Blackened Horde: How did the band get started?
Kostas B.: The project “Apocalyptic Leaders” started in 2017 because I wanted to express my feelings and to play all the musical instruments by myself.
Blackened Horde: What kind of music do you play?
Kostas B.: I play black metal music and I use elements from atmospheric, raw style and post metal.
Blackened Horde: How has the fan response been?
Kostas B.: I believe that this project was liked by the fans and they showed me that by supporting me to my Bandcamp and through my social media.
Blackened Horde: Where did the band name come from?
Kostas B.: The name “Apocalyptic Leaders” was created from my love for horror and post apocalyptic movies with leader characters that tend to survive in destruction situations.
Blackened Horde: Introduce the band members and what they do in the band.
Kostas B.: I am the founder and the only member of “Apocalyptic Leaders”. My name is Kostas B. and I write all the guitars, vocals, bass, synths and drum programming and also I do the mixing and production. It is a one man black metal band.
Blackened Horde: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Kostas B.: I have released 5 EP albums and 2 full-length albums.
The albums are:
Eternity EP 2020
Curse of the Eye EP 2020
Warriors in the Land of Doom EP 2020
Call from the Beyond EP 2020
Macabre Full-length 2021
The Worst Punishment Full-length 2021
Immortal Demons EP 2021
The Macabre album was released from Void Wanderer Production on tapes and Roar Rat Records released it on CD. The Worst Punishment and Immortal Demons were released on tape by Born Too Late Records and soon they will be released on CD.
Blackened Horde: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Kostas B.: My latest EP album Immortal Demons talks about immortal forces from the past that haunt people as they pass though their lives. The track “Dry scratches” talks about medieval tortures and the pain that man has when he dies.
Blackened Horde: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Kostas B.: I write all the music and lyrics.
Blackened Horde: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Kostas B.: My ideas are influenced by dark stories from the past, frozen landscapes and places that I create in my mind and get inspired to write the lyrics.
Blackened Horde: What is your view in Satanism and Occultism? (If this applies)
Kostas B.: I just don’t believe in anything and in no religion. I just do what is right for me.
Blackened Horde: Do you have any side projects?
Kostas B.: At this time I don’t but in the near future I am thinking of creating a more atmospheric project, together with “Apocalyptic Leaders”.
Blackened Horde: Who are some of your musical influences?
Kostas B.: The first band that influenced me from a young age was “Bathory” and “Death”. I liked the way they wrote music. I was also influenced by “Enslaved”, “Emperor”, “Marduk” and “Darkthrone”.
Blackened Horde: What do you think about the underground scene?
Kostas B.: I would like to point out that underground black metal music has many remarkable bands that have many things to offer in the future and I know and hear many of them.
Blackened Horde: What are some of your new favorite Extreme metal bands?
Kostas B.: I like “Mgla” and “Uada” and “Lamp of Murmuur”.
Blackened Horde: Since the Covid Pandemic has that hurt the band in making music at all?
Kostas B.: Due to the pandemic I had plenty of time to write a lot of music, which is something that I will continue doing.
Blackened Horde: What advice would you as a musician give to a fellow musician just starting out?
Kostas B.: I would advice him to do what he truly believes, to hear a lot of extreme music and play what he really likes, without any stereotypes, because music is everyone’s’ personal expression.
Blackened Horde: When do you plan on writing any new material?
Kostas B.: I have already started on working on new material. I have many ideas. I have completed a small part of it but definitely the next year I will release the new full album from “Apocalyptic Leaders”.
Blackened Horde: What does the future hold for the band?
Kostas B.: The most important thing is to be healthy and create new songs to share my music and albums with my friends and fans.
Best Regards
Kostas B.
Apocalyptic Leaders
Contact them at:
https://apocalypticleaders.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/apocalypticleaders
https://www.instagram.com/apocalypticleaders/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbR8fZ8PXbaB4Q_CpAG2_Hg
https://soundcloud.com/user-331930509-728411315
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Apocalyptic_Leaders/3540463784
