1,Hails how are things going for you this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello Patrick. Thanks for this interview. Everything’s been fine. I’m K. from Askalaphos. Askalaphos hails from Volos, Greece and was formed in 2019. I’m the only member of Askalaphos and I’ve released 1 demo, 2 EPs and one full length album.
2.When did you first discover black metal and who were the first bands that caught your attention?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?
I listened to black metal for the first time when I was around 13-14. It was Rotting Christ’s “Snowing Still” and Necromantia’s “Spiritforms of the Psychomancer”. Both tracks were included in compilation CD released by the Greek Metal Hammer and I was immediately drawn by the darkness of those two songs, which I still love by the way.
3.When did you first become interested in writing and performing music what was the first instrument that you learned to play?
I became interested in the whole songwriting/band stuff when I still was in high school. As almost everyone else I started with guitar. After a couple of years I also started playing bass, mainly because I was playing in some bands that already had a guitarist, but it was actually something I actually enjoyed more than playing guitar
4.What are the instruments that you currently play? Are their any instruments that you would like to learn one day?
I can play the guitar, bass and I have taken drum courses for around 2 years, so I can also play the drums, but sadly, I cannot play as fast as I’d wanted for Askalaphos and my other projects. I don’t own a kit so I don’t practice at all but the plan is to start practice more in the future and actually learn how to play on a decent level.
5.You also handle the vocals for the band when did you first start screaming and growling?Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?
I started screaming for some bands I used to play where I had to do some backing vocals in live situations. So, since I am the only member in Askalaphos I have also handle the vocals even if I don’t like to do so.
6.Who would you say are your biggest influences and favorite vocalists?
My biggest influences for Askalaphos are mostly the 90s underground Greek bands like Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia, Thou Art Lord, Tatir, Fiendish Nymph etc. and a little bit from the Nordic scene. I always loved the old school Greek sound since I was a kid and Askalaphos is my way to pay tribute to these bands. Can’t beat the atmosphere and mysticism of that particular sound. My favourite black metal vocalists are Magus Wampyr Daoloth of Necromantia, Nocturno Culto and Dead.
7.Askalaphos was started in 2019 what gave you the inspiration to start this band? How did you choose Askalaphos as the name for the band and does it have a special meaning?
As I already said, I started Askalaphos as a tribute to the 90s Greek black metal bands, even though I don’t want to be restricted to this particular style and I have incorporated some elements beside that.
I’ve found the name of project a couple of years ago and I thought that it’d be great for a Greek black metal project and there’s not a special meaning behind it.
8.I believe you are the sole member of the band did you plan to work alone or would you like to find more musicians to work with on future releases?
Actually I didn’t have a particular plan for Askalaphos when I started it. Even though I’ve played in some bands in the past (ranging from black metal to prog-death and grindcore), I wasn’t in a band at the time and just recorded the songs of the first demo on my own and when I saw that I actually could it on my own, I kept releasing more songs.
I wanted to work with a drummer for “March of the Damned” but I didn’t have the time so it’s just me on the album. This happen in the next full length for sure.
9.What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part about being the only member in this band?
Well, the easiest part is that I can compose music whenever and however I want. I truly appreciate the fact that I can record whatever I like without having the process to be approved by 3 or 4 other people, which on the other hand is the biggest disadvantage of a one man band, because it’d be really helpful sometimes to have someone to say to you that this or that shouldn’t make it to a final recording.
10.March Of The Damned is the debut full length that was released through Born For Burning Prod. when did you first come in contact with this label?
I came in contact with Born for Burning Productions around the end of 2020 when we discussed for a cooperation and decided to release a compilation CD called “The Macabre Chronicles” containing “Blood Moon Incantation” Demo and the “The Cult of Death” EP. I’m pretty satisfied with my collaboration with Born for Productions so far. Hails to Isaac
11.How long did it take you to write the music for the songs on March Of The Damned? How long would you say it usually takes to complete one song?
I was in a very creative period when I wrote the music for March of the Damned so it took about 2-3 months or so to complete all the songs. Although, I had the main ideas for a couple of the songs since 2020. Well, the time I need to complete one song is not something standard, because there are periods of time when I have the time I need and complete a song in a very short period of time (even in one week) and there are times (like now for example) that I don’t have any time at all to sit down and write, so finishing a song could take forever.
12.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
Actually I start composing the music of each track and in the meantime ideas about the lyrics and the main theme of the song come up based on the feeling of the music. The lyrics deal mostly about the occult and rebellion against all gods and masters.
13.What does BlackMetal mean to you?
For me black metal was always been about rebellion and to praise the rebellious spirit that lies in every human, whether it’s revolting against religion, state, the modern world etc
14.Besides working in Askalaphos do you currently work with any other projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I have another project called Woundcult which is meant to sound more raw and cold and is more influenced from the Norwegian/Finnish scene. Nowadays, I’m working mostly on Woundcult’s first full length album which I hope to be released in 2023.
15,Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thanks for the interview. Keep supporting the true underground. All hails Askalaphos links https://askalaphos.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/askalaphos666/ https://www.instagram.com/askalaphos_bm/ Born For Burning Prod. https://bornforburning.bigcartel.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bloodfiredeath1975
