| Interview with Namgyal By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings how are you and things
in Italy?
in Italy?
Namgyal: Greetings to you and your readers.
Everything’s doing fine here, and we are enjoying
the last days of heat before the Great Cold
descends upon our heads hehe.
Everything’s doing fine here, and we are enjoying
the last days of heat before the Great Cold
descends upon our heads hehe.
Blissfulviolet: Thanks for doing this interview.
Could you start off by telling us some history of
Ecnephias?
Could you start off by telling us some history of
Ecnephias?
Namgyal: It’s Ecnephias thanking you for this
chance. The band first came into being back in
1996, founded by Mancan (vocals, guitars)
together with Atlos (drums). The first line-up
chance. The band first came into being back in
1996, founded by Mancan (vocals, guitars)
together with Atlos (drums). The first line-up
included from the very beginning also the guitar player Akeron, and two other members (one
more guitar/bass) who soon abandoned the band finding themselves lacking interest in metal.
Not long after, it was my turn to join in quality of bass player. With this line-up (same as the
current one), a very promising collaboration went on until the decision – by some of us – to try
new musical territories lead the band to a peaceful, though abrupt, split up. During the years
that followed we all continued, one way or another, our passion for music – whether individually
or taking part to different metal acts in our area (most worth of mention, Deleterio, Rainy Night,
Athem). Summer of 2005, Mancan decided to refound Ecnephias, and with help of the old
friends Valkiria and Tinco recorded the 4-tracks promo “November”. Willing to find permanent
members and make of Ecnephias once again a real band, Mancan called back to arms Atlos
and Akeron. The result was “Dominium Noctis”. The re-union was complete when I was asked
to rejoin, which I gladly accepted. My come back allowed Akeron (who during the recordings of
“Dominium Noctis” was – out of necessity – “hijacked” to bass) to go back to his preferred
instrument, where he can best serve the band’s cause, and finally allows u to engage in a real
live activity. The rest is present.
more guitar/bass) who soon abandoned the band finding themselves lacking interest in metal.
Not long after, it was my turn to join in quality of bass player. With this line-up (same as the
current one), a very promising collaboration went on until the decision – by some of us – to try
new musical territories lead the band to a peaceful, though abrupt, split up. During the years
that followed we all continued, one way or another, our passion for music – whether individually
or taking part to different metal acts in our area (most worth of mention, Deleterio, Rainy Night,
Athem). Summer of 2005, Mancan decided to refound Ecnephias, and with help of the old
friends Valkiria and Tinco recorded the 4-tracks promo “November”. Willing to find permanent
members and make of Ecnephias once again a real band, Mancan called back to arms Atlos
and Akeron. The result was “Dominium Noctis”. The re-union was complete when I was asked
to rejoin, which I gladly accepted. My come back allowed Akeron (who during the recordings of
“Dominium Noctis” was – out of necessity – “hijacked” to bass) to go back to his preferred
instrument, where he can best serve the band’s cause, and finally allows u to engage in a real
live activity. The rest is present.
Blissfulviolet: Ecnephias is an interesting and unique name, how did this name for the band
come up and how do you feel it relates to your music?
come up and how do you feel it relates to your music?
Namgyal: I’m glad you think so, Ecnephias is a greek word (but you also have the latin
version of it, “ecnephia”) for a particular storm, a sort of hurricane whose mention can also be
found in Plinius. The choice of such a name builds a bridge with the greek/roman tradition. Not
denying the fact our genre is deeply rooted in the north-european/american school of death-
black metal, we in fact firmly believe our music has – and should keep – a strong
Mediterranean component, evident in the occasional usage of latin language (even local
dialects, at times) and in our infusing music with elements coming from our region’s folklore.
This is why I myself always found the name Ecnephias perfectly fitting our music and – to some
extent – even working as a manifesto of intentions.
version of it, “ecnephia”) for a particular storm, a sort of hurricane whose mention can also be
found in Plinius. The choice of such a name builds a bridge with the greek/roman tradition. Not
denying the fact our genre is deeply rooted in the north-european/american school of death-
black metal, we in fact firmly believe our music has – and should keep – a strong
Mediterranean component, evident in the occasional usage of latin language (even local
dialects, at times) and in our infusing music with elements coming from our region’s folklore.
This is why I myself always found the name Ecnephias perfectly fitting our music and – to some
extent – even working as a manifesto of intentions.
Blissfulviolet: Hailing from Italy how is the scene for the type of music Ecnephias creates?
Namgyal: Well, there would be two ways of looking at this question. If you make me think of
the number and quality of the bands enlivening the underground scene down here, then I feel
like saying, out of doubt, that the scene is alive and well; of course there’s many still lacking
personality and too derivative in sound, but it’s also true that a lot of submerged talents do
exist and are just waiting for the conditions to emerge. On the contrary, if by the word “scene”
all that surrounds the bands is to be included, and I consider such factors as the difficulty to
have one’s band play live, the poor attendance at the already few metal gigs organized and so
on…then I’m afraid there’s still much work to do. The good news is, something seems to be
moving. This year has been a bloom of festivals also in the – usually bypassed by this kind of
events – south of Italy. What’s more, I started to notice some mutual support growing between
the local bands…now, be it out of considerations of personal gain (as it often seems to be) or
other, for sure it is something that helps the scene live on…much more than engaging in some
stupid “faida”.
the number and quality of the bands enlivening the underground scene down here, then I feel
like saying, out of doubt, that the scene is alive and well; of course there’s many still lacking
personality and too derivative in sound, but it’s also true that a lot of submerged talents do
exist and are just waiting for the conditions to emerge. On the contrary, if by the word “scene”
all that surrounds the bands is to be included, and I consider such factors as the difficulty to
have one’s band play live, the poor attendance at the already few metal gigs organized and so
on…then I’m afraid there’s still much work to do. The good news is, something seems to be
moving. This year has been a bloom of festivals also in the – usually bypassed by this kind of
events – south of Italy. What’s more, I started to notice some mutual support growing between
the local bands…now, be it out of considerations of personal gain (as it often seems to be) or
other, for sure it is something that helps the scene live on…much more than engaging in some
stupid “faida”.
Blissfulviolet: For those who have not heard Ecnephias before can you describe your
sound?
sound?
Namgyal: This is probably the hardest question of the lot…”Dominium Noctis” was officially
released at the beginning of the year and since then has been reviewed dozens of times
already. Well, every single review I have seen Ecnephias likened to bands we honestly don’t
see much in common with (though it is an honour to be likened to), and to others who one way
or another may count as our influences. That’s part of the game, I guess. What struck us most,
anyway, is the odd fact that very seldom the reviews mentioned the same “references”. It
seems like everyone is finding something different in our music, and this should give an idea of
how composite our sound is. I honestly would leave the errand of describing us to our listeners
or those who do that as a profession, but to answer your question…as “Dominium Noctis” was
out and a formula describing our sound was needed for promotion, the choice fell on “Dark
Gothic Death Black Metal”. Though at the time I considered the formula a little bit too
redundant, now I think it actually has some point. If taken as adjectives and not descriptory of
genres, these words do actually point out the main ingredients of our sound. If you ask me,
anyway, I’d just say “extreme” and “eclectic”.
released at the beginning of the year and since then has been reviewed dozens of times
already. Well, every single review I have seen Ecnephias likened to bands we honestly don’t
see much in common with (though it is an honour to be likened to), and to others who one way
or another may count as our influences. That’s part of the game, I guess. What struck us most,
anyway, is the odd fact that very seldom the reviews mentioned the same “references”. It
seems like everyone is finding something different in our music, and this should give an idea of
how composite our sound is. I honestly would leave the errand of describing us to our listeners
or those who do that as a profession, but to answer your question…as “Dominium Noctis” was
out and a formula describing our sound was needed for promotion, the choice fell on “Dark
Gothic Death Black Metal”. Though at the time I considered the formula a little bit too
redundant, now I think it actually has some point. If taken as adjectives and not descriptory of
genres, these words do actually point out the main ingredients of our sound. If you ask me,
anyway, I’d just say “extreme” and “eclectic”.
Blissfulviolet: What inspires and influences Ecnephias?
Namgyal: Nature, our land, its popular myths, along with
the exploration of the darkest recesses of the human
mind, all are among our main interests and constitute a
matter of inspiration and a major influence for us.
the exploration of the darkest recesses of the human
mind, all are among our main interests and constitute a
matter of inspiration and a major influence for us.
Blissfulviolet: You guys released your debut album,
‘Dominium Noctis’ sometime last year. How did the
recording process go? Any highlights you wish to
comment on?
‘Dominium Noctis’ sometime last year. How did the
recording process go? Any highlights you wish to
comment on?
Namgyal: Well, as I mentioned before, I was not back
into the band yet when the recordings took place (I wasn’
t even in Italy, actually), but I can surely answer to your
question as I am well informed haha…Drums were
recorded at “Cd&M” Recording Studio, Filiano (PZ), while
guitars, bass and vocals were recorded at Fauno EA
into the band yet when the recordings took place (I wasn’
t even in Italy, actually), but I can surely answer to your
question as I am well informed haha…Drums were
recorded at “Cd&M” Recording Studio, Filiano (PZ), while
guitars, bass and vocals were recorded at Fauno EA
Studio, then the mastering process was entrusted to Mauro Andreolli, known and appreciated
in the metal universe for his work with – among others - the italian thrash metal band Extrema.
And I think he just confirmed his reputation by doing a very good job on “Dominium Noctis” as
well.
in the metal universe for his work with – among others - the italian thrash metal band Extrema.
And I think he just confirmed his reputation by doing a very good job on “Dominium Noctis” as
well.
Blissfulviolet: I love the artwork for this album…it’s dark and mysterious, who did the cover
art?
art?
Namgyal: The artwork was conceived and designed by Mancan – same as our logo – with
Atlos’ help.
Atlos’ help.
Blissfulviolet: Does this album tell a story?
Namgyal: The lyrics of “Dominium Noctis” are all linked one another by the same thematic
background. The album can be in fact viewed as a concept about witchcraft, but I wouldn’t say
it tells one single story.
background. The album can be in fact viewed as a concept about witchcraft, but I wouldn’t say
it tells one single story.
Blissfulviolet: What are some of Ecnephias plans for the near future?
Namgyal: We have a few already scheduled gigs and others waiting to be confirmed, so the
main priority for the band, right now, is promoting the album and play it everywhere we get to
play, in order to let more and more people meet our music… but, on the other side, new songs
are already taking shape and we are pretty excited about that too…We’ll try to move on both
the fronts of live activity and the writing of new material, hoping to be ready and hit the studios
again by the first months of the new year.
main priority for the band, right now, is promoting the album and play it everywhere we get to
play, in order to let more and more people meet our music… but, on the other side, new songs
are already taking shape and we are pretty excited about that too…We’ll try to move on both
the fronts of live activity and the writing of new material, hoping to be ready and hit the studios
again by the first months of the new year.
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments you wish to tell our readers?
Namgyal: I cannot but conclude by renewing my thanks to Beyond The Dark Horizon for the
space granted us, wishing a good number of readers will become interested in our music after
reading this interview. For those who never listened to us, come check our website
(www.ecnephias.com) and our myspace (www.myspace.com/ecnephiaskingdom). For
those who already know and appreciate us, keep supporting Ecnephias…we need u!
Cheers, Namgyal (bass player - Ecnephias)
space granted us, wishing a good number of readers will become interested in our music after
reading this interview. For those who never listened to us, come check our website
(www.ecnephias.com) and our myspace (www.myspace.com/ecnephiaskingdom). For
those who already know and appreciate us, keep supporting Ecnephias…we need u!
Cheers, Namgyal (bass player - Ecnephias)
Ecnephias is a black/death metal band from Italy. The band incorporates
goth and symphonic elements for an overall amazing sound. Ecnephias is
currently working on new material and booking shows in support of their
debut album.
goth and symphonic elements for an overall amazing sound. Ecnephias is
currently working on new material and booking shows in support of their
debut album.