| Interview with Stevie Janevski By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings how are you and things in Australia?
Stevie: Hi from Australia, it’s Stevie, one of the guitarists in
Black Majesty.
Black Majesty.
Blissfulviolet: I’m sure the band has been busy with the up
coming release of Tomorrowland. How did that recording
process go by the way?
coming release of Tomorrowland. How did that recording
process go by the way?
Stevie: The album is all finished. Tomorrowland will be
released in Europe June 1st 2007. We’re really excited for
people to hear the new album and look forward to promoting it
with a tour. We began recording the album in February 2007
and finished everything by the end of March. Things went
pretty smoothly as we had a good idea of what we wanted to
record before hand. All of the songs were demoed before hand
so it was pretty much a case of trying to build on what we had.
We’re pretty happy it’s all up.
released in Europe June 1st 2007. We’re really excited for
people to hear the new album and look forward to promoting it
with a tour. We began recording the album in February 2007
and finished everything by the end of March. Things went
pretty smoothly as we had a good idea of what we wanted to
record before hand. All of the songs were demoed before hand
so it was pretty much a case of trying to build on what we had.
We’re pretty happy it’s all up.
Blissfulviolet: What are your thoughts on the new album?
Will the sound differ from the bands previous releases?
Will the sound differ from the bands previous releases?
Stevie: I think the album is a progression from our previous album Silent Company. We have some faster stuff
on the album this time round but definitely still stay true to our melodic power metal sound. I’m sure people who
like our previous works will like the new album. We’re not the type of band to drastically change direction. I’d like
to think the songs are the strongest we’ve written.
on the album this time round but definitely still stay true to our melodic power metal sound. I’m sure people who
like our previous works will like the new album. We’re not the type of band to drastically change direction. I’d like
to think the songs are the strongest we’ve written.
Blissfulviolet: Is Tomorrowland a concept album and is there a story behind the albums name?
Stevie: The album is not a concept album but I guess the album title and lyrics for a lot of the album does look at
the future world and what it may become. There is a hint of questioning of how the future may become if we’re not
careful – especially in songs like Bleeding World and the title track Tomorrowland. Our new album cover art work
also capture the story behind Tomorrowland with the Black Majesty character fighting against what has now
become the future world. Our artist Dirk Illing did another fine job!
the future world and what it may become. There is a hint of questioning of how the future may become if we’re not
careful – especially in songs like Bleeding World and the title track Tomorrowland. Our new album cover art work
also capture the story behind Tomorrowland with the Black Majesty character fighting against what has now
become the future world. Our artist Dirk Illing did another fine job!
Blissfulviolet: For those who have never heard of Black Majesty before how would you describe the bands
sound?
sound?
Stevie: I’d probably say we play a style of melodic power metal with our certain twist, yet at the same time
influenced by traditional metal and bands like Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early Queensryche and Helloween.
influenced by traditional metal and bands like Dio, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early Queensryche and Helloween.
Blissfulviolet: I don’t know much about the metal scene in Australia, can you give me some insight on the scene
and Black Majesty’s place in it?
and Black Majesty’s place in it?
Stevie: I think the scene is definitely getting stronger in Australia. There are more and more bands producing
great music and more people seem to be coming out and supporting it at live venues. The metal scene in
Australia is definitely still underground but that makes it special to all involved and are a part of it.
The great thing about Melbourne and Australia for that matter is that there seems to be quite a movement here
for metal in general and enough room for everyone. Things are really picking up for Metal Downunder and it only
helps the scene bond and become bigger. Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus vocalist/ currently in Eyefear) demonstrates
the closeness of the scene as he is cousins with our singer John Cavaliere. Danny actually sings a dual lead
vocal with John on one of our songs ‘Guardian’ from our Sands of Time album which has to be one of the most
awesome vocal duets around. Playing this song live always turns heads for its awesome vocal acrobatics! A
similar thing happens with our singer John getting up onstage with Vanishing Point to sing the song Surreal. Silvio
also sings Colliding Worlds with Black Majesty.
I think the future is definitely looking really positive! Our recent tour with DragonForce allowed us to play places
such as Queensland for the first time and we were really overwhelmed by the positive reaction we got. It was also
awesome that both Melbourne and Sydney concerts were sold out! It would be great if Aussie audiences were to
get behind their local talent all the time and not only when international acts come out.
great music and more people seem to be coming out and supporting it at live venues. The metal scene in
Australia is definitely still underground but that makes it special to all involved and are a part of it.
The great thing about Melbourne and Australia for that matter is that there seems to be quite a movement here
for metal in general and enough room for everyone. Things are really picking up for Metal Downunder and it only
helps the scene bond and become bigger. Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus vocalist/ currently in Eyefear) demonstrates
the closeness of the scene as he is cousins with our singer John Cavaliere. Danny actually sings a dual lead
vocal with John on one of our songs ‘Guardian’ from our Sands of Time album which has to be one of the most
awesome vocal duets around. Playing this song live always turns heads for its awesome vocal acrobatics! A
similar thing happens with our singer John getting up onstage with Vanishing Point to sing the song Surreal. Silvio
also sings Colliding Worlds with Black Majesty.
I think the future is definitely looking really positive! Our recent tour with DragonForce allowed us to play places
such as Queensland for the first time and we were really overwhelmed by the positive reaction we got. It was also
awesome that both Melbourne and Sydney concerts were sold out! It would be great if Aussie audiences were to
get behind their local talent all the time and not only when international acts come out.
Blissfulviolet: Black Majesty will be sharing the
stage with some other phenomenal bands at the
upcoming Wacken Festival. Is the band psyched?
What did you all think when you found out that Black
Majesty will be performing?
stage with some other phenomenal bands at the
upcoming Wacken Festival. Is the band psyched?
What did you all think when you found out that Black
Majesty will be performing?
Stevie: We’re really looking forward to it and it was a
real buzz to be asked to be part of Wacken Open Air.
We’ve been aware of the festival for many years now
and it was one of our goals to play there. It’s the
biggest Metal Festival in Europe so we know how
important it is for us to put on a good show. We’re all
really keen to get over to Europe and play and launch
the new album. I might add that we’re also really
excited to be able to be part of the festival and be able
to watch the other bands. We wear our influences on
our sleeves – so we are also over the moon to be able
to watch a lot of bands we love and grew up on as kids.
real buzz to be asked to be part of Wacken Open Air.
We’ve been aware of the festival for many years now
and it was one of our goals to play there. It’s the
biggest Metal Festival in Europe so we know how
important it is for us to put on a good show. We’re all
really keen to get over to Europe and play and launch
the new album. I might add that we’re also really
excited to be able to be part of the festival and be able
to watch the other bands. We wear our influences on
our sleeves – so we are also over the moon to be able
to watch a lot of bands we love and grew up on as kids.
Blissfulviolet: Will a tour follow after Tomorrowland
is released?
is released?
Stevie: Yes, we have a few warm up shows we’re playing in Australia before we head over to Europe. We’re also
booking more shows and festival appearances in Europe as we speak. We’ve recently confirmed an appearance
for Masters of Rock Festival in the Czech Republic. Bands like Stratovarius, Motorhead, Rage, Hammerfall, Pink
Cream 69, Children of Bodom and Epica are already confirmed. We have another gig date confirmed supporting
Blind Guardian and Masterplan in Slovakia. Checkout our website at www.blackmajesty.com for show dates.
booking more shows and festival appearances in Europe as we speak. We’ve recently confirmed an appearance
for Masters of Rock Festival in the Czech Republic. Bands like Stratovarius, Motorhead, Rage, Hammerfall, Pink
Cream 69, Children of Bodom and Epica are already confirmed. We have another gig date confirmed supporting
Blind Guardian and Masterplan in Slovakia. Checkout our website at www.blackmajesty.com for show dates.
Blissfulviolet: What are some of the bands influences? I noticed that band has classical and power metal
elements incorporated in Black Majesty’s songs?
elements incorporated in Black Majesty’s songs?
Stevie: As I said earlier we all share a common influence of traditional,classic metal influences. We are
influenced by bands from the seventies onwards. Bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and Dio all the way to
newer bands such as Masterplan, DragonForce and Firewind. We’re big fans of Metal in general! We love
listening to the classics and hearing newer bands.
influenced by bands from the seventies onwards. Bands such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and Dio all the way to
newer bands such as Masterplan, DragonForce and Firewind. We’re big fans of Metal in general! We love
listening to the classics and hearing newer bands.
Blissfulviolet: Since we are on the subject of influences, what inspired and influenced you to become a
musician?
musician?
Stevie: I guess growing up with an older brother into the classics such as Deep Purple and Rainbow in the
seventies probably steered me into the hard rock/metal stuff. Bands such as Queensryche and Dokken were the
one’s that probably influenced me into playing guitar. I loved the twin guitar stuff from Degarmo and Wilton and
George Lynch’s approach and sound definitely made me hungry to make me want to learn the guitar.
Other guitarists such as Gary Moore, John Sykes, John Norum and Zakk Wylde are other personal favourites. All
of these guys have personality in their playing that I love. Newer players such as Gus G from Firewind and the
DragonForce guys have definitely got the younger generation interested into playing guitar which is awesome.
seventies probably steered me into the hard rock/metal stuff. Bands such as Queensryche and Dokken were the
one’s that probably influenced me into playing guitar. I loved the twin guitar stuff from Degarmo and Wilton and
George Lynch’s approach and sound definitely made me hungry to make me want to learn the guitar.
Other guitarists such as Gary Moore, John Sykes, John Norum and Zakk Wylde are other personal favourites. All
of these guys have personality in their playing that I love. Newer players such as Gus G from Firewind and the
DragonForce guys have definitely got the younger generation interested into playing guitar which is awesome.
Blissfulviolet: What shall we expect in the near
future from Black Majesty?
future from Black Majesty?
Stevie: We’re really looking forward to the new album
Tomorrowland being released. From there we aim to
try and promote it by touring. We’re really looking
forward to the next few months which includes some
really great shows along side some killer bands.
Tomorrowland being released. From there we aim to
try and promote it by touring. We’re really looking
forward to the next few months which includes some
really great shows along side some killer bands.
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments?
Stevie: Thanks for the opportunity to promote the
band. We always welcome people to give our stuff a
listen. People can check us out at our website or
myspace page. Drop us a message!
band. We always welcome people to give our stuff a
listen. People can check us out at our website or
myspace page. Drop us a message!
Cheers from downunder, Australia.
Stevie & Black Majesty.
Stevie & Black Majesty.
Australian power metal band Black Majesty has returned with their latest offering,
Tomorrowland. They will tour Europe for a second time in July and are scheduled to
play the Wacken Open Air Festival in August. Thanks to guitarist Stevie Janevski for
giving us the inside scoop on Tomorrowland and Black Majesty’s future endeavors.
Tomorrowland. They will tour Europe for a second time in July and are scheduled to
play the Wacken Open Air Festival in August. Thanks to guitarist Stevie Janevski for
giving us the inside scoop on Tomorrowland and Black Majesty’s future endeavors.