Interviews: Deadscape

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Death Metal band, Deadscape from Bulgaria. 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?

Not just like that, for sure! We’ve spent quite the time trying to come up with something that would, of course, sound cool and be easy to remember, and would also fit our perspective of the band and provoke the fans’ imagination at the same time. The dying nature motive is a leading one in our work so we decided to use the wordplay “Deadscape” – I don’t know if people do imagine a dead, barren landscape when they hear the name but we liked it and it worked great for us so far.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

When you can barely spend a day without listening to it, wanting to play it is just the next natural step, right? But I guess a more in-depth answer would be because melodic death metal has resonated with our personalities like no other genre. It is an entire palette of different emotions – it can be angry, aggressive and rebellious, it can be gloomy and melancholic, it can be dreamy and uplifting… Also, it’s quite versatile - since we all came from different backgrounds (for example, I used to play in a thrash metal band), it’s the intersection point of many of our musical preferences.

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

Although we used to live in different parts of Bulgaria back then, I’ve known our guitarists Ivan B. and Ani for some time before the band was formed. Our metal community is not that big, so we had a lot of mutual friends, occasionally shared concert experiences, drank beers together, etc. As for our vocalist Mera and drummer Ivan K., I’ve met them through the process of building the band’s line-up. To be honest, today it feels like we’ve known each other since forever…

4. Each band member's favourite band?

We all sure have more than one favourite band but if we have to pick only one… 

Mera – Norther

Ivan B. - Insomnium

Ani - Amorphis

Alex – Insomnium

Ivan K. – Dream Theater

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

As stated earlier, we mainly draw our inspiration from nature but saying that we get equally inspired by people will not be far from the truth. In a few words, we are interested in both practical and abstract topics we encounter in our everyday life and we mostly use natural motives to describe them, since nature is the exact reflection of the human soul. Of course, there’s also this overwhelming need of doing what we love the most, of expressing ourselves, of creating something beautiful that will remain long after we are gone.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was almost a year ago and it actually was a show we organized ourselves for the birthday of our vocalist Mera. It was held in Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria, for those of you who don’t know), in a small venue where a lot of the underground metal concerts take place. Unfortunately, it was later closed due to the coronavirus crisis and is not functioning currently.

7. Where would you like to act?

The truth is that as long as we do what we love, travel the world and play in front of people, any venue would do. Infact, I have always preferred mid-sized and small venues because the contact between bands and fans is so much stronger. But sure, I would still love to know the feeling of playing the big festival stages of Europe, of standing where my idols stood.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If you ask each of us separately, you would probably receive five totally different answers… Here’s mine - it would be a dream come true if someday I can share the stage with bands I have idolized such as Insomnium, In Flames, Before The Dawn, Bullet For My Valentine, Trivium, Machine Head, Children Of Bodom (this one is already not possible, unfortunately…). The list can go on and on.

9. Whom not?

I don’t think there is a band that I would actually refuse playing with… Probably some grindcore or grindcore-related stuff.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I have! Every… damn… time. Even though I do not consider myself a beginner anymore. I guess most people fight it with alcohol but my recipe is just “as many concerts as possible”. This is the most effective way to battle it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Deadscape was mostly influenced by the Scandinavian melodic death metal, both Finnish and Swedish. There’s just something melancholic about the whole way of life of these people that makes them produce such emotional music. I have already shared some of my favourite bands earlier but if there’s one that inspires me the most, that would be Insomnium. I just can’t get enough of their music and I’ve noticed it has the same effect on many other people as well.

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

An autograph! I don’t think that I have achieved anything considerable yet and I’m far from seeing myself as some kind of a rock star so I felt really awkward when it happened. By the way, I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of my favourite artists in person and they are all so… not starstruck, so I’ll try to follow their example.

13. What do you think of your fans?

As underground as we are and being still in the very early stages of our career, I can’t say we have much of a fanbase yet… But what it lacks in quantity, it compensates in quality and loyalty. Here’s a shout-out to all who had supported us in one way or another throughout the years – thank you for support, we are grateful for each and every one of you!

14. What do you think of our site?

It is awesome that you provide a tribune for artists such as ourselves and in such a variety of genres. Underground bands struggle to get even the slightest of exposure these days and too often get ignored by fans and press. Not judging, of course! It’s just that a lot of musical gems remain undiscovered this way.

15. Something to add?

Everyone, if you like what we do, feel free to follow us on social media and subscribe to our YouTube channel and Bandcamp page. Positive or negative, don’t hesitate giving us your feedback! It means a lot to us! And thank you, Breathing The Core, for featuring us!