1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Sanctus: Firstly, I’d like to thank you on behalf of the band for this interview. We are a blackened
death metal band, hailing from Athens, Greece. Disolvo Animus was formed in 2006 by Animus,
started as a project for demo releases. Then, new members came in and after a promo release,
and an ep, we’re counting 2012, new members, new ideas, new material. Our first album
“Aphesis” will be released via Darknagar records (Ru) in July.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from the
older material?
Sanctus: Our new album was an effort to overtake ourselves. It is a mix of death metal riffs,
black metal atmospheres and some- few- symphonic parts. It could be described as a
warmongering extreme-melodic album. Lyrically, it is based on a concept of a man facing
society, his family and science in his effort to fight religion and the Christian term of Absolution
or “Aphesis” in Ancient Greek. It is sacrilegious, even a blasphemy, but not in the usual way. No
lyrics such as “Fuck god” will be found within the songs. It is deeper than that. On the other
hand, our ep “Aleatoric Morte” was a less death metal album, more of a symphonic black metal
vision, but of course it is a respected by the band first step towards Aphesis and the things to
follow our first album.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Sanctus: I must tell you, that reading many and all kinds of books is one of my basic interests.
After years of reading, I’ve come to a specific taste in books, mainly those dealing with ethics,
religion and developmental biology. So, all of these general topics have been summed up to this
title “Aphesis”. Of course, whatever has been written and sung for this album, is in pace with
the opinions of all the band members. For sure, there are many different aspects of a topic like
this – Absolution-, you cannot deal with and analyze such a thing within an album. But our
general view on society, science and religion is clearly mirrored within these 8 songs. Future
releases will be quite different, more esoteric, and probably vaguer.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?
Sanctus: DISOLVO ANIMUS could be explained as “Souls under decomposition/destruction”. It
was conceived by Animus (guitars) in 2006. It might sound as common or anything but it is
clearly connected to the science-religion combination of our concept as a band throughout the
years. A man’s soul, and mind decompose once thinking processes are suppressed. The
enhancement of life and thinking as a vital process of the first, lead to the upheaval and
coronation of the new man. The thinking man. So, the decomposing souls, minds, are the
enemy. Our name is our own enemy. Our music is the declaration of war against the dissolving
minds.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you
describe your stage performance?
Sanctus: We haven’t played many times yet. And this is due to the fact that we’ve been under
many “come and go”s with members leaving the band at times, and some of them living in
different places among Greece. So this makes it hard for a band to improvise, and perform on
stage. These problems have come to an end, at least for the time speaking, and new shows will
come up. As for the description, I’d say that we are trying to transfer the atmosphere of our
songs on stage as much as we can. The only difference is that we do not use symphonic parts in
our live appearances, which enhances the death metal character of our songs and it is a deal
with ourselves to show to the people listening to us that our music isn’t about the keys and the
symphonies, but it’s all about the riffs. We compose metal music, on a guitar. The rest is just for
the atmosphere. Nothing more.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?
Sanctus: There are some plans but not that long-term. We have booked a live appearance with
Necrophobic in Athens, and we’re into conversations with an old Greek horde for some live
shows around Greece. We’re taking it one step at a time, not rushing into anything.
7. Currently you are signed to Darknagar, how did you get in contact with this label and how
would you describe the support that they have given you so far?
Sanctus: Darknagar is an offspring label; we came into contact in March. The owner seems to be
really professional- as much as the size of the label could support-, into our music and into
extreme metal music in general. We’re waiting for the release in July. We hope that this
cooperation is gonna turn out well. The support from Darknagar’s side seems great.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death and black
metal?
Sanctus: If a band was to release an album a decade ago, this question would have been
answered as “few to zero”. Times have changed, YouTube seems to take over the music
business and mp3 downloading ruins the plans of big record labels. So, living and producing
music in times like this, provides you with the chance of having people all around knowing you, I
mean not everyone, a few perhaps , but some of them would have never found out about your
music if u are not as big as Behemoth, Hate etc. Internet makes things easier, and there are
people from countries such as the US, Russia, Australia, Canada, Venezuela and many more,
awaiting for our first album. There have also been some encouraging comments by people of
the scene, members of “big” names about our music, which provides us with extra energy to go
on and begin our career. So our feedback at the time speaking, is good. But, live shows, good
albums, years of effort, are the things that transform a group of people into a respected band
(not the internet) so we still have a huge way to travel.
9. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
Sanctus: All of our members are into many things at the same time, but DISOLVO ANIMUS is the
top priority for every single member. So, yes, this is a full time line up.
10. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
Sanctus: Our music? If so, I’d say that we’re willing to experiment with elements not that
common within the genre. We’re also planning on exploring new and more extreme fields, more
underground, and much darker than before. Our band keeps evolving all of these years, you
only need to take a look and compare the ep to the first album. Many differences, yet it’s the
same band playing, you can recognize that. We know that our music isn’t a “Eureka” statement
for death metal, but there are plenty of things that good be recruited for new and uncommon
directions.
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are
you listening to nowadays?
Sanctus: We are all big fans of the Polish scene- bands like Behemoth and Vader could be
considered as a substantial inspiration. We’re also listening to Nile, Decapitated, Suffocation,
Dodheimgard, Mayhem, Svart Crown, Deathspell Omega and many other acts away from the
black/death scene, such as Isis, Mastodon, Neurosis etc.
12. How would you describe your views on Occultism?
Sanctus: We’re not into Occultism. We’re not into any other forms of religion. We’re free human
spirits, inspired by nature and society. We’re the sons of an age where religion has been left to
rot and science and human effort have taken ground. Occultism seems to gain ground among
the extreme metal bands lately, but I seriously doubt how many of these groups really believe in
what they claim to exist. I could not deny though, that occultism is quite charming, and sets
questions on ethics and existence in a way not that common to a typical Christian society. But,
interesting views could be found in all occult teachings of every single religion that exists on
earth. I respect very few bands which are obviously related to the occult and these bands are
Acherontas, Acrimonious and Nightbringer.
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Sanctus: Many different things actually. Personally, I’ m into blogging, reading books, university,
martial arts, and many other things. Same ’s for the rest of the members. But we’re all breathing
the air of music. We wake up and sleep to our favorite albums. We spent a lot of time listening
to music..
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Sanctus: As I said, we are a part of the Greek scene. There are many great bands here (black
metal, death metal, thrash etc), of high potential, and I’d like to see the scene growing and
becoming crucial for world’s metal changes some time. There are many great musicians over
here, and I think that in the following years a lot of Greek bands will do great things. Keep an
eye on this part of the world. Great things might occur. Thanks a lot for this interview. All ha
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