Interviews: Harmonize

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Power Metal/Heavy Metal band, Harmonize, from Cyprus. 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?

Years ago, I came across the Greek band Disharmony, a great band with a very intriguing name. Having seen them live, I really enjoyed their performance. We then flirted with the idea of the word harmony and its deeper meaning. Harmony, balance and team spirit are themes relating to the concept of our work. It may not make sense now. But it shall eventually.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Initially, the band begun playing heavy and thrash metal. These were our influences at the time. However, the band eventually came up with material that stretched beyond the starting genre. We have added our own personal elements and influences which include a number of different metal styles, therefore gradually finding our own.

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

I’ve known all members before they joined the band and have formed a strong friendship with each one of them. Fate had it that we would then all play together. Since 2012 the line-up changed several times, as I am the only original member. I met Sozos when I was 12 as we used to attend karate together. Before Lambros and Harrys joined the band, we shared the stage a few times before, since then we've become close friends and buddies for life. Panayiotis and I went to the National Guard and bonded over metal. We then reunited years later and he joined the band.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

Iced Earth and Amon Amarth are amongst my favourite bands Sozos' influences include Sonata Arctica and Blind Guardian Panagiotis has always been a huge Metallica and Motorhead fan. Lambros has an old school taste in metal as he listens to Riot and Savatage. Harrys’ progressive and extreme style is influenced by Death and Dream theatre who happen to be two of his favourite bands.

5. Who and what inspires you to write songs?

Clearly, our love for metal and epic concepts pushed us to start creating music. Because of that, a greater vision was born and that is how I began writing my own fantasy fiction story that Harmonize utilise as our main concept. Having trusted one of my favourite people, who I admire greatly for her artistic profile, this story is now a joined journey which I share with Nicolina Papas. As we write the story together and as Harmonize continue to write music, our greatest source of inspiration is art. We have developed a profound awe for different media of art which continue to inspire our vision along with our strong sense of brotherhood and family.

6. Where was your last gig?

Before the pandemic our last gig took place in Nicosia, Cyprus at the Power Of The Night Festival. We shared the stage with Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), Picture, Blynd and some other local and international bands. After having received warm and positive feedback, we proceeded to record our first album.

7. Where would you like to act?

In the future, we wish to find ourselves performing at metal festivals such as Bloodstock, Wacken, Hellfest etc. However, any show we get to perform at, is a pleasure, as we always like to challenge ourselves and improve as a band and get better and better show after show.

8. Whom would you like to be featured with?

It should be a true gift from the gods to perform next to our favourite bands who continue to inspire our music and brand. Such as bands are Amon Amarth, Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, Rhapsody, Behemoth, Black Label Society, Metallica, Sonata Arctica, Judas Priest and many more bands, who although differ from each other they have shaped our individual identity as young metalheads and collectively as a band

9. Whom would we dislike to be featured with?

Although this is a very intriguing question, I am afraid we won’t be able to answer it well enough. We learn a lot after each show and collaboration no matter how well or bad it goes. We gain more insight when meeting other metal bands. I guess honestly, being featured with a non-metal artist who has a more pop audience is out of the question for now.

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

Surely every show can be nerve-wracking, which is the excitement we have before we get on stage. Utilizing that adrenalin pump, can be a great way to give an amazing show. It is the excitement we crave once it’s over and can’t wait to get back on the stage again.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As we have mentioned previously, Amon Amarth, Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, Rhapsody, Behemoth, Black Label Society, Metallica, Sonata Arctica, Manowar, Judas Priest and many more.

12. What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked of you?

Although we haven’t had extremely weird encounters with fans yet, once during a live show at Rocka Rolla in Nicosia, the crowd asked us to play Warrior in the Night again, after we just played it. It came to us as a surprise and we, of course, performed it twice for them.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We welcome everyone to the Harmonize family and we appreciate anyone who supports us. The people who have already joined our journey are very excited about the album. Receiving this excitement from people makes us really proud as artists and motivates us to keep on creating and sharing our work with them. 

14. What do you think of our site?

I think your site is absolutely awesome! It is a great platform for musicians to promote their work and a great way we could learn about other artists. We are thankful for the opportunity to be featured on your site and show our work.

15. Do you want to add something?

If I’d like to add one more thing it would tell people to note down the 2 nd October 2020! Our album is coming out so stay tuned and join this epic journey of the ‘Warrior in The Night’!