MIRROR OF DECEPTION (Eng.)

– Hello. First of all thanks for answering to our questions. What are you currently up to?
Thanks for your interest in our band. We are currently rehearsing for some upcoming shows and try to spread the word about the new album

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– I guess, even your long career into the music scene, some people won’t know you yet so, could you please introduce the band to all of the them? Let’s say some background story of MIRROR OF DECEPTION.
The band was formed in 1990 near Stuttgart and recorded a couple of demos throughout the 90s. The debut album was released in 2001. A couple of EPs, 3 albums and shows in 10 European countries later we have arrived in present time.

-Still being faithful to yourself and the genre, you have managed to create a such unique sound so; how could you describe your music for those that have not heard you yet?
We call it unorthodox Doom Metal as we do some things different than most bands. Our roots are classic bands like Candlemass, Count Raven, Saint Vitus and Revelation but we listen to many other styles of music too and are not afraid to bring that into our own songs. Heaviness, diversity and strong melodies are very important for us.

– You will soon release your 4th full length album so far, but I guess you have already read and heard some comments about it, so how has been its «feedback»?
We have received a couple of reviews from magazines and webzines. Most of them were quite good and we received often 8 or 9 out of 10 ratings so far. But I’m sure some bad ones will follow as we just can’t make everyone happy. The feedback from friends and fans has been very good so far.

– The first limited edition for it will come with a bonus CD featuring some rarities. How was the selection of that stuff?
We had a couple of songs which were only released on vinyl and wanted to make them available on CD as well. Then there were some demo tracks which were never offically released. And finally we decided to re-record 3 songs from our early days.

– It will also contain 3 recorded demo tracks; what changes have you done to them and why did you chose these concrete songs?
«(We are) Mirror of Deception» was our first song ever written back in 1990, so it was a must. This one received new lyrics about our history as a band. «Chapter MMX» is a song from the second demo from 1994. We only changed the title there. «Mirrorsoil» is a rare demo track from 2000 which we still play live every now and then.

– It seems with your second album, «Foregone» you opened a new era which you have followed both with «Shards» and this brand new «A Smouldering Fire». Was making this albums sound, somehow, similar something intended? I mean, all of them have been recorded at the Soundman Studios.
We like the sound we get there and the guys at the studio are easy to work with. We don’t like the sound on most modern Metal albums. Too polished, cold and clinical for our taste. We want drums that sound like real drums and  a warmer, dirtier and more natural guitar and bass sound.

– And how was such production process? I guess you’re satisfied with the work you have done at the studio.
Yes, we are satisfied. The recording process was very focused. We wanted to record a good album and concentrated on recording not partying.

– Beside those certain similarities there are to your two previous efforts, you have always delivered some new details in each album. What do you think this album has new to offer?
There are no big changes. As always there are some new details and influences and our drummer Jochen is singing a bit more this time. I think there are less obvious influences from the big names in Doom, but we’re paying tribute here and there to some bands we are friends and have played shows with.

– I found specially catchy guitar riffs and bigger melodies, did everything come naturally?
Sure, very natural. The songs were written at home alone or together in our rehearsal room and everyone contributed to the final versions.

– These new elements can attract the ears of those that are not used to Doom Metal. Do you think you will open to a broader public with this new release?
That has been said in the press about the previous albums, too. «Not only for Doom fans» and so on. The most difficult thing is to get noticed and heard in times with 80 and more Metal releases a month. It’s not easy if a band plays untrendy music and has no gimmicks such as an occult or whatever special image, no fancy costumes or without pretending to have just jumped out of a time machine from the 1970s. We’re just 4 guys playing Metal the way we like it. That’s probably too boring to attract a bigger audience.

– And, anyway, what are your expectations or aims to get with it?
Of course we hope that people will like it and some new fans will discover Mirror of Deception. And we hope to make new contacts and be able to play more concerts.

– I read at the promo «page» delivered with the promotional album by Cyclone Empire the album name is a tribute to yourself, and I actually found some connection between that «smouldering fire» and your long musical career. How did you come up with the idea of the name? And what does it mean to you?
It’s a good title for the album as our fire and passion for the band and Doom Metal is still burning.

– I guess those words are pretty recurrent, as can be connected to a kind of inner smouldering fire, so that makes me wonder how do you think the album title represents your lyrics? If I’m not wrong, most of them seem to be own experiences.
«A smouldering fire» is a line from the lyrics for the song «Unforeseen». That’s the connection. Some of the lyrics have a personal background but we get inspired by books, movies and newspaper reports as well. «Unforeseen» for example is very loosely based on José Saramago’s novel «Blind».

– Could you talk us a bit about the lyrics in this new album?
The lyrics on this album deal with all sorts of doomy subjects such as death, loss of beloved ones, mythology, natural desasters, plagues, monsters and mind travelling.

– This 2010 you’re celebrating nothing else than your 20th anniversary. How do you see now has been the band’s progression since your beginnings?
The biggest change came with our second album «Foregone». This was the first one with our current line-up and since then we are four people writing the songs. When I look back we’ve had a slow start, but I wouldn’t change anything. All experiences both good and bad helped and made us the band that we are today. I think we have progressed in getting better songwriters over the years.

– After all these years, have you ever thought of quitting?
I have once left the band in 1999 for personal reasons but I’ve returned after a short time. Since then there were no more thoughts of quitting.

– I read at your website you’ll play at the end of the year a special anniversary show. Could you advance us anything about what have you planned for it?
We will perform old and new songs with current and former band members and have a Doom party. Our friends Dreaming wil
l play and a secret special guest.

– It seems like Germany has always been an important country for Metal, but we don’t know too much Doom Metal bands from there; how’s this scene like in Germany? Any bands to suggest?
There is a very big and healthy Doom scene in Germany. I recommend Dawn of Winter, Dreaming, Doomshine, Spirit Descent, Cold Embrace, Extorian, Wheel, Tortured Spirit, Petrified and Voodooshock if you like traditional or epic Doom. If you like Sludge check out Versus the Stillborn-Minded, Spancer, Black Shape of Nexus. For Doom Death/ Funeral bands like Ahab, Ophis, Hiam and Calliophis. And Omega Massif, Beehoover, Lusca if you like your Doom experimental. There is a great MP3 compilation available for free download. The title is «Deutschland’s doomed» and it features 60 German Doom bands. Complete download (incl. Doom Metal Front #2 Fanzine- Attention 715 MB!) at www.megaupload.com/?d=OMMAV99T

– And finally, what are your near-future plans and the ones to support the album?
Until the end of the year we will play the Doom over Vienna festival with Lord Vicar, Isole, Mael Mordha and Vortigan on the 6th of November and then our anniversary show on the 4th of December. Unfortunately we had to turn down the invitation to the Day of Doom festival in Barcelona due to working commitments but we hope that there will be another chance in the future.

– That would be all. Thank you once more for your time and feel free to add any final words.
Thank you very much for your questions, Tania. Everyone interested in the band check out our websites www.mirrorofdeception.de and www.myspace.com/mirrorofdeception. Stay slow!