We are very happy to host Sotiri Sverd (Among Ruins) in an interview mainly for the new album “Land of the Black Sun” and beyond.
1) Hello Sotiri and congratulations on “Land of the Black Sun”.
Sotiris: Hello! Thank you very much!
2) Did your efforts bear fruit? Do you receive it from the people? Did you expect the album to have such a big impact?
Sotiris: They definitely worked. First of all, we managed to sign with an excellent record label because of the quality of the new album. We literally receive great feedback from people all over the world on a daily basis. We knew we were doing something good, we had done some serious preparation, but you never really expect such a positive response.
3) Did it have the corresponding response in the rest of the world, as in Greece?
Sotiris: From every country, the criticisms that have come and gone are incredible. In some countries, we even released album of the month..!
4) I think the song “Téar me Apart” is a song that maybe represents a lot of people, in terms of experiences I’ll put myself in, did a personal issue push you to write it? Did this first track define the order of the tracks of the album or the themes, was it written first?
Sotiris: I’m so glad it touched you. The same applies to me personally, it is a purely experiential part and perhaps the most esoteric lyrics I have written. My goal is for the lyrics to always be interpreted by everyone based on their own experiences and when I see that this is happening, it gives me strength and motivation for the future. It was not the first, but it was written in the broader context of the concept journey from the bottom to redemption.
5) What does the term “Land of the Black Sun” mean to you, on a spiritual level?
Sotiris: It’s the country where anything can happen. Yes, it is black because this is reality, but in the core of the sun everything changes and everything can happen from one moment to the next. This is where the first rays of hope begin.
6) I think with my own ears, the album Land of the Black Sun compared to the previous ones is a step up, without meaning that I don’t love the previous two ’13 and ’16 or that I don’t consider them remarkable, do you feel that? Have you ever stood in front of yourself, to listen to it and say this I would change it or I like it a lot, To make your self-criticism good or bad?
Sotiris: Once again I am very happy with what you say. We are always trying to improve and surpass ourselves and if you hear that then we are on the right track! Of course, I love each of our works, they are all honest about their time and representative of what we had to share. I do self-criticism every day as a person, for everything in my life. Of course, based on experiences, I constantly identify things that I would have improved on the previous albums, but this is also the essence of evolution.
7) Although early, since the new album was released this year, will there be a new release e.g. in two years? Is there anything in the works? Or maybe a continuation of the album in question?
Sotiris: There is still a need to explore this concept further and we are already working on new ideas. The plan is to release the fourth album in two years.
8) How did the collaboration with Giorgos Prokopiou from Mother of Millions in the song “Land of the Black Sun” come about? Excellent voice George!
Sotiris: He’s a great singer, a very good friend and this time I wanted to produce my vocals in a studio with specialized equipment for recording vocals and of course with a huge connoisseur of the subject. It was logical when I composed the title track and I knew that I wanted clean vocals, to use the best solution that was of course
in front of me haha.
9) How are the recordings of the songs done by the members, all together or do they each work their own piece and unite in the Studio?
Sotiris: We are all together, regardless of the instrument being recorded, but we write one by one. The whole engineering part is done by our lead guitarist Alex.
10) Since the chemistry between you is perfect that it definitely influences the final result of an album, no matter how good the production is. What is the relationship with the members of the band, with each other, are you friends, do you hang out?
Sotiris: We are brothers, not just partners or “just” friends. Again, it is something that makes me happy to observe.
11) Many Greek bands have more recognition abroad than in Greece. Why do you think this is the case?
Sotiris: We excel in more extreme and modern sounds. At least the youngest and most serious bands. Here people continue to prefer the older. But they get closer and closer as they discover the truth of the band. We are very grateful for the huge increase in followers and friends after our new release.
12) Do you think that the Death Metal of Among Ruins is commercial? And in general, what has changed in death metal in recent years and is it more popular as a sound?
Sotiris: It will never be commercial, if we think in the broader musical context of the industry. More melodies are inserted and a greater basis is given to the production, structure and composition of the tracks. This is what we did and I think most of them continue in this style.
13) In the compositions of Among Ruins there is a strong Scandinavian element. Is it your main influence? Is there another main influence?
Sotiris: It’s definitely the main one. But we also really like the American sound, especially in more metalcore and groove paths. My personal influence is mainly post and black metal. Mainly in terms of helping me get into synthesis psychology and find inspiration.
14) Is one of the two components of Among Ruins’ success emotion? and is the other is hard work?
Sotiris: The feeling clearly. As a first step, composition, it is our purpose, our goal, the driving force and the exclusive way we write. Musically and lyrically, we never keep something if it hasn’t been created based on emotion. Hard work is the next step.
15) With almost 55 years of existence, heavy metal, do you think that it is still a revolutionary and extreme genre of music?
Sotiris: I think it remains the only genre of music that will continue to surprise with subgenres and creativity. It also continues to provide the materials to reach new levels of revolution and extremity.
16) How does a band understand its success? From the views, from the likes, from the sales, from the participation of the people in the concerts or is there something else?
Sotiris: For me, it’s the love of the people and participating in concerts. The industry, on the other hand, only counts it with views and likes. Many people don’t even listen to you if you don’t have a number or more.
17) Given that you are a founding member of Among Ruins, how do you judge the course of the band all these years and why were there the 7 years of recording pause?
Sotiris: The band achieves its goal, which is always evolution. Apart from personal difficulties during these years, I did not feel what we were saying above, that I had something honest to express. Of course, the pause was not seven years, but three. As we did live and a lot of preparation for the third album.
18) The connection between the composer and the listener is like the relationship between the chef and his client. Since I know you listen to a lot of music, which side is more fun to be on?
Sotiris: Indeed, I never stop listening and discovering. I am always, primarily and fanatically first a fan and I will tell you for sure that I like this much more!
19) Theogonia Records is proven to be a remarkable start-up that has put several new bands in its roaster, how did the collaboration come about?
Sotiris: In the context of exploring a new label for our third album, I discovered them through my friend and colleague, Angelos. I was thrilled with the professionalism and the roster of the company and that’s how it all started.
20)What is your psychology now that you start the Tour Over Europe 2023, is there any stress? Are you impatient?
Sotiris: We are positively impatient and not stressed at all. We now have the experience and we focus only on being the best we can for the people who will honor us with their presence in every country and city.
21) How was your experience playing in Lithuania as a Guest of Wolfheart? And Tuomas even wore the AmongRuins t-shirt!
Sotiris: He’s one of my oldest and best friends. We have also collaborated on many levels and toured together. But it is still an honor for such a great musician to wear your T-shirt at very big festivals. Yes, he has done it other times haha! As a session I’ve played with them a few times and I’m generally their session bassist in times of emergency. Every time we have a great time and play with our soul.
22)Since your schedule is busy and having Tour in a month I will thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to answer us, we metalwar.gr wish you and the rest of the members of AmongRuins many successes. Would you like to add something else for our readers?
Sotiris: Thank you for your time, your interest and your wonderful questions. I hope to see you all at the upcoming live!
