MANES

They were far different from today but but the darkness will always be there, completely transformed by the creativity of this fusion of their depressive metal vain with a strong electronic imprinting...surely many of you will know their masterpiece of depressive Black Metal art called "Under Ein Blodraud Maane" but today it's better to consider them as a new thing, with its complexity and shadings....surely it will be a though thing to understand what could be the connection between the past and the present but after al if their message is absolutely not audible by the masses....and so they have become a band of the borders...

S) I found "Vilosophe" an astonishing work in some ways for its provocative and intense mood, what do you think about the contrasting response of the people that will listen to this kind of work ?

C>> I think people will be surprised. Most people expect us to do what most other bands are doing... following a tried and tested formula, and not a radical change. What they are missing, is that all music on the 1^st album is 8-9 years old, and people change a bit during such a long time. We haven’t released albums each year, so people haven’t participated in all the tiny changes that have lead to what Manes is today. People should accept Manes for what it is today, not what it was lots of years ago, or what they expect (or want) it to be...

S) After you previous work the musical path of Manes has changed drastically, what are the main reasons of this change of style ?

C>> Personal changes, lots of years slowly passing by, other bands/artists narrow-mindedness, fear of changes... But most of all, my interest in doing something different for a change!

I) Something there a very relaxed atmosphere, like a silent disillusion...is there something behind all this?

C>> Kind of, There is a sort of thread throughout the album, both musically and lyrically. We wanted to create a very "mental" album, where your own state of mind and creativity could add something to it, an album where you have to "read between the lines". We didn’t want to plainly yell out or opinions or ideas. It’s more a kind of spark, to ignite your own thoughts and ideas. And the music is a bit intended to follow that idea, to be soothing and calm. It’s very depressed, very dark...

I) About the non-metal influences what’s the main difference between you "high-class" approach and the trash and totally commercial-one of a band like The Kovenant

C>> Perhaps it might be that I/we aren't that concerned about other people's reaction to our stuff. We don't feel like doing things because someone expect us to do it. Our own ideas were of a much higher priority than other peoples reaction towards the final result. We didn’t make this album to please "fans", but ourselves

S) I’ve not the booklet of “Vilosophe”, can you tell us what are the main lyrical concepts of this work and if there is a main concept throughout the whole album ?

C>> There is a kind of thread that goes through the entire album. It's about the mind, thoughts, the darker side of the human soul. And also about doing your own thng, interpreting life and death your own way, not always following the easiest way like a sheep. Be yourself, and take the consequences But, it also hints of desperation, hopelessness.

S) Are you still involved into black metal and looking back to the past what do you feel about it ?

C>> I never felt that much "involved" in black metal. I liked the music, the atmosphere and moods. But, there were no point in making it anything more than it was. The pioneer feeling was giving me a huge kick, the feeling that it was something new, something different, something not everyone could appreciate or tolerate. I have always been a kind of "revolting spirit", and BM suited me perfectly. But, during the years, I lost more and more interest, because everything became to standardized, perhaps not commercial, but it was watered out, and it lost its darkness.

S) Do you think that Black Metal and Metal music in its "old style" form, speaking more wider, are genres that have nothing more to say and are condemned to exctinction in the sea of mediocrity ?

C>> All musikal styles are equally important and interesting, but BM for the sake of it, forced into some pre-defined cage is just as ridiculous as any other musical genre where this happen. Some way, there is a trend that the media’s generalization of styles are the law, the rules you have to obey to be taken seriously A bunch of crap! Musicality is about exploring yourself, your own individuality, not doing something because everybody else does it this or that way. Perhaps bands are more interested in appealing to a very defined bunch of people? Like some company doing market research to maximize their sales potential… Money has destroyed black metal.

S) What do you think about the "evolution" in music like electronic parts and other influences not strictly related to the extreme music world ?

C>> People are too narrow-minded, and aren’t that open to new things in music, or anywhere else. Most people “fear” what they don’t understand. Which have led to all these ethics, morale and unspoken rules and laws. I totally enjoy and embrace any kind of change and evolution, everything that might bring forth something new, something different. I don’t like the known, the common, too much, but rather look forward to new things. Not only in music

I) Metal usually have its laws but Manes in my view never followed a rockish approach, do you feel that as a reason to understand that change in your music...the feeling instead of the traditional use of the metal instruments?

C>> You're right. One of my main ideas has always been that the rules and laws are there to be bent and broken. Do things on your own, be yourself,

S) You’ve a deal with Code666, a label that has under his wings a great selection of “quality” bands, what do you think about the other bands of the rooster and what do you feel with the work of this label ?

S) Listening to "Vilosophe", personally i’ve found some Aphex Twin, Katatonia and a bit of Radiohead influences, what are your main influences when you compose music or simply are you inspired by certain artists ?

C>> I’m not that inspired by other artists, but sometimes they have some interesting ideas that catch my interest. Aphex Twin is awesome, and both Katatonia and Radiohead have some good stuff. I like quite a lot of music, like: Monumentum, Swans, Beyond Dawn, Biosphere, GGFH, Massive Attack, ambient and trance techno, music with a dark and sinister atmosphere.

C>> To do whatever we feel like doing. More music, more visual and lyrical works. Cooperations with other people and artists. Perhaps some non-traditional live shows (or rather performances). Explore our "inside" even further...

C>> Hard to mention specific albums, but bands that have affected my very much: Burzum, Massive Attack, Ulver, Aphex Twin, GGFH, Autopsy, Mogwai. Music with atmosphere and/or a well defined identity