Blackthorn
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1) I will start by saying I am very intrigued by this band. I really like
when a band has a overall idea behind the music. For our readers, please
explain the basis or concept behind the music of Blackthorn.
Aina: Thank you. Blackthorn’s ideology was defined at the very beginning
of our existence. Living in this boring human world, contemplating the
same mortal coil is not for us. We always intentionally tried to destroy
rest, comfort and constancy by our music; cause you know, obliteration of
habitual rhythm is one of the best ways to discover a new ?I?, raise veils
of the ordinary and open your soul to numberless, novel worlds.? We are
visions of the parallel worlds; we are witches in the wide sense of the
word; honestly, my bandmates and I are far away from all these naked
ritual dances and stewed pipistrelle bats, but anyway, the nature of
witchery’s such an interesting, complicated thing and we’ll draw
inspiration from its dark sources forever more.
Nonetheless, the concerts and photoshoots demand more romantic image, we
can’t help it? :)
2) In the band’s description there is an interesting story of the band
creation.
Please give us the story of Blackthorn’s rise.
Verbena: Maybe the story sounds like a fairy-tale, but actually that’s the
truth through the phantasy prism. Aina had a near-death experience nearly
5 years ago, shortly after
she realized that she has a bee in her bonnet about creating a female
metal band, inspired by magic, afterlife and dismal legends.
The idea was
strange, the idea seemed even hopeless, but fortunately, goofy things use
to attract really enthusiastic people, haha; in short, the next Halloween
2004 we celebrated together as the true black coven or something like that
(infectious laughter). Aina, the former members and I began to compose and
rehearse our first songs and that's how it all started.? Then we began to
play concerts, there were a few line-up changes also… It was a normal
beginning of normal group activity :)
3) Is Blackthorn’s music a natural progression of the witchcraft and magic
basis?
Aina: Of corpse. Wait a minute, I should specify I mean magic of the
music, I think all that we do is not so useful for wiccans or black magic
adepts.
Elvira: Sincere music always has something really supernatural and
ethereal. Music’s pure magic for sure.
Aina: Right, when music comes from the bottom of a musician’s heart, a
border between spell and melody become invisible.
4) Blackthorn hail from Russia, a country that has always had a good metal
scene. How has the support been for Blackthorn in your homeland?
Freya:? Some people support us (morally), some of them not. Some people
like us and some of them not. I don`t know what does it depend on but I
think it`s normally not only for Russian metal scene.
5) Your musical style is self described as "Dramatic, Symphonic Metal",
however
there are many influences that create your sound. What do you think is the
most
original and unique thing about Blackthorn's music?
Elvira: Almost every band hope that they have unique inimitable sound, I
would lie if I said we’re exception :) Blackthorn’s influenced by
symphonic black metal (and I think you can see that in our bass- , drum-
and guitar- playing), but we don’t have growls or screams, our vocalist
sing soprano and recites libretti and that is our current zest. In
addition to that, symphonic elements are a big part of our music.
?Dramatic? is the term describing our performances and the atmosphere we
try to create.
It’ s quite hard to put ourselves into a musical category. Especially over
here in Russia a lot of people discuss if we play gothic metal, power
metal or even black pop-metal. It’ s quite funny to listen to people
trying to figure out about that...
Our music is often categorized as gothic metal, but I don't think we would
automatically underline that statement.
Aina: We can’t give a totally objective opinion about our exclusivity, the
listeners should do it.? Anyway, the band tries not to be copycats.
6) . Recently you lost keyboardist Olga, what was the reason behind her
departure?
Elvira: Olga left Blackthorn due to personal reasons. We appreciate all
that she did for us and wish her all the best; she is and was the part of
our history.
Shortly after Olga’s departure I met Freya. We met in Moscow, at the metal
club where she played that night. It was the first time I heard her in the
flesh and it was an incredible shock for me.? The strength of her
expression, the sound, and this incredible violence she has inside which
is so strange, weird, and frightening.? I soon realized that Freya is not
only a stunning keyboardist, but also a nice person to work with.
7. Freya, you are the new master of the keys, what made you decide to try
out for
Blackthorn, and how has the experience been so far?
Freya: I like this kind of music and I find this band quite interesting
for me. So I`m playing here and I like it!? As for experience I`ve gained
in this band, I can say that experience is the name that everyone gives to
his own mistakes, and in this band I`ve made less mistakes than in others.
8) Elvira, as a fellow guitarist I really enjoy your work! I especially
like your
playing on the track "Willow O the Wisp" tell me about the writing of this
piece.
Elvira: That track was recorded a few years ago and I don’t remember much…
The album version of this song has really ?doomish?, melancholic guitars,
reminding me of Draconian.? I hope you’ll enjoy it!
9) Verbena, your rhythm work on bass is very solid. How did you come to
play the bass?
I’ve always liked low, monolith sounds of a bass guitar; I would always
turn up the bass tone or equalizer on a stereo so I could hear the bass
better. When I was in high school, my cousin bought me a bass guitar for
my b-day; I was absolutely happy! I supposed it would be nice to take a
few private lessons, but nothing serious. I honestly never expected to
play in a band until I met Blackthorn! :)
10)? Aina, have you had any formal vocal training? and have you worked
with any other
musical projects?
Aina: Actually I’m still a student, going to have a Master in classical
singing from Maymonid Moscow State Classics Academy.? In September of this
year, I began to take private folk singing lessons, so let's wait and see
how it will work out for the music ;)
As for side projects, right now I am 100% dedicated to Blackthorn, maybe
in the future, who knows!
11) Who is playing drums and percussion for Blackthorn?
Verbena: It’s not a secret anymore, we have a permanent drummer, his name
is Max and yes, he’s absolutely blind. Let me take the question out of
your mouth – nope, we didn’t plan to find a sightless drummer; it was
destiny or something else. However, we’re really glad to play with Max and
do admire his skills and persistence.
12)? Most importantly Blackthorn have a new album coming out. When can we
expect it,
and is there a title yet?
Aina : Yep, its release is just around the corner.? The title of our new
album is 'Gossamer Witchcraft' and I think it perfectly fit as a cd name
for the band consisting of four girls! I mean, you can take the title as
?magic of cobwebs floating in air ? or you can take it as ?delicate
witchcraft? - the latter sounds so feminine, I think.
This album is a journey through the pages of Black Book of Shadows and a
storyline behind the lyrics is relating to eschaton, again. This time we
chose cobweb as a symbol, its esoteric definition is fatality and
fragility of mankind, cobwebs also reflect
lethality, labyrinth of time, ancient knowledge and the hidden things that
must die… Here I must say ?GW? is a transition between ?old? Blackthorn
and the ?new? one, I hope, you understand me.
You can call it Russian superstition, but I don’t dare to set the release
date, no way :)
The album is almost complete and will be released later this year, that's
all I can promise now.
13) Where can fans get the album and other Blackthorn merchandise?
Elvira: Of course, we'll use the best efforts to spread our music &
merchandise all around the world. At least in those countries where
metalheads are,? heh.? Actually, such stuff depends on a label that we’ll
choose.
14) In closing I ask each of you, what does being in Blackthorn mean to you?
Aina: I feel myself the happiest vocalist in the world, despite of
everything.? Of course, sometimes we have some problems relating to the
female line up, but tell me, can every musician HONESTLY admit that his
band is his family, universe,? pride, joy, the reason for being, a core
inside?? Lucky me, I can do that now.
Verbena: The Blackthorn Alliance is my Family with a capital F! A lot has
changed, but me and my band always went hand in hand.? Sometimes life just
a curse and your band is the only thing that keep you alive in the sea of
sadness. I’ll never feel alone with Blackthorn by my side.
Freya: It seems to me, that our band is much more than a group of
musicians that plays, sings, records and performs. It is a really friendly
family, which can work together and play interesting music.
Elvira: Blackthorn has changed my life, my outlook. I've found definitely
MY place, the place where I can realize the musical ideas, enjoy my time
and make metal that I want to hear. It is responsibility, lifestyle, even
philosophy.? All that I do is for my band.