STORMHOLD – Interviews

Interview was prepared by OccultBlackMetal (Variety Of Death Zine)

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Hi! Until the output of the album was not much traffic. We are mainly engaged in the preparation for publication, development of the cover and the booklet, the search and negotiations with the label. The only thing that there were constant rehearsals, because was a change in the group drummer. Concert activity started only recently. We played a concert in his hometown of Gomel. It was not the presentation of the album. More live debut for a new drummer. Presentation of the album, we plan to do later.

2. Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
There’s in album we would presented music like ‘melodic death metal’ in the best traditions of ganre. The base peculiarities of this album are speed and full absence of modern ‘core’-elements. You can find very interesting mix of some metal styles. Here’s nice melodies, speed, agresion and specific atmosphere in the album.

3. The band has been around since 2003 but so far has only released a demo, 2 ep’s and 2 full lengths, can you tell us a little bit more about the gaps between releases?
Since beginning of the band was running a lot of things and events. Ones of them was positive, the other ones – negative. Was the moments when we got progress, and was the moments when it stopped for a while. Sometimes was the moments when we wanted to finish it all. To left the band. ‘the lost world’ started to record in 2008 and had running until 2013. During this period we had some problems with line up. Was changed some musicians. It was very difficult time for us really. Also everyone in a band has own jobs and usual life, which sometimes made some problems for working with album. Another one problem was studying of our guitarist, which got high musician education. Thats all reasons why we’d making this album so long time.

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The lost world. Every song – its a reflection of todays reality, unstability in the world, human’s behavior, his struggle with his demons and surrounding world, which is going crazy..
Let I’ll tell about every song seperately:
Wind of freedom – the man rejects from old life and trying to build the new one, fighting for its future all the time.
Another day – one day has finish – another one has beginning, and no one knows what will bring to us the new day.
The understanding of truth – the song about good choice of life path for no regret in the future about it
Eyes in the eyes – the man see the false pictures around him. Its so far from reality. He just see what he want to see. He don’t see all the filth around..
Our Blood’s On The Cross of War – words „blood on cross” are mean all the religious wars during human civilization. Its always actually.
The History Pages – every historical event begins from empty piece of paper… but has written always by bloody ink..
Inside My Mind – Let I say some words from song’s lyric:
“Everyone can create his own fate.
But, Where we least a think,
There the bear goes away…
Make your own world like a dream.
Never standing still, do the best you feel”

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Stormhold’?
So, here’s in the name nothing super special. Its just a cool name we like so much. I even don’t remember who offered this name for band. Was long time ago.

6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
There were many good concerts, now all can not remember. One of the brightest impressions when is we support Rotting Christ and the Ukrainian tour Negative Infinity Tour.

7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Of course we are planning some shows for support new album. Its mostly shows in Belarus.. also we are opened for offers about concerts everywhere its possible!

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of melodic death metal?
In 2013, we laid out the online EP “Eyes In The Eyes”. The EP was only in digital format. His goal was to draw attention to the future album. EP was more of a familiarization. We are pleased with the point that the EP was Listened many times on different websites. We also received a lot of positive reviews on the EP from around the world. Many people liked it, and they were waiting for the album.

9. What is going on with some of the other musical projects or bands these days that some of the band members are involved with?
Our guitarist and drummer take a part in another one interesting project called VEIN OF HATE (extreme death metal). Here’s very interesting thing: Dmitry (guitarist) – founder of STORMHOLD, but Igor (drummer) – is founder of VEIN OF HATE. So, its kinda help to each other.

10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We would like to become the leader of the Belarusian Melodic Death Metal, record and release many more albums. We would like to take their niche in the global metal scene.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We can not say that we have been influenced by a particular style or group. Every musician have his musical liking. And in our music we are trying all this to combine. Vyacheslav, Dmitry, Alexei (two guitarist and vocalist) grew on old heavy and thrash metal, subsequently absorbed the more extreme genres. Alexander (bass) always gravitated toward a brutal death metal. One of his favorite teams Cryptorsy. Eugene (keyboards) grew up in a musical family and at an early age listening to Queen. Later also switched to heavier music. On our drummer have an influence dozens of bands. From ‘Pink floyd’ to ‘Aborted’ and ‘Meshuggah’ and many more. What we listen to? Yes, a lot of things, from Heavy metal to Brutal-techno death.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?
I would say that music is our main interest. Some of the guys love sports, go to the gym, skate and karting. Drummer, for example, in addition to the sport enjoys photo processing and draws well.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Listen to good quality metal. Listen STORMHOLD, buy our CD, write reviews on the official pages of the group (VK, Facebook, Reverbnation, Soundcloud). All goodness and peace. Thank you.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
STORMHOLD was found by two guitarists in august 2003. In the beginning band played power/thrash metal. In this style was recorded in 2004 demo „2050” (2004). Later with growing profesionalism and new vocalist group chainged style to melodic death metal. In 2006 was recorded the second demo called „Negative Infinity”, after reording of which half of line up left the band. Some later with new members STORMHOLD started to create complitely new material. Recording of it started in 2008, but cause of line up changing and some problems in a band, recording process was running until 2013.

2. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Definitely ‘Melodic death metal’ mostly fits to us. Though in the songs you can find a lot of elements from different music. I couldn’t say that some concrete bands had influence to us. Every musician has his own interests and wishes in music, which we try to mix.

3. Why should a metalhead buy your demos/album?
For sure every real metalhead have to support this kind of music. No doubts, Stormhold is high quality melodic death metal stuff! And also metalhead would get on his hands good looking art-work in booklet with lyrics for feel much better the music we play.

4. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
In 2013 we had upload to internet EP „Eyes in the eyes”/ It was only internet release, no phisical CDs. All the songs from EP you could hear in our latest album. EP was uploaded just for make interest for our forthcoming, and we have a lot of positive reviews from whole world.

5. Do you play live as well? How’s your live activity so far?
At this moment we’re not playing any concerts, cause was busy with edition of album and last preparing for it. But in a close time we’re planing to play a few shows, and play more shows some later for presentation of album. Now we have some plans with it in Belarus.

6. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Very interesting question. So, I could say next – in modern scene so much technical bands. Some of them really cool. But todays scene is full of mechanical music, almost without emotions and melodies. In this case we want to offer some live organic product. We’re truely believe that we’re making real emotional stuff. You can be agree with me or not, but we’re know we’ll find exactly our listener by our music.

7. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
The next what we’re going to do its making new video for one ong from new album. We’ll start shooting in the end of september. Also we’re planning some concerts for support our album „the lost world”. And I guess we’ll go in tour in the beginning of 2015, to play some festivals in Europe. So, for news just keep in touch and chech our official resourses in internet.

8. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your staff?
You can to listen ‘the lost world’ after official release date on our official pages on VK, reverbnation, Soundclouds, Youtube. Phisical CD and digital copy you can order at ‘Metal scrap records’ store. Also you could buy digital copy in our BANDCAMP page.

1. Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
The new band’s release called “The Lost World”. Each track – a reflection on today’s reality, the instability in the world, a person’s behavior in a particular situation, his struggle with his demons and the world around them, which is crazy, etc.
Musically, the work is a mixture of melody, speed and powerful death metal-riffs.
You never can be happy with the final result for 100%. Of course after the completion of work and after some time, we have identified some points that would have done differently.

2. How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sounds like anything we might have heard before?
As for the direction, our music is closer to the melodic death metal. So, of course you could find all this elements of our music somewhere separately, but question is could you find it somewhere together at the same time in this element’s proportions? We guess no! we’re just offer you to listen ‘the last world’ and answer to this question by yourself. You’re know, it’s just our point of view to music with a lot of speed, melodies and aggression.

3. Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
‘The last world’ was recorded in the studio Rock-Center Studio in Gomel, Belarus. Unfortunately due to problems in line-up of group, recording process took period from 2008 to 2013. Particularly any interesting moments during the recording didn’t happen. The only thing at the time of writing the material guitarists often quarreled among themselves. But in the end we all came to compromise.

4. What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topic of your lyrics?
The cover depicts a skull with a crown of bullets lying on the heath, and in the background the ruins of the city. Artwork emphasizes the historical context (the crown of the bullets as a rule by force) and in the same time shows that it leads to nowhere (the crown on the skull). Cover is linked with several songs that speak about the war and history.
If we’re talking specifically about each composition.
Wind of Freedom – a person renounces the old life and tries to create a new, permanent be fighting for their future.
Another Day – one day ends – another begins, but no one knows what will be a new day, and that he will bring to us.
The Understanding of Truth – a song about how important it is to choose the right path in life, and in consequence do not regret about life that has been lived in vain.
Eyes In The Eyes – man sees all around him in a distorted perception. He pushes himself from reality. Sees what he wants to see. Desiring a better and for good way, he doesn’t see dullness and dirt which he lives in.
Our Blood’s On The Cross of War – one of the phrases “Blood on the Cross” – religious wars, as one of the milestones of history, in which a lot of people shed blood because of religious fanaticism.
The History Pages – the fact that every historical event is written from white sheet, but often bloody ink.
Inside My Mind – say the words of the same song.
“Everyone can create his own fate.
But, Where we least a think,
There the bear goes away…
Make your own world like a dream.
Never standing still, do the best you feel”

5. What do you expect to gain through this released? What are the band’s aims at the moment?
We hope that the album received positive reviews in the press and in the metalheads. Because last year’s EP “Eyes In The Eyes” received a lot of positive reviews. When will be the album, we will play a series of concerts in support of the album, so far only in the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Also in our plans to start shooting video in autumn. In the spring will be planning a tour.

6. Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
The album will be released on the label Metal Scrap records as a CD, and digitally. Circulation released 600 copies.

7. Where and how will you promote this new release?
As mentioned earlier release will be released by Metal Scrap Records. Label will advertise the release. Perhaps we will cooperate with any promotional office.

8. Where can we order it from?
CD and digital version of the album possible to order by label store – http://metalscraprecords.com/shop/ . Also, now we’re working on the group page on BANDCAMP, where will also be the opportunity to buy the digital version of the album.

(Rock And Wrestling)

– Tell us about the origin of the band.
The band was formed in 2003. Initially, due to the specific vocal, the band played power / thrash. Demo «2050″ was written in the same style in 2004. In late 2005, have been tremendous changes in the group. Group have heavier sound and she began to play Melodic Death Metal. The band recorded a demo “Negative Infinity” in 2006. In autumn 2006, in the group there is another change in the composition. With new people started working out of the material, who subsequently entered the album “The Lost World”. The recording began in 2008, but due to various problems and conflicts, was delayed until 2013. In the autumn of 2014 on Metal Scrap records label released CD “The Lost World”.

– Reasons to create the band, inspiration and influences.
Already not remember the reasons which prompted the creation of the group. Already not remember the reasons which prompted the creation of the group. At the youthful age of two founding guitarist, his first visit to a metal concert, caught fire and began to engage in the guitar. This concert gave an impetus to further development. Also, perhaps all this craze began when we started listening to Metal. Each of us, this process took place in its own way. But the essence remains one – after we get sick Metal music, visited the first live concerts, we wanted to play.

– Style description and musical attitude.
We classify your style of music to the classical school of Swedish Melodic Death Metal. But we are not fixated on this direction, so listened to The Lost World, you can hear elements of other styles (Death, Black, Thrash metal). Just Melodic Death metal allows to combine aggression, speed, hard riffs and melodies. And we like it.

– Tell us about the origin of the name’s band.
To be honest, really have no one remembers why it was so named. The name was coined by former guitarist. As far as remembering, was sense in unity, power. Since the storm, the power of the storm – a powerful element.

-For those who are starting rocking Which band and / or classic rock band’s song recommend and why?
The issue is complex. We all grew up with different music, and now listen to different music. I even find it difficult to allocate some classic song. But if you talk about groups, probably: IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, JUDAS PRIEST, SLAYER, SEPULTURA, KREATOR, TESTAMENT. If you take more recent extreme metal styles, probably: AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, CARCASS, DARK TRANQUILLITY, CHILDREN OF BODOM, CANNIBAL CORPSE, VADER, BEHEMOTH, DEATH and more, more…
You can enumerate a long time. You just have to listen to different good music. Bad music send to the scrap.

-For those who are starting rocking and begin to be known as a band. What song of yours you recommend and why?
I find it difficult to talk about our music and to provide specific songs. Some I like more, some less. After listening to the album everyone chooses for themselves the best song. So it will be correct.

-Which one was or has been the most important moment in your career?
Important moments were many. I remember the various performances, especially in the heating Rotting Christ. But as I said came out there were problems with the recording and release of the album. Therefore, the most important achievement of this moment is the album out. He was really suffered. Therefore, the output of the album was like the birth of a child.

-Tell us about your achievements, future goals and what are you doing right now?
Currently we are looking for a new drummer. It is a headache for the group. She prisleduet us all the time. We also have ideas for a new album. Lyrics have been written. This is a conceptual story with a storyline that runs through all the songs. With music, we do not want to rush. There are some developments. All the necessary attention to detail and make the most perfect. Music should be too conceptual.

-Greetings and message for rock fans and visitors of Rock and Wrestling website.
Listen to good music, listen to metal music. Be true to yourself.