Dark Affliction Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

1. The project started as a COVID-inspired endeavor, since I had much time on my hands during the lockdown and I always wanted to experiment with composition.

2.In May you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

2. Aside from the difference in production quality, since the EP had a more raw approach, this album has a more eclectic feel composition-wise.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

3. Even though the lyrics were darker and more esoteric at the beginning, leading up to this present album, there was experimentation to a physiological extent, while preserving the dark tone.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dark Affliction'?

4. This is simpler than it looks. Since I've always liked the word "affliction," adding the adjective "dark" upfront was the most suitable word combination to reflect my music.

5.Can you tell us a little bit about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

5. The idea behind the artwork was born as I was scrolling through random paintings and came across a female face cut into different parts. For me, it was crucial to create something unique as a cover. I was a huge fan of Khaos Diktator's design work, so I thought he was the perfect artist for this. Basically, it's a depiction of a female face splitting into five parts, with each part representing one stage of grief. Meanwhile, the neck decomposes, symbolizing the passage from life to death. 

6.With the exception of session musicians, you work mostly as a solo artist, are you open to expanding into a full line up?

6. As of now, given my inspiration, the main goal is to release as much music as I can. Not only for my main project, "Dark Affliction," but also for other projects that I'm working on right now. Although I'm open to expanding into a full lineup in the future.

7.On the new album you also have some session musicians, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and their contributions to the recording?

7. First off, Eleni Nota was again a huge contributor to the recording of the drums, as we also worked on my previous EP. I assume most of you know her for her previous work. She has a high level of professionalism and performed greatly. Nikos Mavridis, who played the violin, was the perfect match to precisely record what I asked him to. As far as female vocals go, I heard Anastasia's vocals through a local band, and I thought they would work out perfectly, as they did. Lastly, behind the piano was Sakis Bastas, who also contributed to the recording and mixing process of the album.

8.On the ep you also did a ''Rotting Christ' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

8. Rotting Christ is one of my most influential bands, and I always wanted to do a cover song from them. I chose 'Visions of the Dead Lovers' not only because it is one of my favorite tracks but also because I think it matches the aesthetic of the EP.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

9. Regarding the EP, I've received some encouraging reviews from the underground black metal scene. As far as the full-length album goes, I think it's too early to talk about it since only one song has been released.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

10. My main priority as of now is to improve the quality of my music both compositionally and in terms of production.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on  your music nd also what are you listening to nowadays?

11. The musical style that influenced me to follow this direction started from 80s heavy metal, leading to more extreme music, especially black metal, which is the current stage of the project. Nowadays, I am more into Post-Black/Blackgaze and even Shoegaze stuff.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

12. Just keep creating music. Thanks a lot for the interview.

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Dark Affliction/Five Stages of Grief/Theogonia Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Dark  Affliction  are  a  solo  project  with  session  members  from  Greece  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  Hellenic  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Five  Stages  Of  Grief"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Theogonia  Records.

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  a  lot  of  melodies  are  also  added  into  the  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Violins  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  while  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  One  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  along  with  the  music  also  taking  the  classic  Hellenic  style  into  more  of  a  modern  direction  as  well  as  the  pianos  also  adding  in  more  melancholic  touches  when  they  are  utilized,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.   Some  of  the  vocals  add  in  more  of  a  growling  approach  and  spoken  word  parts  and  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly, a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  and  cover  the  five  psychological  stages  of  grief.

  In  my  opinion  Dark  Affliction  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  Hellenic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Denial"  and  "Depression".  8  out  of  10.

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