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Music Interview: ANCIENT RITES 2
ANCIENT RITES
English Version:
THE TRUTH IS: THE HORDES STOOD AS ONE!
- Exclusive interview with ANCIENT RITES
by Demogorgon
Done in July 2003
for the 2nd issue of Dragonland Magazine
First, I want to tell you, live album And the Hordes Stood as One really express the glory and the might. "Victory or Valhalla" echoes in my mind, appears before my eyes... Sometimes I don't think you like the idea about merging all nations as one. But in post-modern societies (as well as all the societies passed), there isn't a single criterion about "good". Then, how can we solve problems while we quarrel or even conflict? Do you believe there were a final way to extricate us from the labyrinth exists?
Gunther Theys: On one hand I strive to achieve harmony. On the other I do not want this world to be one big melting pot without identity. As with everything in life there are positive and negative aspects to each approach. There is no final way I’m afraid. What could be a solution for one culture can mean a disaster for the other. Things in life are complex, nothing is really black or white. The older I become and the more I learn the better I realise I know nothing.
How could you settle your work? You have several bands / projects, I know it must spend you much time to write music (lyrics), rehearsal, gigs and festival performances. How could you find spare time to write the booklet? I am amazed by your exuberant creativity indeed.
Gunther Theys: And on top I have a steady job besides music in order to survive. Indeed, a lack of time is a constant problem I have to deal with. This results in a high blood pressure and doctors said I should slow down but this is my way. I feel I need to do too much on a too short time as life is over too quickly. Here and now matters and I must use this precious time in a constructive way. Is it a subconscious strive for immortality? Time is slipping through my fingers and there are so many things still to learn, discover and experience. Ironic isn’t it. The older a person the gets the wiser he becomes but by the time a certain degree of wisdom is achieved life is over. Where is that Devil from the legends and fairytales who haunts souls, in order to achieve immortality I would sign my soul immediately away :-)…
Could you tell us something about your Biebob Club show? Are there many changes in the arrangement for live performence? It must take all of you much time to record the live and mix them for such a clear sound, right? (Especially the bass drum) Do you think equipments and producer very important to live records?
Gunther Theys: Our label came up with a request for a live album. To be honest at first we were not too enthusiastic about it. However, after giving it thought we felt that after four studio albums and 15 years of hard work with A.R. the time indeed could be right for a live registration on cd/dvd. Only under our conditions and with a good budget, in order to offer a quality record in good old Metal tradition when live albums were an important step in a bands career, not a “quick something in between”. As a location to record our live cd/dvd/video entitled “And the Hordes Stood As one” we chose Biebob Club. This place has a great sound and a long tradition as a club where many known and unknown cult acts have performed. It is a place where we usually present our new albums on stage for the first time. Our German producers from Spacelab studios came over with a mobile studio, a P.A. technician from Holland was hired and our Finnish video producer came over to direct the video recordings which were taken care of by a Flemish camera team and a Flemish light technician was present to handle the visual aspect on stage. A very loyal and diverse crowd attended the gig, people from the Flemish, German and French speaking regions of the country but also fans from Germany, Luxembourg, Holland and France where present. In typical AR tradition it was an international event. The atmosphere was really fantastic that night and the interaction between band and audience fabulous. Very rare at an extreme Metal gig to hear a crowd sing the lyrics louder than the music or clap their hands during medieval the Folk parts. It was a night I will always remember and cherish. I am glad that event is “immortalized” by audio and video teams and will be released to share it with our fans worldwide. Indeed we have already played bigger clubs and festivals but that particular night the mood was perfect. The DVD also includes extra footage: a video history of the band (excerpts from European tours throughout the years). A special on one of our tours through Finland. A picture gallery. Two video clips “Victory and Valhalla” [sic] and “And the Hordes called for War”. Interviews with band and fans. A special on our appearance on DYNAMO…
How do you see Aggressor? This French thrash band also combines medieval music with Metal.
Gunther Theys: I must confess I am not very familiar with the work of Aggressor. I have heard the bands’ name but never had a chance to listen their music therefore I am not entitled to give an opinion.
You said Ancient Rites does not write about fantastic subjects. But music is constantly closer to fantasy than reality... How do you see music's function as art? Can it be used to preach or convert, like lecture?
Gunther Theys: When describing heraldic or larger than life topics the use of dreamy musical parts increases the right atmosphere, a harmony between words and music. This interaction enables the listener to “travel” with his mind to the places and times I write about. The music might appear fantasy from time to time but the topics are rooted in reality and historical facts/events…
You must believe all the things you write... Alas, we found it is more and more difficult for us to see the truth clearly nowadays. I believe it is the reason why beliefs of Hedonism and Nihilism grew.
Gunther Theys: Truth is relative. Everyone fills in his own view of what the truth is according to personal experiences, visions, ideologies, cultural background. Example? In the eyes of Islamist fundamentalists the activists who bombed the world trade center in New York are heroes and freedom fighters. According to the American people they are terrorists killing innocent civilians. Iranian or Serbian people who were bombed by the US Air Force consider these actions as war crimes, the US government called it a fight for democracy. Everything in life is relative and press statements are often propaganda, one hears two versions of the story depending on which camp a person belongs to…Everyone has his own truth.
At last comes the end of this short interview... frankly, I don't agree with your viewpoint "... sooner or later all subcultures become mainstream." I suppose there must be many types of subculture fade into oblivion before they draw out intention. Metal just is the one strong enough to survive and fight back!
Gunther Theys: You are entitled to your opinion. I see it differently as I live this business every day as a Metal musician. I know that fans would like to hear it differently but I always speak without censorship about my true feelings and personal experiences, I am not into peptalk. When I was young and started playing Metal I hoped to find a difference and thought that quality would prevail, unfortunately also Metal is big business. Talent does not make a band big, money does. Punk was supposed to be against fashion. Today the music channels are flooded with Poppy Punk bands who never got the essence. Nowadays in Europe this Goth Metal and Nu Metal thing is huge and played on MTV between clips of major pop or rap stars, to my opinion that is mainstream. Of course there will always be an underground offering an alternative but believe me the moment when business men discover a new trend and pick it up it will sell millions. No matter what style. The masses are stupid enough to swallow everything. That is what I wanted to say. I did not criticize Metal as a music style otherwhise I would not play it. And of course there are strong individuals who withstand the tricks of commercialism but they are a minority. Business corrupts all music. That is my opinion, although I am not happy with that knowledge either…
Thank you for your time! Hope one day I can meet you in our ancient land, the middle-kingdom and guide you here. Even a concert or gig seems impossible in the sight! (You must know even the Rolling Stone show has been cancelled due to some songs which mention sex or refer to erotic, sadly enough - they want to perform China since 70's!!!)
Gunther Theys: It would be an honour and a pleasure to meet you in your ancient land one day. Not only as a musician but also as a visitor who wants to discover more of your culture and land. In return I will show you mine. Let us hope one day this will be a fact…
Cheers, hear from you soon... hope I can get your contact soon... All the best wishes to you!
Gunther Theys: Thank you for this interesting conversation. All the best to you too…
Chinese Version:
事实是：我们万众一心！
——ANCIENT RITES独家专访
Demogorgon
首先，我想告诉你，现场专辑《我们万众一心》（And the Hordes Stood as One）表现出了真实的荣耀与力量。“Victory or Valhalla”回响在我的脑海，显现在我的眼前……有时我感觉你似乎不喜欢将所有国家结合成为一体的想法。但是在后现代社会（以及过去的所有社会里），并没有一个同意的关于“好的”的标准。那么，我们在争执甚至冲突中该如何解决问题呢？您是否相信存在着一条最终的道路，可以将我们从这一迷宫解救出去？
Gunther Theys：我一方面斗争着去达到和谐。另一方面我不想让这世界成为一个没有个性的大熔炉。因为生活中的每样事物不论怎样看都有着积极和消极两面。我担心并不存在一条最终的道路。一种文化的解决方法对另外一种文化或者将意味着一次灾祸。生活中的事物都是复杂的，没有真正黑或者白的事物。我年纪越大就越学到更多，也越来越意识到自己什么都不知道。
你是如何安排你的工作的呢？你有好几支乐团和计划，写歌（词曲）、排练、演出和音乐节一定占了您很多时间。你怎么找到空闲时间去完成歌词内页的？我真的惊讶于你那旺盛的创作力。
Gunther Theys：在一切之上，我有一份音乐之外的稳定工作，以确保我的生活。实际上，缺少时间是我一直不得不面对的问题。这导致了高血压，医生告诉我应该慢下来，但是这就是我的生活方式。我感觉自己得在很短的时间里做很多的事，因为生命流逝得太快。此时此地正是如此，我得以一种建设性的方式利用宝贵的时间。这是一中对于永生的下意识斗争吗？时光从我的指缝流过，还有那么多的东西要学习、发现或是体验。多具有讽刺性啊，不是吗？一个人年纪越大，越会变得明智，然而由于时间的缘故，到了某一特定的智慧程度，生命就终结了。如果传说或是神话中来要灵魂的恶魔（来到），为了获得永生我会立刻签下我的灵魂来交换。:-)……
能否告诉我一些关于你们的Biebob俱乐部演出的情况？在现场表演时编曲是否有很多变化？为了录制和缩混出那么清晰的声音（尤其是底鼓），一定花费了你们很多的时间，是吗？你是否认为设备与制作人对于现场录音是否重要？
Gunther Theys：我们的公司带来了这张现场专辑的需求。坦诚地说我们一开始并不十分热心。但是，思考过后我们感觉在Ancient Rites四张录音室专辑和十五年艰苦工作后将一场现场登记在CD/DVD上，时间很对。只有在我们的境况下，有着良好的预算，为了给出一张有着老金属传统的高品质录音，那个时代现场专辑是乐团生涯中的重要一步，而非“填缝儿”。我们选择Biebob俱乐部作为录制我们题目为《我们万众一心》的现场CD、DVD、录像带的地点。这个地方有很好的声音和很多知名或者不知名教派级组合演出的悠久传统。它也是我们通常首次上台展现新专辑的地方。我们的德国制作人来自于一家手机录音室“太空实验室（Spacelab）”，还雇佣了一位来自荷兰的现场扩音工程师，而我们的芬兰录像制作人来执导拍摄，一支法兰德斯拍摄小组和一位法兰德斯灯光师被介绍来掌控舞台上的视觉方面。一群本地并且多种多样的群众参加了演唱会，包括这一国家法兰德斯语、德语和法语区的人们，出席的还有来自德国、卢森堡和法国的人们。典型的Ancient Rites传统，这是一次国际性的事件。那晚气氛十分奇妙，乐团与乐迷间的互动值得称道。在一场极端金属的演唱会上听到人们演唱歌词比音乐还响或者是在中世纪民歌部分鼓掌非常罕见。这是一个我将一直记忆并且珍爱的夜晚。我很高兴这一事件被音像团队记录下来而“永生”，还将被发表与我们世界范围的乐迷分享。其实我们已经出演过更大俱乐部和音乐节，但是那个特殊的夜晚情绪正好。DVD还收录了额外的镜头：乐团的录像历史（过去的年头里的欧洲巡演片段）。我们在芬兰巡演之一的特殊片段。一个图片库。两个录像片段“Victory and Valhalla”[sic]和“And the Hordes called for War”。乐队和乐迷的采访。我们在DYNAMO上的特别演出……
你怎么看Aggressor？这支法国乐团同样结合了中世纪音乐和金属。
Gunther Theys：我得承认我对Aggressor的作品不怎么熟悉。我听说过他们的名字，但是从没找到机会听他们的音乐，所以我没有权利说出意见。
你说过Ancient Rites不会写幻想题材。但是较之现实，音乐一直都更接近幻想……你如何看待音乐作为艺术的功用？它能否被用来传道或者宣讲，一如演讲？
Gunther Theys：在形容纹章学或者比生活更广的话题时，使用梦幻般的音乐部分会增加相应的气氛，文字与音乐间的和谐。这种互动使得听众和他的思想“旅行”到我写的时间与地点。音乐或许不时地显现幻想性但是主题一直根源于现实和历史事实/事件……
你一定相信你所写下的一切……唉，我们发现在时下越来越难清晰地看到真实所在。我相信这就是诸如享乐主义和虚无主义的信仰蔓延开的原因。
Gunther Theys：真实是相对的。每个人依照个人体验、视角、意识形态和文化背景填充得到他自己对于真实如何定义的观点。例子？在伊斯兰原教旨主义者的眼里，炸毁纽约世贸大厦的激进主义分子是英雄和自由斗士。而在美国人看来他们是恐怖主义者，杀害了无辜的市民。被美国空军轰炸的伊朗人和塞尔维亚人认为这些行动是战争罪，美国政府称之为为民主而战。生命中的一切都是相对的，舆论声明常常是宣传活动，一个人听到故事的两个版本依赖于他属于哪一阵营……每个人都有他自己的真实。
最终到了这次简短采访的终末……坦诚而言，我并不同意你的“……所有亚文化迟早都会成为主流。”的观点。我认为有很多类型的亚文化在被关注前就已消失。金属只不过是足够强大到生存和反击的一个！
Gunther Theys：你有权说出你的观点。我作为一名每天生存其中的金属音乐人看来就不一样了。我知道乐迷愿意听到不一样的话，但是我总是在不审查我的真实感觉和个人体验的情况下发言，并不是打气。在我年轻开始玩儿金属的时候我希望找到一种区别，希望这一品质能够获得胜利。不幸的是金属也是一个大的生意。才智不能让一支乐队出名，金钱才可以。朋克（最早）是被用来反对时尚的。今天的音乐频道上却充斥着从来没有得到精髓的流行朋克乐队。如今的欧洲，哥特和新金属很红，在MTV上的大牌流行歌手和说唱明星的片段间播出，在我看来这就是主流。当然地下将会一直给出另外的选择，但是相信我总有这么一个时刻，生意人发现新的潮流，把它捡起来，那就卖了一百万张。不管是什么风格。大众愚蠢到可以吞下一切。这就是我想要说的。我不是在批评金属这一音乐风格否则我就不会玩它了。并且当然有些强大的个体经得住商业主义的骗术，但是他们只是少数。生意腐化了一切音乐。这是我的观点，虽然知道了这个我也不并不高兴……
感谢你的时间！希望有朝一日我能在我们古老的土地、中央帝国与你会面，并且带你游历这里。哪怕演唱会现在看起来似乎不大可能！[你一定知道甚至Rolling Stones（滚石）的演唱会都被取消了，只是因为一些歌曲提到了性和色情，这很遗憾——他们从上世纪七十年代起就想来中国演出！！！]
Gunther Theys：假如有一天能在你们的古老土地上与你会面将是一种荣誉。不只是作为一名音乐人，还作为一名想要发现你们的文化和土地更多的游客。作为回报我也会展现给你我的。让你我希望这一天将会成为现实……
谢谢，希望很快能得到你的消息……一切顺利！
Gunther Theys：感谢这次有趣的交谈，也祝你一切顺利……
Copyright © 2003-2008, DEMOGORGON
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