NEAERA
By Falber Teles • Jun 4th, 2009 • Category: Featured Band, Interviews
SOURCEWEBZINE – Give fans a preview of “Omnicide – Creation Unleashed”.
Benjamin Donath (B) – The music is pretty ‘evil’ and sinister in some passages, but there are also songs that lay the emphasis more on the groove, and others where the melodic parts are more dominant. Overall it`s a good mixture musically.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Where do you think “Omnicide – Creation Unleashed” stands in terms of your past releases?
Benjamin Donath (B) – It may sound clichee, but the album to me is basically a mixture of the last three records. Like I said, in some songs there’s the dominant groove and massive style of ARMAMENTARIUM, others have more of the speed of LET THE TEMPEST COME and some have the melodic edge that was characteristic for THE RISING TIDE OF OBLIVION. There is a difference in maturity of the songwriting, I think over time we have figured out what works in the rehearsal space and what doesn’t, and you can hear the on the record.
SOURCEWEBZINE – How would you describe the sound of “Omnicide – Creation Unleashed”?
Benjamin Donath (B) – It´s definitely more compact. For example, ARMAMENTARIUM was very ‘broad’ in terms of the sound, very much like a big wave, so to speak. The sound this time is still very fat, but it´s sharper and develops a different kind of punch. It punches you more in the face than in the stomach, but from many different angles. Hahahaha.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Has having your CDs reviewed impacted how you review other artists’ releases?
Benjamin Donath (B) – Of course you subconsciously develop a different feeling and sense of hearing for other people’s records and songs, especially if they’re Metal. You get a different interest in how other bands achieve a certain kind of sound or how they combine their style of music with a certain kind of production. As for a conscious ‘evaluation’ of a record, the most important thing is whether the material grabs you, eihter at first listen or if it ‘grows’ over time. These are also factors by which I think people review the things we release, so I guess at some point you also kind of start applying them to what you hear.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What CD do you own that people might be surprised about?
Benjamin Donath (B) – Miles Davis – Kind of Blue, Vivaldi – The Four Seasons played by Nigel Kennedy, DJ Shadow – Endtroducing, Mobb Deep – The Infamous etc.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Are there any particular lyrical themes throughout the record, or does each song stand alone?
Benjamin Donath (B) – There are not really any groundbreaking differences in terms of the approach we took to the process of writing lyrics. There is, just like on the previous releases, a mixture between lyrics that deal with environmental and political topics, but again, there are some more self-reflective, personal lyrics for everyone to draw their own personal message from. I feel that the political/ environmental edge this time becomes a bit more important due to the strong titel and the related concept. This is probably the most obvious title in terms of it’s meaning. It does not leave very much room for interpretation, which is what in my opinion gives the political theme a bit of an edge.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Have you filmed any videos for this new CD?
Benjamin Donath (B) – Yes, we have, we made a one hour band documentary with interviews and some rare live footage from the beginning days of the band, it comes with the Limited Edition of the record. Furthermore we have filmed a clip for “Prey to Anguish” at the release show for the record. The clip should be available on the internet sometime between the middle and the end of June.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s currently in heavy rotation on your CD/MP3 player?
Benjamin Donath (B) – Mastodon – Crack the Skye, Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters, Explosions in the Sky – How Strange, Innocence.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Do you have any plans of a South America tour?
Benjamin Donath (B) – We would love to come, from what we have heard from our friends in Heaven Shall Burn it must be great. We are just making the concert schedule for the year and hopefully there will be an offer sometime soon. Of course it´s always also a question of the right logistics, organization… many different factors are involved. It´s a matter of the right planning, it doesn’t only depend on us.
SOURCEWEBZINE – What are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Benjamin Donath (B) – The best thing is that you get to travel and play shows and meet new people. The worst thing is waiting, waiting and waiting…
SOURCEWEBZINE – What’s your favorite hobby away from music?
Benjamin Donath (B) – If you want to consider it a hobby, I regularly do sports and try to keep in shape. Working out is my way of relaxing and coming up with new ideas.
SOURCEWEBZINE – Is there anything you’d like to add?
Benjamin Donath (B) – Thanks a lot for the interview, very cool questions! Please check out our latest record if you get the chance, and tell us how you like it! We hope yo be able to see all you guys very soon. All the best and stay METAL !
Falber Teles
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