1. Winterheart was started as a one-man band by Ádám Tóth in Budapest, Hungary in 2007 when he started to write songs for a debut album based on a concept as always. When finished the songwriting he wanted to be able to perform live and and to record it so he was searching for members. After playing with some people, he found the right man, Peter Nagy, so he joined the band as a drummer in 2011. We recorded our first full-length, My journey to suicide and played some gigs with a bassist too. A year later, Gábor Szalai and Zsolt Géczy joined the band as bassist and session (live) guitarist respectively. In 2014, we recorded our second full-length - Facing what I'm becoming - which was released by a russian label, Cvlminis records. This spring we have entered the studio to record our third album, called Nothingness.
2.So far you have released 3 albums, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
2. I think they differ a lot to each other. In terms of sounding, in terms of songwriting and in terms of recording quality too to be honest. The first album was completely written by Adam and recorded in our rehearsal room, it had a raw, old-school sounding. I think it was a good way to introduce our music to the scene. Actually we have received very good feedback on that album. The second album's sound is more clear, the songs are more progressive and also the guitar and bass riffs are not so typical for the style too. We can call that album quite experimental. But again we recorded that album for several reasons by ourselves so it could show it strengths the way we wanted. Learning from that we have entered a professional studio for our third album to be able to reach the sound we really wanted. As for songwriting, now, for Nothingness it is a complete and perfect teamwork. Everyone adds his own and it creates a perfect harmony. I would say Winterheart now is what it can be heard on "Nothingness", the sound, the emotions, the lyrics, the guitar riffs, the bass and the drums is what we are.
But one thing was always common in all albums and that is very important in our music: we write the songs in an intuitive way so it will make your music just like we are, so it will be honest. Maybe we could say we don't create music, we feel the songs.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. Whatever comes to my mind when being in the writing mood. But for some reason these are always "negative" feelings. I'm that kind of person who lives and feels his emotions very strongly and deeply and experiencing these "negative" feelings is very influencing. The loss, the grief, the depression, the loneliness, being hopeless are so much powerful than being happy or such bullshit. These affect in a much greater level and a much extended period and you'll never forget them. But really... I'm not controlling what I want to write, I write the lyrics based on what I feel, that's it. And this is what all kind of music should be about I think. Music should be honest, not fake, not manufactured or something.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Winterheart'?
4. Good question! It's never easy to find the proper band name: you want it to represent your music style and lyrical topics, you want it to be easily remembered but without any cliches. The name comes from a song (actually a cover) from my all-time favourite band, Judas Iscariot. I found that Winterheart suits perfectly our music, it represents the cold, dark emotions.
5.Originally the band started out as a solo project but now have a full line up, what was the decision behind adding in more band members?
5. Well I think we covered this topic in our first answer. Being able to play live is one of the reasons obviously but it is also very important that the quality of the music improved a lot. "Nothingness" album perfectly shows this, shows us.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
6. We use red lights on our concerts which we control by our feet based on the music. These are placed on the ground behind us so gives a really great look from the audience, we look like fucking silhouettes. We also have a smoke machine and some lights controlled by the drums. So actually we can make sure that the stage looks how we want to and it can really follow the music. It's important to create the matching atmosphere for the music.
We also run a small booking agency - called Engulfing the void - to organize some gigs here in Budapest so we had the chance to play some really great shows for example with Nocturnal Depression, Forgotten Tomb or Selbstentleibung etc. Obviously these were great shows but we also really like playing in small clubs, especially in the Czech Republic. The audience there is very sick and supportive!
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
7. Yes, we will be playing here in Budapest in October with Infernal War, Outre, Fatality and Sekhmet, then we will perform at 10th Phantoms of Pilsen festival in Czech Republic which is actually one of our favorite festivals so it's an honor to be able to play there. Currently we also have a fixed date for April with two, well known depressive metal bands.
8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
8. Yes, it would be great to find a label we can have a deal with but we didn't have time to e-mail them yet.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of depressive and suicidal black metal?
9. I think the feedback is quite decent. The people really enjoyed our first album and had some nice words on the second too. We believe the third, Nothingness will also have some nice reviews and satisfied listeners. Actually we think this album is a very strong one in every terms and people will realize and appreciate it.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10. Our music always changes depending on our mood, let's say it evolves, it is a living thing just like humans. You are a different person compared to the one you were 10 years ago for example. We will have a new drummer starting from 2017 which certainly will affect our music - as I already mentioned, everyone is involved in songwriting. One thing is for sure that we will keep recording our albums in a professional way to make sure it sounds the way we want to.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
11. I think we are very open minded with music I think. At least I (Adam) for sure. I always look for the emotions in music, not the genre. I love listening to City and Colour anytime for example (that guy can always put me in deep depression haha), and a lot of post rock bands like This will destroy you or If these trees could talk, Mono, etc. But I also love the traditional, old school black metal, also the new styled too. My all time favorites are Judas Iscariot, Abyssic hate, Coldworld, Katatonia and Dodsferd I guess.These I'm really into Freitod's new album and into Dysangelium. As for the others, Gábor is a fan of traditional black metal stuffs like Satanic Warmaster, Membaris and Gorgoroth. Zsolt, our other guitarist has a very similar musical taste to mine while our drummer is mainly into progressive metal stuff, his favorite is Opeth.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Well, thank you for the opportunity to share our thoughts and keep doing what you are doing. The underground scene needs such people to spread the disease! And don't forget people, the pain is everywhere, the pain is strong, destroy yourselves!
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