1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Synteleia was founded in 2015 by guitarist Drakon Hesperion and vocalist Nyctelios. With the addition of Septis (bass/keys) and the assistance of Amdusias and Oort (Plague band), in June 2016, we recorded our first rehearsal demo, Astral Blasphemies. In the summer of 2017, the current lineup was formed, as Cronios joined in as the lead guitarist and with the assistance of Nick “Yngve” on drums, we entered the studio for the recording of our debut album, on December 2017 until mid 2018. On February 2019, Hells Headbangers announced the signing of Synteleia. The first fruit of this union is our band's debut album, “Ending of the Unknown Path”, to be released on 30th August 2019, on CD initially and later on vinyl LP & cassette formats.
2.At the end of August you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from the demo you had released in 2016?
Although it shares the same basic musical roots, “Ending of the Unknown Path” is synthetically more complex with more creepy rhythmic progressions, extensive melodic parts and new technical solos. Occult atmosphere and deep esoteric feelings come to surface with wider use of female vocals, keyboards and additional string/wind instruments. Needless to say about the huge step forward in the production level, with the guidance of very experienced professionals. Finally, we had the honor and pleasure to cooperate with the soprano, Mina Morfi, the emblematic female singer of Greek Black Metal pioneers Horrified, back in the early 90s! A true honor for us all!
3.Your lyrics are based upon the writings of H.P Lovecraft, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work and also what sets you apart from the many other bands that are inspired by his writings?
We are literally moving into the Cthulhu Mythos theme, created by the father of horror literature, H.P. Lovecraft, enriched though with several personal narratives and storytelling, sometimes dreamlike, sometimes nightmarish, profoundly based on dystopian situations and the call of the Great Old Ones to reclaim their dominance on earth. At an atmospheric level, some mysterious, agonizing and ritualistic situations will come to fruition, as each song has a different storytelling in first or third person, making it a stand - alone occult story in the path that H.P. Lovecraft paved. In that sense, lyrics helped us to built-up on the whole atmosphere of our songs. A part of the Pantheon of Cthulhu Mythos will be invoked on our upcoming full length work, as in some songs we used actual invocation verses of the Necronomicon in a ritualistic manner!
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Synteleia'?
We came up with the name “Synteleia” which means "the end of times". It is an Apocalyptic term in Greek and notifies the end of the world as we know it and the dawn of a new era. The era of our cult… Synteleia has come!
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The artwork is a visual depiction of the music atmosphere and lyrics of the album. Specifically, the cover illustrates the agonizing question that pervades the entire album: what lies at the end of the unknown path? But of course, the eternal evil that lurks and seeks its glorious return from unearthly forgotten astral realms to its primal dominion!
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Among others, we have played with Kawir, Horn and Primal Cult at the “Under the Pagan Moon Fest” (Athens, Nov. 2017) and with Varathron - for the occasion of their 30th anniversary - and Disharmony at the “Lords of the Void Monuments” (Athens, Oct. 2018). We consider performing live as an integral part of our existence as a band and with our overall performance on stage, we try to communicate the thoughts and deeper feelings of our music to the fans.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Several shows in Greece are under preparation during Autumn 2019 and we look forward to our first appearance outside the borders of Greece, which will hopefully follow next year.
8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
As expected, we had the warmest welcome from metal fans in Latin America and especially Mexico and Brazil. Traditionally, Latin American brothers have the deepest admiration for the Greek Black Metal scene and we are very thankful to them. As the band progressed in time, we had very positive reactions from all around the globe and we expect, after the release of the album, to receive even better feedback and wider endorsements.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We walk on the path of the Greek Old-School Black metal genre, which we appreciate and love most, and in terms of honoring it, we hope to represent it successfully in our days. We will stay loyal to that genre, hopefully making a sincere, strong and clear statement of our own mark on the Greek Black Metal scene and its followers worldwide. Having said that, we are not opposed to new ideas, new influences or the use of extra atmospheric instruments, like for example, how early Necromantia used saxophone in their blackest song “Evil Prayers”...
10.The band is very heavily rooted in the 90's era Greek black metal style, do you feel the sound of your homeland has been making a huge comeback over the years?
This is true. During the recent years we are experiencing a rebirth of the Greek Black metal scene with both newly formed bands such as Synteleia, Funeral Storm, Primal Cult, Katavasia and older “traditional” ones such as Deviser, Disharmony, Yoth Iria (act of Mutilator, founding member of Rotting Christ & Varathron), that re-establish themselves in the Greek scene.
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?
Of course the “unholy trinity” of Rotting Christ, Varathron and Necromantia have the biggest influence on us, as young metalheads back in the early 90’s, together with Thou Art Lord, Horrified, Septic Flesh and Nightfall, all bands that shaped the Greek Black Metal scene at that time. Apart from that, we also listened to some classic heavy metal bands, such the universally appreciated Iron Maiden representing NWOBHM style and the glorious 1st wave of Black metal, with bands like Venom, Bathory and Celtic Frost being our early listenings and inspirations.
Nowadays, we listen to whatever metal genre incorporates soul and is played by humans in a studio. The feeling of playing and recording in a studio, like traditional analog times, shouldn’t be lost for the sake of technology or low budget productions...
12.Does Occultism play any role in your music?
We have a deep respect and affection for occultism and draw much of our musical inspiration from the occult doctrine, having extensively used it in out lyrics. Ex Ignorantia Ad Sapientiam; Ex Luce Ad Tenebras.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
At this point, we’d like to thank Hell’s Headbangers’s for their support and we are honored to be a part of their unholy legions! And, of course, to our fans out there, all we have to say is: Stay Black, stay true, Synteleia has come!
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