Interviews: Symbol Of Orion

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band Symbol Of Orion from the UK. 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?

Saujan Rai: The band name was originally discussed between the founding members Saujan Rai (Guitar), Manish Nembang (Bass), Saugaat Gurung ( Vox/Guitar) and Bikash Gurung( Drums). The term “Orion” is derived from the “Geek Mythology”, Orion meaning “Hunter” as our great ancestors were also hunters in the past, native to Nepal and today we symbolise them, our ancestors. Hence naming the band after the reason.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Saujan: The band started as a thrash/death metal band and the influences can be heard in the first two demos, leaning more towards old school bands like Slayer, Metallica, Evile etc and later developing our sound, incorporating our nepalese folk instruments which gave us a wider and unique blend of sounds. Adding on, we try to fit and play with no musical boundaries because we all come from a different musical background and we like to expand our musical knowledge.

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

Saujan: Me and Sumant come from the same town, we knew each other from back home. Manish and Rojan are from different cities in Nepal. Due to our fathers service in the same military regiment Gurkha Army UK, we all moved to UK and met each other through our small nepalese community.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Saujan: Sepultura

Sumant: Pantera

Manish: Rancid/Pantera

Rojan: Lamb of God

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Saujan: Life is my main inspiration. It is a great teacher I learn and I write from it. Our culture and spiritual topics has always been key elements in our lyrical expressions and understanding of it. Myths and old stories are also interesting topics to write about and adding on any form of arts, modern societies, world problems, corruptions anything that relates to us as human being are always a good inspiration and something to address about. 

Sumant: Different situations in life and expressing my views though music inspires me to write songs.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Saujan: It was Retribution Alive Metal Night at Stag’s Head, Hoxton.

7. Where would you like to play? 

Sumant: Starting up with any metal festival leading to bigger festivals like Bloodstocks, Hammerfest and lastly Download Festival of course.

8. Who would you like to support? 

Saujan: Would really love to support Sylosis if they ever come back to London again or Gojira would be a dream come true or The HU from Mongolia.

9. Who not?

Saujan: We are easy going guys, we do not mind any bands.

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

Saujan: We all started gigging at a very young age and it was dam frightening back then but got grasp of it after many shows. For beginners, play as you are playing in your room and don't stop at any cost, even if you make a mistake or miss a hit “DONT STOP PLAYING” and just catch up. 

Sumant: Yes, I have and I was lucky enough to play from the age of 16. I think with time the stage fear will fade out. Be out there more playing live. Surely you will make some mistakes but every band has gone through that. It is normal. 

Rojan: Yes, just getting up on the stage was scary but it didn't last until I started playing. I would suggest the beginners to keep playing, even if you do a mistake that’s not a big deal, everyone’s been through it and that is how you improve yourself. It will give you more confidence and experiences. 

Manish: Yes we all did but will get used to it. Keep playing.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Saujan: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Decapitated, Meshuggah, Kreator, Sepultura and more recently watching Gojira Live has really inspired us to look into our stage and lighting production and more bands like Sylosis, Mastodon, Baroness has been our inspirations lately.

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

Saujan: We haven't had anything weird happened to us but we have few fans who only turn up to watch our set.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Saujan: I try to talk with everyone during our shows or engage with them through social sites or Emails. I love our fans and even more when they ask about our musical contents like lyrics, concepts or artworks. 14. What do you think of our site? 

Saujan: The site is well connected and offers all the information on the bands. It has been our pleasure to be a part and do an interview with Breathing the Core. Lastly love the Free music and Music to Buy options haha. Blessing to Breathing the Core.

15. Something to add? 

Saujan: We are living in this era of time where everybody needs to look out and care for each other. Specially with the COVID-19 virus, this is when we have to come and work together, save ourselves and save lives.