Interviews: KARPATHIAN RELICT

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band KARPATHIAN RELICT from Ukraine and Poland. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Bogdan: Actually, this is the second name, because before Karpathian Relict it was named Orthodox. After several inactive years, we decided to rename the band, because we considered that this name didn’t describe us in the correct way and we wanted to start from a brand new sheet. It wasn’t spontaneous and it didn’t come immediately. We have been thinking about it for several months. At last, we came to an agreement and accepted a new band name - Karpathian Relict.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Bogdan: This decision has its own path. When I met Andrzej for the first time we both wanted to play hard music. I was a guitarist without a band and he was a drummer. At that time we were learning instruments. It was only one and the main condition – play heavy, death metal staff. After years the idea didn’t change. Now we also play it, just because we love it.

Andrzej: Before starting the band, only Bogdan and I knew each other. Sometime in 2005, I met with Bogdan's sister and strangely enough, the young one was learning to play the guitar and listening to music that was a bit suited to my tastes, so a single solution was to play decent music together. We started playing in the garage. Gradually from the remnants of the band's remains. Before founding Karpathian Relict (originally Orthodox), each of us is already available in various projects and teams. Contaminated in black metal climates, they were unfortunately also transported with some rock and gothic music. But earlier it happened that the best solution was to create death metal compositions and that's a good thing to prepare with Bogdan and we are still working and developing with the guys.

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

Bartek: As far as I know, Bogdan and Andrzej knew each other while living in Ukraine, where the band was actually founded under the name Ortodox. After the boys moved to Poland, the name changed and new members joined the band. I don't know what the story was about Adrian (vocalist) and the then bassist Patryk, but I came completely from the outside, not knowing anyone, basically by accident.

Mateusz: Before joining the band, I didn't know anyone from Karpathian Relict, although I saw the guys live on stage, I think it was in Rzeszow in 2018. I actually met and talked to Adrian for the first time five years later, during a performance in Krosno in 2023, where he was the sound engineer while I played bass in another band. We talked a bit, and a few days later he wrote me a message if I'd like to try my hand at Karpathian Relict. I liked the material, it was nice to listen to, although it was harder to play. And here it shows the attitude of the guys who said: "Don't stress, if you like playing with us, you like the music that we create, f**k any apologizes about playing skills, just play, try, make mistakes and mostly be yourself." and that's how the adventure began.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Adrian: As of now too many to mention 5 that come to my mind now would be Kalmah, Gojira, Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy, Rob Zombie.

Mateusz: It is hard, because sometimes I really love one album made by the band, sometimes one track, sometimes live shows and for me, that's enough to like a band. But in total maybe at first place Cannibal Corpse then Rotting Christ, Archspire, Origin, and Polish band Mgła.

Bartek: It's hard to choose something because I like so many artists and bands from many different musical genres. But if I were to narrow down my search to those stronger sounds, Pantera will definitely be in first place for me. Decapitated, Killswitch Engage, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Faith No More - these are the bands I like to come back to very often.

Bogdan: Dream Theater, Periphery, Killswitch Engage, Archspire, Tesseract, Decapitated.

Andrzej: I cannot choose only one band. Apart from Karpathian Relict, the most important are Yattering, Soreption, Origin, Immolation, Mgła, Gorgoroth, and Immortal.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Bogdan: I was thinking about this question. I guess it’s "Time". I like to make something new, taste new food, and explore new places. The same with music. It becomes boring to play only old songs. It’s a desire to make a faster, stronger, smarter spaceship. To make more interesting, melodic, more intensive music which you like in the first place.

6. Where was your last gig?

Mennecy Festival in France, which was really amazing, and on the same day we played, we premiered the new album Never Be After. Overall, We would assess this festival as a combination of unique things - the first concert of the new line-up, the first trip of Karpathian Relict abroad, and most importantly - just talking and drinking beer altogether.

7. Where would you like to act?

Adrian: Any place that people want to hear us is a great place to play.

Mateusz: I would really like to come to Ukraine, but unfortunately it is not possible for now - for obvious reasons. I sincerely hope that this opportunity will arise in the near future and I'd like to emphasize - as soon as possible. In addition, as Adrian said, wherever people would like to hear our music live - not only within our homeland, our neighboring countries but also abroad, regardless of the continent.

Bartek: Adrian basically exhausted the topic completely. Wherever people want to see us, wherever people want to hear us, wherever people want to invite us, those will be the best places.

Andrzej: Norway and Australia

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Adrian: Local folk and classic musician.

Mateusz: Musicians from Polish and Ukrainian folk/traditional music, maybe artists who can make more ritualistic parts to music, dark ambient, we will see in the future what approach we take this time. But talking not only about music - artists with great graphic designs, dance groups suited to our concept of music, hand-made local crafts, and animation creators knew some kind of dark vibes. 

Bartek: I don't have any particular dreams when it comes to this topic. I would definitely like to perform on one stage with my idols and bands that I was fascinated by when I was a teenager and I still like them, Meet these people in person, and talk to them - it would be a great experience. However, when it comes to cooperation and joint performance with the musicians we invited, I have never thought about it, but the possibilities here are so huge that it is difficult for me to name specific artists now.

Andrzej: With favorite bands

9. Whom not?

Adrian: Polish Disco Polo artists.

Mateusz: Influencers that are so strongly shaped into stars that are used as "money-making machines". People who achieve success based on fashion and trends, contribute nothing from themselves, except their own face, alias, brand, or surname. People who create and co-create empty, emotionless arrangements that "sell well".

Andrzej: Never with any Russian band, and I wouldn't want to work with metal "stars" because I don't like most of them.

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

Adrian: Fear is part of our lives and lying to yourself that you don’t feel it - can make more things difficult. Being honest with yourself and learning to act beside that is the correct approach for me. The way I feel doesn’t determine how I will act – I try to obey it, in life as well. Just do it anyway.

Bartek: Stage fright, stress, and fear of going on stage are things that probably all artists experience. Dealing with it is always an individual matter, but the most important thing is not to let this feeling take over, not to think about what could go wrong, not to get worked up unnecessarily, just go out and do your thing, do it as best as you can and, above all, do it honestly, and the people who came to watch or listen to you will definitely appreciate it, even if sometimes something goes wrong.

Bogdan: Of course!!! Every time. I just try to focus, be calm, and warm my fingers before the show. But the best advice actually gave Adrian. Don’t concentrate on what or how you’re playing, free your thoughts and just play. You practice these songs a million times. Unfortunately, it doesn’t heal your sweating hands.

Mateusz: For me, stress is the most motivating if you manage it properly and turn fear into a shot of adrenaline. The most important question is what are you afraid of, there is nothing that you need to be afraid of - people, lights, sweat, mistakes, other things that distract you - it is a natural impulse, that you want to run away. Before the show, don't be angry with yourselves, don't make yourselves into confusion, support each other as much as you can. If you are stressed, before you go on stage take a few big breaths and focus on how air is flowing inside your lungs, don't focus on everything else around you and in your head - only breathing. If you are still scared - close your eyes and try as hard as you can to focus on breathing. When you feel that air flow then try to focus on feeling inside your body what you need to feel at the moment - anger, happiness, calm, seriousness, etc... If you are still nervous try again you're not focused enough. After a few shows, it will be easier to do.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Adrian: as of now probably Gojira but in my teenage years and when I discovered music it was The Offspring, Nirvana, Helloween, and Rammstein 

Bartek: Now, probably the biggest inspiration for me is the Polish band Coma, which has not been playing for several years, but also Riverside and Flapjack, basically a lot of Polish music.

Mateusz: I have a lot of inspiration not only from extreme music and not only from bands for example Hans Zimmer, Roger Subirana, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong so it's not extreme music, but have a lot of feelings in it. From extreme metal bands, I'll say Beyond Creation, Meshuggah, Opeth, Dream Theater, Gojira, and Polish bands like Vader, Mgła, Medico Peste, and Decapitated. 

Andrzej: Vader, Gorgoroth, Satyricon, Morbid Angel, Immortal, Nile. 

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

Adrian: it was years ago “Can you give me your guitar” I might have a few more but they are dirtier hah

Mateusz: Once there was a situation when I played on bass only with fingers and I was asked to throw the pick that I was playing with. The second time I was asked to sign on a white t-shirt with a pencil. Maybe it's not particularly strange, but it's nice to remember.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Adrian: Loyalty is the first thing that comes to my mind. As an underground band, we have people who still mention the first record that came years ago and they still follow us. It's incredible. They are definitely people who look for something different in music in general.

Bartek: Fantastic people who have been with the band for so many years. It's amazing that after such a long time of silence, they are still with us and enjoy what we did as much as we do.

Mateusz: I personally only met a few old fans and I was very surprised that there are so many, including those who do not have social media, but hear about us through word of mouth. There are a few fans who still remember the times of Orthodox. There are a lot of fans from other parts of the world that we haven't even been to. We have a lot of new fans who came because they saw the videos "Bury In The Past" and "The Masochist" on social media and heard the new release "Never Be After". I don't even have words to describe how awesome they are.

14. What do you think of our site?

Adrian: Great job with promoting music. Cool site

Mateusz: Yes, I agree with Adrian, there are a lot of countries and a lot of bands that I didn't know personally, but after listening to just a few I must admit that they have potential. A lot of content is not only directly related to the bands, interviews, and promotion. A lot of work that is simply appreciated because your diligence is visible here. Keep it up!

15. Something to add?

Listen to our new album Never Be After available on all streaming platforms, check our social media to be with the newest information about shows, merchandise, new releases, and more. We would like to thank everyone who supports our band - those active on social media, those who follow, like, view, listen, buy, comment, and just be on our shows. Hope to see you at our upcoming shows.