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INTERVIEW WITH EMO MOVERY FOR DARK INSIRATIONS `ZINE |
| DI:
Hail Emo, welcome to Dark Inspirations. After a rather lengthy period of
absence, Im supposing that allot of our readers are wondering what you
guys have been up to over the years. So to start off will you please bring
us up to date with what's been happening with yourself and the band, and
discuss any changes in the lineup since your last release. Emo: Thank you! Well, after we
broke up in '93 we put out the Possess the Priest and Mummified EP. That
was recorded before we broke up. After that we all pretty much went our
separate ways. Lou started college, Sean and I actually had a little
project going for a little while but it didn't last long. I moved to North
Florida for three years and started college and I am finishing my degree
here in Tampa-Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Mike Davis has
been writing and playing all along. Lou and Sean were recording some riffs
on a computer last year and I decided to move back down to Tampa and join
in on the riff writing. Soon after Mike Davis decided that he wanted a
piece of the action as well. We knew that we wanted to make a recording
for our own enjoyment at that time. We started with the riffs that Lou and
Sean had come up with as well as some that Mike D. came up with. I asked
the guys what they thought of me putting lead vocals down and they said
give it a shot. So I started singing for the band. We knew then we had to
find a drummer. We tried out quite a few drummers. Rick Bizzaro walked in
the scene and was best for the job. We are very happy with Rick. Very well
rounded drummer. Soon after we recorded a 2-song demo. DI:
You have a new album out entitled "Ethereal Tomb", could you
first introduce us to this album and what themes/concepts you explore with
this release? Emo: "Ethereal Tomb"
has a different concept or theme for every song. It is not like the Key
where there was one underlying concept. Songs include in order on the
album: Orbital Decay, Apostle of Evil, Edge of Darkness, The Killing,
Search for the Trident(at the Bay of Pisco), Paranormal States, Science of
Horror, Outland. DI:
What kind of images and atmosphere were you wishing to project to the
listener? Emo: As far as each concept,
Orbital Decay is about a deep space virus. Apostle of Evil has a serial
killer theme. Edge of Darkness has to do with insanity and falling off the
cliffs in your mind. The Killing has to do with a military slaughter in
the jungle. Search for the Trident is about ancient alien life forms that
lived on our planet in the Peruvian region that could have possibly been
our ancestors from the stars. Paranormal States is about the other side. A
ghost comes through a portal and creates a new life form with a human.
Science of Horror is about your worst fears and nightmares. Outland is an
instrumental. It has a movie soundtrack atmosphere. DI:
Will Ethereal Tomb continue on in the distinctive style of technical Death
Metal Nocturnus is so highly renowned for? Should we be expecting any
chances in direction with the new album compared to your previous efforts?
Emo: There will still be the
Nocturnus sound on the new album, but there will be some new suprises as
well. Much better arranging and much better drumming, as well as a few
different types of vocals. DI:
Who was responsible for writing most of the material for the new album?
Emo: Actually, everyone had
their hand in on the music writing including Rick and I. Some songs have
Sean riffs in them and some songs have Mike riffs etc… As far as the
lyrics go, Myself, Lou, and Mike wrote the lyrics. DI:
How long have you spent working on the album thus far? Will the new songs
be entirely fresh material? Or has it been written in parts over a period
of years? Emo: There are a few riffs on
the album that we all have had for a couple years but the majority was
written when we got Rick in the band. We have been back together for a
little over a year now. Rick came into the scene around last
October-November. DI:
I understand that the new album will be released on the French label
Seasons of Myst, a label which has been attracting much attention as of
late. How did this record deal come about, and how do you feel they are
handling matters such as promotion and distribution of the new album?
Emo: We started out sending off
promos of our demo to different record companies. There were some that
wanted to sign us, and some that didn't. I was on the phone one day with
my friend Odin Thompson (Moribund Records) and he had told me about
Michael Berbarian at Season of Myst. So we contacted them and the rest was
history. They are handling our promotion and distribution very good. We
knew before we signed with them that they would. DI:
How have you found working with Seasons of Myst compared to your former
labels? Emo: Working with Season of
Myst is very good, like I said. Working with Moribund was very good too.
As far as Earache goes, I joined the band right before Earache decided to
drop us. There were many reasons for the split up between Earache and
Nocturnus DI:
How did you become a part of Nocturnus, and what do you seek to attain as
a musician in Nocturnus? Emo: Well, actually I moved to
Tampa from Seattle. I was playing with a death metal band there and we
disbanded. After that I decided that I needed a change of scenery. So, I
moved to Tampa. I'm sure you remember back then('1992 and before) that
Tampa was called the capitol of death metal. So you see why I moved here.
About a week after I moved here I met Chris Anderson (bassist on
Thresholds). He didn't want to join the band permanently or go on the
road. So I learned Arctic Crypt from him as well as part of Grid Zone and
went to try out. DI:
It must be fascinating to work with guys like Mike Davis and Sean
McNenney, how do you find it working with such esteemed musicians? Emo: Actually I feel as though
I fit right in with Mike and Sean. They are definitely the best guitarists
I have ever played with as well as damn good friends. I feel like I should
have been the bassist from the start but obviously that was not possible.
For me, the whole idea of being lead singer of the band as well is a huge
unexpected bonus. We work very well together and as far as teaching each
other riffs, it usually doesn't take long at all for us to put our riffs
in each other's heads. DI:
Having been part of the Death Metal underground for such a long period of
time and having witnessed its development first hand, what are your
opinions of the scene now compared to how it was back in the days when
Nocturnus were first formed? Emo: Well like I said I wasn't
around when Nocturnus was first formed, unfortunately, but I have been a
part of the scene for a long time. I think it is still booming but maybe
not as much here in the states as before. I remember when I first joined
the band there were death metal shows here in Tampa every week. Now we are
lucky to have them once a month. I do believe that death metal is starting
to come back in the states though it is time. Music runs in a cycle. DI:
How do you feel about being such an influence on the underground metal
scene? Emo: I realize that Nocturnus
was a really big influence on underground metal scene. I got to taste
about 6 months of it. I am ready to see what our new and improved sound
does for the scene. DI:
Being such an influential band in the underground Death Metal scene, it
would be interesting to know what influences YOU as a musician. Are there
any bands that you find particularly inspiring? and for what reasons?
Emo: I say, there have been
many, many bands that have influenced me over the years, as well as
singled out musicians. Damn, I don't know where to start. Well I will
start with-Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, and Slayer.
Those bands had a big influence on why I started playing. Later I started
getting into heavier bands such as, Morbid Angel, Disharmonic Orchestra,
Amorphus, Carcass, etc… As far as singled out musicians go, Jimi
Hendrix, Pagannini, Stuart Hamm, Steve Vai, etc… The reason for all of
these bands or musicians inspired or influenced me was because their music
moved me. If you don't feel the music in your heart, mind, and soul then
more than likely you won't like it. DI:
Lately, there have been many rumors about Nocturnus possibly touring
Europe and Australia in the early months of next year as support act for
Mayhem. Care to shed any light on this? Emo: Your rumors could quite
possibly be true. The album is just coming out in Europe as we speak. I
have no idea as of right now when it will be released in Australia. I'm
hoping very soon. If you are asking me if I myself would like to come to
Australia to play, the answer is Hell Yeah I would Love to. Things just
take a while to get planned. I'm sure you know, that is everyday life. I
will keep you informed on that. DI:
Do you have any plans for a tour to accompany the release of Ethereal Tomb
in the future? (possibly an Australian tour?) Emo: We would like to tour. It
just has to be planned just right. Right now we are concentrating more on
getting this album out and finding out what the public thinks of the newly
reformed Nocturnus. Like I said though, I want to come there and play. I
heard you have quite a kick ass scene there. DI:
What else do you do (music wise) besides Nocturnus? Emo: Musically? Right now
nothing but Nocturnus. I jam with friends here and there for fun but
nothing serious. I want to really concentrate on Nocturnus. I think we
have finally found the sound we have been looking for and I don't want
anything getting in the way of that. Non-musically, I am in college for
electrical engineering and will be done soon. But I must say I don't let
that get in the way of my Nocturnus business either. DI:
Im sure allot of our readers are wondering.. what ever happened to Mike
Browning? Emo: Mike Browning was fired
after the European Thresholds tour. From what the rest of the band says,
his performance started declining long before we did that tour. And I
believe it. I never had a bass player/drummer connection with him. You
know what I mean-A RHYTHM SECTION. So seeing him go did not hurt my
feelings. Nothing personal to the guy at all. DI:
Nocturnus seem to explore different themes with every release, please tell
us more about what each album represents, and what each release meant to
you personally. Emo: Well The Key was cool I
really like all of the guitar riffs as well as themes and keyboards. But
the drums I didn't like at all. Thresholds, I liked the themes and
atmospheres that Nocturnus created as well as the guitars, vocals, and
keys. But I didn't care for the drums on that one either. Don't get me
wrong I love the songs but when you all hear the new album you will hear a
HUGE improvement. I am really critical about the drums in any band. That's
just the way I am. I love a good rhythm section. Also don't get me wrong,
I am not putting Nocturnus down in any way at all. Just the drum parts.
The Key and Thresholds are in my collection of music I listen to
frequently. DI:
What are your thoughts on death and the afterlife? Emo: Well I definitely believe
that we all do die. Haha. As far as the afterlife, I do believe there is
an afterlife I'm just not sure what it will be like. I'm not dead yet so I
won't what it will be like till I get there. It is really hard for me to
believe in anything unless I have experienced it first hand. DI:
How do you feel about bands like Deicide who wish to seek notoriety
through their actions and words without letting the actual music speak for
itself? Emo: I don't know. I like
Deicide. The music is killer! Some of there songs speak for themselves in
the music I think. As far as what they sing about. I don't care to use
religion in music. Whether it be Satanism, Christianity etc… DI:
Now for a more trivial question, what are your opinions on the following
bands (Atheist/Cynic/Death/Morbid Angel): Emo: DI:
What do you think about the Australian scene? Are there any bands here in
particular that interest you? Emo: I have heard that the
Australian scene is killer! I would love to hear some bands from there.
Could you possibly turn me on to some killer Australian bands. I want to
come see the scene in your country. Hope fully I will be able to. DI:
Thanks for your time, best of luck with the new album, do you have any
last words you would like to add to this interview? Emo: You are very welcome!
Thanks for the interview! Good luck to you as well! I just want to let
everyone know to come see our website and sign the guestbook. I will
personally email you back. The page is under construction right now but
will be full running soon (see address below -Ed). Another last word.
Don't do what is not in your heart. Don't ever let someone manipulate you
to do otherwise. Stick to your guns and you will be successful in life.
Don't ever give up on the things that mean the most to
you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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© Dark Inspirations `Zine ------------------------------------------------ |