MYSTIC PROPHECY
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 17th June 2009.
Mystic Prophecy are a power metal outfit. They've just released a new album, Fireangel, and have a sound akin to Bruce Dickinson wearing armour.
Sickeningly talented vocalist Roberto Dimitri Liapakis answers questions on behalf of the band.
Hi Roberto, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Roberto: Hey man! Glad to have this interview with you! Everything is going pretty smoothly for us at the moment and we are really looking forward to promoting the "FIREANGEL" album as much as possible!
How did the band Mystic Prophecy originally come about?
Roberto: The idea of Mystic Prophecy's creation was of mine and our former bassist Martin Albrecht back in 2000 approximately. It is my brainchild since I wanted to create a band that would deliver powerful and true fucking metal!! That's all! Everything followed from back then.
Did Gus G leaving the band (to concentrate on Firewind) make the future of the band look uncertain, or did it give an added impetus to become bigger and stronger?
Roberto: When Gus G. and Dennis parted ways with the band I was kind of stressed and desperate actually, because I had to find new musicians that would be the same equal (musically) and professional to carry on with Mystic Prophecy. Besides, it was my band and there was no way I would let it die just because 2 members left. When the new members joined the band the only thing that I focused on was to write good songs with their collaboration as well.
Then the album "SAVAGE SOULS" was released and we had almost double the sales comparing the previous albums with Gus G. That brings us to the conlusion that it's not necessary to have the best musicians of the world but the musicians that really fit to the band! The chemistry is the most important thing and everything else comes second. "SATANIC CURSES" afterwards also sold even more than "SAVAGE SOULS" and now with "FIREANGEL" we just hit the German charts at place 77#! That's all about Mystic Prophecy in the last 5 years.
How does the sound of Mystic Prophecy now compare with the material you were pumping out back on the first couple of albums?
Roberto: The band from year to year evolves, matures and gets better all the time and that is something that you can hear from album to album! The first 2 albums were really good and don't forget that we got signed with NUCLEAR BLAST with those back then. I just believe that every band, as the years pass by, it gets better and better and reaches the point that it's sound defines it's style!
How would you actually describe the Mystic Prophecy style to someone who had never heard your work?
Roberto: There is no other metal band alike to the sound of Mystic Prophecy. I call the style of the the band METAL ON YOUR FACE!! Without gay twin guitar melodies and happy keyboards.
Who or what are the band's main influences, both lyrically and musically?
Roberto: Everyone of us has influences and idols, but in Mystic Prophecy this doesn't affect what we do. We write songs just the way they come out from us and we don't try to copy something and to follow the tracks of our idols. NO WAY!!!
We think you sound uncannily like Bruce Dickinson although (between you and me) your music is considerably better than Bruce's solo work. Have you ever been tempted to perform in an Iron Maiden covers band as a side project?
Roberto: Ok...this is a big compliment!! Tomorrow I'm calling Steve Harris to tell him to kick out Bruce Dickinson so I will take the gig!!! hahaha!! There might be something similar of my voice to Bruce's but I have a totally different style to my way of singing! And he's not even included to the list of my favourite singers! My role models have always been singers like RONNIE JAMES DIO / GLEN HUGHES / MIKE HOWE ( BAD COMPANY ) RAY GILLAN ( BADLANDS ). These were the voices that have influenced me..These voices have feeling and this is what matters the most for me. As far as the side project of the Iron Maiden cover band is concerned... sorry, not my way!
How have new members Constantine, Connie Andreszka, and Stefan Dittrich settled into the band? Does it feel 'right' already or do these things take time?
Roberto: The guys are all new to the band and they are all great talents!! Constantine is 21 years old and he is already characterised in Japan as the new Gus G. The next years that will follow you will definitely hear a lot from this guitar player! Connie is a rounded talent that can play everything... guitar... bass... keyboards... drums... and he is a great singer as well!! And of course for our new drummer Stefan I don't have to say that much, he is an excellent and very experienced musician! In general just take a listen to "FIREANGEL" and you will get what kind of class musicians they are!
At this moment we are all trying to know each other better because the new guys came in the band just 3 months before the recordings began! But now, after a few gigs and our incredible new album "FIREANGEL" that climbed directly to the 77# position of the german charts we are totally happy, excited, and we can't wait to get on the road and tour our ass off!!
What's your favourite moment on the new album?
Roberto: DEMONS CROWN / FATHER SAVE ME / TO THE DEVIL I PRAY / REVOLUTION EVIL. 4 tracks that kick ass literally and are the best songs that Mystic Prophecy ever wrote!!
To us, 'Revolution Evil' is the biggest song on the album. Was it tempting to make it the title track or was Fireangel always the intended title?
Roberto: I think that you have a pretty good taste actually!! hahahah!! You won't believe me but since the beginning of the writing process of the new songs and one month before we entered the studio the album was to be called "REVOLUTION EVIL"!! But, we changed it in the end because I believe "FIREANGEL" is a title that inspires more as a cover of an album and also it's an easier name to remember for everyone that hears it for the first time! It's a good thing to have an album title that sticks to your my mind and not one that could be easily forgotten!
Was there a good vibe about the album as it was being recorded?
Roberto: But of course!! We already had 3 new members in the band and everyone of us had 120% of power under his butt because we all wanted to record the best Mystic Prophecy album so far. Everything was cool and it went the way we wanted it to!!
The sound on Fireangel is incredible!
Roberto: Thanks...I'm the guy that made the production of the album just like all the previous productions of Mystic Prophecy... I believe that we managed to find the sound that fits to the songs and most of all to Mystic Prophecy. Thank you for your kind words by the way. If I remember correctly it's the second time that you have good taste!! hahahahaha!!
Are there plans to play some live dates in the UK on the back of the release?
Roberto: At this very moment we are expecting the sales feedback from the album and also which bands will be touring in October. But I don't want to say anything as it's not 100% sure yet. Only one thing is certain, that we will tour in October and I wish that we hopefully will pass from UK as well! We once played at the Underworld club in 2004 with DEATH ANGEL and both the atmosphere and the crowd will be unforgotten. I hope that we will be in the UK in the next tour but only time will tell!
Do you watch many live gigs yourselves or do you prefer being on the stage?
Roberto: Yes, whenever I can I watch bands play live... it's natural... and I am a musician as well and I love the life of touring and the stage just like all the musicians!
What albums by other bands are you listening to at the moment?
Roberto: At this period I'm currently listening to Symphony X, Hardcore Superstar and that kind of stuff. For me Symphony X is the best band in the world (from a technical aspect) and H.S. is the most Sleazy Rock band!
Is there anyone else in the music industry you'd really love to work with?
Roberto: There would be many musicians that I would love to be working with such as TONY IOMMI/MICHAEL SCHENKER/DAVE LOMBARDO/BILLY SHEEHAN... Can you imagine all of these musicians together in the same band and me in the vocals? hahahahaha!!! INCREDIBLE!!
What has been the highlight of your career... so far?
Roberto: The highlight of our carreer so far is our entrance in the charts!! Also, our participation at big festivals like WACKEN/BANG YOUR HEAD/ROCK HARD FESTIVAL/METALCAMP. It's an amazing feeling to perform live in front of such a big crowd!!
What does the future hold for you as an individual, or Mystic Prophecy as a whole?
Roberto: At this moment we are waiting for the feedback from the market concerning our album sales so far... next thing would be to tour in the early autumn of 2009 and next thing to write new songs for the next album!!
Do any of you have any side projects you think the Rock Realms readers might be interested in?
Roberto: I'm working right now on some stuff concerning my solo album and Constantine has also finished his instrumental CD that would be released in the near future. These projects have to wait because Mystic Prophecy is the top priority right now!
Thank you for your time!
Roberto: Thank you, my brothers, for all of your support all these years and your faith and trust that you show to Mystic's music!! Without you we would never be at that level that we are now! And last but not least, please don't burn the CD's because you kill this wonderful music!! Take care and see you soon on tour!! And, Jon, We thank you for the interview!
The new Mystic Prophecy album, Fireangel, is out now. Check out the review on Rock Realms here for further details...
