Albums of Purgatory interview Elvaron

Firstly, what’s the band up to right now?
Well, a new version of The Five Shires is going to come out in September. The album has been totally re-recorded and it will be sell with a 20 minutes bonus single. Our third album is already composed and we are waiting for a deal with some label.

How would you describe the Elvaron sound?
We oscillate between the thrash for the powerful side and the voice and also the prog for the structures. We like the aggressive side of the thrash bands like Testament or Overkill. We have the incisive way of the guitars with the surroundings the keyboards can create. The bass/drums brings rhythmic heaviness.
How did you get involved with the band?
I created the band in 1993 and I believe that there is nothing more to say... At the beginning, we were two then we played as a trio until 1999. This year there, SeeK joined us at the keyboards. In fact, we hesitated at this time between taking a second guitarist or widening the sound panorama with the use of keyboards. Personally, I deal with the writing of all the lyrics and take an active part to the composition of the songs.

Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?
Yes, it was in 1994. We played on a truck during a festival. I remember that there were not many people but we made good impression. The following day, there was an article on Elvaron in the local newspaper. This first experiment was very interesting. I remember that I did not raise the eyes of my guitar during all the show!

Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to Elvaron?
Three members of the band play in a parallel project name Bowels Of Suffering. The music is very influenced by Samael. For the moment there is nothing official but we will record the first album soon. Before I was also the drummer in the progressive French band Lestat.

What are your favourite Elvaron tracks?
Sustenance taken from Mages Battle, Killianor’s Sight taken from The Five Shires.

What are your favourite all time songs?
All the Rust in Peace songs by Magadeth. Hemispheres by Rush, Coma by Overkill.

What the first record you ever bought?
Malmsteen’s Trilogy
Which album was it that got you into metal and can you explain why?
Killers by Iron Maiden but especially Odyssey by Malmsteen. When I bought the video of Live in Japan ' 85 of Malmsteen, I said to myself that I wanted to play metal. Energy, the sound, guitar solos and psycho Japanese public!!!!
What would be your dream band line-up?
Steve Vai & Marty friedman at the guitars. Steve Harris on bass. Neil Peart on the drums, Jordan Rudess on keyboards and Dave Mustaine as the singer.

If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of which band would you pick and why?
Probably Overkill’s Coma… this song is so powerful.

What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?
The problem is that the music is a true business and unfortunately, heavy metal does not escape marketing. I find that the media are less and less objective and the money writes all. Today, success is not any more that one question of financial resources and not of musical value.

Which other bands stand out for you at the moment?
Evergrey because I feel there’s something new in their music, a different way to compose. Nevermore because they are the new (and more clever) Overkill…

Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?
I have some yes, but it will be a little bit complicated to share it because of my so poor English ;-)

and finally, what do you see in the future for Elvaron?
Well, I hope we will record our third album with a great producer and that it will be a great album !