Summon: How did the band get started?
Svarthen: I started Aeon Winds as a solo project some five years ago. Soon first demo was recorded with the help of Igric who programmed drums. After that I decided to have full line up when first Axoris joined to play bass and guitar and Askold became drummer of the band.
Summon: What kind of music do you play?
Namtar: Atmospheric black metal mixed with some dark ambient.
Summon: How has the fan response been?
Namtar: I would say generally positive. Seemingly we are not that kind of band that works as a magnet for haters.
Summon: Where did the band name come from?
Svarthen: There is no big story behind the name, it was some spontaneous idea.
Summon: Introduce the band members and what they do in the band.
Namtar: At this point: Svarthen lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, main songwriter, Askold on drums, Odolen playing bass and me (Namtar) on the rhytm guitar.
Summon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Namtar: As I stated above Svarthen is the main songwriter. He is also writes most of the lyrics. I occasionally contribute with some riffs and lyrics.
Summon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Svarthen: I write lyrics based on my inner feelings, memories and life around me, things that stir my imagination like dark side of nature, death and nostalgia.
Summon: What is your view in Satanism and Occultism?
Namtar: Well, except for some literature that has some connections with occultism I am not interested in neither of those.
Summon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Namtar: First one was demo album entitled Aeon released in 2010, in 2012 debut album entitled Those who will remain silent forever came out. Soon split with Midnight Odyssey is to see the light of the day.
Summon: Tell me about some the songs on the latest CD?
Namtar: As for that split with Midnight Odyssey, there are two covers and two new unreleased songs. One of them is more keyboard-orientated and rather slow, second is more based on guitar riffs, faster and with more varied song structure. Description of the second song fits as well the song for the split with Vredehammer. On the other hand, material for the EP consists of some most aggressive, fastest and straightforward songs Svarthen has ever written for Aeon Winds.
Summon: Do you have any side projects?
Svarthen: I have played in several bands in last 13 years. To mention some of them: Karpathia (my main band before Aeon Winds), Concubia Nocte, Ancestral Volkves and Silva Nigra. At the moment the only band I play besides Aeon Winds is Krajiny Hmly.
Namtar: I have band called Krajiny Hmly which is pagan black metal. One split is out for this band where both Svarthen and Askold from Aeon Winds appeared. Everything is prepared for the recording of debut album.
Summon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Svarthen: My main influences are Emperor, Bal Sagoth, old Negura Bunget, Kvist, Burzum.
Summon: Which current bands?
Svarthen: I think Midnight Odyssey is very inspiring.
Summon: What is the band like when you play live?
Namtar: Recent gigs in Germany were played with Svarthen on vocals and lead guitar, Askold on drums, Odolen playing bass and Morhen replaced me on rhythm guitar.
Summon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Namtar: Recently there were two gigs in Germany and in the past we played in Czech Republic and Hungary. This year we plan to play live in Poland for the first time.
Summon: How big of crowd shows up at shows usually?
Namtar: Difficult to say, but in Slovakia it is mostly between few dozens and 100-120 people attending such gigs.
Summon: How is the crowd response when you play?
Namtar: I would say generally positive.
Summon: What do you think of the US Black Metal/Death Metal scene?
Svarthen: I am not really following the US scene but there are some band that stand out like Xasthur, Absu, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse.
Namtar: I have hardly enough information to make any statement about state of US metal scene, but there are some bands that are/were really great. If I had to pick the best I would say Ceremonium. Some others that deserve a mention are Ares Kingdom, Demoncy, Averse Sephira, Inquisition, Immolation and I Shalt Become.
Summon: What do you think of the Overseas scenes?
Namtar: Outside of US scene, Canada has some good bands both from Quebec scene and war metal scene that it is famous for. Axis of Advance rules them all!
Summon: What are some of new favorite black metal/death metal bands?
Namtar: I have little time/interest to follow what is going on in the UG scene now. Maybe Vemod from Norway and Skogen from Sweden deserve an honorable mention here.
Summon: When do you guys plan on writing any new material?
Namtar: Well, there is a plan to write and record second album in the coming months. Some material is already prepared for this.
Summon: What does the future hold for the band??
Namtar: For the next months release of split with Midnight Odyssey. Later this year or maybe next year both EP and split with Vredehamer will be finished and released. Hopefully next year will see also the release of the second album. Plus we also have a plan for playing few gigs both home and abroad.
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/AeonWinds
http://www.myspace.com/aeonwinds
