Septicflesh is one of the most established Greek bands in the global metal scene. The have played around the world and at most major metal festivals in Europe. They toured Japan early this year and are now coming to Australia for the first time. Currently in rehearsals, guitarist and orchestral composer Christos Antoniou, took some time out to speak with Neos Kosmos:

Jim Koutsoukos (JK): Septicflesh have been around for more than 20 years; how did the band start?
Christos Antoniou (CA): I was 15 when I started the band with my brother Spiros (Seth), Sotiris and other friends in 1990. We didn’t have any romantic or idealistic expectations to be Iron Maiden or Metallica, we just wanted to start a band. We signed to French label Holy Records and made five albums. We weren’t very active live but did gain some recognition in the underground scene which gave us the impetus to make more music. The driver to keep going during this phase of the band was to give more of ourselves and our music to audiences, rather than for notoriety – figoura.

JK: The band broke up in 2003 – why?
CA: As I said we not very active live and to be honest we found it difficult to commit full time, as we all had other interests and pursuits. I went to London to study musical composition and Spiros was pursing further studies in Fine Art in Athens. (Spiros (Seth) is an accomplished artist who has exhibited internationally and has provided cover artwork for well-known rock/metal bands)

JK: Fortunately for fans the band reunited in 2007. What changes or new directions did the band decide on?
CA: We signed up with major French label Season of Mist and decided to use live orchestration in our recordings. Previously we used synthesised sounds from a MIDI keyboard. We wanted to bring our music to another level. Live orchestra has a more sophisticated feel than synthesised effects. I consider this reformation to be the second phase of Septicflesh.
JK: In your last two albums ‘Communion’ and ‘The Great Mass’ you collaborated with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. How did this come about?
CA: I did some research and discovered that Prague Philharmonic was not only an accomplished orchestra but also had vast experience in film and video game soundtracks. I was after that epic sound and decided to contact the conductor. We worked so well with them and developed a great relationship, that we are once again using them for our next album.

JK: Christos, one of your roles in the band is orchestral composition – can you tell us about your studies?
CA: I studied music composition at the London College of Music and completed a Bachelor of Music in 1999. This was followed by a Masters Degree in Concert Music under Adam Gorb, Head of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music. (Christos was awarded the Howard Goodall 1st Composition Award from the London College of Music and is the holder of Diplomas in Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue and Composition with distinction).

JK: The music of Septicflesh has been described as symphonic death metal, would you agree?
Labels I believe are for record companies, to me they mean nothing. If we must be categorised we can say atmospheric metal also, but for me, we just play our music.

JK: How hard is it for a Greek band to break through on the global scene? Did you find writing and singing in another language an obstacle?
CA: Language was definitely not an obstacle. For Greek metal bands it is more difficult to break through because of geographic location than language. Greece may be at the crossroad of Europe and Asia but in terms of metal we aren’t in the epicentre. The axis of metal is France, Germany and Sweden. Greek bands have to put in three times more energy and effort than their counterparts in Western Europe. In Sweden and other countries bands receive tax breaks and funding from the government.

JK: Does the Greek government support artists?
CA: The only artists that get any support are the skilades – pop singers. Metal bands are treated as outcasts. No one has helped us in the past. Unfortunately Greece has been a barrier for us. The mass media and the government are too busy promoting pop stars. They had Sakis Rouvas play at the Epidavros for crying out loud, that is a tragedy and a joke. The irony of all this is that the metal bands are flying the Greek flag around the world. The pop artists may travel overseas but they perform to Greek communities. We play all over the world to a global audience and promote Greece in our chosen field. We proudly represent Greece but unfortunately are given no acknowledgement for this.
We don’t expect any help in the current climate anyway. There are people in Greece now who are hungry and struggling, the politicians need to focus on this. Greece is at the bottom of the barrel at the moment, scraping all the shit that remains – excuse my language. In a way this is good for Greece because it can now find its own way back and get serious about creating a better country for all.

JK: On a previous European tour you took The Descending, a younger Greek band with you. Do you see yourselves as mentors for upcoming bands in Greece?
CA: We love helping younger bands and encouraging them. In Greece we all help each other; there is a vibrant metal scene here. Fotis (drummer) and I own a studio in Athens and we have the ability to guide and assist others. Wherever we can help, we will.

JK: Why has it taken you so long to come to Australia?
CA: It all has to do with promoters. We had an offer to come after the release of ‘The Great Mass’ but it unfortunately never eventuated. Now we have this great promoter who has put together an amazing bill. We are touring with Italian band Fleshgod Apocalypse. The response from Australia has been very positive and we can’t wait to get there.

JK: What’s in store for the future?
CA: Our new album ‘Titan’ will be released in Europe (June 20) and North America (June 23). Once again we have collaborated with Prague Philharmonic. We have incorporated a children’s choir to give another element to the music, it brings a spooky kind of atmosphere. We are also using a Greek adult choir on this album. After Australia we are performing at Hellfest in France, followed by a tour of the US and Canada.

JK: Thanks for your time Christos, looking forward to seeing the band in May.
CA: Thank you, we look forward to it also.

Septicflesh are: Seth Siro Anton, Christos Antoniou, Sotiris Annunaki V and Fotis Bernado.
Touring with Fleshgod Apocalypse and supports.
Thurs 15 May – Adelaide, Flowers Live
Fri 16 May, Melbourne, The Hi Fi
Sat 17 May Sydney, Manning Bar
Sun 18 May, Perth, Amplify
Tickets: tickets.metropolistouring.com/