Atargatis interview from 2006

To fill some space here and buy some time until I can think of something to write, today is recycled interview day, where an interview I did for either of the deceased publications gets posted.  Today is an interview from July 2006 with the German female-fronted metal band Atargatis and their vocalist Stephanie Luzie and was originally posted on Metal Coven.

Metal Coven: I think a good place to start is where did the name Atargatis come from and how does it fit with the music?

Luzie:  Well, Atargatis is the name of a Syrian goddess. It’s an allegory for the origin of life and ascension. We discover the legends that are told about the goddess and take it as a base for our concept, which is also applied on our new album Wasteland that tells about an everlasting cycle of life and rebirth as a kind of a new Genesis

MC:  Could you give a brief history of the band?

Luzie:  The main part of our band got together about eight years ago while playing concerts with our former bands.

We released three EP’s in the years 1999, 2002 and 2004 and with our new full-length album Wasteland, we’re able to present a complete and comprehensive example of our work.

MC:  Recently, a couple of members left the band. Could you explain the circumstances and who did you get to replace them?

Luzie:  Sadly, our former keyboard player Satyria and guitar player Sagoth left the band because of job-related reasons. They wouldn’t have been able to spend enough time on our music and decided to leave. So we’re able to present our new guitarist AZMO.

Our singer and bass player Lord Lornhold just couldn’t play on our new album Wasteland, but he’s still an important member of the band.

MC:  Most poeple who know about the band know you are also the vocalist in a band called Darkwell. With the going between Atargatis and Darkwell, has there been any conflicts in terms of touring or anything else related to either band?

Luzie:  There haven’t been any conflicts yet with the plans of Darkwell and Atargatis. It’s just important to organize concerts, rehearsals and songwriting well, so it works without any problem.

And playing in two bands means fun twice as big! ; )

MC:  For most people, Atargatis is a relatively unknown band outside of parts of Europe. If you could give a description of what your band sounds like to someone who hasn't heard of your band before, what would you say?

Luzie:  Our sound consists of classical elements and is based on catchy melodies by guitars and voice. You can describe our sound as a mixture of atmospheric keyboards and orchestral lines completed by powerful guitars. Groovy, as well as aggressive though mostly very melodic parts are followed by gentle, solemn passages and are thus interweaved to a mystical sound.

MC:  Wasteland is the first full-length album from the band. Can you explain how the record deal with Massacre Records came about?

Luzie:  We had been in conversation with several record labels and we chose Massacre Records because they fit exactly to our style of music. And the cooperation is very well!

It’s always important for your progression to get assistance so that you can work with combined energy

MC: Wasteland seems to be a concept album. If it is, could you elaborate on what concept is going on throughout the album?

Luzie: Indeed, our new album covers an interesting concept. Wasteland shows the development from a desolated and dried up earth at the end of our time, caused by mankind. The goddess Atargatis sends rain as a symbol for new existence to the earth. Afterwards nature spreads again and develops into a new “Garden of Eden” and this world is able to recover after the disastrous mistakes our species had made.

On the whole, the concept of Wasteland might be called a new history of creation – a second Genesis!

MC: On the album, vocals on two of the tracks are contributed by Stefan Hertrich of Darkseed. How did the arrangement come about and would you work with him in the future?

Luzie:  We know Darkseed very well and appreciate Stefan’s voice. So it was obvious to ask Stefan to take part on Wasteland as a guest singer and we are very content with the result. But live, we are still assisted by our singer Lord Lornhold.

MC: Has the band toured in support of Wasteland and what dates are there
upcoming?

Luzie: We are planning a tour in autumn and play several concerts in summer to promote our new album.

Upcoming shows:
28.07.06 Krefeld / Kulturfabrik (G)
08.09.06 Wörgl / Komma (A)
10.09.06 Leipzig / 2.Nocturnal Culture Night Festival (G)
16.09.06 Jettenbach / Castle (G)
30.12.06 Regensburg / Alte Mälzerei (G)

MC: I`ll wrap up the interview and say thanks for taking the time to answer the
questions and best of luck to the band.

Luzie:  Thanks a lot for your interesting questions,

Luzie and Atargatis