Symmetric Records

Band Links –
https://www.facebook.com/moaningsilence
https://moaningsilence.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSXi2widV0NhxVBTQ-A_JYg
https://www.facebook.com/symmetricrecords/

What is the Greek scene like at the moment?

There is a huge number of bands creating nice music. Technology makes it much easier than in the past. The atmospheric metal scene, although not as big as some years ago, has some great bands.  I am glad that both On Thorns I Lay & The Elysian Fields have returned with amazing albums after a long period of silence!

Under what circumstances was the band formed?

The current line up works together for almost a year now, although I know Harry since high school!! Our lead singer, Eleftheria, joined the band in early 2019. Antonis is a friend of mine for the last 5 years and has been a member of Moaning Silence since 2016.

Why did you pick an oxymoron name for the band? Is silence really deafening?

The story of the band’s name comes from a card from the famous card game “Magic the gathering”. There was a haunting figure under the name “Moaning Spirit”. I immediately made a quick search on the internet in order to check if there was a band with this name. Unfortunately the name was not available so I changed it a bit to “Moaning Silence”. I have never regretted this decision! It’s this antithesis that I love most. It’s this antithesis that is present in almost all of our songs. Even our new album title “a waltz into darkness” is somehow an antithesis, you can’t dance in the darkness! It’s the battle between all of our emotions. Imagine a haunting picture of someone grieving in silence, that’s the atmosphere.

Which bands were your primary influences?

Our music influences go back to the second half of the 90’s where the atmospheric metal sound was at its highs. Bands like Paradise Lost, Theatre of Tragedy, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Tiamat and On Thorns I Lay played a significant role in how Moaning Silence create music. So there is no specific doom or gothic metal band that characterize us. Even in Black Sabbath’s era with Tony Martin I see elements of our music.

How do you work on an idea to make it a song?

I have a passion with reading. When I come across with a topic that stimulates my imagination (it may be just one phrase or a simple word) I immediately write it down and then try to create a lyrical theme. I usually start with a good title! The composition of music is then the hardest part.  Having an initial plan in my head, I try to find the wright melodies.

Who writes the lyrics in the band? How important are your lyrics for you?

I write all the lyrical themes. As I said before, everything starts with a good song title. The lyrics plays a significant role in Moaning Silence philosophy. I want to express myself, to share my thoughts, my emotions.

How was your cooperation with Bob Katsionis for the production of “A Waltz Into Darkness”?

I know Bob Katsionis since 2014. He is the man that made my dream come true. All of our material is recorded in his studios, he plays the keyboards and he is also the producer.

There is a mutual respect, I know what he wants and he knows my needs too.

It’s a pleasure to work with such an amazing musician.

We are also glad to be part of Symmetric Records.

Would you change anything now when you listen again to the album?

Our first album “a world afraid of light” was like a music mosaic, in its 45 minutes, it contained all of our ideas and influences. “a waltz into darkness” is our effort to create a music identity, to follow a more specific path, and I think we have done it quite well!! No, I would not change anything!!

In “The Lights Of Alexandria” you used words from Constantine Cavafy poetry. How important is poetry for you and why did you choose this particular poet?

Oh its an amazing poem. Marcus Antonius, poem’s hero, had everything, power ruled an empire, a romance with the most beautiful woman of the times, and yet, there came the time to abandon all of this. He tastes failure trying to face it with courage, realism and dignity. Everything has an end. And every end defines a new beginning. This is life, it comes a day when you have to leave behind everything you love. Can you handle it?

Is Moaning Silence a live band?

Due to some significant reasons, we were not able to play live until now.

If the situation goes well, I hope that we will be ready to get on stage in autumn.

How do you support the new album? Have you gotten back good reviews so far?

We try to give some interviews and to promote our album through the social media.

A second video is also in our mind, we’ll see.

And we hope that we will be able to give some live shows from September. Until now, we have very good feedback from fans and the press.

What will be your next steps as a band?

Our main goal is get on the stage!! And then we will have plenty of time to discuss about our future!!