| Interview with David Sikora By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: It’s been awhile since we
last spoke about Obsidian Throne. The
band has a new EP, ‘Behind the Veil’ and
lots of other exciting news. Before we get
into all that tell us how you feel the band
has progressed since our last interview?
last spoke about Obsidian Throne. The
band has a new EP, ‘Behind the Veil’ and
lots of other exciting news. Before we get
into all that tell us how you feel the band
has progressed since our last interview?
David Sikora: -It's been awhile, yes. lol I
think that we have come together even
more as friends, which has translated to a
better feel amongst the band. We all know
what our sound is, and what we need to do
to achieve a sound that we all enjoy. We
have lost our previous manager, so I have
been doing a lot of "managing" so to speak
think that we have come together even
more as friends, which has translated to a
better feel amongst the band. We all know
what our sound is, and what we need to do
to achieve a sound that we all enjoy. We
have lost our previous manager, so I have
been doing a lot of "managing" so to speak
these days. I must say it's been an amazing time this past 10 months or so. 'Behind the
Veil' was released in September 2007, and has been well received. We are still unsigned,
but it seems things may be changing in that department soon enough, and we've been
writing new material like crazy, and I must say it's coming along extremely well.
Veil' was released in September 2007, and has been well received. We are still unsigned,
but it seems things may be changing in that department soon enough, and we've been
writing new material like crazy, and I must say it's coming along extremely well.
Blissfulviolet: Things definitely seem to be going great for the band and I’ve also been
reading some good reviews on Behind the Veil. How did the recording process at Nomad
Studios turn out and describe for us the albums sound?
reading some good reviews on Behind the Veil. How did the recording process at Nomad
Studios turn out and describe for us the albums sound?
David: Well Nomad Studios is and will probably always be our first choice of studio. They
really have a small, but really well put together facility, and the staff is like family to us at
this point. Gary Long is an inspiration to me personally, as I too would like to eventually
run my own studio, or recording space. We once again used JT Longoria as engineer and
producer of the EP. He does great work with our idol, Mr. King Diamond, whom you know
quite well, lol, and we really enjoyed what he did with our sound for the first demo,
'Pandemic'. It was mixed by both myself and JT. Very easy session...I mean me and JT get
along great, especially since we're in another band together (kittyviolet...shameless
plugging!). I think that the sound is pretty close to what we wanted for the material. Loud,
pronounced kick drums, a MUCH better guitar tone, and Chris' vocal performance really
blew us away. There is no other vocalist I would ever want singing these songs. As for the
next release, I believe that the drums will not be as "in your face" as they were on this
one, and a warmer feel will run throughout the disc.
really have a small, but really well put together facility, and the staff is like family to us at
this point. Gary Long is an inspiration to me personally, as I too would like to eventually
run my own studio, or recording space. We once again used JT Longoria as engineer and
producer of the EP. He does great work with our idol, Mr. King Diamond, whom you know
quite well, lol, and we really enjoyed what he did with our sound for the first demo,
'Pandemic'. It was mixed by both myself and JT. Very easy session...I mean me and JT get
along great, especially since we're in another band together (kittyviolet...shameless
plugging!). I think that the sound is pretty close to what we wanted for the material. Loud,
pronounced kick drums, a MUCH better guitar tone, and Chris' vocal performance really
blew us away. There is no other vocalist I would ever want singing these songs. As for the
next release, I believe that the drums will not be as "in your face" as they were on this
one, and a warmer feel will run throughout the disc.
Blissfulviolet: Obsidian Throne defiantly has a unique sound compared to most death
metal bands that have come out of Texas. The band sounds melodic at times but keeps
that death metal brutality intact. What or who would you say inspires and influences the
bands creativity when working on new material?
metal bands that have come out of Texas. The band sounds melodic at times but keeps
that death metal brutality intact. What or who would you say inspires and influences the
bands creativity when working on new material?
David: Why thank you! We used to be so absorbed with sounding like this or that, this
band or that band, but now we really just write whatever the hell we want, be it Death
Metal or what. We even showed a hint of jazz on our outro, "Dusk" off of 'Behind the Veil.'
In fact, it's really hard to call us death metal anymore. I don't really know what we
are...Melodic Death Metal I guess. It just doesn't matter to us that much. We're just having
fun writing music that we all love to play. I personally just love any music that shows true
passion...Primordial, Enslaved, Emperor, Opeth, Borknagar, Deathspell Omega. I think
that our many influences is what makes this band work. Some guys like Sepultura, Soulfly,
Machine Head, etc. While Craig likes more traditional stuff like Mercyful Fate, Overkill, etc.
And me and Chris like a little bit more obscure things. All of these combined is what makes
us...us. Classical music also plays a huge role in my life...I might even listen to it more
than metal these days.
band or that band, but now we really just write whatever the hell we want, be it Death
Metal or what. We even showed a hint of jazz on our outro, "Dusk" off of 'Behind the Veil.'
In fact, it's really hard to call us death metal anymore. I don't really know what we
are...Melodic Death Metal I guess. It just doesn't matter to us that much. We're just having
fun writing music that we all love to play. I personally just love any music that shows true
passion...Primordial, Enslaved, Emperor, Opeth, Borknagar, Deathspell Omega. I think
that our many influences is what makes this band work. Some guys like Sepultura, Soulfly,
Machine Head, etc. While Craig likes more traditional stuff like Mercyful Fate, Overkill, etc.
And me and Chris like a little bit more obscure things. All of these combined is what makes
us...us. Classical music also plays a huge role in my life...I might even listen to it more
than metal these days.
Blissfulviolet; Speaking of new material, since you guys have been working on new
songs are there any plans or ideas set for Obsidian Throne’s debut album?
songs are there any plans or ideas set for Obsidian Throne’s debut album?
David: We've been thinking about that since day one! lol. But seriously, we now have an
excellent finished press kit that we're sending around to different labels, and we're
basically writing these songs in preparation for when we DO get signed, whenever that is.
Bands around us within this metroplex are getting signed left and right, but getting signed
to small, grindcore or Death Metal labels...labels that I do not want to be signed to, as I
think that a.) We wouldn't fit with any of the bands on their rosters, and b.) I believe this
band is capable of being signed to a higher caliber label, like a Century Media, or
Candlelight Records. We are unique enough and talented enough to make it
happen...this band of guys is just an incredible bunch to play music with.
excellent finished press kit that we're sending around to different labels, and we're
basically writing these songs in preparation for when we DO get signed, whenever that is.
Bands around us within this metroplex are getting signed left and right, but getting signed
to small, grindcore or Death Metal labels...labels that I do not want to be signed to, as I
think that a.) We wouldn't fit with any of the bands on their rosters, and b.) I believe this
band is capable of being signed to a higher caliber label, like a Century Media, or
Candlelight Records. We are unique enough and talented enough to make it
happen...this band of guys is just an incredible bunch to play music with.
Blissfulviolet: Next month Obsidian Throne will perform at the famous Inferno Festival in
Norway. This is amazing news and something that most bands can only dream of
accomplishing. Give us your thoughts on the festival, how you guys became part of it and
any additional info that you wish to relay regarding this event.
Norway. This is amazing news and something that most bands can only dream of
accomplishing. Give us your thoughts on the festival, how you guys became part of it and
any additional info that you wish to relay regarding this event.
David: Well it's March 19-22nd, and it takes place at the famous Rockefeller in Oslo,
Norway. We play on the 21st, right before Krux (one of my favorite bands!). Great lineup
this year, bands like Gorgoroth, Satyricon, Destruction, Overkill...really good stuff. We are
one of only two American bands playing the show (the other being Overkill), and this is a
huge accomplishment, as we aren't even a signed act! It came about whenever I sent an
email to the promoter, asking if they were still taking submissions for second stage
positions. They said yes, but only for a few more weeks, so I sent in a full press kit,
express mail, and they emailed me back saying that they had received it. They told me it
might be a little while before I find anything out, but they said "If we like what we hear, we'll
be in touch." I wasn't expecting much...but then, weeks later, on December 29th, 2007, I
received and email saying that we had been chosen out of over 140 submissions to play a
30 minute slot on the second stage. It was truly a dream come true. I can't wait to see
some European fans, and debut some new songs!
Norway. We play on the 21st, right before Krux (one of my favorite bands!). Great lineup
this year, bands like Gorgoroth, Satyricon, Destruction, Overkill...really good stuff. We are
one of only two American bands playing the show (the other being Overkill), and this is a
huge accomplishment, as we aren't even a signed act! It came about whenever I sent an
email to the promoter, asking if they were still taking submissions for second stage
positions. They said yes, but only for a few more weeks, so I sent in a full press kit,
express mail, and they emailed me back saying that they had received it. They told me it
might be a little while before I find anything out, but they said "If we like what we hear, we'll
be in touch." I wasn't expecting much...but then, weeks later, on December 29th, 2007, I
received and email saying that we had been chosen out of over 140 submissions to play a
30 minute slot on the second stage. It was truly a dream come true. I can't wait to see
some European fans, and debut some new songs!
All I can say is...Watch for us in the future! I think that only good things are headed our
way!
way!
