Blackened Horde: How did the band get started?
Akis: The band, although under a different name, started back in 1998 during our last school year! We were brought together by our common Influences but unfortunately, we didn’t release anything until 2011 for various reasons. But our journey under the name Desert near the end began with our debut album A Crimson Dawn in 2011.
Blackened Horde: What kind of music do you play?
Akis: In our core our music is a form of Power/Thrash Metal with a generous injection of death especially in the drums section! For many years the inside joke in the band was that we play Epic Thrash!
Blackened Horde: How has the fan response been?
Akis: Mostly good! Considering our sound, we have something for everyone. But this is also the reason that some people found us a bit puzzling.. we are not always what you would expect!
Blackened Horde: Where did the band name come from?
Akis: As I said earlier we had a different name until 2011 and actually we very close to end the band.. but then the song Desert near the end came into being and we felt it as the most “ours” song we have written until then! It empowered us so we changed our name and the rest is history. As for its meaning it symbolizes the last thing that stays behind when you are left with nothing to wait than the end.. hope!
Blackened Horde: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Akis: We have released 4 albums until now and the fifth one is just around the corner!
Blackened Horde: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Akis: It’s a kind of concept album because most of the songs share the same theme. And that’s how fire and stars, literally and metaphorically, have fueled human imagination through the ages and how all these found their way in our lives through religion, science and art.
Blackened Horde: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Akis: I (Akis) write all the music and Alexandros handles all the lyrics!
Blackened Horde: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Akis: From everywhere! Books, movies, history.. all seen of course through our eyes and experiences.
Blackened Horde: Do you have any side projects?
Akis: Νο! No-one felt the need to do something outside Desert near the end, so far at least!
Blackened Horde: Who are some of your musical influences?
Akis: The basic Influences if the band are those that we grew up with and defined us as listeners and musicians. They are many of course but the most important are Blind Guardian, Iced Earth!
Blackened Horde: What is the band like when you play live?
Akis: Focused and aggressive! At least I hope so!!
Blackened Horde: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Akis: Yes! We’ve played in Ukraine and Russia multiple times and also Bulgaria and of course Cyprus.
Blackened Horde: What do you think about the underground scene?
Akis: That it’s the most important thing in metal scene.. a healthy underground means that our music have future! Also some of the most interesting and important songs were born underground!
Blackened Horde: Since the Covid Pandemic has that hurt the band in making music at all?
Akis: Luckily no! We were hurt in many other ways but in our music. We lost our shows, our rehearsals and that really strained the band but we managed to complete and record our fifth album which we’ll release very soon!!
Blackened Horde: What advice would you as a musician give to a fellow musician just starting out?
Akis: Don’t quit..! If you really love what you do stick with it!
Blackened Horde: What does the future hold for the band??
Akis: I hope more music to share with our friends and more shows!! And all these will begin with our new album which is called “The Dawning of the Son” and it will be released at the end of May!
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/DesertNearTheEnd/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCllY-sWWC2fLe-83tHAxQPA
https://desertneartheendofficial.bandcamp.com/album/of-fire-and-stars
https://www.instagram.com/desertneartheend/
https://desertneartheendofficial.bandcamp.com
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/7179724
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4smZOrlfBA4d33ZiplCz2M
https://www.reverbnation.com/desertneartheend
https://myspace.com/desertneartheend
