1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Bernhard: Hi there, thanks for this interview. Of course, we had a lot of stuff to do, since we have released our self-recorded, self-produced and self-mixed and -mastered album ZERO ELYSIUM. The main task was to spread the new album all around the world and reach so many metal fans and fans of the dark scifi genre as possible. It is not only that meanwhile we worked on a number of high energetical videos that feature songs from the album. We also extensively prepared a European tour in order to promote the new material also live, as it is imperative that people have to experience AEONS CONFER live and ruthless. Unfortunately, suddenly Covid-19 deleted our plans temporarily. What we now do is creating further videos to follow to give all the metalheads our there a maximum idea of what AEONS CONFER is about in 2020. By the way, we already gave birth to several new songs, in my opinion they are very innovative and brute, while they march on our path you can listen on SYMPHONIES OF SATURNUS as well as on ZERO ELYSIUM, I expect and know they reach at least the same legendary level. So, the direction is clear: heading forward with strength, independence and conviction.
2.In November you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Simon: ZERO ELYSIUM is a tight, massive, and focused bolide and it is different in so many ways than its predecessors. Although, we´ve used the same components but the approach and usage in terms of songwriting, arrangements & riffing style is quite different. This time, you will find less but well considered keyboards, more crushing and rousing grooves and even some djenty banger riffs.
Soundwise the album has a straightforward point-blank and minimalistic approach with a crystal clear and weighty production.It is also a great showcase that we are able to write and produce killer atmospheric music without the need of using 300+ tracks but only 60 tracks per song.
3.This was also your first album since 2013, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Nils: Until the end of 2015 we were mainly busy presenting `Symphonies Of Saturnus´ live on various club and festival stages in Europe, such as Summer Breeze, Metaldays, Tuska. After that we got down to writing, rehearsing and recording the songs for Zero Elysium. Our bass player at the time decided to leave the band, which made us wonder who could take over this job in the future. After careful consideration, our singer Bernhard picked up his 5-string again and from then on he felt extremely comfortable in the double role as a bass-playing singer. At the same time, we took care of the automation of our light show, created the artwork and merch from ZERO ELYSIUM and shot the video for IMPACTORS.
4.A lot of your lyrics also cover science fiction and dystopian themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?
Bernhard: We intend to transfer the special scifi atmosphere also on the lyrical side. All our lyrics treat deepest space and dystopian, apocalyptic, dark worlds. It is proper to the times we live in and I guess that is exactly the reason why people understand what we want to say. While the level of knowledge that mankind reached grows on every day at the same time we keep on destroying the ground we stand on. On ZERO ELYSIUM a protagonist recognizes that fact, this obviously human conflict, in the delicate situation facing numerous large objects on collision course towards planet Earth. He belongs to a minority that searches for a solution. To sum it, mankind is too weak and interests are too selfish to use our scientific knowledge and techniques to prevent this planet from the worst case, which finally happens: Dozens of impacts devastate the surface and eliminates greatest amounts of all life. Just some beings try to survive in the depths of the underground. Going down - that is the way humanity will have to go, we all know.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ;Aeons Corner'?
Alex: I am sorry to correct you, however the band name is AEONS CONFER ;-) The name for the band obviously had to have some meaning behind it, and it would be quite interesting to hear how the fans come up with their own concepts on it. When we started out as a band, we wanted to have a name which reflected something so vast and massive it is almost impossible to fully grasp it. Aeons are the highest-ranking units in the subdivision of geological history and may span several hundred million to well over a billion years. Our life span as human beings are nothing more than a blink of an eye in this context, so this concept felt so right to utilize in the band name. The universe is huge beyond imagination, and all this incomprehensible interplay between space and time is something the name AEONS CONFER resembles to its fullest.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Alex: With the artwork, our goal was to visualize the concept we had behind the music and lyrics offered on ZERO ELYSIUM. Having the destruction of our earth as we know it imminent is obviously something eerie and dark. Those vibes which come across with our music certainly had to find way into the artwork. AEONS CONFER is known for sci-fi based topics, so this had to be considered as well, obviously. The cover and overall artwork also had to give some room for interpretation, and in the aftermath, it is quite interesting to hear what feedback fans give. We took a lot of time working on the visuals for ZERO ELYSIUM and had numerous revisions until everyone in the band was pleased with it. Overall, we believe that it fits perfectly and is well executed, so that the listener would have this overall experience when putting on the record and going through the pages of the booklet or checking out the sleeve of the LP. Armageddon is close, and this is THE soundtrack for it.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Nils: Walpurgisrock, Apes Enraged and Meltdown were festivals where we had a lot of fun, a good show and an excellent time. We fired first-class club gigs in the Logo, Knust, Fundbureau and Kaiserkeller in Hamburg. We like a lot of fog at our gigs so that you can see our self created light show at it´s best. Personally, I refer to our stage performance as a neck-breaking-laser-steamroller, which invites every metalhead to headbanging. Take a look at our videos Impactors / Wise Deflector to see what we have prepared for you.
8.Currently the band is unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Alex: Of course, we did receive numerous offers in the past, but we had mixed feelings when looking at the conditions we got offered. On one hand, working with a label could result in more financial possibilities, and could provide opportunities in marketing which you would not have access to under other circumstances. On the other hand, right now we only must justify to ourselves and must measure our current success on our own actions. The way it works up to now is we have full creative and business control, which obviously something which is valuable and endeavored by us as artists. So, if we would choose signing with a record company, we would have to take all this into account and determine what we would take away from us in terms of self-determination. We achieved quite a lot with our very own hands, from producing albums, artwork, merchandising, marketing campaigns to playing shows worldwide. Working with an exterior company really should bring an extra push and surpass everything we already have achieved by ourselves.
9.The band has been around since the mid 90's, what is it that motivates you to keep going after a couple of decades?
Simon: To me, it is the urge to explore and expand my musical horizon and create something unique while becoming a better musician and songwriter and i think this journey will go ad infinitum. Another huge and essential component is that this band is greater than the sum of its parts. I mean, my brother and me play together now for 26 years and we are four musicians in this band with a collective vision and mindsetting. Last but not least, it´s simply just fun to play music together! So the rack-wheels keep going unstoppably!
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal?
Nils: The reactions were mostly positive, so we got the impression that we were welcomed with our music in the extreme metal community worldwide. Although our two longplayers `Symphonies Of Saturnus´ &` Zero Elysium´ differ from each other musically and technically in terms of production and sound, it was possible for us to attract and inspire fans already won with our new output. That made us very proud and at the same time showed that we are on the right track with our musical progress and that we are still accepted for that reason.
11.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Bernhard: In former times it could happen, that members of the band were more or less active in several projects apart from AEONS CONFER. But actually, AEONS CONFER is too versatile and interesting that one of us would intend to have further projects or bands. We keep us focused and work with highest priority and I am convinced that people hear and see to which results this attitude leads. Parallel to our private life we use our synergy in the best and intensive way we can effort. If our energies would spread too far away, our albums would not sound as fulminant and mighty as they do.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Simon: Our agenda for further releases is filled with many different ideas and genres and what i can say for now, there surely will be some unexpected stuff to come. If you follow our musical background from the very beginning, you will notice a steady improvement of the course musically and that we are not disaffected by switching or blending different genres. Everything is possible, there is nothing to rule out.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Simon: At the outset, we were heavily influenced by bands like Emperor and Arcturus. Emperor´s „Anthems to the welkin at dusk“ had the biggest impact on our musical direction, that album was a game-changer for us back then. Our all-time favorites are bands like Strapping young lad, SepticFlesh, Slipknot, Textures, Korn and Fear Factory, just to name a few. I´ve got a passion for movie soundtracks and game-music but i also can listen to celestial white noise for a couple of hours!
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Alex: First and foremost, our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported AEONS CONFER so far, checked out ZERO ELYSIUM and gave us their feedback. We are grateful to have fans all over the world who really dig what we do, keep in touch with us and help spreading the word. It means everything to us, so THANK YOU and keep going! Also, thanks for the opportunity doing this interview! See you soon and keep an eye on the sky!
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