As always with the bands unknown to me, first question goes for your
bio.

- As far as I can remember AUTUMNBLAZE was founded in 1996 by Arisjel
and me (Eldron). One year later we recorded a four-song demotape
entitled „Dreaming Moonspark Fairylands“. Then we were signed by
Prophecy Productions and the first result was a two-track single called „Every Silent Moment I Weep“ which was released in 1998. In January 1999 we finally entered the studio to record our debut album
„DammerElbenTragodie“ that will conquer the world in late June.

„DammerElbenTragodie“ is the album you’ve made your debut with recently, right? I believe, introducing it to our readrers would be nice.

- Yes, you’re absolutely right. As I already said „DammerElbenTragodie“ is our debut and we are still very satisfied with the whole album. The open-minded listener will discover a widespread musical and lyrical universe, if he dares to float through the manifold emotions of the songs. Let yourself fall into the perpetual tragedies and find out the essence. For us it’s very important to combine the visual, musical and lyrical sights, so everyone who listens to our songs should also view the pictures and read the lyrics. Only then you may reach the point of understanding.

„DammerElbenTragodie“ features undoubtedly tremendous „clean-vocals“,
however they remind me of the PARAGON OF BEAUTY singer’s voice too much. Even too much, I must admit. I wonder if it’s the same guy? If yes, I guess that you have some sort of rather strong relationship with the aforementioned act.

- Indeed it’s the same vocalist and I have to make you a compliment
because you have a very sensitive ear. Eldron and Monesol are captured in one body. AUTUMBLAZE and PARAGON OF BEAUTY come from the same village so they are spiritual brothers of course.

Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY was the one to create the artwork for „DammerElbenTragodie“ and, honestly speaking, I can’t really understand why choose exactly him. Your album’s cover captures truly inimitable atmosphere, however it could be painted in a much better way.

- I know him for quite a long time as a person and as an artist and so he was interested to work with us when he heard that AUTUMNBLAZE will record their debut and we wanted him. You have to see the whole artwork, only then you can judge. In my opinion he has done fantastic work because he understood our concept. Concerning the painting-style, it’s simply a matter of taste.

„A wistful ode of flames to all the slumbering emerald souls, which are strolling pointlessly among tearless fools. May the twofold firmament, consisting of a wise crescent moon and a golden pencil of rays, dawn upon you and may it resuscitate your antiquated inner landscapes with the breath of momentous verses and lyrical tunes. For true poetry can only be written by restless spirits“. This is the quote I took from your band’s promo sheet. Would you explain me what  is the meaning behind these words and, moreover, what was the reason for placing it there instead of f.ex. your bio or something like that?

- We tried to unveil the curtain of our spiritual concept a little bit. It’s our timid disposition to hide the naked words with metaphors and symbols which mirror a continent of visions and thoughts. If you read each word attentive, you’ll probably find out what it means. But I cannot give you an explanation of our explanation. This would be rather strange. The original idea of taking these verses as a promo-text came from our label-boss and we found the idea great. Not the usual boring stuff like „This brilliant....band“. That’s the reason.

Let’s talk about the lyrical part of AUTUMNBLAZE. I mean, such song
titkes as “Those Evenings We Yearned“ or „The Emerald Widower“ surmise bewitching poetry…

- Then lyrics are about the tragedy of inner sleep and the bitter
consequences for the affected. Each song has an own sad story and indeed there is deep poetry to discover. There is no concept in the normal sense but you may find a wistful atmosphere which is combining all songs with lonesome threads.

There are hundreds (thousands? millions?) of bands playing so-called
„dark metal“ nowadays, hence getting a deal with more or less serious
labels. Is the kind of goal rather difficult to accomplish, don’t you
think? Did you have a hard time until Prophecy Productions signed you or everything was quite the contrary?

- We had luck. Prophecy Productions was immediately interested so it
wasn’t too complicated for us to get a deal. If you work seriously over the years you’ll always your chance, earlier or later. But patience is the most important thing. The path is stony and there are many mountains to climb before you’ll reach your aims.

The conception of „soul“ has been widely discussed in mass media during all the years of it’s existence and a couple of centuries before such a term as „journalism“ appeared. Do you have any opinion of your own regarding this subject?

- I think that this theme is too complex to answer in an interview. The biggest problems of philosophical discussions about serious things is that everyone wants to say something about it and most human beings have no idea of the subjects they talk about. The „Soul“ shouldn’t be a theme for the mass media and other shallow institutions of our withering globe. My opinion is only for friends and not for others. No chance!

Lying on the bed, whose contours and colour bear a strong resemblance of shroud lit by the cold light of indifferent moon, surrounded by
transient, illusory visions turning into dreams, full of contrary images. Is it the usual state of being for you at night? Or perhaps, dreams never attend you?

- Of course dreams are an essential part of  my life and they sometimes reveal really strange things. The dialogue with subconscious characters is my deepest source of inspiration.

If you could change one single thing in this world, what would it be?

- I would exterminate the habits, the epidemic of our race.

What do you know (and think) about Russia as well as it’s nation? What about the metal acts coming from our lands, have you heard any?

- Concerning Russia I think that the land itself has splendid landscapes and a long tradition there is always another side of the medal, isn’t it? I read all works of Dostojewskij and in my opinion he is one of the greatest authors who ever lived on this planet. His works are full of the Russian spirit and that impressed me very much. Unfortunately I haven’t heard any bands of your country, so I can’t say anything about it. Sorry.

This is it, my friend. Would you like to say anything in conclusion?

- Thank you for your intersting questions. If there is some space I’d
like two verses to add:
„As flaming knights we meet again
Severe upon thy moonshine lane“

AUTUMNBLAZE contact –
Email: Alvar.Edlron@t-online.de