Interviews: Aspherium

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Death Metal band Aspherium from Norway. 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? 

The name just happened while I was trying to find a band name. I had a notebook with a whole bunch of ideas. At one point I was trying to combine certain words, such as sphere, atmosphere and some other stuff. Aspherium just appeared out of that, and we thought it was a cool band name!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We wanted to play the kind of music that we love. And we are very diverse, so we can do pretty much whatever we want, and it will still be Aspherium. We want to do really heavy and brutal stuff, but we also want something that grooves, some prog elements and we love melodic and mellow music as well, so we mix all of this stuff together, and that is what Aspherium is.

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

Torgeir and I had known each other for many years. We went to junior high and high school together, and we played in a band together before Aspherium. The two of us started the band, and this drummer Bjørn Tore went to the same music school as Torgeir at the time we were starting the band. The three of us had played some cover songs together at a gig, and Bjørn Tore was the first person we thought of when we were looking for a drummer. Morten we found when we were auditioning guitar players.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

This was pretty tough, but having to choose only one bandit ended up like this: Marius: Metallica Morten: Symphony X Bjørn Tore: Dream Theater Torgeir: Tool 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

There is something inside me that needs a creative outlet, and it just comes out as music for me. I do get inspired by nature, video games, books and music/TV shows, especially sci-fi stuff, but I still write songs without all that. Just for the joy of it, the feeling of being creative and the fulfillment it brings.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Flytten in Haugesund, Norway. It's a great venue, everyone there are fantastic. We love it. They treat us so well, and we have some pretty dedicated fans there. Great crew, great sound, great backstage, we get amazing food. Just fantastic all around. Looking forward to the next time!

7. Where would you like to perform?

Would love to perform in Australia. Always heard great things from everyone who has played there. Japan would also be amazing. So if anyone would like to come with some offers about playing there, we would be very happy to do so!

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Like perform on stage together with someone else and play something, or just be on tour together? I would love to play with Metallica and bring back some backing vocals in the style of Jason Newsted… And just try to get the whole band a lot tighter. I would love to tour with Machine Head because I think it would be a lot of fun, and I think a lot of their fans would really dig what we do.

9. Whom not?

Well, there are some bands that have a reputation of not being very nice to be around, but I don't really want to name names… Let's just say I don't want to play with anyone who has a huge ego, and who don't really care about anyone but themselves.

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

Have never had a problem with stage fright. Like, what's the worst that can happen? You play something wrong, and it sounds kinda bad? Who cares? Just go up there and have fun. Some bad stuff can always happen, but you have to focus on the positive stuff. Playing live is fun! My first ever concert with my first band was in front of our school in 97 or 98, and I broke a string and my microphone fell down. It doesn't matter. Just move on and play some music!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Metallica is the reason I started playing guitar in the first place, so that's probably the most important one. They also had a lot to do with how I write and arrange songs, how to do guitar harmonies etc. Opeth took the songwriting even further with a focus on dynamics, and building songs with unusual song structures. Fear Factory was all about how tight your right hand is, and then with Nile came some important brutality and speed into the picture.

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

We don't really get a lot of weird stuff. It's usually just dudes who want to talk about guitars and other gear…

13. What do you think of your fans? 

They are absolutely fantastic! The fact that they take the time to really listen to our music, go to our shows and even buy music and merch is something we don't take for granted. There are so many bands out there and it means a lot to us when someone is actually a fan of us. And you can notice when they have really listened to the music, they notice things that most people don't hear.

14. What do you think of our site? 

I think it's very cool that you are pushing up and coming bands, there are so many bands who deserve more recognition, and sites like yours are helping with that, so thank you!

15. Something to add?

It would be awesome if people would take the time to check out our new album The Embers of Eternity! We are on Spotify and everywhere else imaginable. Follow us on social media, and let us know what you think about the music! Thank you! Marius Aspherium