Interview from 'Tales of the Macabre' with The Serpent Inquisitor
Costa Stoios, Brunnenstr.6, 54538 Kinderbeuern-Hetzhof, Germany
Costa
Stargazer from Australia, for most people still an unknown name... Of course it's obvious that their music (a mixture of Black/Death/Thrash, but always heavy) rules, otherwise they wouldn't be interviewed here. As I am a lazy guy, I let the band do their own introduction...
The Serpent Inquisitor
I could tell much of Stargazer, yet I shall share what is only necessary. We formed in early 1995, released a rehearsal / demo in mid 1996 called 'Gloat', and before this time we had made numerous recordings of older tracks, which are subsequently featured on our 7 inch EP 'Borne', now available... just write and ask. Early 1997, we were blessed with a new lotus percussionist / vocalist Phoenix Chrysalis who's wise spirit and strength of shell has enabled us to improve somewhat and re-establish the Stargazer faction as a trinitical power, aligned and luminescent one more. This alignment is of extreme importance considering the dimensional shift occurring this Age of Aquarius. Fortunately, this year we have attracted quite a lot of overseas attention, which is very satisfying, this interview being some sort of pinnacle to that statement. Fortunate in that we are also rehearsing heavily for an upcoming studio release, whence we hope to secure a record deal.
Costa
Your style of music is very variable and does not get boring in my opinion... how do you see Stargazer's style of writing songs with your own words?
The Serpent Inquisitor
As a 3 piece band, we have constructed music we best attribute extreme and bizarre Metal in wake of old and later, yet heard material. Only quality riffs are used in that much sifting and work is done on any riff qualitative to a Stargazer hymn. Some are written under the inspiration of lyrical vedas. As we all listen to many types of music, mostly metal and thus types of metal, one can hear slices of Death/Black/Grind/Speed/Thrash and Heavy metal.
Costa
Most Australian bands play very fast and destructive metal and your band also has a touch of this brutal sound. Why do so many bands in Oz play so aggressively? Do you feel my wrath and anger more than others or is it just a chain reaction of influencing each other?
The Serpent Inquisitor
Yes a popular observation of Australian metal. A broad range of metal actually exists here, which is truly admirable, for me - preferable. A few of the songs on our 'Gloat' release are similar to the aforementioned style, yet many are surely not. In many cases it may channel from the forefathers of a countries metal. Australia had bands of such Slaughter Lord, Hobbs' Angel of Death, Martire (still awake) etc, all of that aggressive style you quote. Scandinavia had Bathory, which is surely an influence in the majority of respectively located bands. Perhaps Germanic bands are greatly influenced by the Black / Thrash of Destruction and Kreator? Maybe not. The harsh Australian climate surely be enough to irritate and aggravate any Australian band!
Costa
Yeah, that's an argument! What is your opinion on the Australian underground scene? Good unknown bands?
The Serpent Inquisitor
The Australian scene has had no boom of new bands, which is good. Australian bands put good efforts into some sort of establishment. I could quote many 'new' bands, yet it depends on what age one would accept as 'new'. Either way, some top bands are Oracle of the void, Samain, Shatter Dark, Cauldron Black Ram, Agartus, Dream Sovereign, Martire, Impact Winter, Lord of the Command, Zemial, Lord Kaos, Mournful Congregation, Nocturnal, Spear of Longinus...
Costa
Bah, except for some names there are not many bands I already heard, so there's still quite some stuff to check out. Do you think you can manage to spread your name without having a big label / management in your back? Or will Stargazer always remain an underground band?
The Serpent Inquisitor
Of course that is what the underground is about!! Sometimes I become so engrossed with underground bands I loose foresight of 'bigger' releases. If a band is true to it's supporters despite success, a band to be admired and heralded is that, a goal of many I am sure.
Costa
What about a Stargazer album? have you already been offered a deal or do you think you are not ready for that?
The Serpent Inquisitor
We have chosen the tracks for an album, yet we don't wish to record nor release it for at least one year. As I hinted before, we are perfecting 6 tracks for a MCD release 'Harbringer'. A search for signing begins now. Strong hope we have for a label with the conviction to release our metal classic (hopefully) in the works 'The Scream that Tore the Sky'. One must accept that the CD ormat is a common used medium these days, though that is no excuse for demo-rate bands to press full -length albums! If you are a demo standard band, then release demo's. I personally love demo's, if you yearn some officiality, then work towards a 7 inch piece of vinyl. The scene is flooded with second rate full-length releases, most go unnoticed, we still not allow Stargazer to become one of those statistics.
Costa
I noticed you covered a Sodom song live at a gig. How important is old school metal for Stargazer?
The Serpent Inquisitor
Old school metal is no more, no less important than newer styles and bands. I like new / old style bands like Angel Corpse, Order from Chaos, Blood Storm, and the metal genius of Arghoslent etc. I also like old metal bands like Mercyful Fate / King Diamond, Judas Priest, Candlemass, Watchtower, Iron Maiden, Accept, Rainbow, Dio.... how antique a band is no matter to dispute, good metal is all that matters. and thus we attract influence from all era's. We even covered a Grand Belial's Key song as opposed to elder compositions.
Costa
Please tell us about your gigs. Which was the coolest / worst ones? Are the Australian fans as wild as the bands sound?
The Serpent Inquisitor
The live shows were successful, very extreme and the crowd has always gone away extremely impressed and yearning for more! We have no room for lesser effort, we are currently designing stage props to enhance visual presence and in particular, attract as much sacred energy to the stage perimeter, especially golden ley energy. As I know it, Australian crowds are very supportive and are not predisposed to refraining their emotions driven by good metal! A crowd should appreciate a band accordingly, as a band does an audience through effort and a hard performance. In days of yore, before recording facilities were ever made available, a live performance was the only option for audience, so we stick that musical tradition on a priority list,as should more bands.
Costa
Go ahead with some last words...
The Serpent Inquisitor
I'll first commend you for this interview - I hope you and others gain somewhat of it. All powerful spirits write, and send no IRC's!! Let me quote Stargazer text in honour and salute to you Costa, and my human counterparts known and unknown upon this grand Earth (including those of Sirius), and to revere those, sacred races within. May you all pass safely into the folds...
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