With only their second release, Italy's Ephel Duath is storming the heavy music scene with one of the most interesting releases of 2003, "The Painters Palette." After completely rearranging the original line-up of the band, the mastermind behind Ephel Duath, Davide Tiso, put together an impressive roster of talented musicians with diverse influences. The product is an ambitious piece of work that has received extremely positive reviews all across the board, making Lee Barret and Elitist Records, a label known for signing bands that are doing something different, very proud. In light of their most recent success, "The Painters Palette," main man Davide Tiso took the time to answer the questions I had about such an interesting band.

Allan 'Enigma'

I must say that I'm very impressed with "The Painters Palette." You guys did an amazing job with it and it's one of the best and most interesting releases of the year.

Thanks a lot for your kind words...

For those who are not familiar with the concept of music and colors that you have tied into "The Painters Palette," could you explain what it means and how this idea came about?

"The Painter's Palette" tries to be a sublimation of the free interpretations. The colours are, in my opinion, a perfect way to symbolize this desire. Have you ever noticed how many various and curious effects have the view of the same colour on different sensibilities? During the compositions I fused our music with pigments and, to fully expose myself, I have reported it in the titles, but not to guide: this is the reason for the white & black artwork. So, the nine rays of the colour that you are searching in our composition will try to hit you. Absorb them with the largest perceptions possible, and you will complete the sense of our work.

The line-up of Ephel Duath is very peculiar. Considering that you're the founding member and the only remaining member from your debut, "Phormula," and that all the members just sort of fell into place, Ephel Duath seems to have a much more professional relationship with each other than you guys do personally. How does this play into the music?

Our relationship is really professional when we have to play together, but we are also very close for a lot of different aspects of our personal lives. The professional attitude that we have playing together without doubt helps us during the composition. Our material is really hard to be faced, so for this reason we need to follow clear and detailed plans, and only this type of approach could help us.

If you pay attention to the reviews and features that have been done on Ephel Duath, a lot of praise has been given to drummer Davide Piovesan. Having been from the jazz scene, does he find it odd working with an avant-garde metal band with screaming vocals?

After the first period of adaptation he immediately entered into my musical conception. There have been some problems during the compositions, due to the fact that I'm not so able to "explain" my guitar lines, but his great determination has been fundamental to solve this. Ephel Duath represents an important challenge for him, and for this reason too he's trying to put all his energies in this project. He seems to be really trusting for our future...

What about the other members? Can you tell us a bit about each of them?

After the "Rephormula" release I started to compose new material with great determination. In few months I had written the guitars and the structures for six songs and eventually recorded the new compositions in a small studio in my city. The sound engineer said to me that a typical metal drummer would be a disaster on material that is as hugely varying as my material, so he gave me the contacts of Davide Piovesan. I was in a very difficult period, crushed between the will to be bold and the fear of not being supported by our label for a such an audacious choice, but I have followed my instinct and in few weeks I was in studio with this crazy forty seven year old drummer and a friend of his, a double bass player. Unfortunately in a few weeks the bassist left the band for his various projects, but his help had been fundamental. I understood that this was the right way to create something new. In a few days we found another great bass player, Fabio Fecchio, and the rhythmic section was done! He's probably the most technical musician in the band. He's a great perfectionist and he puts a lot of enthusiasm in our work. Moreover, on stage he's a great certainty.

Finding the right singers has been quite difficult. For the screamer we did a sort of audition and Lucio Lorusso George, with his typical hardcore background, has been a great surprise. His approach is really violent and full of impact and during a simple check in our small studio he has been gripping and convincing, as if we were doing a real concert. With the months he's entered more and more in the band's spirit and now he's become a great front man.

Davide Tolomei, the clean vocalist, is an old friend of mine. He has the passion of rock, grunge and avant-garde music. I listened to him singing a song by Tool during a party and I invited him to try to put some vocal parts in my new material. You can listen the final result in the album. So, I've chosen the new band's members following my instinct and I've to admit that I've been repaid by the others with their great performances on "The Painter's Palette," and with their great professionalism.

Being from Italy, what effect has this had on the success of the band?

Unfortunately, till now, being from Italy could be considered a disadvantage for our band. I don't think that Italian bands have a particularly good reputation in the other's countries, especially England and the USA. I hope that in future the situation will change because we have great bands here that are distributed in a lot of different genres. I suggest you, in particular, the works of Void of Silence, an apocalyptical doom band, and Aborym, a cyber black metal band.

Ephel Duath seems to be a band that has many different influences that play into the music. Personally, what has influenced you that have played into the music of Ephel Duath?

These are some of the names that I respect. I don't know if they could be considered an influence but I usually listen to stuff like Robert Fripp, Steve Von Till, Mike Patton, Mikael Akerfeldt, Ulver, Manes, Cult of Luna, Red Harvest, Diabolicum and Void of Silence above all.

I'm curious as to where the name Ephel Duath came from and what it means. Can you give us any insight into this?

Ephel Duath comes from Tolkien's mythology and it means "Mountains of Shadows." We have chosen this name for the mysterious sound that these two words create together and for the great ties that we have with this master.

There is a distinct jazz feel to the Ephel Duath songs, particularly a song such as 'Praha.' Seeing as you're the composer of the material, I was wondering if you listen to jazz music or if it just made its way in there somehow.

It could appear curious but I'm not a listener of Jazz. This genre could be considered an unconscious influence that has been emphasized by the support of our new rhythmic session, which has a strong jazz background.

How do you think you have grown as a composer and musician since "Phormula"? Is there anything in particular that you worked on improving?

I think I'm more open minded since the "Phormula" period. Moreover I'm really more self-confident and determined, and for these reasons I think I am a better musician. Now I'm the unique composer with four other people working and following my choices, so I have to offer them clearness and resolution, and this is so exciting!

If you had to say there was a weakest aspect of Ephel Duath, what would you say it is? What about the strongest?

The weakest aspect of Ephel Duath could be considered the mental challenge that our music requires; the strongest could be our ambition and obstinacy.

Do you consider Ephel Duath original? What kind of goals is the band trying to achieve with the music?

I consider Ephel Duath a pure and clear transposition in music of what I feel. I don't know if it could be considered original but it's without doubt spontaneous and fresh.

We want to bring Ephel Duath a higher professional status and this is our goal. It would be really important to live with the earnings of the band.

On the promo it says, "'The Painter's Palette' is destined to be recognized as a genre-defining, groundbreaking monument in years to come." I understand you weren't the one to claim this, but what do you think about a statement as bold as this one? Elitist seems to be right behind you guys all the way.

Usually the words that are present in a bio have an excessive attitude, trying to present the band through only its positive aspects. Our bio is undoubtedly one of the most exaggerated presentations that I've ever read. It's quite embarrassing for me, even if it's represents all the trust that our label and our management have in our possibilities.

What is next for Ephel Duath?

Now Ephel Duath is also a live band and I'm so proud of it! We are working hard to become a good live band and we are trying to overwork all the opportunities offered to us. We are playing "The Painter's Palette" in our live show, and the response of the public is really positive. They are usually really still but they seem to appreciate and understand our music, including those that haven't listened to us on CD. Our songs in a live dimension are a little bit more direct and minimal. Also, we have adapted some parts to a live dimension thanks to new arrangements. It's a new and important perspective to absorb our music, and I love it.

At the moment there isn't a tour planned, but there are good possibilities to play around Europe during the summer and autumn. At the moment we are playing here in Italy supporting important bands like Entombed or Lacuna Coil, the 24th of June we played at the Upstairs @ The Garage in London with Mistress and Desolation and the 5th of July we took part in the Quart Festival in Norway with bands like Massive Attack, Queens of The Stone Age, Red Harvest, Cult Of Luna and many others. The 8th of August we'll play at the Brutal Assault Festival in Czech Republic, featuring Malevolent Creation, Hollentron and many others.

Moreover, we have composed two new songs, 'Imploding' and 'New Disorder.' They seem to be more powerful, thick and with a touch of seventies in the sound. They have something like a stoner appeal. We hope to record a new album at the beginning of 2004.

That's all the questions I have for you. I appreciate your time. Do you have any thing you'd like to say?

Thanks a lot for the support. For other information or to download videos and music visit www.ephelduath.net.

For a long time, Poland has been delivering us some of the best death metal out there. First it was Vader, than Behemoth, along came Yattering, Lost Soul and Sceptic, but when it came to a decent black metal band, this country always fell short. Recently my friend sent me some MP3s of a very young band from Poland and I didn't know what to expect. I heard a couple of black metal bands from Poland but besides Behemoth who play a mixture of Death and Black they were all on a very low level, and I never even considered them good. Until I've heard Crionics! The last good Black Death metal album I even considered good, was Dimmu Borgir's last offering, and from the songs I heard on Crionics debut, this band is only a step behind this legend. Fury and venomous fire is what came out from my speakers, and I knew that I was listening to the future of Black metal, or at least, what is left of it. All I can say is that this young band rips apart all recent dark offerings that I've heard in a year or so and as quickly as I could I emailed Waran – the mastermind of the band to do an interview. All I can say is that their music fucking blew me away! Tight production, superior drumming and guitar work that could give Old Man's Child a hangover is the least I can say about Crionics. So, if you consider yourself a fan of today's scene take this band into consideration because they are the future of today's Black Metal!!

Mark 'Lestat'


Hail Waran! Tell me a bit about your debut, lyrics, music and all in general. Your album fucking kills! From what I've heard I would call it the new school of Black Death metal.

Hell!!! Our lyrics are a bit satanic as you can notice. Some are more deep than usual. I used some fucked up words but in general lyrics are not the most important part of this band and some of them were written by other people than me. When it comes to music, I think that you are right, at least in some percent. You can hear a bit of an old Norwegian spirit which is definitely a big inspiration for us but we also used a lot of death metal elements. We are not looking for some special originality. We just play music that we love.

From what I've heard you guys like to party hard. You recently went on a tour with Behemoth and it must have been a hell of an experience to party with Nergal and company. What do you think about the bands you toured with? Behemoth, Darkane and another Polish band Frontside.

Oh yeah, we do... [laughs] It was awesome .The whole crew was "rock n' roll". Behemoth and Frontside are great when it comes to partying. So are Darkane whom with we also got a little fucked up once. We knew Nergal before and admire his music. He and the rest of Behemoth are all very cool mutherfuckers.

Your drummer plays in a bunch of bands. You also play in a new death metal project Anal Stench and sing in Sceptic. Tell me, if you had the choice, which one would you consider the one most important right now.

Darkside, our drummer plays only with us and Thy Disease, so does Marcotic our bassist. I play guitars for Anal Stench and have my part as a guitarist/vocalist in Sceptic. Crionics is my life, and I always had hope when we only had like two demos and five shows done, and I'm happy that we finally accomplished something. 90% of music is written by me, unlike in Sceptic where I'm only a musician who plays music composed by Hiro. Crionics is a reflection of my real desires, unlike in the other bands where I don't necessary enjoy the music as much as here. I take it as an exercise to master my guitar and musical skills (Sceptic) and to get fucked up once in a while with Anal Stench [laughs].

Tell me a bit about Anal Stench. Are you guys planning to release an album anytime soon?

It already came out in December, the album contains 10 songs, and two covers and it's called "Stench Like Six Demons". Our label, Metal Mind is promoting the album. We are already booked to play Metalmania in a couple of weeks and we are also supporting Cannibal Corpse and Sinister in Warsaw in April.

What do you think about today's black metal scene?

It surely isn't as strong as ten years ago. Some bands just quit or just simply changed their approach to music. There aren't a lot of bands right now that try to keep the spirit of the real black metal. The world is changing, so do people along with music. I don't consider our band strictly black metal, but people have their opinions and it won't be soon as we'll be labeled as posers, [laughs]. I had some kid on one of our concerts that gave me the finger, I just wonder what does a word "poser" mean to a fucking kid who knows shit, like him.

I've heard that you are a hell of a guitarist. I know that you played on tour with Sceptic on the Thrash 'Em All festival. Are you sure Crionics needs a second guitarist? I think that you can easily do the job by yourself alone.

Thanks. Yea, I played and I still do and that's how it will probably stay because it's hard to find a good guitarist for a band like Sceptic, besides, the less people the more room on stage and more money to share, [laughs]. I'm joking of course. Second guitarist is a lot of help on stage. One guitar will never sound like two. We already found a rhythm guitarist for Crionics but for now we have Yanuary from Thy Disease who helps us out on stage.

Your debut album came out in Poland as a bonus album in Thrash 'Em All magazine. Will there be a chance that black metal fans in USA will be able to buy your album? Black metal fans here are waiting.

Yeah, it came out as a bonus CD in "Thrash 'Em All." From what I know it was sold out so there are small chances that anyone can purchase it at this time. The European premiere of "Human Error: Ways To Self Destruction" will be on the 25th of May. I don't know about US but I hope that Empire Records will talk to the right people. You are joking about those fans right? [Laughs]

Tell me what message you tried to send by creating this record. It's a simple question but I think that every real metal head will answer it with truth.

Are you suggesting that I am a fake? [Laughs]. We just wanted to have a record from our hearts, and it is. So we can hold our music in our hands, with a professional cover, professional recording. We wanted to exist in our country's scene - that was our goal, finally accomplished. We always dreamed to go on tour with Behemoth. Well, it happened. I am happy about our promotion and response. I had done a quite few interviews for radio stations and webzines. We are very glad and are working hard to jump this barrier with our next album.

From what I've heard your record has a very (with a very big V) chance to be the debut of the year in Poland, when it comes to a metal album. What do you think about the barrier you have to cross? I hope you guys won't go the way The Kovenant did?

A lot of people are talking, judging our record as the debut of the year. I personally think that we can prove it with our next record which on we are working right now, and all I can say is that it will be a hell of a lot better, man. Don't expect to hear any violins or female vocals or any shit of that sort, unless they will be Satan's bitch slaves, [laughs].

Is Black Metal a form of a religion or just musical expression? I can't imagine you walking to church with your grandma man. Do you take it as seriously as say – Ihsahn from Emperor?

More of the second. I don’t go to church, unless with a canister of gasoline, [laughs]. How seriously does Ihsahn take it, man?

Vader started the scene, Behemoth followed; I strongly think that you can be the next big band from the land of Poland. What are the plans for Crionics today? Are you talking to any foreign labels? Are you happy with Empire Records?

I don't like people calling us that. It can be all but a commercial sentence for the record company. Both bands that you mentioned worked hard and deserve their fame and are doing well and I hope they will. Right now we are with Empire Records and we're not talking with any foreign labels, somehow nobody is interested. We will release our next album under the Empire and we'll see than.

As I said before, you sing in a couple of bands. Your vocals are phenomenal! Do you train your voice in any way?

As for now, I don't have any problems with playing in all three bands. Yea, I do sometimes get a bit tired like when we played the Thrash 'Em All festival tour. I had to learn all the Sceptic songs in a flash and record the guitars for Anal Stench's album in the mean time. I don't have a job for a while so I have a lot of free time now, but it will change. Thanks man, I don't train vocals. Rarely even scream at our practice. Lately I have been thinking about quitting smoking because it does fuck up my voice. Drinking is enough... [laughs]

That's it for now man. Your album is one of the best I've heard in quite a while. I think bands like Dimmu Borgir and Emperor should watch their asses! Last words brother!!!

I'm glad that you like it. You have to see us on stage sometime, that's where it all happens. Emperor is gone so I don't think we should worry about them (what was I thinking?) [laughs]. Drink vodka, especially Polish and bang your head for the Horned One!!!