Interview with Enemy of the Sun

I.M: Thanks for taking time to answer our questions, and let’s get started. Enemy of the Sun has a very interesting ring to it. Why did you guys decided to use this name? What do you have against the sun?

People have made themselves the enemies of the sun without knowing it. They love the sun when it gives them a nice tan but they hate it when they get skin cancer. Also the way people treat this planet effects on how the sun effects on us and I think in this issue we as human beings haven’t done a nice job. But, anyway, there are many aspects in the name of the band but why we chose it is because of Neurosis’ album called Enemy Of The Sun. The idea of the name came from Waldemar who is a big Neurosis enthusiast and it fits to the versatility and the ambition that we want to express with our music. Seriously, we have nothing against the sun but I’m sure the sun has something against us!

I.M: The band’s new album “Caedium” has just been released in Europe and will be released shortly in North America. Can you tell us more about the concept and ideas behind this release?

“Ceadium” is Latin meaning “self conflicted death” and the songs behind this are a collection of how to deal with mortal issues that come from mankind’s self destructiveness. We are the only race who destroys one another just because of misunderstandings in mostly religious views. The people who will come hundreds of years after us are going to look back in time and will consider us as cavemen whose stupidity nearly destroyed everything. And when I say nearly, I do mean that there’s still hope. During the time I was writing the lyrics I was reading the comic novel Watchmen and I’ve always felt admiration to the idea of masked vigilantes fighting evil for the purpose of good. There are songs about mass murders, suicide, nuclear bombing and about the people who make these things happen.

I.M: “Shadows” was a very rich release that was misunderstood by many, but totally worshiped by most. With “Caedium” you guys keep pushing the boundaries of music, can you tell us what made Enemy of the Sun crate such a peculiar sound?

Waldemar is the guy behind the sound. He has always had a very recognizable sound in playing wise and the man is ambitious! He is the guy writing the music as well and sometimes it feels that there’s a cloud of madness around him where he gets some of his ideas from. I’ve never worked with more enthusiastic musician than he is. He has built his life based on the music he writes and I’m very glad that the band can also work as a channel to get this stuff out in the world.

I.M: With so many influences present on the music, can you tell us what are the ‘actual’ musical influences behind the band’s unique sound?

The artist/composer that Waldemar looks up to most is Beethoven so I think a lot of the stuff is actually rooted in his composing/symphonies. Neurosis is the metal band he looks up the most and I guess the brutal side comes from this inspiration.

I.M: How would you label the band’s music?

I wouldn’t. Nowadays everything is labeled and put under some mirksome meanings that apply to most of today’s metal bands so it doesn’t make any sense to put music under a name. We are what we are and people should try it and decide themselves what it is, good or bad.

I.M: Do you think Enemy of the Sun will ever settle with a particular style and sound, or will you guys keep pushing the boundaries of Metal to the extreme?

We are not closing any doors from good things that might come inside so we tend to stay open minded to our music in the future as well. I think nowadays one definition of a good band is that they have a sound that sticks in your ear whether you like it or not. You hear a tune somewhere and you can say which band it is without ever hearing the song before. It’s much more difficult to make this kind of sound than to make extreme music.

I.M: With most of the band members having other projects to focus their time, will Enemy of the Sun be touring anytime soon? Maybe a few shows on the USA?

Our goal is to tour as much as we can but at the moment it looks very difficult to get shows. The publishing of the album came so late that we lost the festivals but we’re still somewhat optimistic on touring clubs in the autumn 2010 or the beginning of 2011. Let’s hope for the best and see what happens.

I.M: Going back to the music, how do you think the complex songs will work live?

I think we’re a killer live act! On live the most complex things turn into more raw versions. We don’t use any keyboards, extra guitarists or playbacks on our shows so our live performance is always a lot more punk than the album sounds like. There is some stuff that we cannot play as a four piece so some songs we simply have to put aside from the live set. These include some songs that are my favorite ones and I would like to try some of that stuff just to see how it goes.

I.M: If you could make a super band with any musicians dead or alive, whom would you pick? and what kind of music would you play?

Guitar:              Dimebag Darrel
Guitar:              Rich Ward
Bass:                Cliff Burton
Drums:             Danny Carey
Vocals:             Layne Staley

The music would be prog oriented groove metal with some Seattle breath in it!

I.M: Anything else you want to add for your fans and our readers?

Try some Ceadium at www.myspace.com/enemyofthesunband!

I.M: Thanks for the time and good luck promoting the album.

Thanks!