Tristessa

 

1. Let's begin with an introduction of the band for new listeners.

We were formed in 1995 our music is extreme Black/Death Metal.

Until today we have released 5 full length albums and one demo.

2. Astarte has been around since 1995. The original name was Lloth. Why was it changed to Astarte?

Astarte represents our band because she a very powerful Goddess of war and fertility.

Astarte is a main source of inspiration in our music and lyris. In all our 5 albums we write a song dedicated to the Goddess.

LLOTH remains my second band where we play brutal black metal and soon we manage to make our debut album.

3. Your first official release was "Doomed Dark Years" , the next album was "Rise from Within". What do you feel are the biggest differences between the two albums?

These two albums represents two different time periods of Astarte. “Doomed Dark Years” is our first album which had very positive feedback and it was the door for Astarte to make a very dynamic entrance into music scene. This album is pure raw Black Metal. Our second album “Rise from Within” is an evolution for our music. We add more music elements into our music and we create our music style.

4. By the release of your 4th album "Sirens" the band went through some line up changes. How did this affect Astarte's sound?

Very important to mention that Sirens album was with new members and new Label “Avantgarde Rec”. Two aspects which had very dynamic results. It is like a new opening for the band

5. Along with member changes I noticed you lost the corpse paint. Why was this?

We do not use corpse paint for a decade ago. There is not a reason why we use or why we do not use. We did it in the first album which was purely representing our music of that time and it was representing the atmosphere of Astarte. In next albums we change everytime our image for the same reasons. Who knows, in the future we may use again corpse paint.

6. The 5th and newest album is "Demonized". What can listeners expect from this album?

In our new album our mood went more into Death / Black style, making more aggressive and even brutal sound the original mood of Astarte. We have changed our tuning and the sound is now brutal, we have added for first time solos. The fact that there are new members like Lycon (guitar/bass), Ice (drums) and Derketa (synths) has add even more new elements to our music.

Mix and mastering took place in the Finish studios TICO TICO. Like the previous album we gave all our trust and effort to Ahti and he made a brilliant sound. It is obvious we are very happy working with this studio and in a future album I will prefer it again.

In this new album we had the participations of Attila from Mayhem, Henri T.S.K from God Dethroned, Angela from Arch Enemy and Nicolas Sic Maiis from Lloth. I can not compare who offered the best results because each one of them put a unique element, all of them were professionals and we made an absolute collaboration. In order to make these collaborations and to have very satisfied result I learned lot of things and I really thank all of them for their support and willingness to participate.

7. You were recently featured in the controversal Black Metal documentary "Murder Music", What are your thoughts on this film?

Very important to mention is that we will participate in a worldwide documentary from “Murder Music” with subject “History Of Black Metal”. It will be out in dvd and great names will be included like Satirycon, Dimmu Borgir, Sabbat, Mayhem… to speak about old and new Black Metal. It is a very important step to promote and speak about several issues of Black Metal music. New Metallers have to know about the History of our music.

8. So female fronted Black Metal is rare to say the least. When you 1st began did you have any problems being accepted by Black Metal crowds?

Yes I had problems which I do not want to remember. What I see right now is that we are accepted and that music belongs to everyone who has desires, feelings, and creativity.

9. Overall how is the scene in your home country of Greece, Are you getting good support there?

Among bands we have good connections and communications but speaking for magazines and music industry it does not exist at all. We are treated like zeros and we are not supported at all. So, that's why Greek scene can not evolve and has stuck. The system is suppressed and the bands have no access to be supported by magazines or Labels.

System here sucks and I abstain. Only a few people make right their job and are the exception to the rule.

10. How did you first become interested in metal?

I started play music in 1990 with punk and metal bands. Then I1 in 1993 I made my first Split LP album with VORPHALACK band. I have long time experience and like to get involved in all these bands. Right now I play in 3 bands included Astarte.

11. What is it about Black Metal that interested you most?

Black Metal for me is the free way of expression into music. It is a music kind with no borders no standard tempos, themes, issues into lyrics or whatever that can restricts the “genre” of music. It combines all extreme ways of expressions and that fulfils my imagination. I try to communicate ideas and messages that deal with Greek Ancient mythology, to estimate all the realities of life that sometimes we are blind to see. What I do not like to communicate is religious issues and politics.

12. What does this band mean to you?

Astarte is my own creation. I feel that I have lot of things to give for this band and lot of things to share with our fans. Astarte was and will be a part of my self.

13. Do you think Black Metal will ever be able to overcome the evil and sinister reputation it has gained, or is that reputation part of what makes Black Metal what it is?

We have to accept that times are changing. Past belongs to the past and future to the future. We have to appreciate and learn about how Black Metal started. New generations need to learn about the music and its roots. Some bands are caring in their music the old fashion elements and this is a good bridge to connect past and future. Black Metal has no need to overcome cos it still exists on its new and old forms and bands are so many to represent this music scene.

14. What is one thing fans should know about Astarte?