Interviews: AMETHYST

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Extreme Metal band, AMETHYST from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

We were looking for something that could reflect somehow the music we create which is hard with heavy riffs but also melodic and embellished with female vocals, so the name Amethyst ringed as it related to this as it is the second hardest mineral on Earth but also it is beautiful and used since ancient times, so everything wrapped up.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

We have to say that this genre found us, when we started jamming (guitar and bass) a few years back, we always imagined a female vocals on top of that, later on we discovered great bands doing this by the end of the 90s and ever since we continued on this line, looking for the perfect voice to achieve the vision of the band we wanted to have.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes we do, I met Geo Leiton in the university back in the 90s and I also met Kendal Rodriguez from a local latin band where I played bass too by 2011. Geo met Fabi Salas from a rock cover band and finally in 2015 we reunited and started making music together as Amethyst.

4. Each band member favourite band?

There are too many to mention but if we have to choose, we will try, for instance Geo Leiton, loves progressive music: bands like Marillion, Ayreon and Pink Floyd, Fabi Salas goes with bands like Soen and Epica, Kendal loves Dream Theater music and I love classic rock Dio, Black Sabbath, etc

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Ancient stories, Grimm’s brothers tales but also fantasy paintings, artists like Luis Royo and his impressive works always have been an inspiration, but it really can come from everywhere, for example Limerencia, was our first song in Spanish, and its lyrics comes from a grave stone from the XIX century which is called the bride’s grave and has a sweet farewell written in an old Spanish form.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Nicaragua in January 2020, we were invited to close the International Arts Festival in that country and it was a very cool experience, as we where playing our metal music in the most important theater of that country, Teatro Nacional Rubèn Darìo, which is a very beautiful stage and the public and press attention we got were amazing.

7. Where would you like to act?

There are iconic places for any metal band where we would love to play, we are looking forward to play in the US and Europe, but Mexico and Brazil are in a near future plans. Every year we plan a gig abroad, but unfortunately pandemics made us stop the traveling experience but willing to do it soon.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would like to play with any talented artist that catch our attention, we had the opportunity to open for the Swiss band Cellar Darling and it was amazing to share the stage with Anna Murphy, after we have listened her from years before, Of course the big names will always be amazing to feature with.

9. Whom not?

Probably a non professional band, disrespectful musicians, or artists with an attitude problem. This because we take care of every aspect in our shows trying to bring the highest quality in everything we do and definitely those traits are a big turn off for us and our art.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I think that when a performer starts there’s always some stage fright, now it became a mixed emotion, excitement, anxiety and happiness at the same time to perform, once we are on stage we let ourselves go, enjoy the show and everyone of us has things to do up there so we keep busy entertaining people and enjoying music. Each member in Amethyst had previous experience playing and performing so it was not an issue but for beginners the only way to beat that is practicing, plan ahead your moves, check your gear and believe in yourself as people is there to see you and it is the time to show off.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

There are many bands as we said above, but if I have to choose one, I would say that Therion is a huge inspiration, because of the quality of their music, arrangements and artistry during many years staying loyal to their style, same thing with Iron Maiden, for developing their trademark sound, whenever you hear them you immediately recognize they are Maiden, this is very difficult to achieve but it’s something inspiring as an artist.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Nothing that weird so far, we really like the interaction with our fans, once one of them asked us for an autographed picture of every member in the mail, which we did of course, others become very deep into our music writing us and sending their thoughts which we love too and once playing in Colombia a couple of girls went after Fabi to invite her for some traditional beverage after the show, we really had a blast that day.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are the best, they support us so much. We are just the vehicle and they are the motor which move our music, the downloads, likes, comments and views really mean a lot for us and we are aware of them and we always answer them everything they ask, we really love them.

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathing the Core is a huge platform for rising and established artists from around the world, we are very pleased to participate in this round and we recommend every metal lover to check on the different sections, interviews, and new music, we just discovered very cool new music there too.

15. Something to add?

Yes, we would like to thank Breathing the Core for this interview, to every reader and to our beloved followers, please check our site www.amethystzone.com for more info, pictures, videos and cool merch. As always we wish you magick and fortune from Amethyst!