EMQ’s with MAPS OF DARKNESS

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Transatlantic Modern Metal collaborative project, Maps Of Darkness. Huge thanks to one half of the duo, and main man, Dmitry, 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?

My name is Dmitry. I play guitar (mostly). But on this record I played guitars, bass, and keys.

How did you come up with your band name?

I wanted a name that would capture the essence of exploring the shadow parts of our nature – all the traumas we gather as we travel through our lives and how they inform the choices we make in the present moment.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

I live in LA, currently. The metal / rock scene there needs no introduction.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

Our latest release is the single ‘Haywire Empire’.

Who have been your greatest influences?

Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Dream Theater.  

What first got you into music?

My older cousin, who started playing guitar when we were kids. I wanted to play all those Metallica riffs as well as he could. 

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

There are so many. Plini, Rob Halford, Steven Wilson.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Glastonbury. It’s iconic.  

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

…!

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Pay attention to the world around you. There’s more to life than you think.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Freddie Mercury. 

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Love – the recording process. Hearing all the disparate musical ideas come together to create something cool and unique. Hate – changing guitar strings. The strings on my guitar haven’t been changed in 10 years.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

No idea. I’m not in the “industry.”

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“Somewhere in Time” by Iron Maiden.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?

I love them all. I still have my “Painkiller” cassette that I bought when it came out forever ago. It sounds so good! 

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

We haven’t played any gigs as Maps of Darkness. So – let’s revisit this question in the near future.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

AI research and development. 

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Shirley Manson, Kurt Vonnegut, Joan Didion, Bruce Dickinson, Tosin Abasi. 

What’s next for the band?

We have a few more singles lined up. Perhaps we’ll shoot a video. We hope to finish our debut album ASAP.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

Instagram. Or our website: https://www.mapsofdarkness.com/

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

Both?  

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thanks for reading and checking out Maps of Darkness! We appreciate you.

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.