1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and release of the new album?
- Astor: We’ve really been busy getting our new studio in order. We’ve been working on getting the studio back together and preparing for an EP and pre-production on the second album while still focusing on Ancient Arts.
We’re also starting to rehearse and get our live show together for shows in early 2024 as well as relaunching our merch.
2. In May you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?
- Astor: Musically, it’s the same, just with three additional tracks. The EP we released was more of a demo for us to find other musicians and maybe get some initial reactions from our style of music. It served its purpose.
3. This was also your first release since 2019, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
- Astor: The EP in our minds was definitely more of a demo than anything else. On the production side, we used amp sims and electronic and programmed drums.
After the release of the EP we found a drummer, Fern Lemus, who recorded drums for the album at his studio, FL Recordings, in November of 2019. Our initial intention was to release the album in early 2021. We started working on finishing the album… and then the pandemic hit.
We essentially came to a stand still for about six months or so then on top of that, I had some family stuff come up.
Even after things started opening back up, supply chains were very slow and we needed a few things in the studio to finish the album and I was set on building custom guitar cabinets. Getting the needed components and equipment seemed to take forever but we got everything finished and sent to Fern for mastering.
Then we ran into multiple obstacles with music videos... and then I moved hahah. We ultimately had to do all of them on our own in a short time frame.
4. A lot of your lyrics cover history, fantasy and the occult, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
- Astor: Our interests essentially come from us growing up in the late 80s and early 90s watching horror movies, TV, reading books, playing video games, playing with Ouija boards, and listening to other bands and reading their lyrics..
5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dawn of Existence'?
- Votan: The name ‘Dawn of Existence’ conjures up questions about the nature of time, history, how we got here, mysteries, and things of that nature. The name itself comes from a bit of lyric from an old Borknagar song I was listening to one day.
6. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
- Votan: The cover art is like a visualizer for the album as a whole; it's dark but colorful and dynamic. It evokes mystery and drama much the same way the music does.
7. On the albums you only work with 2 members, are you open to working with other musicians on the albums or do you prefer to remain a duo in the studio?
- Astor: We’re definitely open to working with other people but Votan and I equally share the writing responsibility, both musically and lyrically. We’ve known each other for 30+ years and have written a lot of music together in several different bands so we know how each other writes and take each other’s criticism well most of the time.
We also usually write and record full demos. For Ancient Arts and the EP we’re working on, we had completed drum parts but when we get the tracks to Fern to record, we definitely allowed him to put his own style on there.
8. I have read the band is currently looking for a different line up for live shows, how has that been working out so far?
- Astor: Finally fairly well haha. We talked with a lot of guitarists we know but they were either committed to multiple projects, on tour, or starting new bands. As of recently, we do finally have a guitarist and a drummer who have committed to playing with us for live shows… we’re not quite ready to announce the lineup though.
We are currently working on our live show and rehearsing so we do have quite a lot going on at the moment.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic and extreme metal?
- Astor: Surprisingly, it has been overall positive, just on a fairly small scale at present. We’re excited to show our fans our live show and new music and hopefully welcome new fans on a much wider scale.
10. Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
- Astor: We’re focusing on our live show gearing up for shows in early 2024 as well as working in the studio on a, somewhat unexpected, EP and pre-production in our second full length album. We already have quite a bit of material going into the second album.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
- Astor: I listen to a lot of different types of music and love finding new bands. Right now I’m listening to newer bands like Fires in the Distance, Voidfallen, Hinayana, The Spirit, and stuff like that. I know both of us have been listening to a lot of Blackbraid, Imperium Dekadenz, and Thulcandra recently as well.
On top of that we’re always listening to stuff like Behemoth, Hypocrisy, The Halo Effect, Immortal, Bæst, Bloodbath, Paradise Lost, Insomnium, Unto Others, the list goes on.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
- Astor: If anyone is looking to support us, spread the word and be sure to follow us on our social media as we’ll finally be posting again with new stuff and new merch very soon!
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