- Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Infernal Masquerade: Thanks for the interview, and let’s get started:
I.M: Having been 3 years since “The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey”, what has happened in The Vision Bleak during this time (we know that each member is involved in countless projects)?
Markus Stock: We have been quite busy on all fronts afgter “The Wolves....”. We toured and played live for the album more than ever + a lot of things happened in our private lifes's as well as our job. You know I am a producer for other bands as well and my studio has been booked very, very well the last years. That was also a reason we had to record and produce “Set Sail...” in two sessions with a half year break in between.
I.M: Can you tell us more about the concept and ideas behind “Set Sail To Mystery”?
M.S: Like with all Albums by The Vision Bleak all the lyrics deal with themes of the supernatural, the occult and mysterious. Theres lot of influences and inspiration by literature by the likes of Poe, Byron, Lovecraft, C.A. Smith etc.
I.M: Having a big inspiration on Horror Movies and literature, what current movies and authors do you guys find appealing and inspiration worthy?
M.S: Well, I am a sort of old-fashioned guy and don't find any current writer to be as enjoyable as the classics of the genre. Movies? Mmhh, the last good Horror Movie that I really like is Carpenter's Mastepiece “The Fog” from the beginning of the 80ies. So there you go. However, I am really a fan of Guillermo del Torro and I have high hopes for him putting “At The Mountains Of Madness” on the screen. Also “The Whisperer In Darkness” by The Howard Phillips Lovecraft Historical Society will be great!
I.M: With all the unoriginal bands these days, how do you guys keep making brilliant and different music without the influence of the need to be commercial and sell tons of records?
M.S: It's pretty simple – we follow our heart and gut feeling. That's all.
I.M: Has making music become easier after all the years of experience that all the permanent members of The Vision Bleak have?
M.S: It's both easier, because of certain routines and experience, but also harder to get the wild and fresh ideas into the music because of certain routines and experiences. But we always find a good balance between the feeling and routine.
I.M: The band got some live members and will be touring in support of “Set Sail To Mystery” how do you think this line-up will work in portraying the ideas and concept of the band? Any special stage setup you guys will have during the tour?
M.S: The line up works great! The first part of the tour is done and it was really good! We have special dresses live and make up and try to uphold both, the energy and the atmosphere of our music in our live shows!
I.M: With all the current technology for recording music, how do you think this has simplified the process of making music and participating in different musical projects?
M.S: Yes, it made life easier in that respect. As I said above I am producer for other bands and work daily in a recording studio. It's easy to get astrayed by the techical possibilities abnd polish performances etc. but the art is to know when a performance needs a little bit of polish and when it does not. Just because you have the possibilites doesn't mean you HAVE to use them you know. And yes, working on material for different projects is easier these days when you have your Pro Tools Rig at home and in the studio and you can send ideas and projects all around the world in a couple of minutes....
I.M: How about the current technology (internet, myspace) that has helped plenty of relatively unknown bands to gather bigger following? How do you see that this has impacted The Vision Bleak?
M.S: I don't know – we got late on the myspace train to be honest and I am not so much sure if it is good to check out every band's music in a second. I miss the special feeling of the old days when you ordered – say – a demotape from an unknown norwegian band – waitedfor two weeks – the parcel arrived – you listened to it. You see, there was a whole lot more work involved in checking oput a new band which made it more special in a way.
I.M: If you guys had an unlimited budget for a live performance, what would you use on-stage in order to give the fill The Vision Bleak experience to fans?
M.S: Big theatre stage setting.Ship wrecks and rotten sails, Fullmoon Hoizon in the background. Classical string sections and horns and a timpani player – all dressed in our “undead” look. Video Projections for every song and the best light show you have ever seen....how does that sound?
I.M: Anything else you want to add for our readers and your American fans?
M.S: Thanks for the interview and please check out “Set Sail To Mystery” if you like your metal dark and atmospheric but still with lots of energy!
I.M: Thanks for the interview and good luck promoting the new album
More info: http://www.the-vision-bleak.de/ and http://www.myspace.com/thevisionbleak
