Sear Bliss
Wywiad przeprowadził Bart Donarski
Sear Bliss is definitely one of the few well-known Hungarian metal bands we all cannot afford to miss. Their brand new full-length album is already out with helping-hand of American Red Stream Records. I caught up with Andras who gave me tangible proofs that black metal is the music we still should be aware of. Enjoy reading.How do you perceive an evolution of your style since the release of your previous material? On first listen a friend of mine stated it's quite different. Could you agree with that?
Andras: "Actually, all our albums differ from each other, so I see no reason to compare them. We try to write exciting music and we always express our moods and feelings in our songs, so this may be the reason for the differences but yet I think 'Forsaken Symphony' is very much in the vein of our first album, titled 'Phantoms'. I think it's quite similar, as we were in the same mood in which we wrote that album. Forsaken Symphony holds all the essential Sear Bliss trademarks, I guess."
Tell me please how has the long-distance cooperation with Red Stream been going on so far? At the end of the day it's not a stone's throw from where you live, even though I think the label suites Sear Bliss perfectly.
"Red Stream is simply the best label for Sear Bliss even if the distance is long. They support us in everything. Red Stream is not a bunch of fucking money-makers. They truly support quality underground music. We fucking like this attitude."
To the best of my knowledge you have just finished a European tour along with a/o Bestial Mockery lately. (Or am I totally mistaken?) Anyway, how did you like it? Any further plans in the issue?
"Yes, we had a small European tour together with Grief Of Emerald, Skyforger (our former labelmates), Obtest and Bestial Mockery. It was a great experience, we enjoyed it very much! If one is interested in hearing more about the stories that happened there should read the report we wrote on our website (www.searbliss.hu). It was a really crazy tour. Fortunately, due to our success in Germany and Holland, we are reinvited, so we will have a tour again in March! We are looking forward to it! Also there are plans to play in Poland next year. We would fucking like it!"
Do you consider Sear Bliss as a live band? Is this an important part of your band's activity?
"Yes, it is very important. We enjoy playing live! Metal music must be played live, I think. Also we rehearse a lot to be as good on stage as possible. For me it's very special to perform our music to the audience."
You are said to be a black metal band. It's true, but I think Sear Bliss has a lot more to offer. How do you look upon it?
"Yes, you are right. Sear Bliss' music contains more elements, however it is based on black metal. We use instruments unusual in black metal but I think it must be this way. I mean, black metal started with 
Venom and Bathory and they were very original. So I think, black metal must be about originality. I see no use copying early Darkthrone albums, however we like them."
Who's actually responsible for the music on "Forsaken Symphony", and does this change at times?
"Actually we wrote it together. I mean, all the members are very active in Sear Bliss. We always write our music at home, when we are alone and then we put it together in the rehearsal room. Each of us puts something into the songs. Of course, it was an important moment that this time our former guitar player, Csaba returned to Sear Bliss. He was responsible for most of the songs on 'Phantoms' and now he contributed a lot to this album too. This is why there are similarities between these albums."
This what I like about your music is that it's not narrow, yet being harsh and sort of primitive. It's like a clash of seeming contradictions. I think that's what makes your band a unique one. Any second thoughts on the issue?
"Well, yes, you are right. Sear Bliss' music has always been consisted of two opposite aspects: anger and desire. In music, the harsh and primitive black metal sound against the soothing and softening sound of brass instruments and ethereal keyboards. Also we are quite different personalities in the band and this fact contributes to the diversity of our music for sure."
Is a message a weighty thing as far as Sear Bliss is concerned? I mean, is this just a story to tell or maybe something profounder in its significance?
"Both our music and lyrics are very profound as they reflects our own thoughts and feelings. We express ourselves in our songs. We are what you hear when you are listening to Forsaken Symphony. Our lyrics may seem to be incoherent because they are based on momentary impressions and feelings. They are born by our imagination but have many messages."
The sound on "Forsaken Symphony" might breed opposite reactions. To me it's more dirty then cleansed. Was this a preconceived acting?
"Yes, the sound on Forsaken Symphony is purposely raw and unpolished due to the fact that this is not a soft album but a very fierce one! It was the right sound that fitted to the mood of the songs. We really wanted to reach a chaotic sound, a storm of voices. We wanted to have a sound that is as powerful as a 
windstorm. It gives back the energy we felt when we recorded it! It is our most powerful album and we really needed a hellish sound!"
Is there anything interesting going on as far as black metal in Hungary is concerned? Or as far as Hungarian metal as a whole. To be frank, there's not too much that I know of it, sadly.
"Yeah, the Hungarian black metal scene is quite small but there are some really interesting and unique bands over here. Gholgoth, Witchcraft, and my other project Forest Silence, to name a few. There are very good underground bands in Hungary, so try to keep an eye on them!"
Can you agree if I say that what your play is kind of akin to Scandinavian (particularly Norwegian) black metal? Especially in terms of guitars' work.
"Well, the guitar works may be similar but I think that's all. We don't copy a certain band or style. I don't say we are fucking original but we try to walk our own path regardless of the trends going on in the scene. I still think we differ a lot from the Scandinavian bands, however we respect some of them."
Don't you have a feeling that an underground spirit has been fading away from one year to another. Nowadays kids seem to be all the more into cheap tricks then into a serious devotion. Sad but true. Of course by my judgement.
"You are totally right. This is a bad situation but fortunately there are people who keep the flame burning! Forsaken Symphony is a kind of nostalgic album in some ways. I mean, not musically but in its mood. It represents a resistance against today's so called trends. We will survive because we still own the real underground spirit! Everyone can decide what he/she wants."
Is there anything to add on behalf of Sear Bliss?
"Hail to all our Polish brothers! Thanks for this interview and support, Bart! We hope to play in Poland soon!"
Bart Donarski
