1. Greetings to Ukraine! How are you doing these days? How has the autumn been so far? Has the winter already come to Kiev?

Hello, yes, winter has come and it has snowed.

2. As your band HOLY BLOOD is not that known in Czech Republic, could you please introduce it and its music to the readers a bit? No need for biography though, just in basic terms... :-)

Holy Blood is a music band that plays in Folk Metal style with Christian topics in our lyrics.

3. What was the initial impulse for you to start the band? Did you just just feel that playing in a band would be nice or did you feel an urge to spread the Word and starting a band seemed as a good option? And, do you play so that the Christians have a good alternative to listen to or is your goal to „shed some Light into darkness“ (if I quote Horde)?

I had two aims; my first aim was to play the music that I like, my second aim was to share my spiritual feelings and emotions with people. I still follow these two aims since creation of the group.

4. This September, you released a new album „Shining Sun“ which I would call the best Christian metal album out the year. You still keep your specific character which is always good. Could you tell us how the album was born, from the very beginnings to the release? Many line-up changes happened between your previous album, „The Patriot“ and „Shining Sun“. Did this anyhow affect the new material?

We started to create material for Shining Sun album in 2005, we finished this material with our new band members in 2008. For a long time, we were looking for a studio that could record this album in the way that we wanted; we found it at the beginning of 2008 we started to record the material, at the beginning of summer we went on a tour (also visited the Czech Republic). In 2009 we finished recording of new material with new members of our band. The next stage was creation of a video for “Shining Sun” song. We signed a contract with “Bombworks records” and in September 2010 the album appeared on sale.

5. Could you please also tell us something about the lyrics of the new album? Are they anyhow connected, is there some kind of concept behind them? Do they differ in any way from the lyrics on the previous albums?

This album is different from others. Many songs are connected with each other, they tell about the Sun that will rise and destroy all darkness. It is reference to Christ who will come to earth the second time and destroy darkness and evil.


6. How do you usually work during the composing process? Also, do you need any special environment or something? Where do you usually get your inspiration from?

At first, I invent the music than share it with the group and we work on it together. After that I write the lyrics. I get inspiration from my desire to play.

7. You as a band have been through a lot of genres – hardcore, death/grind, melo-death, folk black...Is this caused by the line-up changes, progression of your musical taste or do you just like to try new things?

At first I was looking for what I wanted to play, it influenced the group. When we changed the style, somebody left and new members came. Each new member brought new fresh ideas into the group, and it reflected on albums. That’s why, every album is original and unlike the previous one.

8. I guess the next question is pretty much connected to the previous. Please, tell us something about the music that you like...Could you make a list of 7 Christian albums and 7 secular albums that influenced you the most, that you would call milestones for you?

The albums that have influenced me the most are: Saviour Mashine -I, Narnia - Desert Land, Rob Rock-Holy Hell, Focal Point-Suffering of the Masses, Zao - The Funeral Of God, Haste The Day - When Everything Falls, Antestor-The Forsaken. Running Wild - Under Jolly Roger, Bathory - Hammerheart, Gods Tower-The Turns, Turisas - The Varangian Way, Cruachan - The Middle Kingdom, Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I, Still Remains - Of Love and Lunacy.

9. Now, let's get to a bit more abstract level...What is your opinion about the 'black' metal/unblack metal/Christian black metal arguments that seem to go forever? Can black metal be Christian? And – how do you view Christian black metal bands wearing corpse-paints, axes, bullet belts etc? Is that appropriate in your eyes?

Nowadays many people perceive Christianity as a variety of peace movement. In the Bible you will not see a ban to serve in the army or take part in military actions. The Church respects heroism of many military leaders who fought the enemies of our motherland and Holy Christian Faith. If Christians are willing to fight for their beliefs and if they sing that they are ready to fight with arms, it is Christian. That’s why military symbols are relevant to show our willingness to fight. Unblack Metal is a calling to war against devil and this calling is military and aggressive.

10. How do you personally view music downloading, especially when it comes to the music of your band? Do you see it more in the „Thou shalt not steal“ way or do you think it is good as the message has the chance to get to a much wider range of people?

Most CDs that I bought I had firstly listened in MP3 format. That’s why I think that if the group is not world famous, it is better to spread its music in MP3 format. It increases possibility that CDs will be bought.

11. Many bands and individuals in the metal scene claim to be Satanists, pagans or at least have anti-Christian stances, but in fact, most of them do not mean it literally. How much can one blame the Catholic church for this? A LOT of violence in the past, pedophilia, hypocritical approach to the Faith, restrictions instead of explanations, claiming that rock music is the Devil's music instead of using it in the name of God...This all falls on the head of the Catholic church, does not it?

I don’t know the history of Catholic Church very well but I understand that they defame Catholic Church to justify their godless life and not to restore justice.


12. Back to the band...How do you see the future of HOLY BLOOD? Are you planning to support the album by a few live gigs or even a tour? By the way – how much do you play live? And – do you like it?

We consider that we are firstly a concert group, that’s why we are always glad to discuss any concert proposals. Our first concert was in 1999 and since then we have been giving concerts on a regular basis. We can’t live without it.

13. I know that you visited Czech Republic with HOLY BLOOD a few years ago. Do you have good memories, did you enjoy the time you spent here? Any funny stories? :-) Would you like to return here at some time in the future (personally or with the band)?

I liked very much attitude of people who organized our concerts. But I was really delighted with our visit to Prague. I have never seen such a beautiful city before. And I would love to visit it again, alone or with the group.

14. So, this is all from me. Thank you a lot for your time and willingness. If you wish to give some special words to the Mortem Zine readers, go for it! :-) All the best and Godspeed!

Believe in God, listen to right music and you will see that life is beautiful! Thanks very much to Mortem Zine magazine and all readers for your time.

http://www.myspace.com/holybloodband
http://www.holyblood.com.ua/

Fedor