| Interview with Phantom Byn MArie RavenSoul |
| This one man band from Argentina brings us back to the old black metal days with a hint of thrash and death metal mixed in; a wicked combination. With the new release of ‘Tempestas,’ a three part epic; Phantom, the solo member of the band has created dark, sad metal, with lyrics that deal with real facts to not only entertain but to bestow knowledge. Give Decrepify a listen; you won’t be disappointed. |
Marie RavenSoul: Greetings Phantom, how are you?
Phantom: Hi Marie, all is ok.
Marie RavenSoul: Decrepify has a new EP called
‘Tempestas’ that has been released this year. Can you
tell us something about it? Where can it be purchased?
‘Tempestas’ that has been released this year. Can you
tell us something about it? Where can it be purchased?
Phantom: Well, this new work called ‘Tempestas’ is a
record that contains three tracks, three different stages,
as if being only one song divided in three parts because
of the atmosphere that it generates. The idea in the
lyrics and music is that it represents the beginning of a
new era that is waiting; a slave town that finally finds
freedom and starts a new world. ‘Tempestas’ represents
record that contains three tracks, three different stages,
as if being only one song divided in three parts because
of the atmosphere that it generates. The idea in the
lyrics and music is that it represents the beginning of a
new era that is waiting; a slave town that finally finds
freedom and starts a new world. ‘Tempestas’ represents
something like... our new kingdom. I take charge of all the production... from the composition
until the recording; mixing and mastering, in my studio. I recorded the EP recently, so it isn’t
edited yet and does not exist in a physical version. The EP is only on Myspace where you can
hear it for free; that was my main interest. I have the chance to release the EP like a split with
another band, separately, or wait for a label that will take charge of the release.
until the recording; mixing and mastering, in my studio. I recorded the EP recently, so it isn’t
edited yet and does not exist in a physical version. The EP is only on Myspace where you can
hear it for free; that was my main interest. I have the chance to release the EP like a split with
another band, separately, or wait for a label that will take charge of the release.
Marie RavenSoul: How would you describe your sound and what makes you different from
other metal bands?
other metal bands?
Phantom: I think that it is like old school black metal with something of new black, death and
thrash metal. I try to do more representation for what I feel when I compose. We sometimes try
to do songs to play in concerts; I do the contrary when I compose my music. Different to other
bands... I don’t feel that I do something very original; I have much influence in all I do, but I
work with my sound.
thrash metal. I try to do more representation for what I feel when I compose. We sometimes try
to do songs to play in concerts; I do the contrary when I compose my music. Different to other
bands... I don’t feel that I do something very original; I have much influence in all I do, but I
work with my sound.
Marie RavenSoul: You alone make up Decrepify. That is amazing, yet it must be difficult at
times. Do you have any plans to add new band members?
times. Do you have any plans to add new band members?
Phantom: Ha ha… well, the most difficult part is to compose all the instruments; it takes more
time. Last year I had to stop the project because I haven’t had much time. With regard to the
formation, I tried to do it once but it wasn’t what I had hoped. But there is another band called
Nibiruth, in which I play and it is active with recordings and performances. So I don’t search a
formation for Decrepify; I just do the composition and recordings.
time. Last year I had to stop the project because I haven’t had much time. With regard to the
formation, I tried to do it once but it wasn’t what I had hoped. But there is another band called
Nibiruth, in which I play and it is active with recordings and performances. So I don’t search a
formation for Decrepify; I just do the composition and recordings.
Marie RavenSoul: What was your motivation for
creating Decrepify?
creating Decrepify?
Phantom: The main thing was that at the time, I had
not found the people to do a serious project,
because here in Argentina, there are not many
people who listen to extreme metal, so I decided to
do it alone. I began to compose and in a few months
I was recording the first demo, "In Darkness" in 2004.
not found the people to do a serious project,
because here in Argentina, there are not many
people who listen to extreme metal, so I decided to
do it alone. I began to compose and in a few months
I was recording the first demo, "In Darkness" in 2004.
Marie RavenSoul: On your Myspace page it is
written that your lyrics deal with “real facts, hidden
under texts of anger and hatred.” Could you expand
on that?
written that your lyrics deal with “real facts, hidden
under texts of anger and hatred.” Could you expand
on that?
Phantom: It means that the lyrics can be frames
with ancient histories about warriors, kingdoms, revenge, wars... etc. It isn’t based on histories
or books; these are things that we live.
or books; these are things that we live.
Marie RavenSoul: What is the Black Metal scene like in Argentina? What would you like to
see it become?
see it become?
Phantom: The scene is very small; though this last year it grew. There are a few good bands
to listen to… ja ja. No doubt I wish for it to get better and I try to contribute with my music. Most
of the people here listen to traditional heavy and power metal, and now the melodic death
scene is growing. It can be that people are beginning to listen to more extreme metal bands.
to listen to… ja ja. No doubt I wish for it to get better and I try to contribute with my music. Most
of the people here listen to traditional heavy and power metal, and now the melodic death
scene is growing. It can be that people are beginning to listen to more extreme metal bands.
Marie RavenSoul: Growing up, what were some of your favourite bands? What are some of
your influences?
your influences?
Phantom: My influences are Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Immortal, I, Dark Funeral,
Sepultura, Pantera, Burzum, Satyricon, Mayhem, Judas Priest, Amon Amarth, Cannibal
Corpse, CBT, Nile, Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquility, In Flames and now I am listening to the new
Behemoth CD. It is varied; some of the bands I don’t listen to so much now like Iron Maiden,
Metallica, Megadeth... but they are still a part of my influences when I compose.
Sepultura, Pantera, Burzum, Satyricon, Mayhem, Judas Priest, Amon Amarth, Cannibal
Corpse, CBT, Nile, Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquility, In Flames and now I am listening to the new
Behemoth CD. It is varied; some of the bands I don’t listen to so much now like Iron Maiden,
Metallica, Megadeth... but they are still a part of my influences when I compose.
Marie RavenSoul: What are some of your interests
outside of Decrepify?
outside of Decrepify?
Phantom: My other project called Nibiruth which is
Black/Death Metal- www.myspace.com/nibiruthmetal
I also do Technical Production, Recording, etc. And
maybe in the future I will begin to produce some bands;
that would be something outstanding.
Black/Death Metal- www.myspace.com/nibiruthmetal
I also do Technical Production, Recording, etc. And
maybe in the future I will begin to produce some bands;
that would be something outstanding.
Marie RavenSoul: Any last comments?
Phantom: I want to thank you for the interview and
nothing more... I hope that you can enjoy my music.
Hails!
nothing more... I hope that you can enjoy my music.
Hails!