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Band page - Alkemyst
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
I am Arnaud Ménard, guitar player of the band ALKEMYST.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
We play what we can call a sophisticated or progressive kind of melodic speed metal. We developed our personality from the very start of the band, so our music is now quite different from what it formerly was, but in a way we never changed dramatically the kind of music we play.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album is called "Through Painful Lanes". It is the result of three years dedicated to songwritting. Why should people buy it ? Just because, in my opinion, it is a real work of art, because it has been written without any pressure of any kind but the will to reach musical perfection in the musical style we play. It sounds fresh as well as respectful of our major musical inspirations and heavy metal traditions. Reviews are until now excellent and we are sure this album can convince the ones thinking it's not possible to write original and interesting melodic heavy metal anymore. Let's try us !
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
We are born in the middle 90's, in the middle of the French Alps. I initially formed the band in 1992, at the age of 13, but the musicians I played with were not enthusiast enough to carry on the project, so the band regularly changed line-up.
Between 1996 & 2000, Arnaud Gorbaty (drums), Séverin Bonneville (guitar), Denis Mellion (bass) and Ramon Messina (vocals) entered the band. I knew Denis for a long time since we had formerly played music together; Arnaud and Séverin joined us after reading an announcement published in a music store, and we contacted Ramon after our singer left the band. We liked his voice in his other band, SECRET SPHERE, and sent him a demo, then we have had the pleasure to meet him and to record our first album, "Meeting in the Mist" in 2001.
Unfortunately, due to a hard drive crash in the recording studio, we had to records it again during summer 2002, they came the first highlight in the short band's carrer.
In fact, after two demos noticed by professionnals in 1998 and 1999, we eventually attracted NUCLEAR BLAST attention with this first album; the giant German label released it summer 2003. Thank to this unexpected exposure and worldwide distribution, we kind of rose from darkness being known to a larger audience.
Well, the beginning was great but things did not carry on further. Due to important internal troubles within the band, and first of all to the fact we did not tour at all to promote this first opus, we took far to much time to react and finish the new songs we started to write, and lost our deal with Nuclear Blast.
Anyway, we decided to finish this second album. As an outcome of a three years labour period dedicated to a deep love of music-making mixed with a flawless will to achieve a real work of art, « Through Painful Lanes » finally was finished in summer 2007.
At last this way of working attracted the attention and trust from several labels worlwide. As a consequence, the album as been released in Japan and Asia by Spiritual Beast records, in North America by Nightmare Records, in Russia and Eastern Europe by Irond records in 2008.
Produced by the band on their own, « Through Painful Lanes » didn't undergo any flaw in terms of production. The album enjoyed a luxurious mixing at the Taurus Studio in Geneva, Switzerland (Sybreed, Etna, Rated X ...) and was mastered at Finnvox Studios, Helsinki, Finland, by Mika Jussila.
Right now, we are searching for concerts and we have started the writing process for our next album.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Well... We never considered the question this way. Above all, we wanted to write and play good music, be it heard or not by an audience. Anyway, we have always believed we could be successful if we would work hard, and keep our passion for music.
Right now, we are not so well known; we are not Metallica ! We're just like a big local outfit, in a way, so we keep working harder and hope to be more successful with the time.
How is the writing process in the band?
It's not simple and everybody brings something of his own in the final mixture.
Everyone of us often writes some pieces of music, riffs, arrangement ideas, etc. So we just have to decide which among these ideas are worth to be turned into real songs.
I often use to develop less short ideas than the others, and I concentrate on writing whole songs, or to put together the little pieces my partners have written. Séverin helps me a lot, because he creates a lot of material I use to complete the songs I work on, and I help him a lot too in order to arrange the riffs he finds, to order a bit what is messy, to turn the chaos into solid songs.
Séverin and me write the most important part of the music, and we are very cautious about it; we are like a "riff police"; when a part seems weak, we work until it sounds good to our hears. It doesn't mean Arnaud G. (drumss), Denis (Bass) and Ramon are inactive : they also write stuff, be it used or not in the end.
On our last album, it also happened that the songs started with drums patterns Arnaud Gorbaty wrote; it's also an interesting way of working, very uncommon and creative, and, for example, I composed some stuff starting with programming a mad drum part.
Then, when everything has been put together and arranged, when the songs have found their coherence and personality (it can take months), when the drum parts are written and Arnaud is able to play them, he starts the recording. Then, we enter the studio, and put the final touch to the riffing and musical arrangement, including the bass.
In the end, Ramon listen to the result, records some ideas on his computer. We together listen to them, and as a band we decide which ones are worth to be kept, which ones must be deleted, and which ones have to be changed a bit to be perfect. So the final vocal lines are created in studio; we just have to adapt to them the lyrics we have written before.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I started playing music when I was 6. I studied piano for a long time, then I discovered the metal music. For me, it was a shock, and it was clear I would be a metal songwritter in the future. I really wanted to create, not just to play in front of a numerous audience. This music made me mad, it was like a drug, but the "highest dope", in my opinion, is the moment I find out a killer riff. That's the meaning of life !
Although, I, like my band partners, had to find a way to earn my life, because music and especially metal is not a decent way to earn money. Consider that we pay the studio sessions, the gears, etc. It's very expensive, and with illegal downloading, sales doesn't allow us to stop our regular jobs.
Arnaud Gorbaty is a music teacher, and he started music very young by studying piano and music theory; in a certain way he managed to dedicate his life to music; we haven't had the same luck.
Did I ever consider not playing music ? I'd say it happened I was disgusted by the whole music industry, and I thought it would be better for me to stop and do something else. I love litterature, and I really feel like writing a book, when I am older. But when I am more serious and less depressed, it becomes obvious to me music is my life.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Difficult question. I admire a lot of metal musicians, because I recognize their style and their creations had a lot of influence on the whole scene. I would name the famous guitar duets and riff discoverers Kaï Hansen/Michael Weikath, Dave Mustaine/Marty Friedman, KK Downing/Glenn Tipton, singers like Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske, and strong individuals and songwritters such as Cliff Burton, Chuck Shuldiner, or more recently Dan Swäno, Mickael Ackerfeld and Ihsahn.
I am also fascinated by classical and romantic composers, Pergolesi, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Mahler, Fauré, Berlioz, among hundreds of genius responsible of sublime pieces of music; not only they were huge creators, but some of them were also superior people, for the best and sometimes the worst.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
I think this maybe was the weakest point on our first album, and we had to improve. But on our new opus, the lyrics have been an important part of the creative process; we tried to write something we could still be proud of in the next years. Lyrics are an important part of the job, and they must fit the music to give it force and impact.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
It is not better than before and maybe worst. The people who said some years ago that the Internet would bring a revolution that would lead the bands and the music consumers to freedom were wrong. Major labels found out the way to still sell their shit with Mac Donald's menus and phone rings; and it is hard as hell for an Underground band to find their audience and get a recording deal.
A second consequence, even worst, is that the music piracy gave to the labels some alibis to keep the money for themselves, saying to the bands "We are poor, we can't pay you". Most of the bands, and this is NEVER said, pay their studio sessions and have to gain a minimum to get the possibility to record. They also pay their tours, with their own money. And, with the Internet, it is getting worst and worst everyday.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Seek and destroy. Shoot, don't talk.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
I can't answer for the band. Every member has got their own beliefs and point of views. We all are very different people. Maybe the main point remains love for music. Music unites us.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I use to read a lot of good literature. I also began to study a bit more musical theory - well, it is still music... I also often try to have a walk in the mountains near my home, and practice some sport. At last, I like inviting friends at home, to have a good time eating and drinking a good bottle of wine... typically french isn't it ?
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
I would certainly be depressed if I just had to bring 3 of each on a desert Island. Concerning music, I would certainly bring with me Mozart's Requiem, Wagner's Tristan & Isolde, and maybe Blackwater Park by Opeth or Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk by Emperor. But I would die out such a poverty !
The books I would choose would be a Bible, because it is long and full of creation-stimulating stories, be you a believer or not, Les Fables by Jean de la Fontaine, for the same reasons, and the Karamazov's brothers by Dostoïevsky. And finally, I would throw the movies to be able to take more books and music.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
We are writing our next album and are searching for shows. If you are interested in making us play live, at your birthday, at your marriage, or just to see us, contact us !
Added by Steen - 10/9/2008
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| Articles on this site
Album Review - Meeting In The Mist
(David)
Interview - Interview with Arnaud Menard
(David)
Band Information - Band Profile
(Steen)
Album Review - A Meeting In The Mist
(Brian)
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