| Interview with Anthony By: Blissfulviolet |
| From the mind of multi-instrumentalist Anthony, comes Orbseven. The Texas based musician has created a memorable ambient, black/death metal experience, which his debut album, ‘The Linear Divide.’ |
Blissfulviolet: Hello Anthony, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. We are both based out of SA
and I can say it's been hot as hell…how have you been holding up and what's new with your projects?
and I can say it's been hot as hell…how have you been holding up and what's new with your projects?
Anthony: Likewise, thank you for the opportunity. I'm holding up okay. I don't mind the heat so much as
I mind the cold so in that regard I'm doing rather well. I've just released 'The Linear Divide' which is my
first album under the name Orbseven.
I mind the cold so in that regard I'm doing rather well. I've just released 'The Linear Divide' which is my
first album under the name Orbseven.
Blissfulviolet: Congratulations on your first release. Are you
currently involved with other projects at the moment?
currently involved with other projects at the moment?
Anthony: Right now Orbseven is taking up all my extra time but I
do have plans to eventually start another solo project that's more
ambient and acoustically driven. We'll see what happens with that.
do have plans to eventually start another solo project that's more
ambient and acoustically driven. We'll see what happens with that.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired you to create Orbseven?
Anthony: So many things really, I had a lot to say and many
personal things to achieve. Certainly it's a big undertaking to try
and compose a full album by oneself but I had been in and out of
a few bands and I wanted to branch off and do my own thing. I
don't have the task of trying to make this or that person happy.
There is no compromising involved. I say what I want, play what I
want and it’s very liberating. I want that self-control. Besides, I
think I had some stuff to prove to myself.
personal things to achieve. Certainly it's a big undertaking to try
and compose a full album by oneself but I had been in and out of
a few bands and I wanted to branch off and do my own thing. I
don't have the task of trying to make this or that person happy.
There is no compromising involved. I say what I want, play what I
want and it’s very liberating. I want that self-control. Besides, I
think I had some stuff to prove to myself.
Blissfulviolet: The name that you chose for this project,
'Orbseven' is interesting. What is the significance behind it?
'Orbseven' is interesting. What is the significance behind it?
Anthony: That's a bit tricky to answer. I've always been
fascinated by the number 7, ever since I was a child. I guess if
fascinated by the number 7, ever since I was a child. I guess if
Blissfulviolet: Being a multi-instrumentalist, are you self-taught or did you have lessons?
Anthony: Both. I play a variety of instruments and I studied jazz at the college level. But guitar is my
primary instrument. That was self-taught. To this day I still don't know my chords on a guitar.
primary instrument. That was self-taught. To this day I still don't know my chords on a guitar.
Blissfulviolet: You previously expressed how it has been liberating to create your own music. Has this
overall process been working out for you easier compared to when you were involved in a band?
overall process been working out for you easier compared to when you were involved in a band?
Anthony: There are pro's and con's. It’s easier because it's my music. Written and recorded on my
time; no one bothering or getting in the way. But at the same time, it’s difficult because I became pickier
about it. Deciding this and that was real tricky when working on 'The Linear Divide'.
time; no one bothering or getting in the way. But at the same time, it’s difficult because I became pickier
about it. Deciding this and that was real tricky when working on 'The Linear Divide'.
Blissfulviolet: Have you considered seeking session or full time band members to take on the live
experience?
experience?
Anthony: Not so much, at least not in the near future. It would be a huge challenge to put 'The Linear
Divide' on the stage and do it justice. In addition to coordinating other musicians to perform the music, I
would also have to have a digital setup onstage to have those few extra things like the more electronic
and ambient parts to come across in a live setting. Even though Orbseven is not heavily based on
electronic parts, there are areas of the music that would include syncing up a live drummer in a digital
environment. I'm nowhere near visualizing that sort of challenge.
Divide' on the stage and do it justice. In addition to coordinating other musicians to perform the music, I
would also have to have a digital setup onstage to have those few extra things like the more electronic
and ambient parts to come across in a live setting. Even though Orbseven is not heavily based on
electronic parts, there are areas of the music that would include syncing up a live drummer in a digital
environment. I'm nowhere near visualizing that sort of challenge.
Blissfulviolet: What are your thoughts on the current metal scene?
Anthony: Metal is a lot more accepted than it used to be. It doesn't seem so personal anymore. So
from a fan standpoint, I prefer how it used to be. However, there are some great bands out there, old
and new.
from a fan standpoint, I prefer how it used to be. However, there are some great bands out there, old
and new.
Blissfulviolet: Back to your latest release, 'The Linear Divide,' can you tell us more about the creation
and recording process? I also noticed that it took about 3 and a half years to complete...what was going
on during this time period?
and recording process? I also noticed that it took about 3 and a half years to complete...what was going
on during this time period?
Anthony: I wrote a bulk of the music in the first few
months of 2005…and then in the summer I did all the
drum programming. From there up until mid 2006, I
recorded all the music. But then I started second
guessing myself and re-recorded parts and such and
literally didn't have most of the material recorded well
into 2007. Then up until early this year I was just doing
some touching up.
From when I started writing music till the time I
completed everything, I was in two different worlds. My
frame of mind at the beginning was much more
outrageous and frenzied…and by mid 2007 or so, I was
a lot more relaxed and calm about everything. It all had
to do with my life at the time. Lyrics took most of the time
to write.
months of 2005…and then in the summer I did all the
drum programming. From there up until mid 2006, I
recorded all the music. But then I started second
guessing myself and re-recorded parts and such and
literally didn't have most of the material recorded well
into 2007. Then up until early this year I was just doing
some touching up.
From when I started writing music till the time I
completed everything, I was in two different worlds. My
frame of mind at the beginning was much more
outrageous and frenzied…and by mid 2007 or so, I was
a lot more relaxed and calm about everything. It all had
to do with my life at the time. Lyrics took most of the time
to write.
Blissfulviolet: Are you satisfied with the final product
and where can we obtain a copy?
and where can we obtain a copy?
Anthony: Yea I'm pretty satisfied with it; otherwise I would still be working on it. It’s available online
through snocap, and as far cd…there a few out there right now, but not many.
through snocap, and as far cd…there a few out there right now, but not many.
Blissfulviolet: Is there a certain concept or story behind 'The Liner Divide?' Lyrically, what is this
album about?
album about?
Anthony: In a nutshell 'The Linear Divide' is that very fine line between sanity and insanity. And the
lyrics just dive deeper into that. The lyrics were the biggest tasks for me, especially because I'm not a
lyricist. Life experiences such as loss, hurt, betrayal, anger, deceit, and ultimately redemption and the
idea and notion to prevail and overcome is what it’s about. It’s all way too personal for me elaborate
upon. Hence the reason I choose not to release all the lyrics. But its been a very therapeutic experience
for me.
lyrics just dive deeper into that. The lyrics were the biggest tasks for me, especially because I'm not a
lyricist. Life experiences such as loss, hurt, betrayal, anger, deceit, and ultimately redemption and the
idea and notion to prevail and overcome is what it’s about. It’s all way too personal for me elaborate
upon. Hence the reason I choose not to release all the lyrics. But its been a very therapeutic experience
for me.
Blissfulviolet: It's apparent that some elements of black metal are present in Orbseven. What
noteworthy bands would you say have influenced you or your sound? What is it about black metal in
general that caught your attention to become a fan of this genre?
noteworthy bands would you say have influenced you or your sound? What is it about black metal in
general that caught your attention to become a fan of this genre?
Anthony: My first black metal purchase was the Emperor/Enslaved split which was around '94 so that's
when I started listening to black metal. I mean I knew of and owned Celtic Frost, Bathory, Venom of
course…but the black explosion in the early 90's is what drew me in and I started accumulating all of it;
some of the more known bands to the more unknown bands. Bands: Samael was a huge influence for
me even right before this time, especially the 'Ceremony of Opposites' album. Morbid Angel and early
Deicide were probably the most inspiring for me. But I can credit many different bands from many
different genres: Aborym, Dead Can Dance, Trance To the Sun, Die Form, Lycia, Immolation,
Angelcorpse, Horna etc… Orbseven to me is just a combination of everything from death metal, black
metal, ambient and noise….all those mixed up while obviously still staying metal.
when I started listening to black metal. I mean I knew of and owned Celtic Frost, Bathory, Venom of
course…but the black explosion in the early 90's is what drew me in and I started accumulating all of it;
some of the more known bands to the more unknown bands. Bands: Samael was a huge influence for
me even right before this time, especially the 'Ceremony of Opposites' album. Morbid Angel and early
Deicide were probably the most inspiring for me. But I can credit many different bands from many
different genres: Aborym, Dead Can Dance, Trance To the Sun, Die Form, Lycia, Immolation,
Angelcorpse, Horna etc… Orbseven to me is just a combination of everything from death metal, black
metal, ambient and noise….all those mixed up while obviously still staying metal.
Blissfulviolet: I enjoyed the track entitled 'The Unconscious Journey.' Who is the female guest singer
on this track?
on this track?
Anthony: Dominique Garrao from the band Gaia, they are based out of Florida. Upon my first hearing
of her voice, I had to get her involved. She did a wonderful job and I hope to collaborate again with her
in the future.
of her voice, I had to get her involved. She did a wonderful job and I hope to collaborate again with her
in the future.
Blissfulviolet: What would you like listeners of Orbseven to experience or gain when listening to your
music?
music?
Anthony: Hopefully they get some sort of ethereal, out of this world experience. I hope this album is
more of a journey than a simple song here and there. I don't think the album comes across quite as well
when listening to one song as opposed to the listening to it from start to finish. There is a sort of
openness I wanted to achieve with the music. I hope I succeeded.
more of a journey than a simple song here and there. I don't think the album comes across quite as well
when listening to one song as opposed to the listening to it from start to finish. There is a sort of
openness I wanted to achieve with the music. I hope I succeeded.
Blissfulviolet: What lies ahead for Orbseven? Is there anything we should be on the lookout for?
Anthony: Well no. The music is quite old for me already
and I'd love to start writing again but for now, I'm going to
let 'The Linear Divide' do what it’s going to do, and let it
breathe. Keep getting reviews, interviews such as
this…promote it basically and let people have a listen.
When I think the time is right then I'll move forward with
the next album.
and I'd love to start writing again but for now, I'm going to
let 'The Linear Divide' do what it’s going to do, and let it
breathe. Keep getting reviews, interviews such as
this…promote it basically and let people have a listen.
When I think the time is right then I'll move forward with
the next album.
Blissfulviolet: Thanks once again for talking with us.
It's great to find that metal with integrity is still being
created and produced in Texas; especially San Antonio.
Any final thoughts for our readers?
It's great to find that metal with integrity is still being
created and produced in Texas; especially San Antonio.
Any final thoughts for our readers?
Anthony: Thanks for the opportunity and I hope I've
given everyone something of interest.
given everyone something of interest.
one is into numerology which I'm not really, they can tie so many philosophical, spiritual and even
religious meanings to the number seven. And even from a symbolic sense, seven can be quite
interesting. So in a way, I guess for me it's the fascination for the number itself. Orbseven to me is that
culmination of everything that interests me in reference to the number.
religious meanings to the number seven. And even from a symbolic sense, seven can be quite
interesting. So in a way, I guess for me it's the fascination for the number itself. Orbseven to me is that
culmination of everything that interests me in reference to the number.