Dark Metamorphosis consists the enigma known as Count Draclecarde, and that’s just the way he likes it. As for updates, there is definetly something good on the way. Be patient. If you are truly a fan of this band I think you will really enjoy what’s next.

Tell us about evolution. Not really about evolution in general but perhaps maybe about your evolution as a “musician” and getting involved in the scene. What is your opinion on the underground nowadays than it was before?

Well, i’m not going to be like (almost) every other musician in the world and tell you just how much the sound has gotten better and and more evolved from album to album, because that kind of self promotion will get me nowhere. I will say this, however… the band has gone through three, audibly distinct stages since it begun. When I first started the band, I was playing more of a melodic death metal style, recording some crappy demos in a workshed. That is until I discovered black metal for the first time with Darkthrone’s (wait for it) Transilvanian Hunger. I was so taken by the sound, I immedietly started trying my hand at the genre, focusing on developing atmosphere, and trying to make each song have kind of an imaginative effect on the listener.

As far as the underground is concerned, I don’t honestly know what to think of it too much. It has certainly lost some of the “charm” that it used to have, that is for sure. I still enjoy bands that have that “underground” sound and stature, but the whole tape trading and flyer posting deal of the past is mainly what made discovering an unknown band so great. Not to mention the absolute flood of “trve”, kids out there now, who believe the “underground” is about being more satanic and “br00tal” than the others. It’s really hard to differentiate it anymore.

About song writing, how long will it take to complete a song (your song). Is it possible to complete it all in an hour, or in day, or it might even took long periods of refining the lines, etc. How do you know or when can you say that the song is finished? Who writes the lyrics? Do each and everyone in the band contribute their ideas?

Well the time it takes varies from song to song (obviously). I have written songs in very short time spans before, but it usually takes at least a few days to record everything and get it sounding good. Lately though, I have completely changed my songwriting method, and the time it takes to write and record one song has quadrupled. I used to record everything that came to mind that I thought was decently good, but nowadays, If I think of a riff or something that I don’t absolutely love, I just convince my self it was never good to begin with, and go on my merry way. I guess I’ve gotten lazier in that aspect, but i’m happier with the results, so fuck it.

As for the lyrics, I am the one that writes them, and they are usually what takes the longest to think of. The music itself comes to me alot easier I think.

What music format do you prefer the most; vinyl, CD, or cassettes? Do you think it is really good to release one album in these three mentioned formats? I mean, CD first then vinyl or vinyl first then CD is acceptable (at least to me), but CD first then vinyl then after that a cassette with same songs on them over and over again is something that I don’t understand! For collectors?

I think it’s fine to release on every medium, although I definitely prefer tapes and CDs, because that’s what i’m most accustomed to. I like vinyl, and I hope to release some albums on vinyl eventually, too.

Then what is your opinion on bands who keep on releasing “rehearsal recordings” on various formats? Is this good or what? There are some bands who are fond on doing this and releasing same “rehearsal tracks” for about 4 releases (only with different album title) and if you’re not interested buying this, “you’re nothing but a poser” like is what being said in the ad.

I think it’s pretty lazy, in all honesty. I wouldn’t mind buying a rehearsal album that never made it’s way into the studio so much though. Celtic Frost’s “In Session ‘93″ album is badass.

Artworks… how important is this to you? Do you buy a record just because the artwork is great? What about the photoshopped “artworks” nowadays? What do you prefer; a photographed being enhanced by technology, a b/w goats, or a hand painting?

I don’t think artwork is the most important thing, really. I mean, you would want your album to catch the eye and look nice, but, I think the music should speak for itself and not be represented so much by whats on the cover. Photoshopped images are okay, but it’s mostly overused with the effects. I like the the old school black metal covers the most. Just a black and white snapshot, and not heavy on the effects. Paintings are very nice too, when done well. Oh, and I would NEVER suggest someone buy an album just for artwork, unless they had heard it prior… I’ve made more than one mistake doing that.

What is your opinion on bootlegs and also the massive downloading of albums in general? Do you think all these ripped audios in filesharing sites helps the band? For nowadays over-crowded scene, what’s the best way for a band to get an attention? Is originality important?

I personally have no problem with bootlegs and downloads, they don’t really effect me. The way I look at it is this; A true fan of a band is going to buy their albums, regardless of whether or not they downloaded it first. I guess the only problem with this theory is if a band releases just a total piece of shit album, and no one wants to buy it because they already heard what it sounded like, and alot of fans would buy it even then. I know it’s the main source of record labels losing money, but I don’t make money doing this, so… whatever.

I guess the best way for a band to get attention would be to try to book some shows or something. I honestly don’t know. D.M. has been around for like 4 years now, and never played live. I can tell you this, promoting yourself online really isn’t the best method.

Originality of course would help a band stand out, but with the sheer amount of bands around, can any of them be truly “original” anymore? I mean, you could essentially say any particular band sounds similar to another. I think the best thing to do is try to do what you do as best as you can, even if it does sound similar to another band. Having alot of great ideas and concepts intergrated into the overall sound is good, but being too different can end up sounding more absurd than likeable.

Do you listen to other forms of “music” in general? Something non-metal like classical or industrial? Do this somehow influences you? Where do you take your inspirations when you write your songs?

I do enjoy other types of music, though metal is my passion. I really quite enjoy classical music alot, and it is very influencial to me, although, I don’t try to make the band sound like classical or anything. I take inspirations from just about everywhere in life.

What is your opinion about “life”? Do you believe humans really got “souls”? What is success, because there is a lot of definitions, specially on some people that thinks travelling all over the world is already a “huge success”? What are your goals with this band? When is the time to quit metal (ie: listening, buying, being in a band, etc)?

The answer to that is always going to be in the eye of the beholder. Some people are thrill seekers, while others have their college picked out and future planned before they are even in middle school. Some can’t live without a well paying job, and some can’t live without a partner. I tend to think that everyone should just live day to day, and enjoy each moment to it’s fullest, because things almost NEVER go entirely as planned. Wouldn’t it be a bitch to work your ass off for 40 years, never fulfilling any dream you ever had, looking back to realize there really is no second chances? You could step out into traffic and die tomorrow. Thats mainly why I continue with this project, no matter what happens, because it my one true passion. Our “dreams” are our “souls”, I believe. What makes us truly human is our hopes and dreams, our connections to each other and our passion for things, not success, and not money.

My goal with this band… Hmmm. I mainly just want to continue making music for as long as I’m able to, because I am a musician at heart, and that’s what I love to do. As long as at least SOMEONE out there enjoys the music I produce, I will continue to keep this band alive.

A time to quit metal? Blasphemy!

Back to the band, what is your opinion on the use of keyboards? Is it really a problem? Do you think a metal band should not use this instrument just in order for them to stay “purely metal”? Then what is “purity” in metal? Do you think “experimenting” in music is bad? What is your opinion on the modernization of music (technical playing, etc)?

I have no problem with keyboards, and have used them myself. It’s really only becomes a problem when bands OVERuse keyboard (or any other instrument, for that matter). I don’t think using keys makes a band any less metal, either. Can you honestly call Emperor or Celtic Frost pansies for using keyboards? I think not. I think metal purity is simply in the overall feeling you get from the music. If a band makes you want to bang your head, tap your feet, or beat the shit out of someone, and you consider it be metal, then it is. I’m sick of all this ”genre wars” faggotry.

Experimenting in music is always welcome with me. I think it makes the music more genuine. Sticking to the same formula can get boring. Modernization of music is just the natural direction everything had to go. All the technicality… I guess shred bands have to top each other in some way.

Some bands claim that they are here for a message? What do you think is that message? I mean, if these bands really want to spread a message across, then why are they releasing limited amount of copies? I don’t think that releasing 250 limited copies is enough to spread that “message”.

I respect bands who are trying to spread a message around, but it won’t make me like them any more than a band who is just trying to make good music, i think.

From what I’ve noticed, limiting copies is mainly due to the label’s budget, but I have seen bands who purposely limit the amount, just to add a bit of “mystery” to the album. If all the copies are sold out, i think instinctively people will want to get their hands on a copy somehow, thus the band will re-release it sometime later. It’s all about the money.

It is also noticeable about bands being so “defensive” nowadays. Loading themselves with a lot of excuses like: “no technical playing”, “no clean professional sound”, etc. What is your opinion on all of these?

I don’t see any reason for that. If someone wants to be in a band, they should be upfront about their decisions and not load people down with excuses. They should take a fucking chance some time… There is no reason to put your music online or go perform for an audience if you don’t want at least SOME critisism.

Alright, we’ve come to an end. Do you have any final thoughts? Thank you for your time…

No final thoughts. Thank you for the interview.

BAND CONTACT:
http://www.myspace.com/darkmetamorphosismusic