Interview with THE BOOK
!!!EPIC HEAVY METAL FROM CZECHIA!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about THE BOOK (Members, Starting Year etc).
Torham: We started as a four piece in 2018 after our previous band Žrec broke up. During our short existence, some personal changes were made, so we have another bass player, different vocalist and only one guitar but we still remained as a four piece band and decided to play music heavily inspired by classic heavy metal/hard rock mixed with more extreme genres. Actually we never wanted to define our genre, we just keep playing and this is the result.
You are going to release your tape '' Sculptures of the Gods ''. Tell us a few things about this project.
Torham: It’s something like a promo tape showing part of our debut album to friends and labels. We chose two songs which should represent our style. But every song is a little bit different. As my friend said, we sound like The Book of metal genres.
Label or DIY and why?
Sarapis: For the last couple of years we have all processes around our bands (incl. The Book) under control in the vein of the old good DIY. We can do whatever we want without asking for a permission. However, it is perfect only to a certain point. It could steal your time and energy which could be missing in composing new songs, rehearsing or drinking beer after. And that is not good, because having a band must always be fun! It is important to know your limits and what is the best for the band. I mean that a lot of labels can do very good job. At this time we are ok, ready to handle everything by ourselves and we will see what happens.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Torham: Personally I prefer Vinyl and Tape because I was raised on it and it has a cult analog aura for me. But we would like to deliver our music in each format you mentioned to make our fans choose.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Torham: I can’t speak for other guys but my inspiration as a guitarist for The Book comes mostly from Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Celtic Frost, Bathory and some Greek black metal. On the full album you will hear a cover version of Quorthon’s Man of Iron but transformed from its typical folk aesthetics to epic metal song with clean vocals.
Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
Torham: I don’t know if it was for the band's better future but I think we sacrificed a lot. Some job obligations, job offers, traveling abroad or even a girl!! I mean not literally :D Which reminds me of one of our lyrics for a song called Ancient steel where you should sacrifice your whole life to fulfill your metal heart. And I think this is the point of success. Do what you like, or as Crowley said: “Do what thou wilt.” And it returns in some way. And yes I totally forgot that the second song on our tape is called Sacrificer! We were probably on sacrificing mode when writing this album :D
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Torham: Not with this band! We are pretty excited about that but covid shit stopped some events so we will see. Anyway, the ideal performance will be to create a great enjoyable atmosphere for us and our fans. Playing live is like a cathartic ritual. You enter the stage as a normal guy with all everyday bullshit in your head and you leave it as a completely different person. Cleaned. And if our fans have the same experience, then that’s the ideal live show.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Torham: It’s very very hard to be unique these days. Everything in heavy metal was already invented. You can renovate some good stuff or be eclectic and mix approaches to metal. But I think the key is in the sound and to have an authentic aura as a band or as an artist. This applies universally. To better understand what I mean, here is an example. If Fenriz from Darkthrone would make a techno album, I would definitely give it a try ;)
Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Sarapis: Digital platforms are great to spread your music around and get it to your potential fans. I appreciate an opportunity to use various channels for free. Definitely, it is perfect for a promotion of new bands. I have heard many old stories about sending letters with cassettes by mail to labels and distros, now it sounds like a fairytale or ancient legend. Actually, this is exactly what we want to do with Sculptures of the Gods. Alongside with digital promotion on BC, FB & YT, of course. A few digital platforms are good and fair for users and artists as well (f.e. Bandcamp), platforms like Spotify are good and comfortable for users, but in my eyes they are not fair for bands, especially for UG bands and not famous ones.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Czechia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Torham: Well we are not such a big part of the scene so we really don’t know many new things but I can say we have some very good friends on Czechoslovakian scene. You should check Inferno, Algor and Malokarpatan but they have been on the scene for a long time. If you like old school death metal, from new bands I can recommend the band Sněť. Our drummer has a great black metal band called Depths Above (and he’s also writing for Echoes webzine). When you will be in Brno someday, the most frequented clubs for metal music are Melodka or M13. Lot of great underground metal pubs were in Brno but unfortunately they’re all gone.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Torham: Sure! I’m a big fan of hellenic black metal, so besides Rotting Christ, there are dark ensembles such as Thou art lord, Varathron, Ithaqua, Necromantia, Zemial, Disharmony etc. It has a specific underground sound and a very heavy metal approach which was and for me is still unique. There is also a strong feeling of ancient Greek civilization and mythology (even if the band doesn't sing about it!) which is for us Czechs, classic but still mysterious and exotic. When mentioning heavy metal and black metal, there is Agatus, a great example of how an underground black metal act can evolve into solid heavy metal and not lose anything from their face.
What are your future plans?
Torham: To release a full-length debut, make a lot of gigs and prepare new epic songs! And maybe sacrifice someone for success. :D
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Torham: Thank you for finding us so quickly after releasing a song and for giving us an opportunity to speak for the first time! Name of your zine inspired me to write these answers under the classic sounds of Tank - Filth Hounds of Hades. I really enjoyed it! Metal forever!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
THE BOOK CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/thebookmetal/
https://openthebook.bandcamp.com/releases