1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
The album was recorded at Moontower Studio in July of last year; it’s been over a year since the recording, and the album still hasn’t been released.
It took us a long time to find a sound that truly satisfied us. I have to say that Javi was very patient with us and helped us a lot, since at first we weren’t entirely convinced by the sound, and it took us a long time to achieve the perfect sound we could be proud of.
We then began distributing the material and received several offers from different record labels; ultimately, we decided to sign with Satanath and Paragon, as we felt they were the best options and they appreciated our music. After discussing it with them, we decided—for scheduling reasons—to release the album on September 25.
During this time, we’ve continued composing and preparing material for the next album, but between our day jobs and promoting the album, we don’t have much time left.
2.You have an album coming out in September, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
I assume you’re referring to the sound. Mindvile’s sound is a mix between classic black metal and a more contemporary sound. We didn’t want a sound that was too much in the vein of Darkthrone, but rather one more similar to Mayhem or Emperor; though with a more modern twist.
We think we’ve achieved an aggressive and powerful sound, but at the same time it has a dark edge, like the older bands used to have.
3.Most of your lyrics focus on real themes, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical content you explore on the newer release?
This first album focuses on Europe, delving into the most terrifying cases on this continent. All the cases involve people who are still alive today; whether they’re locked up or free, walking the same streets we walk on every day.
4.There is going to be a 5 album concept with the releases. what are some of the other lyrical topics you plan to explore on future releases?
The entire conceptual arc surrounding the upcoming albums is based on the most twisted and dangerous minds that are still alive today, so the lyrics explore different individuals who have committed the most atrocious and creepiest crimes across all five continents.
We believe that pure horror doesn’t come from imagination or fantasy, but rather resides within us, as humans.
There’s a popular saying that goes, “Reality always surpasses fiction,” and we think it’s very accurate.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover depicts the Hill of Crosses, a place as mysterious as it is unsettling, located in Lithuania, about 12 kilometers from the city of Šiauliai.
We were looking for a real, sinister place in Europe that could represent the album’s concept, since OLD CONTINENT is about some of the cruelest and most depraved people in this continent’s recent history.
The album consists of 8 songs, which is why we decided to feature 8 figures on the cover, each forming part of this unsettling scene. We used the staircase to symbolize a struggle to claim the title of the continent’s most heinous crime.
We reached out to Juanjo Castellano because we were familiar with some of his previous work and thought it was fantastic. From the very beginning, he was very attentive and eager to take on the project, and the result was a true work of art; we loved it the moment we saw it.
6.The band members live in both Spain and United States, what impact does this have on the musical style with the long distance between members?
We like the same or similar types of music, so we don’t have a problem. When we started writing songs, we focused on a specific style. We can make concessions, introduce variations, or evolve, but Mindvile sets the tone, so we focus on doing what we like and what the band needs.
With today's technology, distance isn't an issue when it comes to composing and creating. We might face more challenges with scheduling when we want to meet up, though, since there is an eight-hour time difference.
7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
In the future, we’d like to perform the album live, and perhaps expand the band or look for people who’d like to collaborate with us, since performing the album live requires two guitars, a bass, and drums; almost all the riffs in our songs are written for two guitars.
8.The album is going to be released through both Paragon and Satanath Records, are you happy with the support both labels have given you so far?
We’re more than happy, to be honest. Both Mike and Aleksey are really nice and awesome guys; they’ve helped us a lot with everything, have always been very honest, and have given us all the help they can.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
So far, very well; the music has been well received.
People who have listened to the songs that have been released have had great things to say about them and have shown a lot of enthusiasm for hearing the rest of the album.
10.What can we exppect musically during the future?
To be honest, we hope for more of the same as we’ve done so far. We see our music as raw and high-quality, aimed at conveying terror and suffering. We’re not thinking about major changes, but simply an evolution; without straying from the Mindvile style.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
We don’t just listen to black metal; we don’t pretend to be more true than anyone else. We like all kinds of heavy metal, but we lean more toward extreme music like Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, and Marduk… We also like bands like King Diamond, Metallica, and Blind Guardian...
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Just to say that Old Continent, this first album, is just the beginning, so people better get ready to suffer and enjoy Mindvile throughout our conceptual arc of “Stories No Tongue Should Tell”.
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