On the 26th of November, Beyond Perception is going to tear up the scene of Gagarin 205, Athens, Greece, along with Elysion and Nightrage! Get ready to dive into the wicked world of Beyond Perception, the Greek groove metal maestros, who are about to take you on a wild ride through riffs, beats, and stories that'll make your head bang. Nikk Perros (drums), who kindly answered our questions, tried to prepare us! 

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

In a few days you are playing a live show in Athens with Elysion and Nightrage. How do you feel about that? Which are your expectations from this show?

 First of all, we are excited that we are playing along with Elysion and Nightrage. Two great bands that are amazing to what they do. It’s a great mix of various heavy sounds and it’s a great opportunity for us to play in front of a different audience.

This year you released an EP, called “Guile”. How would you describe the songs of this release? How much different is it from your previous releases?

 Stylistically not much have been changed. With the arrival of Nikk we can tell that our grooves have been changed into a more straightforward metal sound.  We also worked a lot in the production of the songs with Fotis Benardo in DevaSoundz and with his experience we managed to get the 100% of our abilities and then the mix that Nik did in Hell studios was the top of the notch for our sound.

“Guile” was self-released. Why did you release it by yourselves? Are you in contact with any record labels?

 Well we wanted to have absolute freedom and do whatever we want with no limitations from a label regarding the songs and the promotion of the EP.

Who are some of the key influences on Beyond Perception's groove metal sound? How do these influences contribute to your unique style?

 Whatever has heavy noisy guitars and loud drums is a big influence for us. If the song makes us want to drink beers and sweat from the head banging and dance to the groove, then it sounds like a great influence. It doesn't matter if its death metal, stoner, prog-rock, hard rock, punk etc.

Groove metal often emphasizes rhythmic elements. How does Beyond Perception incorporate groove into your music, and what role does it play in shaping your sound?

 All members in the band are millennials so we grew up listening to bands from the 90s and early 00s that groove was a huge factor for heavy music.

All these sounds and grooves built a mindset that we need to take these heavy riffs and make them groove properly so we can see heads rolling.

How have the themes and lyrical content in Beyond Perception's music evolved over the course of your discography? What messages do you aim to convey through your lyrics?

 Well lyrics were always have to do with state of mind. On how things are and how they should be. They talk about pain and redemption. Always try to see the bright side of life. Most of the time we fail though.

 You are well-known for your intense live shows. How do you prepare for your live performances, and what do you hope the audience takes away from the experience?

 Lots of rehearsals and the need to take all our negative feelings that we have inside andmake them in a positive rock n roll vibe. We are trying to create amazing memories and have an on and off stage party.

Do you have any particular songs from your discography that are personal favorites to perform live? What makes these tracks stand out for you?

We really like to play "To the point" from our new EP, "Order of the Pigs" from “Anthem for the Wasted” and "Hydra" from “Blood & Whiskey” albums.

Are there any artists or bands you would love to collaborate with in the future?

Ooof. If we start, we might need few pages to write them down. We love to experiment and collaborate with different style artists so they can give us a different touch in our songs as Chrysa Tsaltampasi did on "Shellshock Blues" in our latest EP.

Greece has a vibrant extreme metal scene. How has being part of the Greek metal community influenced Beyond Perception's journey? What unique aspects does the Greek scene bring to the global metal stage?

Almost 20 years of being part of Greek metal scene we have seen many bands come and go. Many left their marks and some still keep rocking and releasing awesome music. What Greek scene has to offer is lot of feta and tzatziki in metal. Just kidding! Nothing comes easy for most of the bands in Greece, so this madness and dedication that drives the Greek bands to achieve their goals gives an extra energy in their music.

When should we expect your new full-length album? Have you written any new material? Give us any info!

We have started already writing new material. Probably next year we will manage to release new stuff. Now if it’s going to be an album an EP or just singles, time will tell.

Looking ahead, how do you envision the future of Beyond Perception's groove metal sound? Are there new directions or elements you'd like to explore in upcoming releases?

We would love to hear Makis sing more Arias. That would be fun!! Other than that we are experimenting with new stuff and we are trying to create songs that people can relate to and head bang.

Your message to the fans!

 Support Greek metal scene guys. You will find lots of amazing bands that need your support to thrive. Hope to see you on the show with Elysion and Nightrage on 26th.

Melody, power, versatility, epic guitar riffs, soaring vocals: welcome to the world of classic heavy/power/prog metal, welcome to the world of Veritas. As the ethereal echoes of their dynamic and emotional music transport fans to distant places, we delve into the heart of this US metal band in an exclusive interview. Join us on a hellish ride, where passion meets technique, and discover a band, which brings yesterday to today and shows the way to the future. Greg Wenk (guitar) gives the answers.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Veritas released its sophomore album (“Silent Script”) some months ago. How do you see this album now? Are you satisfied with the response of the press and the fans?

We are very pleased with the album. The press and fans have said great things about the new CD. We are looking forward to hearing more from both.

Where would you trace the differences between “Silent Script” and your debut album? How much have you progressed?

The new CD is a natural progression. It still has a similar sound but the songs are stronger since we are more comfortable with each others writing styles.

Give us all the details about the recordings and the production process of “Silent Script”.

“Silent Script” was written and recorded over about a 3 year period. We narrowed the song list down to 12 songs. The song length is a bit longer this time and the last track is the longest we’ve written so far.

Who is responsible for the music and lyrics of Veritas?

We all write our own parts. I write the main melody on guitar and send it to Mark to add the drums. He sends it back and I re-record and layer the guitar tracks. It then goes to Geno for bass and Denny writes the lyrics and adds vocals.

I believe your sound is a mix of classic hard rock/metal and technical/progressive hard rock/metal. Do you agree with me?

Yes, we have many influences in both styles. I always preferred music that was catchy and also technical enough to keep musicians interested.

Which artists/bands have influenced you?

There are so many and the style I listen to changes all the time. Currently: Savatage, Metal Church, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Helloween, Fifth Angel.

Which are the trademarks of Veritas’ music, in your opinion?

Songs that casual listeners can enjoy with enough technicality for the musicians to stay interested. We write songs we would enjoy listening to even if not in the band.

Where do the lyrics of “Silent Script” refer to?

Denny writes the lyrics so that everyone can interpret them personally.

Give us all the info about the album cover of “Silent Script”.

The cover was designed by Harley Velasquez. The idea behind it was a portal to dreams and ambitions waiting to be discovered.

You have Mark Zonder on drums. How did you first come in contact with him? Is he now a full-member of the band or is he still a session player? Why?

Denny suggested contacting Mark when we were searching for a drummer. He had worked with him on a project in the past. As much as I would love to say he is a member, he is just helping us out in the studio. He’s a very busy guy and has his own projects that keep his attention.

This new album is released by Sliptrick Records. How did the deal with this label come up?

We recorded the CD and started shopping a few songs around trying to find the best deal. We have been working with Angels PR for many years now and Sliptrick is one the labels they helped us approach.

Why did you choose the name “Veritas” for the band?

I was looking for a name for the new band I was putting together and I came across Veritas which means truth. I just liked the way it sounded. We also combined the name with the Celtic symbol Awen, which means creativity to form our logo.

Which are your ambitions for Veritas?

Our plan is to continue recording and releasing new music and start playing some shows.

Do you play live in concert? Do you have a plan for a tour?

We haven’t yet but we are hoping to start booking shows for summer of 2024 and hopefully play some festivals.

Send your message to the fans!

Thank you to all our fans for buying our music and sharing it with others. We appreciate the support and hope to see you live this summer. Go to our sites for current updates www.facebook.com/veritasmusickc www.veritas.rocks

Few bands have carved their niche with the precision and finesse exhibited by Fortress Under Siege. As Myth of Rock delves into the case of this historic heavy/power metal band, it is a distinct pleasure to present an insightful conversation with Fotis Sotiropoulos, the virtuoso guitarist and driving force behind the Greek heavy/power metal powerhouse.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

You have just released your new album, “Envy”. Which are your feelings? Which are your ambitions for this album?

We are very happy with the new album and we can't wait to present it live. We have invested a lot in this release and we hope that we are going to make a decisive step forwards.

Where and when was the album recorded? Who did the mixing and the mastering? Please describe the production process of “Envy”.

The album was recorded in Devasoundz Studio by Fotis Benardo, Aggelos Karatzas and Aris Karatzas during 2021 and mixed by Fotis Benardo during 2022. The mastering was done by George Neratzis. The whole production was made by Fotis Benardo and it was an awesome experience, because working with the best is outstanding. Fotis' guidance in the studio is simply unbelievable, he knows how to make everything right and take the best out of you. He always becomes the extra member of the band, this is really priceless.

Who is the main composer (music/lyrics) In Fortress Under Siege? Could you describe your songwriting process, from the initial concept to the final recording? Did you follow any “rituals” or methods?

The main composer of the band is me. I always write the music first. This can start by just a single riff or idea, which will  built up  a whole song in the process. Then I compose the vocal melodies and finally, write the lyrics which I always try to have a strong correlation to the music. Afterwards, I make a pre-production of the songs in a home studio and then I give the demo to the rest of the band to learn and compose, where needed, their parts. Then we do a lot of rehearsing to learn and perfect the songs and make any corrections we feel necessary. The last act is played in the recording studio, where we and the producer will make any last minute interventions that we feel that will extra benefit the songs.

Where would you trace the differences between “Envy” and “Atlantis?

Every album we make is more or less, different to each other. Nevertheless, the last two albums we did have a really strong bond: they are performed by exactly the same members. This is a very important element to note. However, differences are always there, no matter what, and this is of vital importance, otherwise you become dull and boring while you repeat yourself. The only point I will like to mention, is that "Envy" has a more cohesive and stormy sound than its predecessor which is always the decision of our producer.

Why did you name the new album “Envy”? Where do your lyrics refer to?

It just fitted right as the title of the record, it is one small word, on the contrary with our band name which is long and there is a deep and dark meaning in it. Also, we could correlate it with the painting of the horned girl of the cover and make a strong allegory with that. As far as the lyrics are concerned, as usual there is wide variety. We have two historical songs, "Straits of glory" which is about the famous ancient naval battle of Salamis and "Bring out your dead" which is about the black death in Middle Aged Europe, "Distant voices" which is a song inspired by the famous sci-fi movie "Blade runner's" last scene with Rutger Hauer and Harrison Ford, "Disobey" which is a call to question authority, "Look at you" which is a song about the ancient myth of Medusa and Perseus but with a different finale, with Medusa proudly holding Perseus' cut off head, inspired by all time female oppression, "Ride the thunder" which is a song about the hard effort, the power of will, self awareness and moderation, "Burning fleshes" which is about the strong emotions of a guest in Dahau's concentration camp of World War II who happened to be there as a prisoner, "Envy"  which describes an envious person, "Broken and torn" which describes a person's feelings seeing accidentally his ex sweetheart in a club with someone else and last but not least "Deceptor" which is a song about people who demand mandatory respect to things they consider sacred or important.

Your favorite song from “Envy”? And why?

I have decided to have a different favorite song in every interview, since I get involved in the composing process and is always difficult to select just one. So, the previous time it was "Bring out your dead", now it  is "Distant voices".

How would you define your music? Do you try to incorporate various, different music elements in your songs?

Melodic, technical power heavy metal we play. The only thing that concerns me, is to make really good music that excites me and meet my high musical and lyrical standards.

Which particular bands and artists have inspired your musical journey? Which would be your dream collaboration?

All the great metal  bands of the 80's and 90's have made me want to write and perform music. I do not dream of any collaborations, I just dream to make FUS a great band and give it the recognition it deserves.

Power metal is known for its elaborate guitar solos and melodies. How do you balance technicality with emotions in your song arrangements?

I always wanted to play fast and fancy, what I never wanted was to babble while soloing. I never liked solos without essence and melody in them. As a guitar player I admire a technical and skillful guitar solo, but keeping on shredding is meaningless without smart and catchy melodies in it. I prefer a smart and inspired solo that everybody can sing, than one full of fast notes that will add nothing to the song. I always try to make my solos be like small songs within a song.

How much significant are live performances for you? How do you translate the energy and complexity of your studio recordings to your live shows? Please give us all the info about the “Envy” mini-tour.

Live performances are of vital importance. No matter how well you sound in the studio or how great songs you write, if you fail to give a great live performance you come up with nothing. We try to give our best when on stage and to generate all the energy of the songs to the crowd. Our "Envy" mini-tour starts on Thursday 23 of November in Live and Loud club in Sofia, then goes on the next day to Eightball club in Salonika and ends in Athens and Temple club on Saturday 25.

I have always wanted to ask you – how did you come up with your band name?

It is a combination of two old movie titles, "Under siege" with Steven Seagal and "Fortress" with Christopher Lambert.

How do you see things for the Greek power metal scene nowadays?

I think we start to create an amazing power metal scene here in Greece, with very good bands and competitive productions. It is in our hands to make it last and look in the eyes our famous colleagues abroad.

You are a historic band. What keeps you alive and active?

Our will to make and play good music and communicate it to the world.

What should we expect from Fortress Under Siege in the future?

Qualitative music always.

Send your message to the readers!

Take care and stay heavy!

In the corridors of melodic and progressive power metal, there exists a band that transcends the boundaries of conventional metal music. Theocracy, a musical entity forged by the visionary genius of Matt Smith (vocals), has carved its own niche in the realm of metal, weaving intricate melodies, lush instrumentation and unwavering passion into their sonic tapestry. As Myth of Rock delves into the interesting case of Theocracy and its fantastic new album, “Mosaic”, Dimitris Zacharopoulos found himself on a journey both celestial and earthly, guided by Matt!

Congratulations for your new album. Which are your feelings now that you release a new album after seven years?

 Thank you! It is a big relief to finally have it out there. In some ways it feels like the album has been finished for so long that I’m glad other people can hear it at last.

Please describe us the recordings and the whole production process of this new album.

 The recording went pretty smoothly. It’s always a lot of hard work of course, but after five of these I know what to expect. Plus everyone in the band is a real pro, so that makes it a lot easier. We recorded it at my studio here in Georgia in the U.S., in Athens (different Athens, haha!) as always. Really the circumstances surrounding the production were most noteworthy: we took a bit of a break after the last album, but then the pandemic happened, and then we had a lineup change and a label change, so it all took longer than we anticipated.

Where would you trace the differences between “Mosaic” and your previous album, “Ghost Ship”?

 That’s a difficult thing for me to answer while I’m so close to it, but from initial reactions, it seems people find Mosaic to have a more prominent thrash element. The guitar tone this time around is more aggressive, and I think that adds to this perception. Ghost Ship had those thrashy moments, as all our albums do, but a lot of it was more firmly rooted in some of my earliest influences, like old Queensryche. So this album may feel a bit heavier, though there was no conscious effort to move in that (or any) direction. Beyond that, having two new members playing on this album (Taylor Washington on lead guitar and Ernie Topran on drums) obviously affects the sound as well.

Theocracy is a power metal band. What drew you to power metal, and how do you believe Theocracy contributes to the genre?

 Power metal is certainly a big part of what we do, but I guess one thing we contribute to the genre is the unique way we blend melodic power metal with thrash riffs and progressive elements. I think another is just the quality of the lyrics—there are good lyricists out there in power metal, but there is also a lot of stuff that’s cheesy and not so great. We try to set a higher standard in that area. As for what drew me to power metal, I loved the big dramatic melodies and the speed.

Which are your specific influences (musical and literary) that shape your creative process?

 I guess I try not to be influenced by too much when I’m working. I’ve seen some musicians say they won’t listen to any music while writing or recording, but I’m not that extreme. It’s interesting—early on in a career, you very obviously chase your influences and musical heroes, because you’re learning how to write. But as time goes on and you develop your own style, you don’t even think about it (or at least I don’t). I’ve learned that even if something seems different for us, once the five of us play and sing it, it sounds like Theocracy because it’s coming through our filters.

Your lyrics often explore themes of faith and spirituality. Can you discuss how your personal beliefs influence your songwriting? Are there any messages that you try to convey to the fans?

 Sure, I’m a Christian, so that influences all the lyrics and songwriting, and it all comes from that perspective and worldview. But within that, we cover a variety of topics, as you can hear on Mosaic. There always has to be some personal thread that I can relate to for me to write it, whether it be something that I’m going through myself or not. The songs on this record range from very personal themes of loss, to historical conceptual pieces, to racism and current events. So it’s quite a wide range, and we try to mirror reality in that way. Life is far from one-dimensional, so hopefully our music reflects that.

The music industry can be challenging. What are some of the biggest obstacles Theocracy has had to overcome in your career?

 There are major and minor obstacles. Changing band members is always difficult, because there is so much that goes along with that. I’m thankful that we have great guys in the band, because there are millions of musicians who can play, so in the end, how well you get along is more important. It sounds funny, but one of the biggest obstacles for us is scheduling. When you factor in families, jobs, and geographic locations, it can be very difficult to get all five of us in the same room at the same time. That can make touring a challenge, obviously, but even just finding the time when everyone is available to rehearse can be difficult!

If you had the chance to collaborate with a famous musician in a song of yours, who would he/she be?

 That is a good question. I don’t really care to collaborate with anyone for Theocracy, since I think of the band as the five of us, and all the guys are so good at what they do. But I do have a solo album I’ve been writing for for many years with some other singers in mind, so I’d love to do something for that. Ray Alder from Fates Warning is one that comes to mind. I also have a side project called Project Aegis, in which we’ve released three songs for charity, with all kinds of amazing singers and guitar players. So that has kind of scratched the “guest collaboration” itch for me. I suppose the ultimate for me would be to one day have Chris DeGarmo play on something I’ve written.

You left Ulterium Records and you are now in Atomic Fire. How did this come up?

 Emil Westerdahl, the president of Ulterium Records, told us that he needed to step away from doing bigger new releases for the sake of his family and health. He offered to use his connections to help us find a new home for the release of Mosaic, and we were fortunate enough to have several offers from reputable labels. Atomic Fire seemed like the best fit, because their founders came from Nuclear Blast, so they have that muscle behind them but their roster wasn’t too big yet. We didn’t want to sign with one of these labels that releases 10 new albums a week, and all the albums come and go with no attention. Plus, they were Theocracy fans already and loved the music, so it has been a great relationship so far.

Looking forward, what can fans expect from Theocracy in terms of new music, tours, or any other projects on the horizon?

 We definitely plan to do some sort of touring for Mosaic, we’re just not sure yet if that’s going to start in the U.S. or Europe. We’ve done five or six European tours, but our shows here at home have been more sporadic and spread out, so it would be nice to do a proper run here in the States. I imagine it will be a bit of both, but we’ll see. Thanks for the support!