Symphonic Black Metal has always had a slightly scoffed at presence in my experience. Mainly associated with bands like Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, it is seen as the more commercial end and thus unliked by many. Shadowcraft from Greece buck this trend with authority! Over the three tracks of this criminally short demo they lay down a master class in how to make symphonic black metal that still keep the aesthetics true.

 

Opener ‘And I Will Speak to Thou’ is a swirling epic of classically tinged black metal power that is broken up with a harpsichord section that beautifully slips back into an epic time change and finishes off the song with confidence and style. ‘Awakening’ is more reminiscent of bands like Thyrfing, incorporating a more folky atmosphere, but ending with a climactic classical flourish. I do like Lord Mephisto Draven’s vocals; they lend the proceedings a much darker atmosphere, as shown on the final track of the EP, ‘Revenge…’ with its haunting carnival like synths, his vocals bite and thrash at the ear drums and really drive the song. Shadowcraft have made a very confident and interesting start, incorporating many different elements that are sure to keep the listener interested and coming back for more. Greece can safely add another quality band to its list!

Firstly, thank you for doing this interview! How are you today?

Bomasizael: We should be thanking’ you! It’s our honour doing this interview with you.

LMD: As Bomasizael told we should be thanking you .

Could you give us a brief biography of Shadowcraft for those who aren’t familiar with the band?

LMD: The band started in august 2005 by me, Bomasizael and our bassist Stellar master which is the solid part of this band. After some time we managed to find other members but they were replaced due lack of interest or skill. The current line up though is the most successful, with members who work hard for the band and they are good players too! Back to the bio now we have released one studio demo titled “inside a sick mind” in august 2006 and after some time we begun to participate in some gigs. One of the bands was Kawir from Athens, which is one of my favorite bands. The band made one more promo studio release in 2009 called 'Shadowcraft'.

You describe your music as ‘good old majestic black metal’, and I would have to agree! Who has influenced you to create such soundscapes?

Bomasizael: The older days of Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir are core influences, as well as Emperor and Immortal. The good thing is that we keep the above core influences but we expand them by adding different elements of other extreme genres of metal (like death metal). All band members listen to many kinds of metal not strictly Black metal and this can bring in the surface many riffs that are quite amazing and have definitely the ‘good, old’ majestic Black metal feeling.

LMD: Well I'm glad you agreed! Cause this is the main theme of Shadowcraft we are trying to bring back Good majestic soundscapes from many bands that I will need a page just to mention them and blend them with some new elements. My personal influences are as well many but ill try to be brief. Old Dimmu Borgir C,O,F Emperor, Old mans child, Dissection (R.I.P Jon), Mayhem and many more that are not well-known from the public.

The Greek metal scene is mainly known for bands such as Rotting Christ, SepticFlesh and Necromantia. What is the rest of the Greek metal scene like? Are there any bands you like?

Bomasizael: Definitely there are many Greek bands that play bloody good music. Naer Mataron is one of them (with Vicotnik from DHG in vocals). Another good Symphomajestic black metal band is Unholy ritual. I can name a lot of bands, but the point here is that Greece doesn’t have a very active scene and many bands find it difficult to succeed in their goals. This applies more to extreme genres.

LMD: Besides those bands you mentioned there are many bands that deserve to be seen here in Greece but as Bomasizael stated the scene is really difficult for a band in order develop its abilities. This mainly happens because no labels/ promoters nor the public are interested in seeing something different than the mainstream sounds they offer them.

How do you feel about these pioneering bands such as Rotting Christ? Have they helped to promote and bring attention to Greek metal? Are you a fan?

Bomasizael: I believe that bands like Rotting Christ and Septic Flesh helped Greek metal scene more than we think. These bands influenced many Greek Black Metal bands, including Shadowcraft and it can be seen clearly through their promos and demos. Aye, big fan!

LMD: Of course I am a fan! I could easily say Dedicated! They have helped a lot because when they started, Greek metal scene was not even in the map, at least in the extreme genre! The answer is yes!

Do you think that there is too much media emphasis on ‘Norwegian’ or ‘Scandinavian’ black metal, so that other scenes like the Greek scene for example are overlooked?

Bomasizael: Norwegians were the first to play black metal. I don’t know what’s wrong with Scandinavians but they are very talented in extreme metal music. Of course media will focus there thinking that there is nothing more that other smaller scenes can offer. This is untrue. You can find for example many bands that add something unique to their music differentiating them from others (ex. Aherusia, using Cretan Lyre).

LMD: First of all, Scandinavian bands started playing Black metal in the early 90's. So it is obvious to lead the metal scene. We all know that in Norway extreme metal is one of the most successful export 'products', so media will focus on them anyway. Now about the publicity it depends on the bands and if they play good music. An example is Septic Flesh, Behemoth, Carach Angren (Netherlands).

When can we expect a full length?

Bomasizael: If everything goes as planned the recordings will probably take place in December. If not there will be live shows during the same month.

LMD: As Bomasizael said we have some plans to record the album in December. It will mainly depend on if we have the budget to record it. We will shoot one more video clip for the song 'Principles of chaos' which will be included in the album. We also plan some live gigs in Greece and maybe in some Balkan countries.
 

Will the tracks up on your myspace be rerecorded at any time?

Bomasizael: I don’t see a reason to record tracks again. We will definitely re-record the song ‘And I will speak to thou’ and probably add some elements into it but for now nothing more than that.

LMD : Agreed!

What does the future hold for Shadowcraft?

Bomasizael: Our main aim now is to record the debut album and start playing live the material anywhere we can.

LMD : For the short-term period we want to finish the album, hopefully find a label and play shitloads of live shows.

Thank you very much for the interview! Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Bomasizael: Thanks a lot for your time! As for your readers I wouldn’t say anything pioneering just to support the bands they like by going to their live shows and buying their CDs.

LMD: Your readers can expect more things from us in the near future but we will need all the support we can in order to accomplish our goals. Thanks a lot for the interview. Hail!

www.myspace.com/shadowcraftband







METALPATHS.COM REVIEW :

Shadowcraft - Promo 2009

Monday, November 23rd, 2009, posted by K.Panagiotis

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Track List

Line Up

01. And I Will Speak to Thou 02. Awakening 03. Revenge

Lord Mephisto Draven - Vocals Bomasizael - Guitars Q_SNC - Keyboards/Ambience Stellar Master - Bass Synthetic - Drums

Alcmene P.