SONIC REIGN (Eng.)
– Hi, thanks for your time. What are you currently up to? How is everything doing right now with SONIC REIGN?
Hey. Thanks we are fine and looking forward to the release of ‘monument in black’. Currently we’re not doing much besides giving interviews.
– First off, as you have had some years of silence and I guess some people won’t even know about you; could you please share some history of the band?
There is not much history. We started in 1997, released a mini-cd called ‘the decline portrait’ in 2004. After that we signed to Metal Blade Records and they released our debut full length album ‘raw dark pure’ in 2007. Now ‘monument in black’ will be released via Apostasy Records.
– You will soon release your sophomore album, «Monument in Black», which is your first record in 7 years. What have you been up to during this time? Have you been getting ideas for this new opus during all these years?
Well there were a lot things happening in our private lives, e.g. I moved about 400 kilometers away from our studio, changed jobs etc.
‘monument in black’ was finished in 2011 and since then we were looking for a label to release it.
Some riffs on this album are about 10 years old but most of them were written after ‘raw dark pure’.
– And will we have to wait so many time until your next effort?
I’d like to say ‘no’ but I’m afraid our history we justed talked about teaches us better.
– This record will be released early 2013 so, what are your expectations on it? Due to the aformenetioned years of silence, have you felt more pressure or rather free due to be finally unleashing this CD?
All our expectations were satisfied with the songwriting and sound of the album. What is yet to come is just bonus. There was no pressure we felt. You see, we are no big band so we don’t have to be considerate of anyone. I think this is the only way one can create good music.
– And how could you say has SONIC REIGN evolved during these years?
The way we write music changed a bit. In the past we often wrote the music for ourselves and then rehearsed together. Nowadays we much more often write the music together. I think that is a more natural approach. Besides that I can’t see any considerable changes. But you know that’s a hard question when you are talking about your own band.
– If I’m not mistaken the CD was already recorded and mastered back in 2011 so, why has it taken you so long to finally release it?
As I mentioned before we were looking for a label to release the album. Wasn’t that easy.
– I guess one of the reasons was finding the right label so, how was this process like? And how is everything going with Apostasy so far?
Well we sent promos to some labels we liked and got no offer. Apostasy contacted us and we discussed the collaboration. We are very satisfied with Tomasz’ work so far. He does a good job.
– On this album you have had some collaborations, as for instance Azathoth, whom has contributed writing some lyrics. How did this arise?
When the music for the album was finished I just had lyrics for two songs. I really had no idea what I should write about. We got to know Azathoth some years before and liked his vocals and lyrics. So I contacted him and asked if he had some ideas and he sent me some yet unused lyrics. Luckily they fit the songs very good. Of course I had to change some lines and write some chorus lines etc. But the atmosphere of his lyrics was cool.
– I have also read he will join SONIC REIGN for your next album so, did you feel comfortable working with him?
Well so far there was no collaboration so I can’t really say something about that. But he is a cool guy and has very good ideas so I am looking forward to do some music with him.
– Talking about such; what’s the main concept or some of the lyrical ideas behind this CD?
Azathoths lyrics deal a lot with hatred, death, despair, fears. Mine deal with freedom of mind and personal revolution of the individual.
Maybe that doesn’t sound too thrilling but I think the lyrics have a lot to offer when you really get into them.
– And talking about the musical side itself, I think this new release perfects the «low points» (so to speak) on your debut album but, what could you say are the main differences between them?
As I mentioned before the way we wrote the songs changed a bit. We wrote most parts together during the rehearsal. Each record represents the time when it was written. So I guess there maybe more differences. But I think someone outside the band can define these more easy.
– And what about the cover artwork? Would you mind to tell us how did you work on it and what does it represent?
I work as independent graphic designer which is pretty convenient for us as a band. There’s no need to discuss ideas with someone outside the band that may have problems getting our point. I think talking about lyrics or artworks of albums is nothing good. For me that’s like when I see a movie that is made after a book I read before. When I read the book I can create my own pictures of what is told in the story. When I see the movie and read the book once again afterwards I see the pictures of the movie. That ruins the effect that art can have on people I think.
– It seems like you are still shaping your own sound and personality, getting a more solid result with the essence you showed on «Raw Dark Pure». Is it that you now have a clearer idea of what you want to get and the experience your first album gave you, or just the growth you have experienced as artists during these years?
We had a clear idea of what we wanted to do on ‘raw dark pure’ aswell as we had it for ‘monument in black’. So in this matter I see no difference in the albums. Of course experience helps to get more quickly where you want to go but experience alone makes no good music.
– So, could you say «Monument in Black» is the album you have always to do?
Monument in Black is perfectly the music and sound we wanted to have for now. But it would be boring to do the same album over and over again. Stagnation is something we absolutely want to avoid as musicians. So I am really looking forward to work with Azathoth and to find some new ingredients to our sound.»
– All this about «Monument in Black» being said; how could you describe it in just 3 words?
raw dark pure. haha.
– As 2012 is about to end; could you please tell us what are your 3 favourite albums of the year as well as the least favourite one?
I don’t have that many albums from 2012 I think, but I can tell you the 3 albums I heard most this year: Kvelertak – Kvelertak, Opeth – Heritage, Behemoth – Evangelion
– And finally; what are your near-future plans?
My plan for the extremely near future is to drink some beer and listen to Lonely Kamel. And I think this future starts right now.
– That’s all, thank you once more for answering our questions. If you want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
Thank you for your support. All the best for you and your zine.
