DEVIAN - Interview

1. Hello, Legion. Please tell us a bit of the history of your new band. We'd like to discover it's path from the beginning until now and the reason of its birth.

Hey! Devian was founded by me and Emil as our new home in the metal scene. After leaving Marduk I was sorting out all the loose ends to be able to get back in the game, it was never the life or the scene that I did now want, I just didn't have anything more to give in Marduk, so I took my leave.

2. How was the process of choosing the name and then changing it from Elizium to Devian and how does the new name reflect what you were looking for?

Emil came up with Elizium and the rest of us could agree on it since the way things were then and the way the early music sounded it seemed to fit pretty good. The only thing though was that since there’s been a ton of Eliziums already it felt a bit generic. When we got a good slab of material together and the soul of the band started to show a bit more it felt like it didn’t fit at all so we searched a new name, my hottest candidate being Ninewinged Serpent, but the one name that we all could agree on was Devian, from the word Devious we see it as someone non conformist who kicks the world square in the ass.

3. Was it initially intended for B.War to be part of the band? What happened?

He’s a family man in TX and could not go on the road or be there with the rest of us to write and rehearse so he chose to step off so we could focus as hard as we want and need to get this band going. A true friend and a class act!

4. Is it just a coincidence that so many ex-Marduk members are the founders of Devian?

Well Emil is like family to me, and so is Bwar so it was a given that we still wanted to play together when we quit that band. Blood is thicker than water.

5. Devian also went through some changes regarding the configuration, right after the recording of the album. Will this affect the band? What are the reasons behind this event?

Sometimes not everyone thinks realistically I guess, the line up we had said that they were all dying to do this full on but when it became a reality our guitarist figured that he’s been a bit naive about his commitment so he chose to step off. We still remain good friends though and we sincerely wishes him the best with his music.

6. Can you tell us about the contribution of each member in the band? The lyrics, the whole concept, the sound and public image …

We all write and push each other to be as good as we can be. Everybody bleeds into everything and at the end of the day its not someone’s original riff or idea, it’s a Devian song. We all are pretty likeminded and everything about the concept of the band has been growing naturally and keep on developing by itself. Its fantastic to see what a beast Devian is becoming feeding on our input but kind of getting its own life.

7. "Ninewinged Serpent", launched on October 22^nd 2007, is your debut album. So far it evolves well. Can you tell us about the making of the album, the message that Devian stands for and what you expect of it, thinking also that some fans might see you through a "Marduk filter" because of the past involvement?

I think NWS is a great debut, especially considering the band was sprawled out over different countries working in and out of our respective homestudios. Its really exciting being out on the road tearing it up and see what works how with the crowd. The thought behind the NWS is individualism and that pain and hurt is nothing to fear as long as you’ll get where you wanna go. We chose to illustrate this through Lucifer’s nine day fall which I think is the uttermost symbolism for someone who is so strong and secure in himself that he pisses off from a place he can’t stand so he can go his own way.

Of course people will relate with Marduk because its such a huge part of my musical past, and it’s a past that I'm really proud of too so it’s all good.

8. Are you already preparing a second album? What should we expect?

Yes, the second album is now basically written. We have all the songs as rough drafts and we keep writing and improving what we have since Emil brought a mobile studio on the road with us. The new songs is a natural continuation of the NWS but two leaps forward since we now are a tight team that work continously with rehearsal after rehearsal until the material really feels ready. Expect heavy pounding metallic onslaught!

9. Do you intend to release a media material also? With photo sessions, live material, studio recordings and all that?

We haven't decided what the new release will look like once its finished, the main thing is always the music and then we ll see what other stuff we have that might be interesting for people to get.

10. Is Devian a new concept or is a natural evolution that you've reached? How would you think your involvement in other bands has influenced you?

Devian is who we are now, would I still be in Marduk that band would sound different than what it does today. Even if the old lineup got together and tried to create another Heaven Shall Burn it would not work because what comes out sincerely and naturally has a lot to do with where you are at in life, and once you evolve you can never change back without it sounding shallow and fake. All the things I have recorded has been things that needed to come out, triggered by one thing or another. I like the route that Devian is on and is gonna break my ass to push this as far as possible.

11. I can't help myself and I always ask about instruments. I find it nice to know what you like to work with and why.

Joinus only plays Gibson, Tomas ESP. Probably because of their heroes and the techinque they use when they play. Roberth plays Rickenbacker and Emil plays Adams.

12. You already have a lot of live experiences. How do you feel on stage? Any unpleasant experience? Maybe even with Devian?

Well you know not all shows are as good as your best ones, some tech fuckups, other circumstances like deceases or what ever beyond your control might fuck up your day. Ive been jumping through the floor of the stage, been electrocuted by the microphone, had power cut outs, been food poisoned and fainted on stage from dehydration, in Mexico I got the yellow fever but chose to play anyways and afterwards I was hospitalized for a week getting injections with antibiotics in my ass for five days in a row. But it’s just to buy into the situation or go do something different.

13. Devian is already set to tour with Vader and reach Romania also. Do you have any particular feeling regarding the arrival to this destination? If you'd have the time what would you like to visit?

It’s gonna be excting since I’ve never been there before. I would love to see a lot of stuff being an old fan of Vlad Tepes. I read the book prince of many faces in my late teenage years and I’ve always thought when having the time I should go there and watch some of the historic locations with own eyes.

14. Do you always play or plan to play with your own equipment? How is your performance affected if not?

Yes we do as far as possible, we make it our business to have gear and back up gear so that we can always deliver a good show.

15. What's more important for you? The concerts or having your album sold, seeing that people appreciate Devian's work from this point of view also?

Well without getting out and play the album won’t sell since this kind of music will never be pushed in mainstream forums like TV and radio, so it’s like one thing gives the other, but I like them both. We are two different bands like that, one thorough and precise one in the studio and a wild bunch just bursting with energy when being on stage.

16. When playing live, do you first get informed about the place where it will be, the sound and space available etc? Because in Cluj Napoca, at the last Marduk concert, a few months ago, the sound was nearly a disaster and the place too crowded. Would Devian choose not to play in such conditions?

I’ll never cancel a show under no conditions. I’ve been playing under bomb threat several times, had political lobbyists trying to shut down clubs etc, I’ve always said fuck it, I’m there to deliver and I will no matter what.

17. I must thank you for your time and collaboration, it was a pleasure doing this interview. Would you like to say something to your readers and listeners? Oh, and, if I were to be Black Santa Claus, what gift would you like from Transilvania?

Thanks a lot for taking an interest. See you all on the road!! You could bring me the remains of an impaled victim from the good old days down there ;)

http://www.myspace.com/truedevian