Vratyas Vakyas

AM : First question, Vratyas, what are the highlights in 16 years of history of Falkenbach, your best and worst memories?

Vratyas : The best memories I´ve got on one hand about when a new album or demo was completed. It´s always something unique when you see the whole finally completed and finished, can´t describe the feeling more detailed. On the other hand the feedback I received from the listeners throughout all the years is something I´d never want to miss as well. The worst memories deal with labels and the popular magazines. It´s hard to see how things changed throughout the years, all the things that should be about music and art deal with business meanwhile. It´s also sad to see how many people still support those digheads that create for example a magazine and give space only to bands with a label that pays for interviews.

AM : How about the birth of this new album? I’ve seen on your website that the first album you wanted to record was called “The Fireblade”, so is this new album some kind of resurrection of your first –but never recorded- record?

Vratyas : Exactly, “Heralding – The Fireblade” is the rerecord of this old material. Only a few things had to be changed, and 3 more songs are missing due to the fact there was not enough time at the studio to record them as well. But except for the bonus track “Gjallar”, that was taken from one of the demos, only the song “Walkiesjar” was changed a little, as it´s been an instrumental in the beginning, and now got lyrics and a new title.

AM : Where does your musical inspiration come from?

Vratyas : I don´t know where inspiration comes from. This must be one of the oldest questions of mankind, and I am probably not the one who will find the answer. It´s just the inspiration itself, and it comes when ever time is right for it. It doesn´t ask for a special mood, or a special place, it just appears and wants to be realised.

AM : Don’t you ever use samples or synthesizers in your music or only acoustic guitars and true wind instruments to sound more natural?

Vratyas : So far most of the sounds were taken from samples, except for percussions for example. It´s too hard to find musicians who are skilled enough to play all those instruments.

AM : You seem to love nature from your CD covers, do you feel especially concerned with the ecological problems? Do you use paganism as a philosophy in your everyday life?

Vratyas : I don´t know if you can call it “paganism”, as I do not use to label my life. But I do not belong to those people who deal with such aspects on a hobby basis. What ever I do I try to do at 100%, and those things are a part of my life.

AM : Tell us about the lyrical concept of “Heralding – The Fireblade”? Is it a mythological story or does it come from your imagination?

Vratyas : Imagination has never been an important aspect of Falkenbach, as it bases on traditions, cultures, mythologies etc.

AM : What are your plans now, will you work new album or develop new projects? Still no plans for gigs?

Vratyas : I cannot say when a new album will be ready for a release, not even if there will be further material to be released at all. News projects are not planned at the moment, but you never know what time will bring. About a live gig I can say that there indeed were plans to play at least 1-2 small shows, but it´s not sure yet. As soon as there is something I can tell you about it, you will find it at www.Falkenbach.de.

AM : Last question, our ritual question in fact, ask yourself a question and give the answer...

Vratyas : What do I think about life and death…das Leben feiert Siege, der Tod aber schreibt Geschichte.