Rockezine.com interview with Gorath on Oct 14, 2006

with F. Dupont on Oct 14, 2006


		The obvious question to start: Who came up with the idea of the ancien Mayan 2012 theories as the concept for the album? I`m always highly interested in history and science. Some time ago I was watching a documentary about the super volcano in Yellowstone and other world destroying related issues. I already knew a bit about the Mayan 2012 theories. Once I start searching information on the net a totally new world opened. And still now I`ve only seen the top of the iceberg. It`s frightening to see how intelligent and star orientated some ancient cultures, like the Mayes, were. Did you know the ancient Egyptians used some kind of tool to drill a hole in a rock that perfectly? Even today scientists cannot do the same that perfect with the tools we have today. They don`t know the use of the tool the ancient Egyptians used. Remarkable, isn`t it?
		What was harder, writing the music or the words? None. All went surprisingly easy. When you have to do things you like, it`s not that hard. Though I`ve read a scientific book about the Mayas and it wasn`t easy to understand. I didn`t feel much about ending it. Sometimes it was like doing maths or astrology. In that case, the lyrical content was a bit harder. The next album will have a totally different lyrical concept. My friend Jurgen from Theudho is writing the lyrics this time. Expect some anti-religious orientated historical facts you`ve never heard about before!
		In which way does your new album surpass the previous releases? It has improved on all levels. The sound, the songwriting, the vocals, the artwork, the lyrics,… "Elite" contained some demo songs, which weren`t bad, but I think "The Fourth Era" has got a more own and mature sound. The album is more complete. Certainly the sound improved a lot. On "Elite" I did almost everything myself. This time Raf (the guitarist from Ancient Rites) mixed and mastered the album. I like the result a lot.
		How do you promote the album and the band? The label has sent more than 100 promotional copies all around the globe. Further there are a lot of internet platforms I use for promotional issues. Right now Gorath has also got a live line up, consisting of members from Leng Tch`E, Panchrysia and Suhrim. All those bands are quite known in the Belgian underground scene. With these professional musicians I hope entering the stage around 2007. A small tour is in progress. I`m sure the crowd will like our new dawning black metal!
		The new album got excellent reviews but still there must be something you’d have liked to see different. Indeed. The drum sound could be better. Especially the snare during blast beats. It`s hard to make a drumkit sound very natural without using the typical "click" sounds (in bass drums for example) like most death metal bands do. Also my vocals should sound slightly different in some parts. Further I`m quite satisfied. My personal goals was making "The Fourth Era" better than "Elite". Next album must be better than this one. And so on…
		What is the biggest compliment you read concerning your latest album and what is the biggest bullocks? I only had like 5 review in yet. Almost all were very good. But the biggest compliment came from a close friend. It`s something I don`t feel like sharing with others, but it surely helped the growth of my ego. There was one Finnish review complaining about the drum sound. But I don`t know for sure what the magazine wrote. It was in Finnish. Jarno from Ikuinen Kaamos (also on Descent Productions) translate the review in a few words. But now I`m awaiting your review, including the biggest compliment the album will ever have!
		When do you consider “The Fourth Era” commercialy succesfull? I`m not much into the commercial aspect of the music business. I`m more than 15 years active in the underground and I`ve had it with the organizing and commercial part. I`m kind of perfectionist when it comes to music, and I`m way too fast stressed when organizing gigs. For me the album is already a success. I`m proud of the final result and I like what I`ve done. That`s enough for me. I will be pleased even more when the album got positive feedback and enough exposure.
		Playing which venue or festival would be a dream come true? This weekend I`m playing with my other band Theudho in the Biebob (supporting Korpiklaani). The Biebob is a Belgian venue most extreme acts visit. I was always very curious about playing there. I`m actually not that much of a dreamer. Throughout all the years I know what`s possible and what`s not. Just look from day to day and enjoy the smaller things. Playing on a festival like Wacken or Graspop would be great, though I don`t care much about festivals. I hate the atmosphere on such mass events.
		What do you think of the current blackmetal scene in the Benelux? I`m not really into the black metal scene only. Actually, I`m more in contact with the death metal scene. There are some great black metal bands over here, like Panchrysia or Paragon Impure. Yet again, I don`t feel much connected with the narrowmindness associated with the black metal scene. I do my own stuff.
		What are the plans for 2007? We`re about to do a mini tour through Belgium and The Netherlands. Further there will be some independent shows in Belgium, France and Germany. After that I`ll work on the new album and in between a video will be released for "Sagittarius". A Russian label will release a digipack containing both Gorath demos and a German label will release "Elite" on vinyl. It`s going to be a busy year.
		Finally: why should our readers check out your new album? They shouldn`t when they don`t want to. It`s up to them to check out Gorath. Afterwards they can tell me whether it was a good thing to do or not. Thanks for the interview.
(Geert Oldenmenger)