1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Doru: We finished recording the album last year in August and the final masters arrived in November. In the meanwhile we were really busy filming a clip for one of the new songs, discussing the final artwork
and booking some gigs. There's a lot of work involved in the making of an album and not all of it is related to the musical side of things.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Doru: Well, the first album was an experiment; it was all DIY and we had no previous experience. We can only thank the people that were involved back then and helped us to understand the process. With
'Perditus et Dea' we already knew all the steps we needed to take and this helped us to be more focused. After we got into touch with Hiili Hiilesmaa (known for working with a lot of great bands like Him,
Apocalyptica, Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Lordi etc.), who agreed to do the mixing and mastering, we were even more determined to produce a good raw material that would match his and our expectations.
3.This is the first album to be released in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Doru: The first album got released late in 2011 in digital form. After that, we had to undergo a series of procedures to get it out in physical format, but this was not that easy taking in mind that we didn't had any
label to back us up at the time. In the end, in 2012 we finally managed to produce the CD after which we started writing material for the new album. In the meantime we sent out hundreds of emails for trying to get
a contract with labels or agencies but we didn't have much success there. Our luck changed in 2013 when Loud Rage Music contacted us and we started discussing a possible collaboration. All went well but we
decided not to rush things with the new album and we dedicated the entire year 2014 for this. I can say we planned it well since everything went according to our schedule.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Doru: As with the first album, the lyrics and concept are based on mythology and fiction. The main concept evolves around the ancient story of the Androgynous. We explored Greek mythology and also added a touch of Romanian folclore. The lyrics for one of our songs are entirely in Romanian and some of the other tracks include Latin texts as well.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Whispering Woods'?
Doru: When searching for a band name we were looking for something that could express our love for nature and the conceptual themes that have been around for so many years. We believe that the name we found can give a hint to the fact that our songs have stories to tell and that when put together they compose an even bigger tale.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Doru: I think that all of our shows had something special, at least that's how I see it. We had a couple in Bucharest that we really enjoyed and we had a lot here in Cluj in which we felt great, like the one we
played for the first edition of the Transylvanian Book Festival.Our stage performance has always been well received by the public and media, but we are definitely trying to improve it. On the technical side of things, we're taking advantage of our sound engineer without whom we would be completely lost. On the visual side of things, we're trying to get better and better and find new things that would appeal to the
public and help our concept. With the new album we are preparing a few surprises in this regard, at least for the shows here in Romania.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Doru: Yes. We are preparing a tour over Europe in April. Stay tuned for more details :-) We are really looking forward to it!
8.The new album was released on Loud Rage Music, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Doru: LRM is a young label with much potential. We have a great communication with them and I really appreciate the trust that they have placed in us. Thanks to them our new material will have a worldwide
distribution and we hope that it will be easy for anyone to get it! Check them out at www.loudragemusic.com.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of symphonic and gothic metal?
Doru: So far people seem to have liked what they've heard. Our first album had good feedback coming from all over the world. The distribution company which sells our physical CD told us that they sold albums to
Russia, Brazil, the States, Western Europe and many other places. Also, our CD has been amongst the top abroad selling albums, so that has to mean something, right? The feedback on the social media like Facebook or Vampire Freaks has been really great. We want to thank our fans from all over the world for being so awesome and we hope they will enjoy the new material as well!
10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects these days?
Doru: Yes, actually most of them are! Cătălina is an active member with the German band Haggard and she has been with them everywhere! István, our bass player has also been involved with a lot of local bands, but I think he has reduced their number now. Our live keyboard player, Radu, has gigs every week with a band from his hometown and Alex, our drummers is part of a small local project. Last but not the least, our two
sopranos are active members within the Cluj and Timișoara Philharmonics.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Doru: I think the new material will be heading towards an even more doom-ish sound and we may add a bit more growls on the vocal side. Anyway, as until now, we will continue experimenting and having fun,
that's for sure!
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Doru: I think that all the music with which you come into contact influences you in a way or another. Ideally, I would want to say that our music has not been influenced by anyone, but that would be a lie. I am a big fan of Therion so probably that's where the influence started and after that you can add almost any other symphonic band that's out there. I also really enjoy the more melodic doom bands like Swallow the
Sun, Katatonia etc. and I'm sure that part of the mood that we induce has been inspired from them. Of course, besides the metal bands you have the classical music and Opera, which always offer a great variety and substance.
Recently, my playlist includes a lot to Ahab and Riverside and I have just stumbled upon Vulture Industries. There are a lot of amazing bands out there, you just need to find them and enjoy their work!
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Doru: Besides music I like all kinds of sports, especially cue ones, tennis and football. When not watching or playing any of these I like to sit back and devour a good movie. I've also recently started reading Moby Dick which, by the way, goes really well when you're listening to Ahab haha!
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Doru: Thank you so much for this opportunity and thanks to all of you that took the time to read these lines! I hope you enjoy the new material and stay close because we are preparing a lot of goodies! If
you want see us in your town, get in touch with a local promoter and have him contact us! Cheers! \m/
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