1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Sergei: We decided to re-record some of our early works. When we listen to them today we hear a lot of great ideas we still love much, but we also hear that there is a significant room for improvements in terms of sounding. We learned a lot since those days, so we believe we can give a new life to some of our old gems.
2.In September you have a new album coming out, 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?
Sergei: I would describe the sound of “Rebirth” as perfect J
But if to be serious, the sound is complex and dimensional. There is a lot of everything, it comprises elements of doom, black, gothic and death metal, that are organically combined into monolithic atmospheric sound.
“Rebirth” have number of noticeable differences in style and overall sounding in comparison to previous works. If early albums can be described as dark romance, then starting from previous album “Ascending” Celestial Crown became more philosophical and progressive. Our female singer Diana is now on a parental leave and starting from Rebirth female vocals are made by Viktoria Seimar. Also worth mentioning that if on early albums all songs were composed by Aleksander and I only added lead guitar parts, then starting from “Ascending” I actively contribute to the songwriting. On “Rebirth” there are several songs completely written by me, and it is a challenge to our listeners to find out which songs are those ;) Moreover, now you can hear my vocals here and there on the album – another challenge to listeners. So, yes, there are certain differences. But at the same time we enshrine the spirit of Celestial Crown, there is always something well recognizable in the sound so you can say for sure – this is Celestial sound! This is CELESTIAL CROWN! One and only! J
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Denis: as Sergei mentioned we started with the dark romanticism on our early album, but lately went into more philosophical excogitation. The main concept of the “Rebirth” is the power of the chaos, which gives birth to everything and devour it back at any moment. It is about how negligibly inconspicuous humans are in front of the nature. From the chaos we came and into the chaos we will vanish. And it is out of our power to change the laws of nature…
4.Originally the band was called 'Celebratum' what was the cause of the new change and also what is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Celestial Crown'?
Denis: I borrowed the word Celebratum from one movie and it fit well to ideology of our newborn band. But soon we discovered that there is already another band with such name. By this time Sergei already prepared a nice logo and we wanted to keep at least some of those beautiful letters in new name. That how we became Celestial Crown.
Sergei: Let me tell you now a real story.
A long time ago, the Son of the Sun came down to Earth to spread the Celestial wisdom. He wore the crystal Crown and the might of all the Universe was hidden in its spikes. The ancient signs covering the Crown carried the fateful prophesy. Thousands of people came to see the celestial flare. But then, abysmal darkness devoured the Sun. And from the North came the storm, colder and bleaker than humanity ever seen. Disastrous was its power. Seven days and seven nights lasted the cry of the Nature. Many have fallen. So did the Son of the Sun. And the Crown was broken up into billions of tiny pieces, and the pieces were scattered all across the Earth, and in every piece a Celestial wisdom and the power of all the Universe was hidden. But now the day has come. Army of the Sun came on Earth to gather shatters together. This was the day of the Rebirth. Rebirth of the Crown. Celestial Crown…
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Sergei: Unfortunately, there is nothing interesting to tell, Celestial Crown is a “studio only” band. We made a few concerts with session players in the past, but then decided that it takes too much time and effort. We all have jobs not related to the music, we live in different cities and even countries. So, Celestial Crown exist in the studio only. All the material of last albums was written in Denis’s home studio. Me and Aleksander are together responsible for all instruments on albums (guitars, basses, keys and drums). We don’t have separate bass, keys and drum players. All on us J
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Sergei: In our dreams only. maybe one day when we are rich and famous J
7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of goth, doom, and black metal?
Sergei: Extremely positive. We have fans all over the world, our albums appear on torrents shortly after release (it is a good sign! J ) and there is really positive feedback in media. People write to us, wishing to see us in their country on stage. It is great, it motivates to move forward! But for some reasons it does not correlate with sells":)"
8.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Sergei: maybe you will hear more progressive riffs, more orchestral things. On Rebirth I made first attempts to use orchestral parts, and I have more ideas for future. But the general atmosphere of the band doubtfully will ever change. We love how Celestial Crown sounds.
9.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Sergei: today there is an impressive amount of amazing bands. I discover some new gems every time I dig into Youtube. In general, I listen to pretty much everything from jazz and classic to technical death metal. But if to name some of the recent findings on the heavy side (I emphasize that only recent finding, I will not mention here something like MDB, it is too obvious :) ) then e.g. Gojira (The Shooting Star is my favorite song at the moment), Destroying The Devoid, Satan's Host (because of amazing vocals, although I usually don’t listen to classic heavy metal), some instrumental bands like e.g. Meridian (check their The Helix Nebula album). I also like how some older bands went to heavily orchestral way. E.g. recent work of Septic Flesh – Titan is just EPIC!!! And I would also mention new Metallica. Thanks to album Hardwired I started to listen Metallica again after many years.
Denis: I love different styles of metal music. From clean singing to brutal. But honestly my taste is the same for 20 years) my favorites still are Anathema, My Dying Bride, Dark Tranquility, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Septic Flesh, Tiamat, from female vocals scene I prefer Anneke van Giersbergen and Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance.
10.How would you describe your views on Occultism?
Denis: It is personal. I can answer with words from song “Alone in the desert” :
Hold tight for things that have no substance. Hold tight for things that out of existence
Heed only to my voice which speaks without any sound. Look only at the things that are invisible for feelings.
Concealed secret is kept for you over the aeons. Occult mystery is stored for you over the centuries!!!
Sergei: If I will go into details then it will take several pages, so I’ll say shortly that I definitely have certain interest in Occultism. Although I am scientist )
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Denis: hm lets say pc gaming and all new technologies in PC world) and on the other hand – I can simple be lost in nature out of human), I mean to live for 2 weeks out of town life))) hahaha)
Sergei: mainly science. And I play airsoft. I also go to gym when my health allows me (not so often). Spent some time playing Diablo on PC J But no interests can compare to my love to music.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Sergei: thank you all our listeners for support! You motivate us to move forward and continue with our passion. It is really hard work we do and we give it away for free, so I hope you at least will go and put like under our last album on Youtube ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubc8bv3VGMQ
https://www.facebook.com/CelestialCrown/
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