SEPTICFLESH Frontman On Using An Orchestra: 'It's One Of Our Biggest Weapons'

The Conductor of WSOU 89.5 FM recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Spiros "Seth" Antoniou (a.k.a. Seth Siro Anton) of Greek masters of symphonic death metal SEPTICFLESH. You can listen to the full chat using the SoundCloud widget below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the band's forthcoming "Codex Omega" album:

Spiros: "This time, every time that we are thinking [about] and we are writing and start pre-recording then composing a new [album] with SEPTICFLESH, it's a great challenge. I mean, after 'Communion', [2008] we wanted to create something different from the previous albums that we made in the past. Regarding 'Codex Omega', I think this album is much different than 'Titan' [2014] or even 'The Great Mass' [2011] or even 'Communion'. The basis is the same; for sure we have a formula that we really like and we'll still use it, but on 'Codex Omega', we have some new elements, some new elements that I could say we found the 'great spot' to combine the extreme sound with the orchestra and the guitars."

On the band's new drummer Kerim "Krimh" Lechner (ex-DECAPITATED):

Spiros: "Krimh is one of the most professional [people] that we met until now. Krimh, first of all, he's young, so as you understand, he has the 'power' [and] he's really excited to make new things. He's really excited to destroy with his drumming. I think that he's a really important member right now inside SEPTICFLESH's team. For sure, he contributed a lot to 'Codex Omega'. He even composed one track, except the drumming. From now on, Krimh is going to be really important for SEPTICFLESH. [Beyond] the professional musical cooperation we have, we are really good friends. It's a really good start with Krimh with 'Codex Omega'."

On SEPTICFLESH's standing as one of the pioneering symphonic death metal bands:

Spiros: "In '93, we recorded our first full album, [and] even since 'Mystic Places Of Dawn', we had the first symptoms of classic instruments. We had this taste of classical music, even in primitive form. Later, because Chris [Antoniou, guitar], my brother, started classical composition in London, so later, the progress was more professional. Chris started to compose and orchestrate the parts of SEPTICFLESH. Now, after 'Communion', 'The Great Mass', 'Titan' and 'Codex Omega', I think the orchestra and the classical music, it's the fifth member of SEPTICFLESH. It's something permanent. It will never change. It's one of our biggest weapons."

On how the band's sound has evolved over the years:

Spiros: "SEPTICFLESH, it's a team production. It's a production of a team. It's not the music of one person only. So that means, the main composers of the band, which is me, Chris and Sotiris [Vayenas, guitar], we have our own home studios, so before a new album, we are composing our own tracks in our studio and later, we exchange ideas and we start to combine all the elements together. I would say me and Sotiris, we are most responsible for the 'metal' part of SEPTICFLESH, about the guitar riffs, about the extreme sound. Chris is exclusively working with the orchestra. Even sometimes with his tracks, he composes them with a piano or with some instruments of samples of the orchestra before going to the real orchestra. As you understand, SEPTICFLESH is working as a whole team and this is something that gives to the band, a multi-color of sound. I'm really happy about this cooperation."

On the lyrical direction behind "Codex Omega":

Spiros: "Sotiris is actually the guy behind the lyrics. He's the brain of SEPTICFLESH, but I made the artwork and the whole visual style of SEPTICFLESH, we work together a lot. This time, we wanted to create and to move in a different approach than our previous albums. Most of the lyrical concepts of SEPTICFLESH, we are always talking about ancient traditions of many cultures and many countries, from Sumerians, Egypt, even from Incas. Every tradition that has something really interesting. This time, it was an idea from Sotiris. He said, 'Why don't we write a new concept about a third testament? About a new book that talks about humans?'"

On whether SEPTICFLESH has any North American tour plans:

Spiros: "North America is always our first priority when we release a new album, because after we signed to Prosthetic Records, we saw some big progress and really positive feedback from North America. But this time, with 'Codex Omega', we wanted to organize a good tour, so that means that we are still in negotiations, but for sure, we are [preparing] something in the next few months for a really good tour in North America."

"Codex Omega" will be released September 1 via Prosthetic. The disc was produced by Jens Bogren (OPETH, DIMMU BORGIR) and features ten tracks of SEPTICFLESH's trademark blend of mystical atmosphere, relentless death guitar riffing and pale melodies. Lyrically and musically, it is by far the most infernal release from SEPTICFLESH to date. As a bonus, the CD and vinyl LP will come with an extra disc comprised of three orchestral tracks, once again featuring the Filmharmonic Orchestra of Prague.