Interviews: Helion

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Helion from Italy. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The idea of the name emerged from a discussion with some friends, basically a bunch of guys interested in ancient history and mythology, and we thought it was a cool concept to be used in a band, as a word resembling the Sun as a divinity and as a fundamental element of matter as well.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

MASSIMILIANO: Technical death metal is to me the best way to express my musical personality as it involves powerful elements but also an extreme sensibility toward melodies and harmony, resembling a lot from the classical/romantic way of composing and conceiving music.

ALESSANDRO: I love the energy, the cathartic power of violence in music. Also, tech- death is very challenging fisically and technically so it pushes you to do better.

ANDREA: Both tastes and personal challenge. The struggle and passion of learning and creating new ways to combine the expression of personal skills and the perfect mixture of brutality and symphony.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

No, we've met during the years playing with other projects and joined forces in this band eventually.

4. Each band member favourite band?

MAX: Probably there isn't a single one, too many bands to mention, eventhough i could say that when i was twelve the first band that really pushed me toward this musical direction was Metallica, for sure. 

ALESSANDRO: Impossible to answer. But I can tell that my favourite album is Lateralus from Tool for sure.

ANDREA: I really cannot state one single name as my tastes are quite various, from metal to electronic music, punk, scream and hardcore; probably Skruigners and Nerorgasmo (two legendary italian punk hardcore acts) were the most significant to my personal growth.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

MAX: The main source of inspiration in our case comes from the theme we want to talk about in the song, although the riff could just come by when you're not thinking about the band at all; in this case you just have to grab the idea and start gestating it.

ANDREA: "What I would like to ear if it wasn't Helion creating this melody?" is what I always ask myself during the musical arrangement, and then I let "the guts" move my finger and drive my creativity.

ALESSANDRO: I must say that I'm not a prolific composer, so most of the time I work with my band mates givin shape and richness to what they are putting on the table.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in a venue called Centrale Rock Pub in Erba, near Como, opening for Demiurgon together with Regression in Enthropia..two killer italian bands by the way, check them out!

7. Where would you like to act?

On any stage where one of my favourite band is playing, sharing the stage with them and receiving a good feedback from the fans playing our songs. This both include big mainstream festival – that would be a pleasure to jump on one of those enormous stages with historical relevance – and smaller dedicated events (i.e Deathfest or similar)

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There are plenty of musicians we'd like to collaborate with, but i can proudly say that one of them is already a guest in our album. Also, for all the players reading this, feel free to hit us, we’re always exapding our public relation network

9. Whom not?

We personally wouldn't support any band having a negative approach to the musical scene they belong to, both underground and mainstream acts. People who bites the hands that feed them are the black holes of the music universe and we try out best to stay away from them, from both personal and musical career perspective

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

MAX: Well it is a common field where everyone has to step on, sometime. For me, especially during solo concerts of classical guitar, it is an omnipresent feeling, cause it's just part of my own personality; the only thing i can do is to accept it, deal with it and shake it off, maintaining high concentration and staying calm. With the band is totally different, since the energy that flows between you, your band mates and the crowd gives you the strenght to overcome any kind of fear, it's pure energy outburst.

ANDREA: Not at all, in fact I've always felt unexplainably confident while playing in public. Three tips for beginners: play live only when you're really sure of your execution quality, focus on the instrument and not on the people (stage presence will come with the time), 1 beer before getting on the stage.

ALESSANDRO: It has happened sometimes, but when I start playing everything is fine and i'm not worried anymore. You must be confident with your songs. Always remember that people is there for you, not against you. If you give feelings, people will eventually get them. If you enjoy the show then the crowd will perceive it and will enjoy as much as you do.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

MAX: Too many bands to mention, as i said before...It just depends on the day and the mood (i'm currently devouring Misery Index, Vale of Pnath and Impureza). Let the fans guess by themselves!

ANDREA: We don't have enough gigabytes on the internet to store every band that could haave influenced me, but there's one name I would like to set on the top: Stefano Franceschini (Aborted - Hideous divinity).

ALESSANDRO: In a chronological order I can say: Metallica, Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Death, Tool, King Crimson, Tigran Hamasyan just to name some highlights on my listening

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

MAX: Playing church songs with blast beats.

ANDREA: An autograph! It may sound strange but I've always related this phenomenon only to widely famous artists and performers, so I really was like "Kid, you serious? I'm no one!"

ALESSANDRO: Many years ago I used to play on a cheap Premier double pedal. After a show a guy approached for congratulations and asked me:" is that the best double pedal on the market"

13. What do you think of your fans?

We'll always be grateful for their support and hope to gain new ones with this album. One positive aspect of not being a big name in the musical scene is the possibility to still have some personal contact and relationship with people that appreciate your products, which is as important as big crowds singing you songs 

14. What do you think of our site?

We always have respect for people who support the underground music as you guys do, keep it up!

15. Something add?

Never give up. Support underground and local musical scene. ...buy our latest album? Ahah