hell! Living in Poland isn't easy; these days, it's hard to find a
job and that's the main problem for us.
Q>> "Human
Error" sounds pretty huge. Where did you get your inspiration to write
such a complex album?
A>> Thanks a lot. The sound is good because we were able to record in
Hertz studio, which has become one of the best Metal studios in Poland (Decapitated
and Dies Irae - with Mauser and Doc from Vader in the line-up - also recorded
there). Sources of inspiration are many; it is music that we listen to, our
life and many, many different things that have nothing in common with music.
Personally, hate and alcohol are my main source of inspiration...
Q>> I can
hear clear Emperor influences in your music. Same twisted mood, same great orchestrations...
Now that Emperor has split, do you feel like there's a sort of "tradition"
to perpetuate or do you concentrate on creating your own sound in the first
place?
A>> I agree, some artificial harmonics on guitars and playing characteristic
scales with semitones on keyboards makes our music resembling to Emperor's style.
We like these Norwegians, especially their two first albums, but endeavour not
to copy their songs, they were the best and I think none can equal them. These
twisted elements, as you said, will be continued on our next album, because
progressive-like patterns are a kind of challenge for me, as a composer. It's
a pity that Emperor split, but on the other hand it's better than recording
songs that are not the quintessence of power and genius of theirs. We prefer
forming our own style to copying anyone, but we're beginners so it is not complete
yet. If you asked me about originality I would say it is not important to me,
because originality means not-metal shit now, like Nu Metal, Techno Metal and
so on. We want to be Metal band first of all, not to look for originality by
force.
Q>> I've
heard quite a lot of good Black/Death bands from Poland lately. How come that
we in Western Europe never heard of them before? Did something change in the
image Polish bands convey toward the foreign media and fans?
A>> In Poland we have many good bands, especially playing extreme music,
but almost no one outside our country knows them. It's a pity; all the more
it comes from our country's economic situation. Thinking of Poland's accession
to the EU, I say it would be better one day, I hope.
Q>> Can you
tell me something about the way you guys usually write your songs? I saw a lot
of songs signed Waran... Is every member of the band allowed to bring his own
ideas and suggestions or not...?
A>> Almost all songs are based on guitars; writing songs begins with some
guitar patterns made by me, which start to become complete songs next, then
I think of keyboards or our keymaster does it. After that we arrange drums during
rehearsal. All songs of Crionics are written by me and Vac-v; of course every
member is allowed to bring his own ideas, but in fact he only gives his opinion,
never composes anything, except for some details on bass or drums. This way
of composing lets me keep my finger on the pulse, I am the only guitarist in
the band so far, I play the keyboards too, and because of that almost 90% of
music on the debut was written by me. I can tell we started thinking of new
songs, once I played with Vac-v and we've thought out some patterns together.
I hope it will be our new method of working.
Q>> Do you
think Polish musicians are different from other musicians around the world?
Aren't they working more than others in order to obtain the great technical
results they crave for?
A>> I don't know, maybe it's true, personally I think if you're a band
from Eastern Europe in general, you have to work harder to be noticed abroad,
because promotion here is worse than in western countries.
Q>> If in
a completely imaginary situation you were forced to get rid of only one instrument
from your line-up, which one would it be?
A>> I think it would be the violin (that we've never used in fact) ha,
ha. I mean every instrument we have now is necessary and has it's own meaning,
is an important part to the integrity of our music.
Q>> What's
the most difficult thing about being a musician playing extreme music?
A>> I think it is money. You don't earn it playing this type of music,
although you have to spend it for instruments, new strings, equipment etc. It
is very hard, and the more often it happens, the less you want to play it, ha,
ha.
Q>> Who from
the biggest bands you played with were the most sympathetic?
A>> Without doubt it was Behemoth. They are fucking crazy rock'n'rollers,
so are we, and touring with them was a very nice trip ha, ha. It was "teenage"
as we say in Polish. They are extreme band, but they know how to spend free
time after the show, we liked them very much. In a couple of days we'll be playing
on the Metalmania Festival in Poland with Samael, Mayhem, Marduk, Vader, Angel
Corpse and others, but I think there won't be an opportunity to meet anyone
due to the mess that's usually going on during such big shows.
Q>> If you'd
like to add something, do it here!
A>> I hope to play for you in autumn this year, because as far as I know,
Empire is working on our European tour. Meanwhile, check our website at http://www.crionics.prv.pl
Bang your heads for Satan!
RNO