The great moment for Aherusia seems to be now. Even if they exist from 1997, it is just the end of 2009 that they release their first full-length album “And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces” (except for their very limited EP “Whispers of the Moon” in 1999). The band seems to be in its peak of creativity and they try to spread their music through continuous live shows in every corner of Hellas. So it was the right time to contact with the founder and only remaining member from the starting line-up, Voreas Faethon and ask him everything about Aherusia and not only...

-       Hails Faethon. First of all I’d like to congratulate you once more for your debut album. Before we speak about it, I’d like you to make a presentation of Aherusia for those who don’t know you.

We are honoured by your kind words. Aherusia founded in 1997 in Athens, in 2000 we released the "Whispers of Moon" EP and afterwards we froze our activity during the period 2000-2003. Then in 2004 with a new line-up, in Mytilini, we began again and continued without any break. In 2007 we return in Athens and we recorded at Devasoundz studios our debut. Our first full-length album "And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces” is released within October ’09 by EMOTION ART for Hellas and Cyprus, while is also distributed worldwide by TWILIGHT since 27/11/2009. The music now the band plays is Pagan-Folk Black Metal with touch of Majestic Black Metal.

-       Let’s go in the past, back in 1997 when you were at the beginning. Can you tell us a few things about the initial goals and influences of Aherusia. How did you decide to form this band and what was the «chemistry» of this line-up?

The band was created by people who wanted to play the music they love. I can not say that we had to set some goals then. We just were deeply influenced by Majestic Black Metal and loved also Hellenic and European folkloric music. So we tried to channel somehow our creativity, feeling that we were doing exactly what we had to do.

That period, I and Pontos Oceanos (pipes and bagpipes) constituted the band’s core and we gathered around us many talented friends. I still remember the great appetite for work that we had those days, as an evidence that what we were doing was giving us inspiration and courage.

Hellenic traditional and Byzantine music, pro-Gregorian European musical tradition and the first two movements of Black Metal, were our main influences.

-       How did you come up with the idea to mix black metal with Hellenic traditional music? It’s something unusual (unluckily) in the Greek scene and especially 12 years ago! I bet many people would have found it strange.

I was always attracted by the primordial magic that emerged throughout our traditional music. One more reason was its rhythmical and melodical richness. Furthermore, the members of AHERUSIA had an experience on this specific kind of music. But the main reason was our intention to use the material of our own cultural tank: I have always believed in the background of traditional music, the sentimental weight that creates in the heart of the listener, the power of its psychodynamic properties. I wanted to obtain something original, but also something that bases its strength in the depth of centuries.

Finally it is important to mention that although our music is something that surprises listeners positive, I could not say that someone felt strange listening to our songs... Perhaps that happens because Traditional Hellenic Music fits in my opinion perfectly with Black Metal. Traditional Hellenic Music is the music that clad our ancient epic poems, our ancient drama and our ancestral rituals. This music beard our grandparents’ songs of lament, love, war, freedom and exile.

-       What are your memories from this first era of Aherusia? The band became more popular in Aegean Sea. Tell us a few words about this unknown to most of us scene / phase of Hellenic black metal.

I still remember our early years with warm emotions… I remember our first live, our effort to become better... Among the most old comrades exists an incredibly strong friendship, we meet very often.

During our reactivation in Mytilini, we faced also equal emotions and experiences. As students we had the opportunity to attend to people who were eager to experiment and to experience something new, so that our friction in this world made us to strengthen our will and our commitment to what we did. I still remember our decision to play anywhere where we could among Aegean islands. This decision brought us to face strong experiences, difficulties and suffering. The people of Aegean Sea treated us with incredibly big affection. So we do not fail to seek to play in Aegean, being profoundly tied to that place (some of us originate from there).

-       In 1999 you released the EP “Whispers of the Moon”. Few words about this first album attempt? Why don’t you distribute it anymore?

This release was recorded under very adverse conditions in 1999-2000 in a «studio»… Nevertheless the result was very good those days for the underground standards where we were. It was released in 100 copies with handmade artwork on the disc. We were soon out of stock a fact that coincided with the break of the band, and therefore I did not think to let it be re-launched. It represents the first period of AHERUSIA with songs accompanied by bagpipes.

So many (too many) are looking to get this release, mainly for collecting  purposes ... If there is a chance to be released I would like to coexist and to accompany a new release, but as a separate piece, with a separate booklet and artwork. Not like tricks such as bonus tracks, that bears the pockets of our fans! I want to be given as a present! But for real! It is now clear that it is very difficult to demand this yet ... I could say, for the present, whoever owns it is lucky.

-       After that, Aherusia split-up! What led you to this decision? Looking back now, do you regret for this decision?

To be honest we just froze for a while... I continued to write music and lyrics for AHERUSIA, and to evolve the existing material. You can say that I was working as solo project.

-       From 2000 to 2003 you were in the band Panselinos. Could you give us some info about this rather unknown band?

Like it or not, Panselinos is the oldest black metal band in Aegean! So 'unknown' or not is at least interesting for historical reasons. I am very proud that I was one of the first members of Panselinos... The band was based on the personal vision of Orion Arctorios (vocals aka Orion Lykaon). I soon became the main composer. Our line up was: Egelados ~ drums, Zagreas ~ flute, Ichoria ~ keyboards and Erichtonios ~ guitars. The band played pure majestic black metal and released "ΕΛΕΥΣΙΣ" demo in 2003. We played several live in Lesvos and in 2003 we ceased.

-       In 2004 Aherusia reunited! What made you to return?

Panselinos broke as a result to the ever growing indifference that showed some members. We decided to continue serving the music we love, so the rest of us closed our selves for three months in a house rehearsing all day, soon Polipymon Damnameneus ~ drums joined  us, and we started to play live...

-       With the reunion the band replaced pipes and bagpipes with Cretan lyre. How did this affect Aherusia sound and the existing songs? Tell us about this unique combination?

During 2004, it wasn’t possible to have a bagpipe player in our ranks. Bagpipes are also extremely sensitive to weather conditions, which primarily affects their tonality. Cretan lyra is, on the contrary, a more manageable instrument and more compatible with the other strings in AHERUSIA. Ierax was also an excellent lyre player and the most important, he was available!

Some songs couldn’t be adapted to be played by lyre. Furthermore, many compositions adapted easily and many more new were composed. I estimate that in the future we will use bagpipes once more.

-       Until 2008 your future seemed uncertain, with many line-up changes and an unsuccessful effort to record your debut album. How did the band manage to become stronger and determined for a powerful beginning, despite all these difficulties?

Our first attempt to record "And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces", was a traumatic experience ... Actually serious friction was created among some members (which then led them to quit). The result wasn’t also proper, so I could say that we faced very painful experiences ... On the other hand, we became more determined and cooperative, as learned by the mistakes that were made. Anyway, no evil lining!

Regarding the changes of the members I can not say that affected our function as band. The only serious loss was the departure of Orion due to distance and obligation problems. Our relationship remains perfect.

The second album we will include a song that has composed by me and Orion.

-       “And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces” was ready (composed) many years ago. In 2008 you succeeded to record it properly. Can you speak about the album? Many of the songs are composed 10 years ago, so I suppose they have a long history behind them.

Our major lyrical orientation is about occultism, inner philosophy and the relationship among human and divine. We generally like to create albums that are bound in a form of a concept. So in “And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces”, we are narrating the stories of some heroes who – for various reasons, needs, bonds and purposes – demanded to acquire powers that exceed the limits that they have as existences in the universal equilibrium. Their passions are described through the prism of the tragic dialectic of ancient Hellenic drama.

-       The cover artwork is very enigmatic. What exactly does it show? How did you happen to cooperate with Seth Siro Anton?

The cover describes just an existence as those which are the main characters in the songs of "And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces". This is an enigmatic, tragic figure, in apotheosis, distorted though and troubled, hiding in the sight secrets that only those who follow the same horrendous path will experience ... It's a god who is at the same time collapsed in its own divinity...

Our collaboration with Seth Siro Anton emerged effortlessly because we are friends. I always wanted to collaborate, so one day when Seth entered in Devasoundz while we were recording, I came up with my proposition.

Undoubtedly his artwork is an amazing creation that fits perfectly to the concept of the album and deserves someone to take a closer look.

-       Can you tell us some things about the band’s symbols? First of all about the name Aherusia. As well as for the double-headed eagle and the eptagram.

ΑΧΕΡΟΥΣΙΑ is the name of the lake of Underworld according to the ancient Hellenic mythology. We chose this name and our band names from our own heritage and culture rather than others (e.g. Vikings, Satanism), just to be more honest to ourselves.

Eptagram, now is an ancient symbol of mathematical, astronomical, alchemistic, and musical nature. Representing the seven musical notes, using a schematic to find the 5th intervals, corresponding to seven (according to ancient Hellenic astronomy) planets, being an ancient symbol of war, eptagram represents the symbolism of pain and sacrifice and is among other symbols the representation of the completeness and the Whole, as shown by the union of perfect numbers: 3 (Sky) and 4 (Earth).

The double-headed eagle, considered to be another form of representation of eptagram and vice versa. Since the years of ancient Mesopotamian cultures or by the use of the mysticism and affixed to imperial Insignias, double-headed eagle, symbolizes the completeness, the pain and sacrifice, androgen bipolarity, the enhancement of prima material and many more.

-       The band has signed a contract with Emotion Art Ltd that just released the album in digipak. What are your expectations from this first work?

We hope to sell as many copies as we can and to play plenty concerts, in order to be known by as many people as possible across Hellas and Europe.

-       What is that the band needs in order to make the big step outside our country’s barriers? Is it the unquestionable (in my opinion) quality of your music, or something more?

Well, the competition is high, the economic crisis is very harsh for everyone and the music in Hellas, as you know, is not supported by anyone... For those and thousands of other reasons, it is very difficult for a black metal band-and particularly Hellenic- to achieve something easily. I do not think that success is the result of musical quality. Success relies rather more on circumstances, management, image and networking system ... On the other hand, we try to improve what we do constantly, and be professional. The only thing that we can do is hard work. The only that can make you ascent is the high sales, something that now days isn’t ease due to piracy, as you know. We will continue to give our best, hoping for something better. The time will tell. We have shown ourselves above all that we never surrender.

-       You have already composed the material for your next album “As I Cross the Seas of My Soul”, material that you play in your gigs. What should we expect from this second work?

We are a band that is constantly trying to refine its sound, trying to keep on the contrary, the elements that inherent in our style, and we try to preserve those elements that we feel that help us to express our ideas better. Our next album is quite advanced compared to "And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces" remaining though in terms of Majestic Folk Black Metal, dealing with another thematic concept: The concept of freedom and the power of Sacrifice that makes Man invincible. The production is made by Fotis Benardo (Septic Flesh) while we record again in Devasoundz Studios. So far we are very excited with the result.

-       As far as I know you already compose songs for your third album! What are your plans and schedule about your future releases? Will it ever happen that your albums will be released “on time”?

Our third album is actually under composition indeed... I will not say much, but the concept will be relative to the legend of Prometheus and will be also more dramatized. We should also inform our readers that nothing "comes out on time”, except for the really big bands. All companies follow closely the priorities set by the budget and planning ... If we sell and become what the Iron Maiden or Dimmu Borgir are, then the things could differ.

-       Aherusia is a band with a lot of live activity. At this moment you are «touring» in every corner of Hellas. What do live shows mean to you? What should a listener expect from Aherusia in your gigs?

Our tour is called “ΣΥΝΑΞΙΣ”vtour. People welcome us with love and enthusiasm! Generally we try to play anywhere, to meet new friends and experiences.

Beside our “classic” metal face, where we interpret on stage the material and try to give all our energy and soul to the audience, the band gives at request and under conditions, some more special musical performances where the concept of our album is treated in its whole, while we show a video art film created exclusively for this purpose by the band. Finally dark poetry passages are inserted between songs, accompanied by dark orchestrations.

So far the people who attended this performance, expressed in a positive and enthusiastic manner. The band’s film participated in the annual international Festival of video art named "MOVING FRAMES FESTIVAL" which takes place this autumn in Mytilene.

We want to become one with our audience. So whoever comes in our live, one is assure, that he will be well entertained by watching us in action...

-       Do you feel that the current line-up is stable, or do you see more changes in the future? Do you feel like a solid band, or a project with session musicians?

We are a very tight band! We are not a self based band at all. If someone leaves the band, is because either he can not or he is unwilling to fit. No offense thereafter. Even if someone leaves, we don’t bother.

-       Can you tell us some words about the composition process? Is it a group work, or someone has the main responsibility? As far as I can tell from the first album, all compositions are yours. Now that you have a more stable line-up, has this changed? Where do you get your inspiration from?

Although our second album includes a song of Charon and Arcania, while I have collaborated with Orion in another, I can say that I remain the main composer and lyricist of AHERUSIA. I encourage initiative in composition. Each song, however, is developed for a long period (months for sure, whole years sometimes) before it reaches its final form. We do not want to leave something that will just fill an album. We want each song to reflect some sense decently, I would say experiential.

-       Most of your lyrics are in English with a few in Hellenic. Will this remain in the future? What about your lyrical concept?

I can not say for sure. I will try to experiment with the Hellenistic Hellenic in the third album but this is something that requires a lot of work and attention...

-       How would you describe your music? Many will just say that you are a Greek black metal band with Cretan lyre... What is the deeper meaning and substance of your music? Is there any message you would like to spread?

Our primary intention was always to combine the traditional Hellenic music and the pre-Gregorian European musical tradition in our musical vision.

We want our engagement with the Folk to be meaningful and not simply an easily utilization as fashion. It may seem odd, but black metal is a carrier of ecstasy and mystery. Those elements above are the primarily features of traditional music worldwide.

We must note that AHERUSIA do not follow a norm of nationalism. Although we are deeply influenced by ancient Hellenic mythology and mysticism, we do not rely absolutely on them. We incorporate with a variety of data based on ancient European traditions, Renaissance, Romantic culture and mysticism.

We do not deliver an approximate memory or nostalgia. We try to express specific messages and views, dressing them -for artistic purposes- with imaginary metaphors based on the information above. "To Our Ancestors" for example, doesn’t talk about the ancient Greek ancestors alone, it narrates the story of all those universal ancestors who tried to drive mankind one step ahead, without considering the consequences...

The message lies there… Waiting for somebody to discover and interpret it. We just shake the water to "reveal the traces"...

-       You opinion about the black metal scene in general? Are you optimist? Especially for the Hellenic scene, are there any other groups that you believe they deserve our attention?

Although the conditions are harsh, some very positive things elevate Hellenic Scene: The Gus G play guitar for Ozzy! The incredible "Theogonia" album of Rotting Christ and devastating comeback of Septic Flesh put us back on map. Bands that are definitely of worth are: Nyne, Unholy Ritual, Nethescerial, Gospel of Grief, Dirty Granny Tales and many others...

-       Should we expect something very different from Aherusia in the future, or will you stay to the basic principles of your current sound? Will you experiment with other genres and instruments of traditional Hellenic music?

As I said above, we want to use bagpipes in our vision and we try continuously to be evolved. Although we have settled on the basic principles of our sound we can not be excluded for the sake of genuine artistic expression, and make radical changes in the future ... We'll see...

-       Is there any big ambition (or even dream) for the band this moment? You are still in the beginning (of your discography), but how far do you believe you can go?

We aim to record an equally good or even better new album and to perform everywhere.

On 26/11/09 our album we will be distributed by TWILIGHT worldwide. We hope to sell lot of copies, in order to attempt to make a tour abroad more viable and feasible. A European tour is in our future plans.

We will shot another video-clip and we will try to do the band as famous as it can be...

-       What would be the ideal line-up for a live (including you)?

Iron Maiden, Fields of The Nephilim, Immortal, Aherusia!!!

-       Thank you very much for this interview. I wish all the best for Aherusia and for you personally. Last words are yours.

Fear not! For the shore of Elysium lies behind this chalice of torture…HORNS UP!!!

dimiarch