Albums of Purgatory: Firstly, whats the band up to right now?

Andrey Romaniuk: As some people know, the drummer (Thiago) and guitar player (Osmar) left the band due to personal reasons. We are working hard to find new members, and will restart the works with much more power.

AoP: How would you describe the Ravenloft sound?

AR: A sincere Heavy Metal made from the bottom of our hearts. I don’t know how to describe our sound... There’s a lot of personal influences.... Hear, and decide by yourself.

AoP: How did you get involved with the band?

AR: The Ravenloft band was formed in Curitiba/PR (Brazil) in the beginning of 2000, by me and Sergio Mazul, with intention to make Heavy Metal with Epic/Medieval influences. Diverse changes had occurred in the beginning of the band due the divergent opinions of the musicians, fact that, finished leading to the end of the band in March of 2001.

Without giving up my objective, I’ve contacted Sergio Mazul (Vocals) to continue the project with new members. And, in October of 2001 the band returns with the two remaining members of the old formation, however with new musicians in the other instruments. The compositions are initiated quickly, and in February of 2002, Ravenloft already initiates the recordings of the first Demo CD intitled Crowning Battle. (The CD was not released)

AoP: Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?

AR: Yes!!! Was in Foz do Iguacu, in a festival called Hell Fest. The travel was very long... 640 kilometers from our hometown. Around 700 people was there and the show was amazing!!! We was the last band to play, but the crowd stayed until the end and have banged their heads a lot!!!

AoP: Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to Ravenloft?

AR: No... Now I want to use all my ideas in Ravenloft.

AoP: What are your favourite Ravenloft tracks?

AR: It’s hard... I like them all. Can be Never Surrender, and Heretic World.

AoP: What are your favourite all time songs?

AR: As a big KISS fan I have to say all KISS songs....

But there’s more.

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (This song almost makes me cry!!!)

Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven (Perfect... song and lyrics)

Heavens Gate - On the Edge (Perfect melody)

Dream Theater - Lines in the Sand (A song with a lot of changes... just like 4 songs in one!!!)

Manowar - Warriors of the World United (Simple melody and true lyrics)

Saxon - Conquistador / Killing Ground (Another perfect melodies)

AoP: What would be your dream band line-up?

AR: Hahaha.....make a guess!!! Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. But I will choose another....by musical technique.

Bass: John Myung.

Guitars: John Petrucci and Steve Vai.

Drums: Mike Portnoy

Keyboards: Kevin Moore

Vocals: Jeff Scott Soto

AoP: If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of which band would you pick and why?

AR: KISS, of course!!! Could be any song. I’ve played in a KISS cover band for years.

But I would like to play any song from a classic Heavy Metal band like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar....

AoP: What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?

AR: The evolution of Metal was amazing in last years, with a lot of good bands and new melodies. But there’s a lot of shit and commercial bands who just want to make money, doesn’t make songs with their heart.

There’s a lot of very good bands which are unknown because the record labels doesn’t want to support them.

AoP: Which other bands stand out for you at the moment?

AR: Evergrey, Suidakra.

AoP: Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?

AR: Every moment with this guys is funny!!!

AoP: and finally, what do you see in the future for Ravenloft?

AR: A full length album, a lot of shows, and a lot of Heavy Metal!!!