Antagonist Zero Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new ep?

The No Tears release show was held at the Dark River Festival, Kotka, Finland on August 14th.
We toured the Baltics and Poland September 4th-12th together with Estonian progressive death metal band Paean. Now we are about to announce more live dates soon.
We´ve been also been working on a cover song for a Slayer tribute album and of course finalizing the new songs for our upcoming full-length album as well.

2.Recently you have released a new ep, 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?

No Tears consist of three teasers of our new material and two cover songs. The three new songs might differ a bit from our earlier material, but they are Antagonist Zero for sure. The new material is more intense, melodic, doomy, heavier and melancholic in AZ style. And yet we have added songs sang in our native language Finnish. We are really excited about the forthcoming album and material.
Can`t wait to hit the upcoming full-length for your ears!

3.You refer to your music as 'Catatonic Metal' can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

The term Catatonic Metal suites our music perfectly. It was invented by our former clean vocalist Ville. We all agreed that this is the name for our music style. We all hate to be categorized as something so made up our own term.

4.This is the first release to be put out in 3 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

After the Doomed album we toured a lot and promoted the album worldwide. And some of our band members also have other bands, so there were periods where we had total breaks from AZ. But we also had a creative break while composing new material for our upcoming album.

5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

In AZ lyrics, the main theme is night, the beauty of the night and nighttime. But the lyrics deal with lots of things in life, like sadness and being lost, in a melancholic and metaphorical way.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Antagonist Zero'?

Antagonist Zero is the vision of what we want the band image to be: zero enemies, zero opposites. Juho came up with the name and we instantly agreed with it.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Well I think some of the Chinese shows were spectacular but also the Hard Rock Laager 2013 show in Estonia was something to be remembered. AZ is a really intense and almost hypnotizing band live. It captures the audience into a beautiful world of melancholy and despair, while the sorrow parts purge out all the pain and anger to complete the experience.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Yes, for sure. We have booked some shows in Finland and Estonia for the end of this year. But in the beginning of 2016 we will start the recording of the new album and we’ll be focusing on that. But after the release of the album we´ll be touring a lot for sure.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of underground metal?

It has been really good. We`ve been surprised especially how the audience reacts to our live shows by crying and feeling all the pain that we deliver through our music and performance. Also the media have noticed us worldwide and embraced our achievements.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

My other band Coprolith released a new album in 2014 and toured a lot after that. So anytime now we are preparing to focus on the new album material. Cavus is also in the middle of the recording process for their new album and the Juhos have their new stoner band coming. We will see.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Well, No Tears makes a good point on this, but I also have an urge to do an acoustic album in the future too. So there will be a lot of things coming.

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?

AZ is influenced by various elements of metal, such as Doom, Death, Black, Post and even Progressive Rock. Some obvious bands to name would include Katatonia, Opeth, Tiamat, Ghost Brigade and early Anathema.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Life?

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Listen to Antagonist Zero`s Catatonic Metal, buy our cd´s, come to our shows and worship the nighttime harmony!