Disaffected interview 2012
\r\nDisaffected - interview by efkarpos - metalzone.gr\r\n
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\r\nGreetings from the Metalzone.gr team. We are very happy to have your interview in our webzine.\r\n
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\r\nGreetings Metalzone.gr team! We are very honored by your interest in Disaffected!\r\n
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\r\n1. We know that Disaffected are not new in town, please tell us about the history of the band In a few words.\r\n
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\r\nDisaffected was formed back in 1991. After a couple of demos that were very well received by tape traders and metal-heads the band signed a contract with Skyfall Records, a local label. In 1995 “Vast” was released and was almost immediately dubbed as a reference in the underground scene of the nineties. A clip was recorded and got a fair amount of airplay on MTV, VIVA, etc. In result Disaffected were invited to be a part of the “Slatanic Slaughter” album (tribute to Slayer). Nevertheless, when all prospects for our band were looking good, guitarist Sergio suffered a near fatal motorbike accident. He was in a coma for quite sometime and Disaffected consequently disbanded. Although doctors said he would never be able to walk or talk again, he slowly recovered and in late 2005 he contacted the other band members for a reunion. After a couple of years of rehearsals and concerts we finally decided to record “Rebirth”, which took its time to take shape and be recorded. And… here we are in 2012! \r\n
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\r\n2. We also read that the band had to split for many years. Please explain us the reason of the split up and how come you came with a reunion?\r\n
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\r\nThe reason Disaffected were inactive between 1998 and 2006 was because Sergio almost died and was not capable of playing. After he started recovering we slowly started working again. But this took a great amount of effort and time. Besides that, not all “Vast” members accepted to rejoin so new members had to be brought in. In spite all these difficulties, we really wanted to bring Disaffected back to life because it really meant a lot to us. Before being band-members we are all die hard fans of our own genre and music. We really felt that a band such as Disaffected deserved more than just one record. It just had to be!\r\n
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\r\n3. Now, about your new album. Please describe it with a few words and tell us whats the big differences between the old -Disaffected- and the reunion band.\r\n
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\r\n“Rebirth” picks up at about the same feeling, structure and complexity as “Vast” but takes it all to a different level. As a result track time is greatly enhanced (this will probably be the first difference to be noted by any listener). Besides this we have also incorporated new elements: some female vocals, strange keyboards, tribal percussions and more jazzy bass lines. There is always something weird going on in any music! Expect the unexpected! \r\n
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\r\n4. Can you please tell us more details about the production and the cover
\r\nartist of your new album?\r\n
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\r\n“Rebirth” was recorded and produced at the Pentagon Studios, in Lisbon, by Fernando Matias. The cover art was entrusted to Marc N. from “ArtWars Mediadesign”. Both did a fantastic job!\r\n
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\r\n5. We have never seen -Disaffected- live in Greece. Is there a chance to see
\r\nyou in the recent future?\r\n
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\r\nWe hope so! We would really like to play in Greece. So far we have only had gigs in Spain and Portugal but we are considering a couple of proposals to play shows in Central and Eastern Europe. Hopefully we will also manage to visit you! That would be great!\r\n
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\r\n6. Please give us some feed about the Portugal Metal scene. Are there a lot of concerts and shows going on over the year? Are there a lot of Metal bands?\r\n
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\r\nYes, there are many metal bands in Portugal at the moment and many metal-heads too. Nevertheless crowds at gigs and shows are growing smaller every week. The crisis is slowly kicking in and people tend to only go to the bigger concerts or festivals. Smaller venues are becoming abandoned and local bands are being hurt as well. As such, our answer here would have to be rather ambivalent: Portugal does have quite an active underground scene, but is currently suffering a lot because of our financial difficulties. \r\n
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\r\n7. Can you suggest us some Metal bands from Portugal that you believe that they must be mentioned?\r\n
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\r\nIndeed! People into grind should check out “Grog”, fans of doom need to hear “Before the Rain” and “Eterna Saudade”, for a kind of modern approach to prog. metal “Concealment” is mandatory, “Thormenthor” for metal-heads into prog. Death with a twist; fans of hard-core will be delighted with “Target 35”, melodic death metal fans will enjoy “Paranormal Waltz” and the classic in your face death metal by “Molestia” will bring joy to many. \r\n
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\r\n8. Please name five bands that changed your life.\r\n
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\r\nOuch! This is a hard one! We have been around for so long that it is really almost impossible to name only 5 bands that have changed our lives. There are so many! Besides that, band members of Disaffected have quite different influences. Nevertheless, here goes 5 names we will probably all agree upon: Death (Chuck will always be the master mind of an entire genre!); Cynic (when that same genre entered a new dimension) Dream Theatre (talent and musicianship that are from another galaxy); Arcturus (their royal weirdnesess) and Dead Can Dance (so much more than meets the ears… great to have them back!).
\r\nPlease also allow us to add a special reference to a record that was really important to us back in the nineties: the fabulous “Athenian Echoes” by your very own “Nightfall”. Timeless and amazing stuff! \r\n
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\r\n9. Please tell us some words about the lyrics of your band and what are the messages you want to pass to your audience through your music.\r\n
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\r\n“Rebirth” is a concept album. It metaphorically tells the story of the bands long and hard road back to life during all these years. It is divided into 2 different parts, the first is about despair and hardship, the second is about belief and accomplishment. We say metaphorically because anyone can relate to any of those emotions as they are all part of living, falling and getting back up. So this is in fact the message we are trying to get across. The same way that we fell and after a rough time we managed to get back to life, so can anyone do the same. “Rebirth” is about believing and working hard to achieve.\r\n
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\r\n10. Whats your opinion about the economic crisis and how are things going on there? Do you believe there is a way to end all this economic war?\r\n
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\r\nAs in Greece, many people are suffering a lot in Portugal. More and more responsible, hard working and law abiding families are being pushed into poverty. Almost every month we are informed of further cuts in wages and increasing taxes and prices. In spite being a very tolerant and relaxed country, social tensions are starting to reach dangerous levels. It is true that many of our difficulties were brought upon ourselves by our own reckless economical and political decisions and leaders, but it is also true that we are part of a great family (EU) that was slowly but surely built upon common principles, morals and goals. The further unity of that shared project might be the only way out of these hard times. In a world of giant and ruthless economies a shattered and fragmented Europe stands no chance at all. Yet, if we revive the dreams of our founding fathers (Adenauer, De Gaspieri, Schumann, Monet, etc) we still might all make it and maintain our marvelous civilization. Our common European bonds should be stronger than ever. Europe without its Hellenic birthplace and its Portuguese first globalization makes no sense. As such, further integration (but with lesser technocracy and bureaucracy) are probably our best chances. Lets all hope all our sacrifices and hard work will suffice and that our leaders keep on sharing a common path… \r\n
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\r\n11. Finally please inform us about the plans you have for the band for now on and send a message to all of your fans here in Greece.\r\n
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\r\nUntil the end of this year we still have a few shows booked and are still trying to book further gigs in other countries. In the meantime we have started composing some new stuff. We are fully focused on keeping up our hard work and writing a suitable follow up for “Rebirth”. Hope it won´t take another 17 years to release (lol)! As for the fans in Greece: thank-you very much for all your support! We are very grateful! Hope we can endure together the hardships still ahead! Keep on following the mighty METALZONE.GR with all its fabulous contents and hard work! Keep well! \r\n
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\r\nWe thank you for your time and we’ll be glad to see you soon live here in our country.\r\n
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\r\nIt has been an honor to be interviewed by you. Hope we meet some time in Hellas! σας ευχαριστώ!\r\n
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\r\nInterview - efkarpos\r\n
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