EMQ’s With CONTEMPLATION
EMQ’s With CONTEMPLATION
Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQ’s interview, this time with French Atmospheric Doom Death solo project, Contemplation. Huge thanks to multi-instrumentalist, Matthieu, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
I am Matthieu from Contemplation. This is my new musical project, after having released a demo album of Symphonic Black Metal 20 years ago under the name of OBSCURA SYMPHONIA, then 6 albums of Ethno Dub Electro under the alias of chrono.fixion. Contemplation is a one-man band, again, and I started this new journey nearly 2 years ago. I play guitar, bass, drums, and violin, and do the vocals too, even if it that was not planned. I would describe it as a mix of Atmospheric Doom Death, with Pagan, Black Metal and Dub elements.
How did you come up with your band name?
It has not been hard to find, I was looking for something reflecting my music and its concept, and it became quickly evident to me that it was contemplation.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m French and I live in the country. The French metal scene is still quite active and rather qualitative in my opinion.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
This is my first album and it’s simply named contemplation, there is no album name.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Hard to make it short, music is so important in my life since I was 6…and I have no frontier but I would say Tchaikowsky and Bach for classical music, the French live dub scene (Brain Damage, Lab°, Zenzile, High Tone), the greatest band on earth HINT (French ethno/industrial noise/ ambiant) and so many metal bands (Aeternus, Devin Townsend, Bolt Thrower, Katatonia, My Dying Bride, to name only those who could be detected in my music!)
What first got you into music?
My father, a violin player himself.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
HINT or BRAIN DAMAGE
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I don’t play live so it’s hard to imagine… We had a good Pagan Metal festival a few years ago in France, but it’s over now. The RAGNARD ROCK FESTIVAL was not too big, not too small, with a good overall atmosphere.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I have no fans offering me things yet!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Listen to my album with quality headphones! It’s more immersive…
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Hendrix or Dio, I would love to see them live.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Music is so important in my life, and playing music is so joyful. I just want more time to practice as I am not a professional musician obviously.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Speaking about the metal industry, I wonder why record label produce so many shitty albums, whereas there is a lot of great bands without a decent promotion in every style.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
SACRAMENTUM “Far away from the sun”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
CD generally speaking, but vinyl can be better for Vintage Rock, Stoner or too much compressed modern albums (technically it can’t be as loud as a cd, so you can get more dynamic)
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I have only performed in an orchestra when I was young, playing violin. Good memories though.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would have loved to own a record shop back in the 80’s and 90’s.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Sylvain TESSON, a French writer and adventurer, Michel Audiard, he was a dialog writer. It would be fun already!
What’s next for the band?
I’m now working on a split ep where my two entities will meet (dub vs metal)
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://metalcontemplation.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efew_rwvzYQ
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
What’s that shit?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Better to listen to one track carefully than to skip quickly on the whole album.
Thank you for your support!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
