Interview with EMPERIUM (Philippines)

EMPERIUM is a technical death metal quartet hailing from Makati City in the country of the Philippines. Consisting of - Lario Bonaobra (Bass), Jorem Ejara (Drums), Chok Verzosa (Guitars) and Niel Baluca (Guitars & Vocals). They got a 3 track demo since 2017 called ''Prelude to Agony'' and a full-length in 2020 called "Advent". The band combines an impressive neoclassic, melodic, crushing and extremely technical craft displayed. There are most mesmerizing sheer complexity death metal, with a lot of blast, Lots of string skipping techniques, alternating bass slap and arpeggios attack with maximum passion that can makes your ears bleed of course!!

You can find their new single titled ''Majestic Goat'' for 2022, and official music video here:
https://youtu.be/Y_WRhbQudME

This rather outstanding production gives reason to expect greater contributions from EMPERIUM in the future. Meanwhile, Let's dive into the interview with them below... 

Please introduce something about EMPERIUM, your background and experience as a musician, and how serious is the intention now?

- The band was originally formed when we were in high school and decided to reformed it by 2014. First we are playing just to de-stressed from our day jobs and to have a album but now were serious in taking our path in able to establish ourselves in the metal community and our local scene.

Do you remember what was EMPERIUM's main influence in the beginning that made you create such an aggressive and technical style?

- Our main influence when we started was FIRST FRAGMENT and OBSCURA. I just love the lead riffs and heavy death metal riffs at the same time plus the insane solos that makes audience drop their jaws. We constantly watching their live performances in youtube to inspire ourselves. But we didn't forget our main roots: NECROPHAGIST and SPAWN OF POSSESSION. These bands is our starter band in this genre and we infuse some influences from them in our writing.

You managed to release your first album titled "Advent" in 2020. I applaud, it has high skill. How long did it take to finalize it and what new things did you learn to get a satisfactory result?

- If i remember correctly, it take us a year to complete the album. We learn so many things in the process especially in recording process like tone chasing. Honestly were in the state of finding ourselves in the process of making the ''Advent''. We didn't know what's the sound we are looking to. Not just in the tone but let's say "identity crisis" of our band. You can notice that our songs in "Advent" are too diverse in each other. But still, we get a good review when we released it.

How do you describe yourself as neoclassic technical death metal?

- Since i was young, i really love Classical and Baroque music. And as a musician, im heavily influenced by Neoclassical Power Metal like it was very natural in my playing to hear those vibe from me. Then i incorporate it in modern death metal playing. When im writing music, i create a heavy death metal riff first and infusing it with classical music chord progressions and cadences that we usually hear from famous classical composers like Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, etc. and executing the riff playing more technical as much as possible. I also analyzing the arrangements if it sounds classical for me. You can't tell a music/song a neoclassical if it's not executing technical chord progressions and just a plain 5th chords. Those sound is comfort to my ears when im hearing a classical cadences though its death metal (LOL)

https://emperiumph.bandcamp.com/album/advent

Why is it called "Advent". Is it related to what kind of an adventure? And please tell us a little bit about the whole lyrics as well?

- It is simply the literal meaning. More like the advent of our band in the scene and encouraging youngsters that we had this kind of music in our local music scene. But the lyrics is inspired in one of Dragonball Super episode "The Advent of the Immortal God". When Zamasu appeared as immortal and declared himself as a supreme god. Some of the lyrics were derive from his speeches. One of examples are "Death is a mercy to foolish mortals like you". Not just in Advent but im also inspired by historical events like in our tracks Inquisition (Europe dark ages), Beheading the Elite (Marie Antoinette beheading), Malevolent Dystopia (Cold War's Iron Curtain). All of my lyrics are all metaphoric and i keep it that way to make it look mysterious to readers of the cd booklet.

Have you had more serious goals and plans since the first album came out?

- Yes. Honestly after the "Advent' came out, we decide to step up our capabilities as a musician. I took music theory lessons to improve my songwriting and playing. Plus we changed our songwriting process and approach. Because of this, we speed up our progress and we felt that were now different than our previous album. Plus we're now aiming and looking for some big opportunities in the metal community. Hope we can get a good deal from a label to release our new album which is on process as of this interview.

Do you feel the support of the Asian and the global metalheads?

- We are received well in Indonesia when "Advent" came out maybe because we are signed in Indonesian label. I can't say much about Asian community. I think it's because our continent is more Brutal Death, Thrash, Black, Nu Metal and OSDM dominated. But i can say we are received well and all out support from Europeans and America's (Latino's especially) via their album reviews about our release and the followings and interaction we had on the social media.

How is metal generally viewed there in your town and could you share to us one of the biggest obstacles you have faced, and how have you overcome it while traversing your still growing path as a metal musician in the  Philippines?

- I can say in two description: ONE - Stagnant. Metal is not acceptable here by the masses unlike in Indonesia. Our culture of music stereotypes is still ongoing. TWO - it's growing slowly. Some producers bringing foreign metal bands in our country and it indicates that we have a scene that will accomodate them even they are playing extreme music. Even metal here is stagnant and growing slowly, what important is: the metal scene here is very much alive!

If you could prepare your own bill that you play in a big show. Who are the other three bands that you would bring along and why?

- I think it will be: FIRST FRAGMENT, OBSCURA and ARCHSPIRE. Simply because they are the main frontrunners of the genre as of this day. It's a pleasure to share stage with them and to be on the same level with them (LOL)

Thanks for having times with us. Do you have anything to say to the fans?

- Thanks Metal Distraction Zine! To all fans/supporters, thank you for your continous support on us all over these years. We are now currently writing a new album. This will be our chef d'oeuvre so prepare for overwhelming guitar and bass solos and riffs, diversive/crossover genre breaking tracks and high level musicianship. We will keep you posted of our progress. Again, thank you so much!

https://www.facebook.com/emperiumph