Interviews: Godiva

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Death Metal band, Godiva from Portugal. 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?

It was ages ago, but the first name of the project that later became Godiva was Lilith, and we thought at the time to change to a strong female figure from history or mythology, and a few members of the band at the time liked the legend of Lady Godiva and what it stood for. The rest is history.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Godiva has more than 20 years of history, so as music evolves the sonority of the band changed during its existence. Although one thing stayed coherent during this time, every lineup was composed of people with very different musical tastes, so the sonority evolved alongside the different lineups and the tastes of who were in the band at the time. In this latest incarnation, we steered a bit away from the past, borrowing the symphonic sound and composition, and mixing it up with Death and Black. Every time with the goal of creating our own path, our own music our own identity.

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

It’s very difficult to answer this question after more than 20 years of history. Life happens and people gain other goals. We try to start with friends, but sometimes it’s not possible, the music is more important. In the end, we are all friends with the same goals.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Dimmu Borgir, Septic Flesh, Samael, Hypocrisy, Abath amongst many others.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We always tried to create something new with meaning that may inspire someone else. We always shared influences from Samael to Obituary, mixing with Melodic black like Dimmu Borgir and everything hard that has a very melodic undertone like Death amounts many others. The lyrics always had a psychological or social critique undertone, in Hubris it’s a compilation of lyrics that try to expose the realities and the hypocrisy of this age. All of them come together to create an allegory of modern man, where we see the elevation of the new gods, the new truth, through social media, classic media, etc. And what it means to be an individual in a such chaotic time in our history.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was a test run to the launch of a new metal festival here in Portugal, and although people didn’t know the album it was great and inspired us to go at it with more edge.

7. Where would you like to act?

We want to travel the road to show our music to anyone that wants to hear it so I can say that we want and have plans to do a few tours through Europe, or anywhere it’s possible.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We had the privilege of sharing the stage with many excellent bands, so we will feature with anyone who wants us and hopefully share our passion.

9. Whom not?

We are not able to answer this question. It will a pleasure to share the stage with anyone that likes music as much as we do. We shared the stage with many, many bands, and hopefully, we will share the stage with many more. Anyone that wants us.

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

Although we are doing this for a very long time, we think that climbing into a stage is always scary, and the nervousness that comes along with it is an integral part of the experience. Every time it’s scary to share your soul with a crowd but it’s worth it, embrace your inner beast take a deep breath, and go for it, you will be instantly hooked to the sensation of sharing your work and a part of your soul with a crowd that shares your dream. Don’t take yourself to seriously, you don’t have to prove that you personally are on stage and that has to shine and play a lot. The show and the people are what matters as a whole. It is a realization that comes from the growth of the movement, the music of the show is what matters. If you feel more comfortable getting in a new skin and playing the part, you will not regret it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The influences range from Samael in the melodic part with influences from the old obituary and King Diamond to Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and a touch of Death, Desincarnate, James Murphy, and blended in with Classic works, like Verdi, Mozart, Beethoven amounts others.

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

Over so many years there have been many, many situations that I could say, but for decency's sake, we will invoke the 5th. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love them because we are them and will always be. People who share the same dreams and the same mission. Nothing is greater than being able to share our music the everyone to share our goals and our music. We every time strive to create something new with meaning that hopefully can have an impact on fans, the same way that many bands inspired us in the past and still do.

14. What do you think of our site?

The internet content now is very fragmented and scattered, it’s very good to have an anchor of quality, that we trust to help bands grow and create a bridge between bands and the fans. It’s a privilege to appear on such a quality site with a such noble vision.

15. Something to add?

We sincerely hope you guys love our album as much as we do. And we will meet up with every one of you on the Road. Keep Rocking