EMQ’s With Forgotten…
EMQ’s With Forgotten…
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Greek Black Metal band, Forgotten. Huge thanks to them 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?
The name of the band is Forgotten… After I came up with the name I realised there were also other bands with that name, but I strongly felt that it would fit the music and my mindset. It was supposed to be the continuation of my previous solo project named Vintermørke (you can also listen to a song from that project’s demo that I borrowed for Forgotten… EP), but in the end it was something different. I gathered a few friends from different projects that I collaborated with (Azzaya, The Kingdom Of Peace, Apocalyptic Leaders) and they helped me with the few ideas I had for this project. I also had an artwork made by Nikos Stavridakis (VisionBlack) which was supposed to be used for Vintermorkes debut album. AetherVortex Designs helped with the logos and the layout and thus we have this very beautiful result. I did compose some guitars (mainly ideas) that all the others helped me to put into an order and then I’m doing the vocals. Mostly influenced by DBSM bands and the Greek underground Black Metal.
How did you come up with your band name?
It came to me naturally describing the way I was living when I came up with that name. Complete isolation from everyone and everything trying to find myself. I wanted this so badly to be a DBSM band and that’s why the gallows in the logo, but in the end so far it’s going to be raw melodic and atmospheric (which I don’t mind at all). Besides I have my other international project named Κραυγή (Greek word for Scream (pronounced Kravgi)). And that’s pretty much it as far as I remember. Personally, apart from the music I invest also into the band’s appearance, mostly influenced by Gaerea.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Forgotten… is from Greece and specifically established in Tríkala. We are still in need of members, but so far we are doing good with the already existing members. I’m waiting to finish with everything regarding the full-length in order to announce the new line-up. Thankfully there are many bands out there in Greece, and new bands constantly forming which is a good thing. And there are always the classical ones that formed the base for the Black Metal as we know it today and also those that keep the diy scene and the underground alive.
What is your latest release?
Our latest release is “Whispers Of Existence”, an EP of 6 songs and 23 minutes of duration with a cover of Edgar Alan Poe’s “A Dream Within A Dream”. Personally I deal with this kind of poetry and it was a fine idea suggested by the other members. It worked out very well. The pre-orders have already started through UKEM Records and the release date is during December.
Who have been your greatest influences?
My greatest influences have been mostly the Greek Black Metal underground with bands like Isolert, Dødsferd, Human Serpent that they keep constantly surprising me with how good they manage to constantly perform with every album. Then also some very classic melodic and DBSM bands like Mgła, Groza , Gaerea and Psychonaut 4. And the good thing is that with the guy that helps me with the guitars we have the same influences which makes it easier to communicate and organise the way we want it .
What first got you into music?
Into music in general I would say the radio in my father’s car when I was younger, with some Greek pop songs. Then I started listening to it on my own when one day when I was 14 years old I went to a metal party in my hometown and I found out about Motörhead (‘Killed by Death’ video clip was playing on the big TV). And that way I got into metal in general. Then I had a phase of listening to all kinds of Core and mostly Metalcore, which personally I don’t consider something special as a genre anymore. Then I went to a Black Metal live just to support a guy that I was a student with together and I got shocked with the whole vibe and performance. And since then I started listening to Black Metal and not only. Personally from time to time I love to listen to Punk and Darkwave.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Personally I would love to collaborate with the bands that mentioned above, who are also my influences. Since I study their riffs with my guitar, I think it would be easier for me to approach them with some riffs and all together make something great. Big names don’t really matter to me. If I like the band and the music then nothing else matters.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I have a few festivals that I would really like to play. The first one for sure is Wacken in Germany. I know it would be a huge challenge for us to play there, but you never know. I like the huge crowds that attend the festivals and I would love to get into the process of creating something huge beyond anyone’s imagination. Because Forgotten… is not only about music but also art in any possible form. Then I would like to perform in Scandinavia (where everything started) back to the roots. But realistically speaking, even playing in local festivals in Greece it would be the same good feeling.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
So far with Forgotten… I cannot say that we have an established fan base. But as far as I can remember from my previous project I got a towel with the current EP’s artwork on it and it was really great. Personally speaking I think the best gift any artist could get from fans is their feedback about their music and art. I want to express people through my music because I also got expressed from this genre.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
The thing that I would tell them: “Be real first to yourselves and then to the others. Don’t push any feelings inside, express yourselves and always be true and original”.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
That’s a tough question. But I think I would answer Lemmy Killmister. I would really love to see Motörhead live.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The best thing about being a “musician” is that you can express your inner self through music whenever and however you want to. The worst thing though is when you have others to tell you when to express yourself and when not to. Music is limitless.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Music industries most of the times are like politics. You have to know someone in order to enter. I would really want to know their criteria when they decide to sign a band. Let’s be honest some of the bands are not even that good to deserve a contract. But that’s how it works. And there are many hidden gems out there deserving a label but they don’t have one.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
That’s also another tough question. Don’t expect me to be the classic metal fan. Personally I don’t have an all time favourite album. Every album has its own dynamic. Currently and lately the latest album that I got stuck listening to it for days was the debut album from Θλιψις “Dawn Of Defiance” . Give it a listen, those people put 100% of their soul into this album
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I love the physical format. Every format has a specific convenience. I support all of them as long as they support the band immediately. Vinyls have a different vintage sound together with the tapes. CD’s are newer, but everything has to do with the master for the specific format .
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Unfortunately so far I’ve never performed live. Rather than a few times with my acoustic guitar with a few friends playing some Greek rock in some parties and some karaoke singing nights , but that was all.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Personally I think that music chose me. I didn’t choose it. Of course it’s not my job, even if I was that good I wouldn’t want it to be my job. I don’t know, I just feel like I would be forced into it if I was doing it as a job and the whole thing would be fake.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
I would invite my family, I think. Friends come and go. Family stays.
What’s next for the band?
Currently we are working on our full length album which I hope will be ready during the summer. Maybe a few rehearsals once we have a line up to perform live and then we will be looking to book some gigs to promote the album. But time so far is the only issue.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/7hehbol8fM2ErDS5Cu1O2c
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/album/475236955
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gr/album/whispers-of-existence-ep/1702165104?l=el
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093169686614
YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC1HUwfFGDLs9xt_4TbxNsQw
TikTok: tiktok.com/@forgottenbm
Instagram: https://instagram.com/forgotten_bm_official?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
I’ve no idea of all those British words to be honest… but if I could say and if I was given an option I would stick to the Bun (even though I’m not really sure that is exclusively round).
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Support the Underground!
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