Astar Interview

 

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

1)- We specifically decided to play melodic black metal because we believe it's the perfect sound to tell stories. I always try to come up with a sound, that doesn't only reaches the listener by just our music, but also create a feeling. A mood that prepares and leads the listener to our tales. (Sir Percival)

2.So far you have released an epic and split, can you tell us a little bit more qabout the musical style that you went for on both of the recordings?

2)- During the composition of both split and Ep, I got my inspiration from bands like Stormkeep and Moonlight Sorcery. However, Agalloch and Darkenhold did play their part too. Sometimes even just one song can make the difference. When I write music, I try to picture in my mind the context.. What's this is about? My music it's the soundtrack of the story I'm about the tell you. (Sir Percival

3.The band formed out of the ashes of 'Anno Domi', what was the cause of splitting up that band and forming a new one?

3)- Anno Domini was my first band, around 2009. Previously named Cold; we started as a melodic black metal band, but only after we changed name we introduced some doom stuff and started writing the lyrics about the middle ages. Unfortunately we did split up around 2012 due to personal reasons and different commitments. Our current drummer, M.S. did join the band between 2009 and 2010. 10 years later, along with Sir P. We decided to contact him again and we brought back the old band as Astar. I write the lyrics and I like to think it's a spiritual continuous of Anno Domini. A second cycle. (Duke Eligos)

4.The lyrics are inspired by Arthurian Legends, Holy Grail, Nordic and Celtic Myths, which aspects of these topics have inspired the songwriting approach?

4)- These are all topics that fascinates me since I was a kid. Each of these texts and poems it's considered, rearranged and mixed in order to create a new story: The Royal Blood Saga. In addition, we like to think, we use our music as a tool to encourage the individuals to fight the negativity around us. Those thoughts that sticks and compromises our mental health.   (Duke Eligos)

5.I know that the band was named after a Canaanite deity, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Bronze Age Mythology?

5)- For the name, we've been considering many options. In my latest years I did some study about the pre-Roman civilisations. Im really intrigued by this period because there's so little we know about it. Most of these texts and legends are unfortunately been forgotten. Astar it's believed to be a pagan deity, worshipped by the old Canaan tribes during the Bronze Age. It's also believed to be associated to Venus(the morning star). With the years afterwards it was associated to Lucifer by the Christians. With Astar, we indeed refer to Lucifer and the Morning Star Venus.   (Duke Eligos)

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?

6)- We wanted to create an artwork that didn't spoil the story, something no one knows from which part it's taken. Maybe it's the beginning or the end.. This is the reason why our stranger is shown from the back and entirely covered. We decided not to show his face as well so we could create some mystery on who he is, and what does he has to do with the story told in our first Ep. For the background, we thought at the beginning about something bright red. However, we decided later to change it in something more gloomy in order to give a dreamlike impression.  (Sir Percival)

7.The band members live in both Italy and Australia, what impact does this have on the musical style that you play?

7)- Working remotely can be really difficult or extremely easy. If we all lived in the same city we could certainly go in a studio, and that would save quite a lot time in terms of composing. However, most of the recording it's done from home, so as far as anyone does his part, we can work easily without many issues. (Militia Sagittarivs)

8.Recently you where a part of a split, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands or musical projects that you shared this recording with?

8)- The idea of the Split came up when taking to Massimiliano from Aramas and Antronero, to which we knew each other from 2008 when we both played in Animvs Infimvs; we thought about do a collaboration with our bands. Another band: Giliath, joined us in this 3 way split. Each of us partecipated with 2 songs. The split came out few months later under the label Nova Era Records. The owner of this label it's the frontman of Giliath.  (Militia Sagittarivs)

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

9)- From what I can see, there are quite few bands out there that mix a black metal sound with dungeon Synth, and talk about medieval themes. This sound and topics are not new. However, with our Royal Blood Saga, we want to create something new. A story that is going to be split in chapters and told in more than 1 album.  (Duke Eligos)

10.When can we expect a full length and where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

10)- I've already begun the composition of our first full-length, I've just finalised the guitar and bass parts of the first two tracks. If everything goes as planned, composition and recording should be finished by September/October. Then we worry about mixing and mastering. I believe you would be listening something new by the end of this year. With the full-length we are going to make some changes. The length of the songs it's going to be longer than usual. Plus, we are going to add to our melodic style and medieval atmosphere; some Nordic sound, similar to the one used years ago by Bathory. Ludovica Faraoni, excellent pianist and keyboard player from Blodiga Skald, would look after the synth parts. She worked with us in the past by composing the last track on the Ep. By sharing these tasks with her I will be able to focus more on the guitars and bass.  (Sir Percival)

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)- We could mention quite several names that had a huge impact on us and defined our taste in music in the years to come. D.E. Follows a lot of Norvegian bands and he is into symphonic black metal. S.P. He is into melodic black metal, but he also appreciate also progressive rock as well. I must say, this progressive rock influence makes him a quite extraordinary composer. I'm a bit different, I'm more for a raw sound, like: Kommodus, Drowning the Light, Beastcraft. Symphonic, melodic, progressive and raw. That's quite a mix. Even though they are all completely different things, we always manage to make it work.  (Militia Sagittarivs)

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

12)- In conclusion, as mentioned previously, we are currently working on our first full-length. There's a lot of work that needs to be done. However, we believe this album it's going to be even better than the Ep and the split. Let's get to work.  (Militia Sagittarivs)

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