1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Daniel Fischer:
First of all, we celebrated the release of our debut album with a big release party with a lot of our friends and fans. We wanted to reward ourselves and had a lot of fun. Afterwards there were some interviews we were allowed to give and when we had a bit of breathing space we started writing songs for album two.
2.A few months back you released your first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
Daniel Fischer:
After we had decided to form a band together, we had actually only roughly decided that we wanted to go in a doomy direction in which there may also be black metal elements. But we also wanted to be open to all ideas. However, if you had asked me at that time whether there would also be a few musical elements, I would have said no.
The first song was Darkest Desire and when Jochen sang on it for the first time, the results had a certain musical style. Well, we wanted to be open in all directions and to be honest we thought it sounded great. So we left it as it was (and have also included it in other songs).
Jochen Thurn:
It all started with Darkest Desire. The song simply has so many possibilities to round off the already very mature musical framework and the fitting lyrics by Frederik Georg with different vocal colours. In the end, the music and vocals came together in a dark symbiosis to form the Sarlic Bliss sound and what can I say, it just fitted. After that it was clear that this was our sound and we wanted to go exactly in this direction. The result is an album with six great songs.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
Jochen Thurn:
On our first album Braegn Haeft we focused on two major themes. The first one is the study of a person suffering from psychopathy, stalking and haunting a young lady in the song Darkest Desire. Then the same protagonist takes us into his realm he exists in or longs for in the song Flotian Swefn. In the end he realizes that he is ill and copes with the situation in The truth within. Coping with the loss of a beloved person is also the toopic of the song Departed Grace feat Gogo Melone. The second thing we focused on is the effect of jealousy and lechery.
4.A lot of your lyrics are also written in Old English, what was the decision behind adding this language in the songwriting?
Daniel Fischer:
The idea actually came more from our band name. Once we had decided for an on Old English band name, we simply incorporated it into our lyrics. For that certain mystical touch. Maybe we also hoped for a certain unique selling point (it seemded to worked since you asked us about the topic).
Jochen Thurn:
We use Old English words in our songs because it gives the music an archaic and dark atmosphere. These words add to the mystical aesthetic and create a connection to times gone by, often characterised by dark legends and epic stories. The ancient language adds a deep, powerful dimension to the lyrics and reinforces the dark, apocalyptic feeling we want to convey with our music. By incorporating Old English words, an artistic bridge is created between modern music and the past, enhancing the emotional intensity of the songs.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sarlic Bliss'?
Jochen Thurn:
Sarlic Bliss stands for painful joy. And we think that fits our music perfectly. Our lyrics and music are carried by a kind of pain that we want our doom fans out there to enjoy.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Daniel Fischer:
The title of our album translates from Old English to something like imprisoned mind. To be honest, we didn't really know what the cover should look like. But at this point we were already in contact with the cover artist Gogo Melone (who also sang great on our song Departed Grace). We gave her the album title and gave her the songs to listen to and that's what she made of it. As soon as we saw it, we thought - that's it, it fits.
7.Has the band been able to do any live gigs yet or any plans for the future?
Jochen Thurn:
We are currently preparing for possible live gigs. Basically we want to get on stage and present our music to a wider audience, but in reality it's not that easy. In addition to music, we are extremely busy at work, sometimes even on weekends, which makes scheduling very difficult at times. But we are working on solutions and hope to rock the big doom stages of the world very soon.
8.The new album was released on 'MDD Records', how did you get in contact with this label?
Daniel Fischer:
Nowadays it's not difficult to release music yourself, but it's much harder to get attention without a record label. So as a new band we decided to try and get a record deal. The old-fashioned way by sending our music to the record companies (ok - it used to be CDs, but we weren't quite that old-fashioned). MDD were one of the labels that showed interest in a joint release and after a few phone calls it quickly became clear that it was a good fit. So far we are very happy with the collaboration.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and doom metal?
Daniel Fischer:
As newcomers, we're certainly not talking about the big fan masses here. But the reactions we got, both from the press and from fans, were very good. I think we definitely won the hearts of some people with our debut. Overall, we definitely got more feedback from fans in the doom metal genre.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Daniel Fischer:
We have only just found our style and want to remain basically true to it. However, it is still very important for us to be open in all directions. If it sounds good to us, then it can be played. Let's see what happens.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are listening to nowadays?
Daniel Fischer:
I'm probably the one who listens most to what we do. My big bands are definitely My Dying Bride and Paradise Loste. But I also really like the vibe of the band Clouds. I also listen to other types of metal or can put on some Depeche Mode (ok, I'm talking about the older stuff here, I don't know what new stuff they've put out).
Jochen Thurn:
I like to listen to power metal myself, like Dragonforce or Sonata Arctica to name a few. I really got into metal with Blind Guardian and Manowar, who I still like to listen to today.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or tohughts?
Daniel Fischer:
Thank you very much for the interview. Stay doom.
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