1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new ep?
On the day we released the "Home"EP we also played a nice show on the Dark Easter Metal Meeting along Bands like Ahab, Urfaust, Endstille and Primordial. It was a nice experience to be part of a great billing like that. Now we are working on new Songs and playing some gigs and we are looking forward to the show with OPHIS in Ulm on 12th September.
2.In April you had released a new ep, 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?
Oh, I think there is a big difference in the sound we play now and the stuff we used to play before the EP. The whole speed has been put down and is now only in slow doom and mid-tempo rock spheres,...also the Vocals are now completely clean and the growls and screams are put aside,...
The reasons behind are quite simple: the music we did before was composed for two guitars and since the leaving of our former bassist we choose to continue as three.
So there is only one guitar left and some of our old songs really don't fit with this lineup...
It's also the first time i wrote everything alone at home and we worked it out as band, did the arrangements and stuff... and of course there are always a lot of influences around everyone to form the sound and what you want it to sound like.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The lyrics on the new EP are quite personal and emotional stuff so that's why there is no booklet or anything where you can find them. Since 2009 when the first ideas and songs came up the whole theme was about melancholy, loneliness, the darker sides of nature... and it is still in 2015.
So the Home EP is inspired by some experiences i made the months before the release and it is one of the reasons why the whole sound changed. Maybe the whole vibe of the EP is a more positive one than on the releases of the past but the melancholy is still very present.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Abandoned Dreams'?
To be honest there is no big deal about the name... when we were looking for a name 6 years ago we thought about something that might fit the band sound and the idea of it. I think the name is still a good choice even now when the sound is no longer only black and doom metal inspired.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
For me every show has it's special moments or good and negative points but the show on the Dark Easter Metal Meeting was a very cool experience... We played for more people than usual and there were lot's of people who maybe never heard about us before.
A special Gig too was of course the show with agalloch a few years ago. But again every show and everything that surrounds the evening of a gig is worth to be experienced.
Our stage performance is,... it is a doom rock thing,... so you don't expect any hard moshing or stuff right? ;-)
We have now a lot of candles on stage and the lights are nearly off... we want to create some special atmosphere with the music and the whole appereance.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Of course we want to play as many shows as we can or get the chance to play. Right now there is only the Show with OPHIS in Ulm in September (12th) but i think there will be some more till the end of 2015. There is still the big problem that most people will stay at home watching tv than going to some underground metal show.... but they should... this is the only way to keep the scene and bands alive,...
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Yes we do everything ourselves and it turned out that maybe this is the only good thing. We had some interested labels and distributions but when you think more than 5 minutes about it you will realize that you pay more than you earn and in 50% the whole thing will gain nothing than a loss of money and time.
So we will continue with doing it on our own until we find some ways to get the word spread in bigger waves, be it a label, distribution or anything.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and doom metal?
The feedback we get, specially for the new songs, is amazing. A lot of people who did not know what to expect tell us after the shows how much they liked it.
We will see where it will take us but the way right now feels very good and we are always interested in how people think about our work.
9.When can we expect another full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Currently we are writing and working on some new songs. We are thinking in doing an EP again, maybe in the end of 2015 but there is no promise about that...
The musical and lyrical themes will be build on the "Home" EP and we will see how the things develope. It will be of course the same melancholic atmosphere and perhaps it will turn out a bit darker when the summer is done.
We will keep you updated via facebook and our homepage, so take a look sometimes and see what is new.
10.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?
There is so much music out there you are influenced by. We listen still to the old and crappy black metal stuff we always listened to but also to some more modern stuff... i don't want to name any bands because i think it is the wrong way to get inspired. For me as a songwriter it is more about the atmosphere and magic a song or a band creates than any special kind of riffing or lyrical or vocal style. Electronic pop music can be as inspiring as some old Burzum or Darkthrone songs.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
For me music is the big deal but we also like to do the stuff everyone else does too... Watching movies, books, boozing and party hard,... or just stay at home and hang around.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final word or thought?
First of all a big thank you for the interview and to anyone who will read it.
I hope every question is answered satisfying and if anyone is interested in the music we play, CDs, Shirts or Shows just feel free to contact us on facebook or via email:
info@abandoned-dreams.com
www.facebook.com/abandoneddreamsmetal
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
