Interviews About Albums: TALTOS - Érezd hogy élsz (2022)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Hungarian Folk Metal/Black Metal band TALTOS to ask some questions about their new album "Érezd hogy élsz". 

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

It's quite different from what I planned to do with Táltos. It lacks some of the punk elements and the fun that tends to come with folk metal. There is a lot of anger in it, that needed a colder death metal sound to express.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

The words "Érezd hogy élsz" are kind of difficult to translate into English. I went with "Feel Alive," but it should be understood as a command. It is demanding people that start feeling alive. I feel like people tend to forget how amazing life itself is and we often let it go to waste.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

I composed the songs, though the drummer and guitarist wrote their own part, according to my vague instructions. I'm thinking of being even vaguer with my instructions in the future, let them surprise me.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

The fourth song. "Mit Vársz?/What do You Expect?" It's got a very unique sound, that I don't think will be repeated too often. It sounds as if Burzum wrote Ratamahatta. Also the most purely emotional lyrics and vocal performance I've done yet. To most people, it probably doesn't sound like much, but it's pretty special to me.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what it is?

Not a conscious one. I didn't intend to give an overarching theme, but I did end up writing a lot of songs about compassion and the lack of it within our society.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

The second verse in Farkasbőrbe bújt birka/Sheep in Wolf Skin. "Is a word enough, for you to cause suffering? | Is a command enough, or will you do it by yourself? | Would you dare disobey the sadistic majority? | Would you dare help, even when they forbid you to do so?" A bit of a clumsy translation, but I think it gets the point across.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Musically, inspiration is always all over the place. The two bands that inspire me the most are Sigh, the masters of avantgarde metal, and Vágtázó Halottkémek, a very defining figure of the Hungarian underground scene.

8. Something to add?

I just want to thank you for the interview and the opportunity.