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UKR 0004
MOONFOG "Cadaveric Changes" CD
9 Songs, Video Clip & 12-pages Full-Coloured Booklet with the sick front cover.
Cost: 35 Uah | 6.99 € | 9.99 USD
[P & P Not Included. Ask for it.]
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UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS
Supported by
REVOLUTION MUSIC' Webzine
[Denmark, SØ, Aalborg]
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Skrevet af Carsten | Dato 22-07-08 | REVOLUTION MUSIC' Webzine
MOONFOG - Interview
med: Peter Hija, Vokal
Revolution-Music: Hallo. First of I would like to congratulate you on your new album “Cadaveric Changes”.
Peter Hija: Hi. Thank you very much. It took a little bit more time than our past records because was recorded two times. First time in our rehearsal room (like everything till that time) but we haven’t been absolutely satisfied. Something was missing in the sound. So we decided for studio, recorded it again in two or three days and since the end of August 2007 is out. For this moment is this material very old and new is almost done.
Revolution-Music: Could you start out by introducing your self and tell us what part in the band you have?
Peter Hija: O.K. My name is Peter (25). I am vocalist & lyrics writer.
Revolution-Music: How and why did you come up with the name “MOONFOG”? Does it have any special meaning?
Peter Hija: It is old story, actually almost 8 years only... On the beginning in the end of December 2000 (after few weeks of common playing) came Peter (guitarist) & Rudy (first drummer) with this name. One told “Moon” and another “Fog”. No one of them in that time didn’t know about Norwegian label MOONFOG PRODUCTIONS and later was too late for change. I think it doesn’t have special meaning. Is unusual for band which is playing brutal death metal. Is misleading, but that is nice on that. In the time of creating guys were trying to play something what have been in their strengths and what can you play if you are beginner and want play “fast & furious” ??? Black Metal only!!! (Or old school thrash, of course.) Perhaps under influence of bands like Mayhem or Darkthrone ... but that is only speculation. The second fact is that (some time later) the first MOONFOG live shows were about instrumental epic metal music with special atmosphere and for this style (with another drummer) was this name suitable.
Revolution-Music: How did you all come together, and became the band you are today?
Peter Hija: As I said in previous answer the band was established in the end of the year 2000 by guitar player Peter with help of drummer Rudy. Bass guitarist/vocalist (and Peter’s neighbour) Marek came few weeks later. I was their friend and later I have been on some rehearsals where I was trying some vocals but only for fun. After few months Rudy left the band for working duty and new drummer Vlado came in November 2001. New drummer was the reason of instrumental epic metal music because he was rock drummer. It was only short period and collaterally MOONFOG was playing & deeply influenced by old school thrash/death metal bands as good as by northern black metal scene. Vocalist Michal joined the band later (May 2003), but soon was replaced by me on this post (July 2003). Music production from this time (years 2002 - 2004) is recorded on several first bands recordings. Many of them are live (Live in JAMBO's Rock club /2002/, Live in Rock Pub Bunker /2003/, Live from Infernal Fest I. /2003/…) and the rest are rehearsal recordings (instrumental December's Fog /2002/, Death under the Gates of Castle /2002/, Awaken by Death /2003/, Cursed Souls /2004/…). These records were spread as unofficial demos for friends and local underground scene members. After ”Cursed Souls” demo CD in June 2004 drummer Vlado left the band but at the same time came back from Czech Rep. Rudy so old/new drummer replaced him. Next self-released promo CD “Bloody Memories” was recorded in November 2004. Is much more close to death/grind than black or thrash metal and was distributed by band in about 600 pieces till next album. First full-length album “Slaughter of the Fatstock” was recorded in the end of April and beginning of May 2005 for German label REBIRTH THE METAL. Contains combination of new tracks with some older in new suit. In June Rudy left working to the UK and left the band altogether. Find some free and good metal drummer in that time was impossible so Marek (till that moment bass guitarist) took drum sticks and start with drumming. In July 2005 came to the band new bass guitarist and another Marek. Everything was O.K. but with next months was more and more sloppy and far so from personal reasons was fired in April 2006. Next bass guitarist Dalibor came to the band sometimes in the summer 2006 but start with live playing until January 2007. He took a long time for learning. Because last CD “Cadaveric Changes” was recorded in the end of November 2006 all bass guitar parts recorded Peter (guitarist). In September 2007 Dalibor left the band from his own decision and from December 2007 we have new bass guitarist and again Marek. Probably the best bass guitarist who we ever had and I hope he will stay with us really long.
Several personal earthquakes are not good for music band, it slowing down the band. It’s not our case coz’ we can play without bass (and during periods without bass guitarist we were normally playing live gigs) but full band line up with every instrument is much better. Now, after this historical summary, I start thinking if and where we will move. If evolution will continue is hard to say what will be and what we will play later. Anyway now we play (and we were ever playing) what we can play and want to play…it has never been a question of fashion.
Revolution-Music: This album is released trough UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS, how did the contract get established, and how are they to work with?
Peter Hija: First time we met Edward from UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS in October 2005 on <>SLOVAK DEATH FEST II in Žilina city where he has been like a manager of MENTAL DEMISE band from Ukraine. In 2006 we were trying made Slovakian mini tour for MENTAL DEMISE but was removed for some problems on later date in year 2007. At this time he already wasn’t their manager but we met again in August 2006 on Metal Heads Mission Festival (Crimea, Ukraine) and during talk he mentioned his label and that he likes our music. Later came offer to release our next album in his label and we took it because we haven’t been satisfied with our last German label.
UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS is small label so everything what Edward can do for us is release of CD, his spreading to the many parts of the World and some promotion on internet. For not as such famous band (like we are) is that enough but in the World where is nothing for free only bands under big labels are well-known and they are playing concerts with “legends” for the masses. These bands are living by their music. Now is everything a question of money & big budget labels. But underground is not about money, we are still underground band.
Revolution-Music: Why did you choose the title “Cadaveric Changes” for this record, does it have any special meaning?
Peter Hija: Yes, it does. In this title is everything because this record is conceptual. Every song is one change of human organism after death. It’s about three years back when I took to my hands university scripts of General pathological anatomy and during browsing I knew that I want create this concept.
Revolution-Music: When you started working on this album, how long did the process take from the first step to the final product? Was it hard to write new material for this record or did it come naturally for you?
Peter Hija: Hard say when exactly. Probably sometimes after summer 2005 and to the final CD did the process take almost 2 years. But as I sad before album was recorded two times and first version from rehearsal room have been done a year earlier. This sound version is used for video clip “Coldness” because this video was created after first recording. Also some time took label searching and booklet. Some time it seemed (for some problems with communication) on other label(s), but promise was promise.
Everything always came naturally for everyone, we never working under pressure. Still the same formula: guitarist made a song, later with drummer arise instrumental raw version, at last I’ll take new song and working on vocal parts. It can be hard only for bass guitarist to learn and sometimes for me because new songs are bit more technical. I need time for digest (but only sometimes).
Revolution-Music: Where did you record the album, and who produced it?
Peter Hija: Album was recorded at PH Studio in Trenčín city. It is small studio upstairs of great music club Piano. It isn’t famous studio and I think many people don’t know about this studio. For them it was first experience with recording of this mu-sick style. After record we were trying mixing and mastering also but it was too slow and we saw that suffering in the eyes of sound engineers so we took raw material to home for the final work. No one special produced last album except us.
Revolution-Music: How was it to work with him?
Peter Hija: It was absolutely perfect. Co-operation of us with ourselves is without problems, sometimes… Everyone is still alive!!! No, all material was well coordinated (wasn’t as such fresh) and in studio we knew what we want so everything was going very fast.
Revolution-Music: Are you trying to express something through your music?
Peter Hija: Our band, songs & music in global is for us something like a valve. Valve of our hidden internal aggression. Everyone needs some means for safety valve. Someone is doing sport, reading books or going to the church. Someone is beating his wife or children (possibly both of them). Someone else is taking drugs, drinking or killing. Everyone have own means for safety valve & own brain. We are leaving our aggression on stage and come back to the “normal life” clean.
We are not preachers and we don’t want telling people what to do or do not…it is up on everyone. We can offer some feelings, fiction, opinions and look at the World. We can offer space for own thoughts.
Revolution-Music: How has the album been received by the press, the critics and the fans so far?
Peter Hija: I am probably the last person on this planet without internet at home, but I red some reviews and album has been received many times positive, sometimes neutral but never absolutely negative. It is not easy album and needs time for listening and understand. Maybe we have lost some old fans, but on the other side, find new ones.
Revolution-Music: What is your view on the group’s position in today’s music scene?
Peter Hija: This is very hard question because I’m not appropriate person for this answer. This question is for someone from outside, who know music scene and MOONFOG. I can tell only this - we are not as such famous band in the World but we are every year closer to become better known. Step by step, gig by gig, CD by CD…
Revolution-Music: How would you compare the material on “Cadaveric Changes” to your previous material?
Peter Hija: Last album has been next step of our evolution process, something new for us. A little bit different, experimental and conceptual than last records. At the style side it is still death metal but more brutal, technical and faster with better musical skills and sound. Past records are, how to say, more classical. And now I can say next album will be MORE technical.
Revolution-Music: How would you define your style?
Peter Hija: Before “Cadaveric Changes” album was every record bit different but still some offshoot of death metal style or mix with something else. For us is Brutal Death Metal universal style category which define us. Now I really like definition (from inlet part of booklet) which is created by Edward from UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS and sounds like MIND BLOWING TECHNICAL BRUTAL DEATH GRIND... This is more specific definition..
Revolution-Music: What kind of stuff did you grow up listening to, and what kind new music do you listen to these days?
Peter Hija: I think, from the backward glance, our past personal play list has been more classical, orthodox & black. Metal music only and nothing else have been good enough. For someone of us is that almost the same like before but for me is music perception different. Now I can’t separate the music on styles because every music style is offering bands which I like and bands I don’t. I’m listening almost everything (besides some exceptions) but not everything is good and interesting for me. And don’t ask me for favourite bands – it is impossible. Here is some mix of collective favourite bands: NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, DEVOURMENT, MY DYING BRIDE, DYING FETUS, BOLT THROWER, SADUS, CANDLEMASS, MERCYFUL FATE, HAEMORRHAGE, CARCASS, SODOM, ESOTERIC, AUTOPSY, GUTROT, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, DISSECTION, CRYPTOPSY, GORATORY, INFESTED, NILE, DEATH, INCANTATION, CANNIBAL CORPSE, NASUM, SKEPTICISM, EMPEROR. Generally speaking in our younger years have been our minds open more for black metal. For death metal and more technician music are open now.
Revolution-Music: Have any of these bands been source of inspiration for the album?
Peter Hija: Every good band, musician, song, feel and idea is inspiration for us but is hard to say if someone concrete. Generally all of them (and many more) have been that source.
Revolution-Music: In your time as musicians, what is your biggest musical achievement so far?
Peter Hija: We are still waiting the biggest musical achievement. Two released CDs, some gigs across the Europe, some successful mini tours, this all is fine (and it means a lot for us) but we are still waiting something bigger. U never can be satisfied, till the grave maybe.
Revolution-Music: Could we expect any European tour and maybe se the band in action here in Denmark any time soon?
Peter Hija: Everything is possible but is really hard to find some willing organizers. It sounds good, European tour, but only with someone famous. And tour with someone famous is too expensive. We can go solo and maybe will but no sooner than new CD will be released. Arrange something like this is not as such easy. Peter (guitarist & manager) was trying to find someone in Denmark for some actions (before or after our gig in Sweden) but unsuccessful. I hope we will play in Denmark, sometimes.
Revolution-Music: How did you think the music scene is in Europe, compared to the scene in the US?
Peter Hija: From my personal view (without political reservations) the music scene in US has been, is and will be one step before European. This scene is more experimental. But sometimes the exception proves the rule. It is another mentality & music feeling. It is big country full of great musicians. They are also good businessmen and know sell themselves (and everything else). They are really proud on everything what are they doing (if it is good or bad). In Europe are also great musicians but is more classical. I like both of them because everyone is interesting & specific with something else.
Revolution-Music: What would be the ultimate tour, festival or show for you to play at?
Peter Hija: Ultimate? This question is questions type when you are asking children: “What do you want for Christmas?” If I will be very bold (and like a greedy child) I say worldwide tour with someone very famous & every big metal festival. I saw it in one my dream. We love travelling and there are many nice places on this planet to see. But we have to hold our heads on the ground and thinking realistically. Every bigger concert or festival where we can introduce MOONFOG band to new audience is a lot for us.
Revolution-Music: Do you have any breaking news with the bands?
Peter Hija: Nothing special, we are working on new album and if everything will go well till the end of this year or on the beginning of another we can go to the studio. Some things are in view but nothing confirmed so we will see.
Revolution-Music: That’s all we’ve get this time, do you have anything that you'd like to add or say?
Peter Hija: Thank you very much for space and possibility introduce our band. One big thanks is going to all of our fans and friends for support and energy to play. And the last thing I have to say, my favourite philosophy of life from one special movie: “Life is storm of craps and when the biggest shits are falling the art is the best umbrella…”
Revolution-Music: We would like to say thanks a lot for you’re time. And we wish all you guys all the luck in the future whatever it might bring. And thanks to UKRAGH' PRODUCTIONS for setting this interview up.
Peter Hija: Thank you again & people, support underground!!!
E-mail: moonfog[NOSPAM]@inmail.sk (*Attn: Remove NOSPAM from e-mail address!)
Official WWW: www.moonfog.szm.sk
Thanks to: Carsten Brogaard / REVOLUTION MUSIC' Webzine [Denmark, SØ, Aalborg]
http://www.revolution-music.dk/intt.php?inid=298
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