Band: PARAGON OF BEAUTY
Country of origin: Germany
Style: too lame to fit any "fucking category"
Questions by: Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied by: Alvar "I regret" Eldron

There're way too many bands around we use to define as "dark metal" ones, and I guess PARAGON OF BEAUTY rather fits this category than not. However; what the hell is "dark metal" all about? Is it an all-new genre or, more
likely, an amalgamation of various styles invented long before this "dark metal" thing was mentioned for the first time?

- I don't waste my time discussing about fucking categories.

"Comfort Me, Infinity" is still a relatively new work. Please, introduce it our readers.

- Well, what can I say. The album includes 8 songs with different emotions
and different lyrics. Many people like it. Some people don't like it. That's
the way it is. If you want to find out more about us, please visit our website (not the right thing to do... that's why the URL is missing - ED).

Do you consider it a huge step forward, if comparing to "The Spring" and "Seraphine..."?

- I think so. For us it is a huge step forward comparing to "The Spring".

"Comfort Me, Infinity" strikes as somewhat more serene and tranquil effort in terms of atmosphere... simultaneously portraying soundscapes of utterly blissful bereavement. Everything you're capable of recalling, willingly or not, spins in your mind at the speed of light, making you wonder if life's
really worth living. There aren't too many individuals who manage to grab
one's very soul and mercilessly torture it this way, y'know. I mean, in
order to craft such a piece, a piece soaked with ambiences of this kind, you doubtlessly have to experience similar sensations or at least be obsessed
with an idea or experiencing them...

- My lyrics are very, very personal. It's my way to cry it out (once again, just like in case with Janto / HADES ALMIGHTY, I have to endure a bitter kind of experience - I mean, trying my best compiling questionnaire and... getting insulting answers, which are, if it wasn't enough, twice as short. Oh cruel world... - ED).

It doesn't really matter whether I want to ask you this question or
not; I _know_ that I _ have_ to do it. Germany has been never known for being drummers' motherland, especially when it comes to more extreme (or less commercial, if you want it this way) sorts of music, but you definitely contrived to break all the goddamn borders by featuring horribly performed and even more horribly executed drum tracks on each single work. Man,
wouldn't it be better to find a certain modus vivendi, and incorporate a
drummachine instead, for instance?

- Nice idea (I bet - ED).

Was "Seraphine - Far Gone Gleam" an album of full value? If not, what
was the purpose of releasing it? I mean, it's been comprised of only three
tracks by PARAGON OF BEAUTY as well as a cover from Fish, whilst "Wie Ein Zartes Blatt Im Morgenwind" and "Lonesome" sound like they were included just to make the CD gain maximum possible playing time...

- "Seraphine.." was meant as a MCD and each song of the album is very
important, especially 'Wie Ein Zartes Blatt Im Morgenwind'. People
shouldn't offend us if they get a cheap MCD with 33 minutes running time.

Now comes the question regarding one more band you take part in, the
AUTUMNBLAZE. Actually, the question is almost similar to the previous one. "What was the purpose..." and blah-blah-blah. Musically PARAGON OF BEAUTY and AUTUMNBLAZE are more than close to each other, almost being some weird kind of Siamese twins. So, once again: "what was the purpose..." Perhaps, putting all your effort into only one of them could turn out better?

- No, it wouldn't. AUTUMNBLAZE is music for a small room. PARAGON OF BEAUTY
is music for the stages (Dynamo Open Air? - ED).

Would you define your relationship with Prophecy Productions as regular "band - label" sort of collaboration? Don't know why, but I believe
everything's a bit indifferent in case with Prophecy.

- It's more than an usual label / band relationship. Nothing more to add.

I guess, until PARAGON OF BEAUTY and AUTUMNBLAZE exist, Prophecy will stay the only label these acts will be ever signed with?

- You guess? At the moment we're quite satisfied with their promotion and
stuff like that. But who knows what the future will bring?

Have you ever shared stage with other bands? Why, if not?

- Yes, we have (laconicism = talent? Somehow I doubt it - ED).

I wouldn't dare to reckon you to those who consider optimism a leading star in their lives as well as in their attitude to encirclement and milieu, that's for sure - however, nor would I name you and your music
pessimistic. As a matter of fact, don't you think that by choosing the first or the latter, certain individual only limits himself in self-conceived spiritual debris?

- You don't know me. You don't know anything about me (I didn't. But now I do. I wish, I still didn't, though - ED). Basically I am an optimistic person, I suppose but I don't write it on my banner. Sometimes I am high, sometimes I am down (and drunk, and stoned ALL the time. At least judging by the answers you supplied - ED). But these are only words, empty bubbles...

Christian Church, as far as it exists, practices confessional ceremonies. In fact, when I hear anything regarding christianity (as well as other "world religions"), my "Mr. Hyde" immediately wakes up... However, we're all people, and only few of us are capable of keeping everything negative inside, escaping the seemingly inevitable emotional outburst. Perhaps, unbosoming yourself from time to time (I'm NOT talking about what christianity names "sin" isn't such a bad idea? Personally I often have an urge to have my say...

- I have my music, my friends, my diary... things like that (why, someone please tell me why, each time I ask this question (this is the second try), I get no less than incredibly short and no less incomprehensible answer??? - ED).

Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you've heard lately?

- No.

That should be enough. Concluding words, please.

- I regret wasting my time with such uninspired questions (if you only knew how _I_ regret wasting my time composing this questionnaire and letting it be answered by such a slut - ED). Thanx!

PARAGON OF BEAUTY contact -
Email: AlvarEldron@aol.com