Interview With
Apotheosys
questions answered by Ethan and the band
interview conducted by Dean

 

 

 

Since most people are probably unfamiliar with your band, can you start with a brief history of Apotheosys?

Ethan: I started Apotheosys with Ramsey back in 2001. Using a drum machine, we wrote & recorded a 7 song demo & put it on the web in hopes of finding a bassist & drummer. In early 2002 we got in touch with Rob & Zac from the Black Metal band Benighted, an N.C. band from the Charlotte area. Benighted had recently broken up leaving Rob (guitar) & Zac (drums) free. The decision was an obvious one, & Apotheosys had a full lineup, with Rob taking up bass duties. We began playing shows around the area, eventually along side bands such as Arch Enemy, Nile, Origin, & Hate Eternal. By 2003 we were busy recording our first release at Perverse Productions in Raleigh, NC. The recording process was slow but steady, & eventually (The Fall & The Triumph) was complete. It was decided that the album would be released by Profane Records (Rob’s own label). After recording was complete we worked to raise money to release the disc professionally & continued to play shows. Unfortunately in late 2004 we parted ways with my friend & founding member Ramsey & I relocated to the Charlotte area. James O’Neal, the fantastic bassist formerly from Prelude To Damnation relocated with me & joined as our full time bassist while Rob moved to guitar. Due to Rob’s demanding job schedule, he was forced to step down & focus on his label (Profane Records) & co-manage the band. During this time I had met & became good friends with Trent McCall (formerly of the esteemed N.C. bands Dark Moon & Envenom Thy Winds). Shortly thereafter he had joined up & the lineup had once again solidified. We’ve been steadily playing shows since January 2005 & (The Fall & The Triumph) should finally be released at the end of the month.


How is the metal scene in North Carolina? Are there any other bands playing the same kind of stuff as you guys are?

Ethan: There are several local N.C. bands worth mentioning: Wehrwolfe (Excellent Black/Death), Nile (The Well Known SC Band), Lust Of Decay (Technical Gore/Death), Mysteriarch (Melodic Black Metal), Lecherous Nocturne (Very Technical Death From SC), Chaos Ego (Death), Dreamscapes Of The Perverse (Melodic Blackness), Malebolgia (Technical Death/Grind), Burn The Blood, Legion Of The Fallen, Omniscient, Torture Cell, Godking, Unholy Crusade & Bloodwritten to name a few.


Who were/are your main influences? What kind of effect do you think the new members will have on the band’s sound?

Ethan: We are influenced by a variety of extreme Metal bands, some of my personal favorites include Emperor, Hate Eternal, Absu, Akercocke, Coroner, & Dawn. I am also influenced by my Classical piano playing – Chopin, Beethoven.

Trent: Early Sinister, Septic Flesh, Ulver, Necromantia, Mithotyn.

James: Cliff Burton, Victor Wooten, Cryptopsy, Geezer Butler, Lemmy “God”, Alex Webster, Centurian, Coroner, Krisiun, Kronos (Venom), Emperor, Immortal, Mortician, & Cephalic Carnage.

Ethan: As for how the new lineup will affect the sound, the most notable difference will be the addition of James’ profound bass skills. The incorporation of his two handed tapping into our breed of Black/Death Metal has added an intense new dimension to our songs.


Since the internet and downloading is such a hot topic nowadays, what is your opinion on the whole subject? My personal view is that true metalheads download the albums but if it’s something they like a lot they will seek out and buy the real thing. Most of us tend to collect the stuff so a CD-R is only temporary.

James: It’s an invaluable way to spread your material as long as not all of your songs are available for free download.

Ethan: I fully support free music trading on the web, & I do agree that a lot of Metalheads will go out & buy a legit copy of an album if they like it.

Trent: People should buy discs from the bands & smaller labels to support the scene & keep it growing.


What is your opinion on the whole ordeal in the Middle East. Do you foresee any possible good coming out of it?

All: Regardless of politics we support our Troops.


Has the band had a chance to play any shows outside of North Caroline and/or the US? Would you be able to tour if you got the chance?

Ethan: We’ve recently acquired a tour vehicle which will allow us to play shows all over the continent. We haven’t played outside of the U.S., but we are looking forward to playing shows internationally.


What’s the deal with Profane Records? Is it only a temporary stop? I ask this just because I’ve never heard of the label.

Ethan: I mentioned earlier that Profane Records is our former bassist – current manager’s record label. He’s carried both Dreamscapes Of The Perverse (now on Tribunal), & Asmodeus (excellent Black Metal from Austria). We are currently looking for larger label support at anytime, but until then Profane will suffice.


Describe your sound to an outsider who never has had a chance to hear you guys yet.

Ethan: We combine the most vicious aspects of Technical Death/Black Metal, & mix then with intelligent songwriting & thought provoking lyrics.


Ok, in a weak attempt to try something different, I’d like to try the word association thing.

Nile-   Egypt
Dissection-   Accessory To Murder
George Bush-   Gas Prices
Bill Clinton-   Getting’ Head
Mayhem-   Suicide
Kreator-   “Betrayer”
Staind-   Underwear
Nu-metal-   Suicide
Power metal-   Loin Cloth
Century Media-   HELP!!!!
Rap-   Drive – By’s
Hate Eternal-   Conquering The Throne


Have you heard about the whole Ozzy/Iron Maiden incident where people from Ozzy’s camp threw eggs at Maiden during their last performance at Ozzfest? What is your opinion on that?

Ethan: I’ve personally seen Bruce Dickinson have overzealous fans thrown out after having thrown things on stage. I’m pleased to hear that Iron Maiden continued their set in spite of Ozzy & Co.’s egg-throwing antics.


What is your opinion on religion?

Ethan: Religion is the spiritual equivalent of material sciences & is every bit, if not more important. Without religion, a dimension of humanity is lost, & the question of existence cannot be fully answered.


To wrap it up, is there anything you’d like to say in closing?

Ethan: Thank You for the opportunity to do this interview & for the review on the album. We hope to introduce something new to the Metal community & to get our music out. We can be contacted through our website www.apotheosys.net & through our MySpace account, www.myspace.com/apotheosys. Look for the upcoming release of "The Fall & The Triumph" on Profane Records. Thanks again.


Thanks and take care.

 

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