|
V:
Hello brother! I'm very glad talking to you, thank you
very much! What
is the response of the media and the fans so far? V:
It seems good at the moment. The CD seems to have a really good
selling and a good appreciation from the metal fans of Europe, especially
in Greece and Germany. From the media we had a really great response with
big marks and very good reviews. We are very glad of these situations! What
does Wotan mean? I read somewhere that is another name for the God Odin,
is this right? V:
Yes, like Odin for the Vikings, Wotan is the father of the gods for
ancient Germans, as Saxons, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Visigoths etc. But he’s
also the god of the war fury. In fact this name origins from the ancient
German word “wut” which means wrath, the wrath of the battle! You
exist as a band since 1988. Why did you release your debut album 16 years
after you were formed? V:
Yes, the project of Wotan, as an epic band, was born in ’88, but the
official debut of the band in some live concerts was in ’91. At that
time it was really difficult to find a contract for an epic band, cause
the Italian record companies where following the tendencies of that age,
Death Metal, Grunge, etc… and considering Epic metal as a bad selling
genre, while the foreign companies, in that moment, didn’t consider the
Italian metal bands. In the middle of ’90s, when the situation became
better for epic bands, we had many changes in the line-up so we lost a lot
of time looking every time for new musicians. Finally, we found Mario and
Lorenzo. So, after about 3 years we released our self-produced four track
CD “Under The Sign Of Odin’s Crow” (2000) and we tried to find a
contract, but we had only unfair proposals from some companies, but
finally in 2003 we signed for Eat Metal Records. What
do you remember from the old days? V:
I remember the long nights in the rehearsal studio; the entire road
covered driving a van full of instruments and all the time passed by
sticking up on the walls the posters of the live concerts. Above all I
remember all who said to me: “What do you think you do with your epic
metal? Epic metal has not a great following, you better play another kind
of music!” Why
did you name the album “Carmina Barbarica”? V:
The mean of this title is Barbaric songs. I think it can describe the
music we play and I think you can compare Wotan’s music to the barbaric
art of the middle age, a dark, rough art but full of evocative energy. What
are your influences as a band? I think that Manowar, Running Wild and
Blind Guardian must be your greatest influences. V:
You’re right! Especially the early Manowar’s music, which we
consider as the only true epic metal, ever heard! We also take inspiration
from the medieval music and the movie soundtracks. Now
I would like you to tell us a few words about each one of the songs. V:
“Lord Of Wind”: our most famous song is about the spirit, which
pushed the Vikings to the discovering of new lands! I wanted to celebrate
the courage of this people who sailed toward the unknown, on their little
wooden ships. “Under
The Sign Of Odin’s Raven” takes inspiration from the ancient Viking
sagas I read. “Hussard
De La Mort” talks about the legendary troops of the French cavalry
during the “Ride
Of Templars” is spotted on the contrasts between the life of war and the
life of pray of these medieval warriors. “Innoxia”
is about the defeat of Vercingetorix, the Celtic chief who resisted to the
invasion of Romans legions of Caesar. “Wrath
Of North” takes inspiration from the Anglo Saxon chronicles of Viking
raids during VIII and IX centuries. “King
Of Crows” is the title of a tale taken from the ancient Breton cycle. “Stone
Giants” is dedicated to the stone circle of Stonehenge in England “Black
Conqueror” a legend that describes the death of Theoderic, the king of
Ostrogoths. He was taken by a black demon horse which bring him to hell… “The
Cave” tells about the resistance of the Celts to the Saxon invasion. “Thermopiles”
is inspired from the famous episode of the ancient Greek history. “Iron Shadows” is based on a novel of Conan by L. Sprague De Camp.
Which song do you consider as the best of the album and why? V:
I love all these song in the same way, but for “Thermopiles” I
have a special feeling. Tell
us a few words about this track. How did you decide to compose a track
about the ancient battle in Thermopiles? V:
After our first show in Athens in 2002, we had the idea to celebrate
the devotion of our Greek fans that didn’t hesitate to challenge the
snowstorm, which was blowing on the city those days, to come to see our
live gig. I think that in Italy, in the same situation, the guys would
have remained at home. So, we decided to dedicate a song to the Greek
guys. What is better than this really epic episode of the ancient Greek
history? It seemed to me a good theme for the lyrics of a song. In
the same song a Greek guy makes a narration in ancient Greek. Tell us what
he is saying in a few words and who is this guy? V:
This guy is Greg Varsamis one of the owners of the Eat Metal Records
and our personal friend. In the narration you can listen to a passage of
the “Histories” by Herodotus. It is the response of the Oracle of
Delphi which said: “Oh, Sparta inhabitants, or the great glorious rock
will be destroyed by Perseus descendants or the land of Lacedaemons will
cry the death of a king of the same race of Heracles. Not the furious
force of bulls or lions could be resisting him- he has the strength of
Zeus and I say he will not stop before one of the two things will be
destroyed”. This is very approximately the meaning of the narration! What
can you tell us about the wonderful artwork of the album? V:
Thanks for the appreciation. We didn’t want to put the usual fantasy
picture of a muscular warrior with a great sword challenging a dragon, but
we wanted to have an artwork as closer as possible to the reality of the
historical ages treated in the lyrics. So, in the booklet, every image
near the lyrics has a connection with the arguments of the songs, Thor’s
hammer near Lord of the Wind, the Corinthian Helmet near Thermopiles,
etc…About the eagles on the cover, they are two Ostrogothic fibulas, a
gorgeous example of the art of the so called barbarians. Who
is responsible for the music and the lyrics? V:
Me and Mario, the guitar player. Usually I write the lyrics and the
vocal lines while he composes the music. Can
you describe to the fans and me a typical live appearance of the group? V:
When the dimensions of the place allow us, we always have a minimum of
stage effects smoking stone idols, torches and braziers and of course some
swords and helmets. I also wear a costume inspired by the wearing of the
barbarians who invaded Italy at the end of the Roman Empire. The crowd
seems to appreciate this way of appearance in the live concert. What
is the band doing this period and what are your plans for the near future? V:
Now we are totally busy with the promotion of the album. We will
probably start the live concerts in October- November. We are planning the
dates, but at the moment we have no certain information about this. Is
there a chance to see you again for a live show here in Greece soon? V:
We hope very much to be in the dear land of Greece as soon as
possible, but as I said before at the moment I not able to give any sure
date. How
did it happen to sign a contract with the Greek label Eat Metal Records?
Are you satisfied with the promotion of your album and the cooperation
with the label? V:
The major part of the record companies has only one interest: MONEY!
They are not really interested in Metal, so we decided to join Eat Metal
Records first of all, because Greg is true friend and also because he is
moved by his passion for this music and not to make money. He often
manages concerts of underground bands losing money and time, only to see
in Greece the bands he loves. I’m really satisfied by the work done by
this label. What
do you think about Greece, the Greek fans and what does Greece means to
you? I know you gave two live show here in Athens in 2002! V:
We really love Greece for the kindness and hospitality of its people.
They are unique! During the concert I never saw a hot crowd like the Greek
metal guys. Playing in Greece was really fantastic, the nicest days of my
life! Tell
a few words about your relationship with Doomsword and their studio. V:
Mario has a long time friendship with Joe/ Deathmaster. In fact they
both played in a band called Warhammer. During the recordings we had a big
help by Doomsword guys ands also Deathmaster sung in Hussard de la mort
choir. Are
you totally satisfied with the production? I found it a little bit
old-fashioned… V:
Yes, I’m satisfied with the production. You’re right it sounds a
little bit old-fashioned, but we didn’t want to have plastic sound with
triggered drums and computer orchestration. We want to recreate, if it is
possible, the same atmosphere of glorious album like “Into Glory Ride”
or “Sign Of The Hammer”, cause I think epic metal has not to be too
much sophisticated. In this way it loses the original spirit. There are
many bands, which call themselves as Epic Metal bands, but for me they are
too baroque to be considered true Epic. Dimitris
Liapakis made the final mastering of the album. How did it happen and you
cooperated with him? V:
Greg sent the material to him for the final mastering to obtain
powerful output level, but we didn’t meet personally Dimitris. Anyway he
made very good work. What
are your influences as a singer? Eric Adams maybe? V:
For me Eric Adams is the best singer of all the times and his voice
pushed me to sing Epic Metal. In the past I’ve also taken inspiration
from Rob Halford. He’s the father and the creator of Heavy Metal. Now
let me ask you some weird questions, just to relax… If you were living
in Middle Earth which character would you choose to be and why. V:
Aragorn is the character I prefer, not cause he’s the winning hero
of the saga, but for the background of sadness that emerges from his
character. He is a man, who passed his life wandering across the
middle-earth before the meet with his destiny, but he conserved his
humanity and humbleness and for me these are the qualities of a great man. If
you had the chance to star in an epic movie, which one would you choose
and why? V:
In a movie about the Viking like the 13th warrior for
example. Did
it happen anything weird or funny during the recordings of your album that
you would like to share with our readers? V:
The funniest moment was when Lorenzo appeared at the studio door with
a ridiculous pair of shoes similar to a pair of slipper. We had to stop
the recordings cause we couldn’t stop laughing. How
do you imagine that the music world could be, one thousand years from now?
And why? V:
I think the music played with the traditional instruments like guitar
drums etc. will completely disappear in the future. I think that computers
will totally rule in the music world and I don’t like it! Ok
Vanni, I wish you the best for the new album. If there is anything else
you would like to tell to Grande Rock readers you can do it. V:
I want to thank all the Wotan’s fans that supported us! We are
really grateful to them and all our efforts will be for them! We side by
side until we die with sword in hand! by George Kouvelis |
Hello
Vanni! How are you doing?