A special collection is a journey from the beginning of Macabre Omen to the 26 years of the band's life, the title of "Anamneses" and as the name says it is a supreme nostalgia. On this occasion, but also on many other issues, Alexandros Antoniou, Founder of the band spoke to Rock Da Vinci and Van Val Nuevo, nostalgically for all the efforts of the Greek Epic / Black Metallers.

Rock Da Vinci: Good evening Alexandre and welcome to Rock Da Vinci, my great honor to say goodbye. Before I get into such an emotional load if you will allow me, I would like to go a bit "Step by Step", let's talk about your 2nd release entitled "Gods Of War - At War", only 5 years have passed if I am not mistaken more than 5 and a half years, so far, what is the response of the people to your new torment?

Alexandros: Greetings to you too, brother, and thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to the audience Of Rock Da Vinci - Music Webzine. Indeed, 5 years have passed since the release of the second album "Gods Of War - At War". The response of the people was resounding, both in Greece and abroad. I have been living in London for about 20 years, so I have several contacts with the underground circle outside Greece. With the completion of 25 years since the creation of the band, and the fresh inspiration for a standalone piece, I took the opportunity to release something commemorative-anniversary entitled

"Anamneses". This mini LP contains a new long epic track, "Anamneses from the Past (Sirens Calling)", as well as all demos and 7 inches from 1996 to 2000 in Remastering format.

Rock Da Vinci: I found that all this shaping of ideas and composition lasted about 10 years after your Debut release, how so long?

Alexandros: The first album was released in 2005 entitled "The Ancient Returns" and while there was enough material for the release of a second album in 2012, a very difficult family moment in my life in March 2011, and specifically the unexpected death of my father not only delayed the release, but also changed the style of the album. "Gods Of War - At War" was released in 2015, a decade after the first album, with a proud epic sound, a trademark of Macabre Omen, but always with a melancholy sound about what once existed ... The truth is that the first record took over 10 years to make and I subconsciously believe it was made for similar reasons ... looking in front of me shows the minimum time for a record to complete, it is a decade to gather the necessary experiences from life and to have a true true denaturation in audio form.

Rock Da Vinci: What made you move similarly just as the Belgian Ancient Rites did musically / thematically?

Alexandros: I respect the music of the Ancient Rites and I grew up listening to the album "The Diabolic Serenades" but I see no resemblance to either their music or their ideology. But I'm glad you find something in common, because it's a very respectable band.

Rock Da Vinci: Now I'll come to an emotional moment and refer to "Anamneses" an album that is essentially half-written by 11 right?

Alexandros: The "Anamneses" as I mentioned above, is an anniversary release for the 25 years of the band starring the new track "Anamneses From The Past (Sirens Calling)". This song was written between 2017 and 2019. The rest of the songs are from the mid 90s and are just a bonus for those who want to taste the past.

Rock Da Vinci: Your father, if you will allow me, will surely be proud that you actually added and the poem he wrote is not it?

Alexandros: The truth is that he was never a fan of my music, but as a poet he always wanted me to write a melody for him on his lyrics. Unfortunately, this never happened in his lifetime, but only after his death. I want to believe that even if so late, he would be proud. His voice is presented in 2 tracks and specifically in "From Son To Father" and the new "Anamneses from the Past (Sirens Calling)" and I hope he reappears in a future track in the near future.

Rock Da Vinci: How long did the compositions of your new songs last?

Alexandros: Although the structure of a piece can be finished in 2-3 years, the final form of the composition will reach the final exhaustion of time, when we enter the studio. I envision each of my pieces as a painting that I have the ability to add the finishing touch to the end based on life experiences. The new track from the album "Anamneses" took only 3 years, for purifying reasons.

Rock Da Vinci: It's been almost 3 days since the EP was released, what is the response of the people so far? Although it is too early for that.

Alexandros: I always write the music with the primary purpose of my own pleasure and after the listener. If I am happy with the result, whoever follows by discovering common elements in the music and the lyrics I consider it as something in favor. The response from the people was mostly positive and I hope that in time more people will discover the song ... I want the song to speak for itself.

Rock Da Vinci: This album is mainly based on something personal right?

Alexandros: 'All my pieces' have something personal in them, some to a greater extent and others to a lesser degree. This particular piece really has a personal background and I believe that people will understand it from the context of the lyrics and especially from a couplet of my father.

Rock Da Vinci: Would you like to tell us some details about the EP?

Alexandros: Apart from the new track "Anamneses From The Past (Sirens Calling)" this particular mini LP also contains old tracks that were recorded between 1996-1999 and are in various sold out, split 7 ', cassettes and split cd. We managed to remaster and remix them from old DAT and ADAT that we had in the archive and together with a beautiful I would say packaging with a booklet that contains lyrics and memories, I believe that it has a lot to offer to a fan of the band. This particular work came out of Van Records on cd / lp and probably on cassette in the near future.

Rock Da Vinci: Released on 12-inch 2-color vinyl and on CD Limited. How do you feel about the EP being released in such a rich series?

Alexandros: I can say I am proud, because it is not easy today to sell such releases, but it seems that people loved them and continue to buy.
I am also an avid music collector with a rich collection, so seeing my own music exist in rich versions and not only in digital formats makes me miss the times I grew up but also glad that in a way I am part of the history of black metal.

Rock Da Vinci: In your new job I found out that Sakis Tolis also plays, how did this collaboration with him come about, how did it go?

Alexandros: Indeed, Sakis '' Necromayhem '' Tolis takes on some vocals in the chorus of the song, but also in screams. I had contact with Sakis from the past and we saw each other up close several times. I suggested my idea to him since I wanted to do something anniversary and his voice would stick perfectly with the points I had in mind. Needless to say, I did not have time to finish my proposal and he accepted immediately, which I consider my honor since Sakis and ROTTING CHRIST have been a great source of inspiration for me all these years.

Rock Da Vinci: The quarantine period, how was it for you, what is your opinion? You were already in England.

Alexander: I was in England, and more specifically in London. I can say that after 23 years of living in London I have never seen this city in such a clean and quiet form. I saw nature rejuvenate, animals and birds in the parks I had never seen before, foxes coming out without fear and but so beautiful. These are the moments when you wonder as a person, why there is a need for all this chaos, panic, misery and filth that prevails wherever a person sets foot. Personally, I did not like this closure and I can say that I did a lot of work, both in music and in mental health. May this way of life continue somewhat because humanity is badly educated and there must be radical change and a reduction in the world population in order to save the situation. A situation that in my opinion is no longer saved ...

Rock Da Vinci: You released your last 2 works through German Van Records. Tell us a bit about how this collaboration with the underlying record label came about?

Alexandros: We were in touch with Van Records from the first steps of the company and we did a lot of trading in the beginning of 2000 but we lost contact for some time, a decade if I remember correctly. The collaboration came from a good friend of mine from the band GRAVE MIASMA who had given Van to listen to the album "Gods of War - At War" without telling me. So we got in touch again and one brought the other since he also enjoyed the album and I always had the will to work with him. I believe that this collaboration will continue, not only for future releases but also for what has to do with the past, since it has been released and will re-release the entire MACABRE OMEN discography.

Rock Da Vinci: For 26 years in the Underground space you have collaborated with inexperienced musicians of the Greek Black Metal scene, right? How do you feel that so much time has passed, what is your opinion about that, you more or less missed good times !!

Alexandros: I really caught the best times with correspondence, cassettes, exchanges and without all the social media that rule today. I can not say that I have worked with inexperienced musicians from the Greek blackmetal scene, but I have indeed collaborated with many underground people, both abroad and in Greece. I remember all these moments of collaboration, correspondence and contact. I made a lot of good relationships with various bands, but also contacts that just did not "sit". This is life, we do not all "click" with each other, due to character, different mentality and so on .. But all these are experiences in life and it is important to remember and learn from them.

Rock Da Vinci: Do you watch the Greek Metal scene at all? If so, what jobs would you say would stand out?

Alexandros: I really watch both the Greek metal scene which has many remarkable bands but also the scene abroad. I collect records from the whole range of metal but the truth is that in the last 5-6 years I spend more time listening to Greek traditional music and especially Pontus, as well as other types of music such as dark ambient, folk / world music, soundtrack etc. I do not know why, maybe because I have grown up now, but I subconsciously think I do it because I do not want to be influenced by new sounds and imagery by bands. I know what I want to achieve and I prefer it to be pure inspired by the metal I grew up in as well as other types of music.

Rock Da Vinci: What are the future plans of Macabre Omen?

Alexandros: Let me dedicate myself now to the third and maybe last album of the band. I would like it to be something majestic, like "Gods of War - At War" but even better and bigger, and as always timeless. We are now reaching a certain age and I might like to deal with another sound in my art if my artistic talent, health and life allow it of course, since you never know what awaits you in the corner.

Rock Da Vinci: Alex thank you very much for your valuable time, I wish you to do live and of course to meet closely, the last reason for closing the interview belongs to you. Good luck promoting the EP.

Alexandros: And I thank you for the questions and support. Good luck with anyone in the underground.

Erinyes may you rest your wings there is no need for torment. Sirens may your voices sing I never want them to end.

See you again.

- Macabre Omen –

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