Interviews: Elegeion

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Gothic Metal/Doom Metal band Elegeion from Australia. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE!

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

The band name is actually an ancient Greek word meaning "song of lamentation, especially for the dead". I learnt the word from a CD compilation of classical Adagios that I had bought back in the early 90s and was immediately flagged as our potential band name when we were first starting out.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Back then in 1995, there wasn't a "Gothic Doom Metal" genre as we know it today.  It was all really just doom metal, and I thought I was just writing a different kind of doom metal that had violins and female vocals. Turns out, that this eventually became a genre in its own right, but at the time there were maybe 4 bands I was aware of doing something similar to what we were doing (My Dying Bride, 3rd & the Mortal, Decoryah & Theatre of Tragedy)

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

No, drummer Rune and singer Kindah joined the band around 2018 in response to ads or requests to audition, as I was reforming the bad at this time.

4. Each band member's favourite band? 

Kwan: At the moment, it’s None, as in DSBM band None, and a Swedish Metalcore band called Imminence that I discovered – great use of violin.

Kindah: The Smiths, the Pixies & Faith No More.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

For the last 20 or so years, DSBM music has been more of an influence in my music, as well as the older influences as mentioned earlier…plus Disembowelment and several classical composers.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was in Melbourne in 2023, supporting UK’s Esoteric during their Australian tour.

7. Where would you like to act? 

We would very much like to play on the European festival circuit in August in, South America & Japan.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

I’d really like to play alongside other great doom bands of our genre, like My Dying Bride, Draconian, Katatonia and Saturnus, wouldn’t that be awesome!

9. Whom not? 

Haha, I don’t want to call out any bands in particular, however, I think there really should be a match in genre or musical style in order to attract the right crowd to concerts.

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

I can’t remember this happening, you get a bit nervous, but I am more nervous about technical issues or backing tracks not working rather than being self-conscious. A tip to beat it? Well, people are here in the audience to see you and paid money to do so, so it's your duty to give them the best show you can. It's what they want!

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Metallica was always a huge influence on me, watching all their live vids growing up, and watching their journey to world domination. I’ve been a huge fan of My Dying Bride since their first EP, Katatonia since their demo days and a fan of Rotting Christ since their first album, so I admire all their relentless determination and watching them go from strength to strength over the years has always impressed and inspired me too.

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

Recently a fan was willing to pay almost anything for an old Elegeion demo tape (back then we were called Transcendence), but I was reluctant to sell. I eventually caved and found it in storage but only charged him about $50, but that was still pretty cool.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are awesome, I see them as in that top percentile of early adopters who are open-minded and willing to accept new ideas and obviously willing to go down the path less travelled if they like our music! We salute them for that!

14. What do you think of our site?

Very well constructed, and well planned out. Great content and an interesting section on Metal genres. It is an honour to be part of it!

15. Something to add?

Thanks so much for the interview, and thanks to any fans reading it. If you're interested in the new album, it is available on Bandcamp (https://elegeion.bandcamp.com/), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/49qKARprvCZ6krMfs9Zgbp) and we have the CD and a new range of Merchandise available at 8merch (https://elegeion.8merch.com/). Also, check out our new Music Video for Sombre Skies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUqptLLPo8M).