Epical and atmospheric, this band from Bulgary deserved a good interview and more promotion. We talked with vocalist Ilko Gizdov that gave us a detailed description of the band and their plans.
Can you tell me a little bit of the history of the band?
The band was founded in November 1992. The band members were Ilko Gizdov, Mladen Zahariev, Andre Mateev and Nikola Surbinov. At the very beginning the band had quite a different musical line because it was influenced at that time by the climax's peak of the death metal's wave. The band style was an intransigent and barbarian death metal one. In 1993 a new drummer Ivaylo Gamanov replaced the drummer Nikola Surbinov. In 1994 the band recorded its debut album " A Shadowed dying conscience ", which was released only in cassette LP format by the company "No Rip off Prod.". At the end of 1995 the band was joined by guitarists Vladislav Stoyanov, Metody Pavlov and Danail Andonov (bass guitar). In 1997 we recorded the demo " While the name is going away from the stone ". Later in the same year we have recorded our second album " Eventide of the orb and heavens ", which was released by the American company " X-Rated Records " and in the year of 1999 we have recorded a cassette live-EP, entitled " Four elements ", which included a studio cover version of the song "Sleepless " by the English band Anathema.
Can we say that your music is atmospheric and epic? Do you think this definition is correct?
It sounds good... yes....it is really epic one and so are the themes that cover it by the textual superposing, outlining the events of the eternal fight between the Light and the Darkness. Our concept for the creation of music aims somehow to influence subconsciously the mood of the people, to imply certain music reefs in such a way that to empower the listener to participate with part of his fantasy and the tuning of his soul's vibrations at the very moment of the listening. The text themes should inevitably lead to this direction.
How is "Eventide of the Orb and Heavens"?
Just imagine how striking it sounds Darkness in Heaven!!! Naturally matters should not be arranged in the literal sense only.... A picture that could be (say, the fact is that the night has fallen in the Garden of Eden, the Paradise) so provocative for your mind, the picture that could be assimilated in an appropriate way. Just imagine that after it was said all already, Eventide of....the Day would not come again ....!!!
Why was this album rereleased after it was originally released in 1998?
As we did not have publisher/company outside our country a very long period followed its promotion, which we did alone. Then the moment came when we were in negotiations with the company "X-Rated records", we liked the terms, but the schedule for the release envisaged the year 2000.
Do you have new material composed? Are you releasing it?
Oh, yes ...our new album is already completed and we are waiting soon free studio hours to record it. Our idea is to make this album more massive and compact one, having in mind that we have a new member (clavirist) who will enrich our music atmosphere, because the whole album has synthesizer parts.
How are the songs in Desolate composed?
The guitarist Vladislav composes the basic concept of our music, then the continuation of this idea is supplemented and enriched at the rehearsals with the other band members and the vocals are added at the end.
How do you see the scene in Bulgary these days?
The scene is not so small. for you it is very unknown one, for the most of you I suppose, but there we have such cute bands as: Demonism / Dark Dnversion /Embrace By Dark / Ork / Sabrax / Necromancer. The fact that it is small scene maybe helps in regard to a good selection, i.e. we do not have bands that play just to do something ... the fact is that in our country to maintain a band is too expensive matter. I think that in principle the one who is doing it in this country is investing efforts, will and is enshrining his soul in it.... In any case, not everyone of our scene could afford to invest enough resources in order to achieve the final target of what he is creating as a product.
Are you satisfied with the deal that you have with X-Rated Records?
Yes, it is a good start for us, because the "X -Rated Rec." is a cute company. Now, we are going to release our next album with the same label. this is significant enough, isn't it?!
How can you describe Desolate´s live act? Is it very climatic?
To make contact with the person's soul is a crucial moment when you present certain work of art.when your presentation is a live one, naturally you have to support it by strengthening vision, emotion, etc. ....the task is really hard one.... we, however, do not put on masks...(all the same, we like the bands that are using it), but anyhow it is achieved ...how to say.... may be .... a paranormal contact with the audience.
Which are your main influences?
The elite of the norway scene, I mean the several persons that support the life of the more than 20 bands, of course many other bands from the other parts of the world, but i purposely do not want to quote names here. ...they are so much! In addition to the main factor of the inspiration, the music, we maintain our pursuit to create art by the help of many movies, books, etc.
Any final words?
The music will urge you to discover the world of Nothingness!!! Thank you for your kind attention and the interview, Federico, to you and to the "Music Extreme zine"!!!
DESOLATE - DISCOGRAPHY
A Shadowed Dying Conscience - cassette (1994)
While The Name Is Going Away From The Stone - demo (1997)
Eventide Of The Orb And Heavens - CD (1998)
Four Elements - live EP (1999)
ACTUAL LINEUP
Ilko Gizdov - vocals
Ivaylo Gamanov - drums
Vladislav Stoyanov - guitars
Metody Pavlov - guitars
Danail Andonov - bass
