Interview in Temple of Perdition Webzine

... Interview with MODERN FUNERAL ART !!!

Despite a very solid 2nd album - called "Doom With a View" and released a couple of years ago, MODERN FUNERAL ART is not a name that comes up often in conversations about the french scene, which seems really unfair in my opinion, even if -as you'll see- the band is not particularly looking for more than just their own pleasure... Yet, their style consists in an original form of early 90's UK Doom (think about early P.L., Cathedral, MDB) with very special vocals that we usually find in different genres (somewhere between post-punk, neo-folk or gothic...). Maybe those vocals are the kind of love it or hate it (no need to tell ya which is my camp !), but it remains undeniable that awesome songs like "Alexander", "Dante in the Dusky Woods", "Aroundthe Graves" or "Friends of Hell" contain a batch of big doomy riffs with catchy choruses that enhance the impact of refined occult lyrics.

I was interested to know more about this nice but weird band and asked them a few questions, hoping to get some interesting fresh news about a new album too...

Your 2nd album "doom with a view" has been released about two years ago now, but - despite very positive reviews - the name of M.F.A. remains pretty confidential...

We’re very satisfied with the feedback about “Doom with a view” , a lot of positive reviews , radio plays and interviews but we were very unlucky with our label choice : at first we signed with a Netherland based label who promised to release the album during more than one year and nothing …… after long months of lies I decided to contact Ed from Doommantia.com/DMA Records who is a long time friend , a real doom activist and a big MFA supporter, we decided to co-produce the album and for me it was a very good decision.

Unfortunately Ed had very serious health problems and stopped DMA Records, you can contact me if you want a physical copy of “Doom with a view”.

I would add a word about Ed and Doommantia.com , he really need helps because after his heart-attack he needs lot of meds and can’t afford it : you can make a donation at doommantia.com

There's certainly various reasons to this , I mean your history seems to have never been easy (line-up problems leading strangely to a 1st album without the compositor of the band, long quest for a deal with DMA which quickly end all activities, important geographical separation between members, the fact to not destined the band to any live performance...) all this seems pretty special from the outside...

MFA has never really been a band in a traditional form , since the beginning we decided to exclude live performance , most of our influences especially early 90’s doom/death bands never played live.

I really think our music isn’t made for stage.

MFA is a real friend story , our first album was recorded with the help of our long time friend Stef Vanstaen ( Downfall , Discard ) as guitar player because Pascal was in England to study and during this period Stef helped us keep MFA alive.

“Doom with a view” is for me our real first album , “Hellfire” is very good but it show only the most “death-metal” side of MFA .

So how is going MFA in 2013 ? what's your position/reflection towards the actual existence and future of MFA ?

We’re actually working on new material and few covers , I can’t say 2013 will see a new album but ……..

MFA is a stressless project we all have good jobs , family , kids so when the need is here …….. we plug the guitars .

Do you consider you as a doom band ? Do you feel more concerned if I speak about the UK sound of the late 80's/early 90's doom/death which seems to include a great part of your influences and still current-faves ? Regarding this, was it an almost natural choice to use Dan Swano services for "doom with a view" ?

I’m the only real doomster in the band but the early 90’s UK Doom is a big part of us .I think we’re a Doom band and the good feedback from the Doom “scene” confirms that . Doom listeners are more open-minded than metalheads in general and they can understand why we use vocals linked to the early goth scene . I prefer to use the term “post-punk” because since a decade the term “Gothic” has been associated with bitchy fronted band who think Marylin Manson created the gothic movement …….

You should listen to Virgin Prunes , Joy Division and maybe Bauhaus to understand the way we follow .

Dan Swano was a natural choice for us , we’re huge fans of Edge of Sanity and he produced lots of great albums. And it was a very very good choice , he’s a very nice , patient and open-minded person , we’re totally satisfied with his work.

Despite some imperfections in the tone and accent, I do really like the vocals on the album, melodic, melancholic but also audacious... were the usual death grunts banished from the beginning ? Are you totally satisfied of the way things (particularly vocals) are mixed on the album ?

I’m not totally satisfied by the vocals of the album and it’s only because we didn’t have enough time to record it

Arnaud is a great singer , I invite you to listen to our other project Pale Roses and you will discover the total expression of his voice .

But I’m totally sure the vocals on next album will be better , only because now we will be able to record it quietly and work on it deeply .

Concerning grunts, if a part needs it maybe ….. I can do it .

The lyrical content turns pretty much around estorism and occult stuff, it's pretty rich and even ironic sometimes ("suicide pact") but I've read that you did write on different stuff for new songs, what are they dealing about ?did you feel you arrived at the end of what you could write on your spiritual masters (Lovecraft, A. Crowley...) or do you think this is temporary ?

Well, I don’t think we’re going to change our lyrical themes in a radical way. I just love everything about esoterism or occultism and there are still hundreds of things to write about, ghosts and apparitions, crop circles and UFOs, urban legends and conspiracy theories, secret societies, lost civilizations, the list can be endless. The important thing is that we never take that too seriously, and often add an ironical point of view.

Old time literature and poetry is also our main influence but of course, we’re not going to quote the unholy trinity of Lovecraft, Crowley and Poe all the time. However, we definitely want to render homage to the great authors of the 19th and 20th centuries. If I had to mention a few, I’d put forward WH Hodgson, Clark Ashton Smith, Samuel Loveman, Henry James, Montague Rhodes James, Arhtur Machen, and French ones Huysmans and Raoul De Warren.

So the next songs should not be too different from the previous ones, just a little deeper in the same crypt, which doesn’t mean it will be all death and despair. There’s room for light and hope too, but just not in a naïve way.

Are you always comfortable with the idea of never playing live ? Don't you feel sometimes the call of the scene, thinking about how awesome would it be to play a song like "Alexander" or "Dante in the dusky woods" on stage ? Despite this, are you in relation with some other frenchbands ?

Like I said in the first part of the interview MFA is not and never will be a live band , I play live sometimes with other bands especially to play covers but I never saw MFA like a live band , we’re 3 since the beginning and we don’t need other members so …… we can’t play live .

We’re from south west of France and our town was the cradle of great bands , members of Punish Yourself , Psykup , MOPA are long time friends . Concerning Doom scene ,Stef from Wedding in Hades is a good friend and Ataraxie are nice guys .

What are the plans now for MFA ? Is there any new recording planed for this year ?Are you already in quest of a new deal ?

For our next release we're thinking about a free digital release and if a label wants it for a physical release- why not...

 

 

http://templeofperdition.blogspot.fr/2013/03/interview-with-modern-funeral-art.html

Interview with DJ Frozg on Metal Messiah Radio

 Interview with DJ Frozg by modernfuneralart



Interview on Metal Waves

Modern Funeral Art is one of those innovative bands who bring us a variety of different sounds, mingling in a unique genre; thence offered to the pleasure of our ears in an intriguing combination, as intriguing as this Modern Art of Death and Funerals…

El Evil Emperor: Hails to you, hope you're doing fine after the release of your 2009 Opus.

Benoit Sangoi : Yes we're actually in promo work with the release of 500 promo copy send to labels , webzines and radios.

El Evil Emperor: Very interesting, how did you find the various review and reactions?

Benoit Sangoi : For the moment a lot of reviews are positive specially coming from the "Doom scene" , but cause to our sing type ( back from the roots of gothic rock ) the true metal fans are less enthusiastic , since the beginning of MFA we surfed on two style , metal & post-punk / gothic rock. You can find several reviews on our myspace.

El Evil Emperor: Yes, yes indeed. How helpful were these reviews concerning Label opportunities? Do you currently have some good offers?

Benoit Sangoi : We have "normally" signed with a label , at this moment I'm waiting the final agreement , we have a lot of good contacts with great label but the situation is difficult for a big part of underground label and MFA is just a studio band , label prefer sign bands who toured is more easy to promote.

El Evil Emperor: Well, since we were talking about Labels, what could you say about the deal with 'The Drama and Sin Company' and what are your expectations regarding the Label deals?

Benoit Sangoi : Well "The drama & sin company" released our two first records , they 're available on a big number of labels distribution but they didn't do any promotion . Without promotion no selling and the release of our albums just served him to trade with other labels for his personal store. During our contract we're just release one interview for a Spanish magazine, actually we are seeking a label we do a good promotion, and after all this year I understand one thing: we must do the big part of promo work and for this new album that's what we doing.

El Evil Emperor: Indeed. Let's get to know about your beginning, who founded the band, who chose the name, and your first encountering with fellow bands?

Benoit Sangoi : MFA was formed in 1996 by our current line-up , after the release of our first Demo-tape "almost angels" Pascal left France for studying in England .

during the period 2000 / 2007 we release on EP " Gateways of slumber " and one album "Hellfire" with the help of our long time friends Stef from Downfall / Discard it's why that release are a bit different of our actual sound who for me represent the true MFA . 2008 was a rebirth for MFA , Pascal back from England and we re-started the band with his original spirit

concerning the band name Modern Funeral Art was inspired by the name of a "boutique" in Toulouse , "l'art funeraire moderne", it's now closed.

El Evil Emperor: Well, you mentioned that you were formed around 13 years ago, but there was s long inactivity between 2000 and 2006? To what was it due?

Benoit Sangoi : Like I say previously , Pascal left the band during 8 years but we was certain he came back so during this period we just keep MFA alive, I really appreciate our first EP and first album but it's not our original spirit.

and in the other hand during this period Arnaud and I have had a lot of changes in our personal lives with the coming of our children etc... also during this year MFA was in slow-motion mode but now we're back , very proud of this album , and i already say we started to work on the next...

El Evil Emperor: Interesting. You mentioned the next release, but before jumping to the question about it, tell us about the recording sessions, the production and the composing process of your Album?

Benoit Sangoi : this album was recorded in our home studio , Pascal and I compose all the music and Arnaud wrote the lyrics and sing . the composing process was do during the first month of 2008 and the recording during the last 6 month . at the end of the process we decided to give the mastering work at a professional , after hours of reflection the best person seems to be Dan SWANÖ .

First because who loves a lot of his record and because we came from the same background, I decided to contact Dan , he listen , and he said ok simply. I would like to him because he's a real kind person with a lot of patience and a great open-mind.

El Evil Emperor: He is indeed. So, we're back to you mentioning the next album, what do predict and prepare for your audience, and would there be any changes in this release?

Benoit Sangoi : I think the biggest change would be the arrival of one or two French text , but it's too early to said more we just have several ideas that's all but I think it would be in the same way. For the moment we're focused on our home studio with some changes and we also work on our future guitars because we're just proudly endorsed by Mayones Guitars & Basses who already works with Paradise Lost, Tiamat , Katatonia , My Dying Bride and others: www.mayones.com

El Evil Emperor: Interesting, also Mayones would love the promotion through the Interview *Laughing*

Since you mentioned Guitars, let's talk a bit about your Tunes, the Guitar parts in particular are low pitched with remarkable timber and scale, you also use Clean vocals with heavy atmosphere and ambient background sounds, do you see is as the concept of MFA? Can you imagine MFA performing some other Musical genre if perhaps a Label would ask you to do so?

Benoit Sangoi : For the moment we 're just using Gibson guitars in B-tuning for us Gibson pickups are a very particular timber our future guitars are equipped with.

since the beginning the concept is to married heavy atmosphere of metal , great melodies and clean vocals but not in the way of the others band , arnaud's vocals are very "80's".

El Evil Emperor: I'll re-phrase the last question in some sort of way.
What do you think of covers and tributes? And would you perform a cover song if your Label ask you to do so?

Benoit Sangoi : I think we can play other style but MFA must stay in this way but we loves to add a different song in our album , for this it's Mary Jane Kelly.

Arnaud our singer lead a neo-folk project called Pale Roses www.myspace.com/morepaleroses his first album will be release at the beginning of 2010 by the eastern front

I really loves the cover but a bit different , i don't see utility for us to cover Paradise Lost for example , we plan to cover a Neil Young song , "down let you bring it down" a magnificent song composed during his acoustic period.

El Evil Emperor: Let's talk about the lineup: Besides the two Stefs who left, you had a steady lineup. What were the reasons for their departure, and how is the atmosphere among you as teammates.

Benoit Sangoi : The two stefs were never officially members of MFA they 're just help us during the absence of Pascal , they 're release a fantastic work on our first album but now the true MFA is on march , Pascal has a natural born feeling for play great melodies and it's an important part of our sound.

El Evil Emperor: And how is the atmosphere within the group? I understand roles are shared concerning composition and lyrics, do you often have quarrels or misunderstandings?

Benoit Sangoi : MFA is for first a friend adventure it's for this reason we don't toured , we don't want others musicians. we're all good jobs , family etc… For us MFA is not a job , there is no money or other , it's just pleasure that's why there is never had problems.

El Evil Emperor: Tell us about your live performances, still no live appearances?

Benoit Sangoi : MFA never played live , since the beginning we decided to stay like "hermit" in the studio , no seriously MFA is a real friend story and for playing live we must add other persons and we don't want it . And our job didn't permit us to tour seriously.

El Evil Emperor: Yes indeed, touring might seem unachievable since you are not devoted Musicians and have other jobs, but a concert wouldn't be a bad idea.
Did you make this decision due to the band's genre, or yet for the lack of Live Musicians?

Benoit Sangoi : We know a lot of great musician for play with us but one more time MFA is for us only a pleasure without stress . and I must say I prefer more simple music to see live.

El Evil Emperor: 'More simple Music' as in reference to other Musical genres? Do you believe the composition process of MFA to be a complicated one?

Benoit Sangoi : I really think studio and live are two different approach and truly the MFA songs aren't complicated but in our songs there is a lot of riffs and little guitars who make this particular sound and i think it's really difficult to reproduce live , in certain part it had 5 different guitar parts , not complicated but gradually a big difficulty for live.

El Evil Emperor: I understand that parts within the band are divided, While Arnaud is the lyricist, you and Pascal compose the Music if I'm not wrong, does Arnaud choose the Album titles and song titles as well?

Benoit Sangoi : yes of course it's his job , Pascal and I read the text and the titles but really after all this year we never said "no" or "it's bad" , I can't speak for Arnaud but I think the next album lyrics would be more personal Arnaud is a bit bored to write about esotericism.

El Evil Emperor: Very well. Now during 13 years of activity, were there any important parts, milestones... etc?

Benoit Sangoi : We 're big child and for us there is a lot of important parts , the creation of a good riff is an important part , but I think when we receive the master CD back from the Hand of Dan with the real great sound he do was a great moment for Pascal and I because we're addict to big sound.

El Evil Emperor: About the French Underground Scene, what could you say, both locally and nation-wide?

Benoit Sangoi : Toulouse had a lot of great band like Psykup , Punish yourself , Downfall , Sidilarsen and others , I'm really happy because French band are now internationally known and that's great . Concerning "Dark music" I think Ataraxie will became a monster they deserve to became a big band like My Dying Bride.

El Evil Emperor: What are your favorite bands, bands that you'd like to listen and not necessarily influencing MFA?

Benoit Sangoi : The list is very long but : Paradise Lost , Joy Division , Bolt thrower , Rozz Willianms , Entombed , Current 93 , Carcass etc...

El Evil Emperor: A wide variety of genres indeed. What are your future steps, besides producing the next album?

Benoit Sangoi : The next steps for us is recording a good album , i hope we could find a deal who could be paid a mix and mastering with Dan , I really loves to release a limited vinyl Ep but it's very expensive.

El Evil Emperor: It's been a pleasure, any last words to our readers and your fans?

Benoit Sangoi : Ok first of all thanks a lot for this great interview , I would thanks all the Zines , Radios and fans who had the open-mind to support us, Doom with a View coming soon.

Interview on Aristocrazia webzine ( italian )

Oggi abbiamo il piacere di scambiare quattro chiacchere con la band doom francese dei Modern Funeral Art, salve ragazzi come state? Che ne direste di parlare un po' di voi, una sorta di presentazione della vostra realtà per chi non vi conoscesse?

Abbiamo formato la band circa 12 anni fa. Pascal alle chitarre, Benoit alla batteria e io Arnaud alla voce. Oggi la nostra line-up è la stessa delle origini, ma devo dire che Pascal non ha suonato sul nostro EP "gateways of slumber" e sul primo LP "hellfire", perché li abbiamo registrati mentre era a studiare in Inghilterra. Quindi a parte il primo demo "almos angels" il nostro nuovo album "doom with a view" è la prima uscita con la line-up delle origini.



Siete arrivati al traguardo del terzo disco e avete un decennio di carriera, cos'è cambiato in questi anni?


Cos'è che vi dona ancora lo spirito e la voglia di comporre musica?

Ci siamo un po’ frustrati perché quando abbiamo iniziato eravamo ambiziosi, abbiamo voluto unire metal e gothic in un modo che nessuno aveva fatto prima, e pensavamo che sarebbe nato un movimento di band che avrebbero suonato il nostro stesso genere, ma questo non è mai successo. Invece il goth metal è andato o sul versante operistico o sul pop e a noi questo non piace. La cosa che ci manda avanti è l’idea che ancora non abbiamo dato del nostro meglio.Ora, anche se lo facciamo principalmente per noi stessi, tentiamo di fare del nostro meglio anche se sappiamo che non diventeremo mai famosi. Il master del nostro album è stato fatto da Dan Swano, cosa di cui andiamo fieri, e vedremo se prenderlo come produttore per il prossimo.



Il vostro ultimo lavoro "Doom With A View", l'ho trovato molto intenso e particolare, com'è nato? é stato complicato comporlo e creare le atmosfere giuste?

Quando Pascal è tornado dall’Inghilterra non era sicuro se continuare con noi, non aveva suonato la chitarra o ascoltato metal da anni. Ci volle tempo perché decidesse, ma poi siamo stati felici che abbia ripreso e che sia diventato anche più bravo di prima anche senza aver fatto molta pratica.

ci è voluto un anno per comporre e registrare il tutto. Non eravamo sicuri della giusta direzione da prendere. Abbiamo deciso di fare musica il più pesante possibile utilizzando solo voci pulite. Abbiamo trovato interessante e originale usare una voce pulita molto soft mentre i testi parlavano dell’occulto, di messe nere, di Jack lo Squartatore e di altri argomenti macabri.



Ho apprezzato davvero molto la trilogia di brani che forma "Deathcode Of The Devil Whorshippers", come mai questa scelta ? Cosa rappresenta per voi?

Alla fine degli anni ‘90, quando noi abbiamo iniziato, eravamo nel black metal, senza però prenderlo mai seriamente. Ci piaceva l’aspetto ribelle del black metal, il fatto che non fosse politicamente corretto, ma chiaramente non eravamo per bruciare chiese, profanare tomba ecc… e abbiamo trovato stupefacente che dei teenagers fossero andati così in profondità con questa cosa. E’ da questo che nasce la trilogia. E’ una collezione di luoghi comuni sui giovani che si interessano nell’occulto, che fanno riti nei cimiteri e perdono il contatto con la realtà fino al punto di uccidere o suicidarsi. Questo viene anche dal fatto che la TV ci avverte di continuo dei casi di suicidio tra giovani goth, cosa che noi abbiamo sempre trovato divertente, visto che, a parte vestire di nero e ascoltare questo genere di musica, noi abbiamo sempre amato vivere le nostre vite! Quindi… il suicidio è bello, ma fallo tu per primo! E poi c’é anche il fatto di avere il doppio degli anni di allora e quindi essere un po’ vecchi per essere teenager gotici!





Avete una suddivisione dei compiti interni o vivete la vostra realtà in simbiosi creativa?

Io scrivo i testi e Pascal e Benoît compongono la musica, sia insieme che da soli, dipende...

Le sensazioni che il disco mi ha regalato mi hanno portato molto indietro nel tempo, qual'è il vostro background musicale, da dove attingete per prendere ispirazione o anche solo per ritrovare serenità prima di scrivere?

A tutti noi piacevano i primi Christian Death anche i primi quattro o cinque album prima che Rozz WIlliams se ne andasse. E poi Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Virgin Prunes, Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim. Ian Curtis e Gavin Friday dei The Virgin Prunes sono le due maggiori influenze come cantante, quindi si capisce perché i fan del vero metal trovano difficile ascoltarci. Nel metal ci piacciono Tiamat, Katatonia, Cathedral, In The Woods, Godsend, Entombed e tanti altri, troppi per citarli tutti.



Come sta andando la promozione del disco, come vi state muovendo e cosa sta facendo la label in tal senso?

La promozione è appena partita, quindi è ancora presto per dirlo. Spero che l’etichetta faccia un lavoro intelligente, perché la nostra musica non è facile da vendere. Non possiamo andare sui fan del metal duro e puro perché la voce è troppo soffice, non sui gotici perché le chitarre sono troppo pesanti, ma una via di mezzo, bisogna essere aperti mentalmente per amare la nostra musica.



Avete una dimensione live? Ci sarà possibilità di vedere una vostra esibizione qui in Italia?

Sorry… non suoniamo live. Ci sarebbe piaciuto venire in Italia, a noi piacciano i Death SS...

Com'è la scena francese per quanto riguarda il vostro stile? con chi vorreste collaborare e quale ritenete la band di maggior rilevanza?

Scena francese ohhhhhhh ……. Alcune band come gli Ataraxie o I Punish Yourself sono molto toste e meritano un riconoscimento internazionale.



Cosa dobbiamo aspettarci in futuro dai Modern Funeral Art?

Stiamo lavorando su nuovi pezzi. Stiamo facendo un duro lavoro e penso che suoneranno alla grande.

Interview in Latin Metal ( spanish )

http://www.latinmetal.net/entrevistas-ampliar.php?id=207 

A very special thanks to Manuela

 

“Doom With A View”, la segunda producción de Modern Funeral Art, ya se encuentra en Latinoamérica, y en esta nota los miembros de esta banda francesa te cuentan todo sobre ella.

Latin Metal: Modern Funeral Art no es la típica banda de Gothic/Doom Metal: ustedes suelen jugar con algunos sonidos y atmósferas que tienen mucho en común con el metal extremo. ¿Cuáles dirían que son sus principales influencias como músicos, y cómo se encuentran ellas procesadas en su música?

Modern Funeral Art: Nuestra mayor influencia proviene de la escena Post-Punk de principios de los ochentas, de bandas como Bauhaus o The Virgin Prunes, así como también la escena europea del Doom y del Death de los noventas, con bandas como My Dying Bride, Tiamat, Bolt Thrower y Entombed. Siempre tratamos de mezclar las voces con dejos de tristeza y melodías simples del Post Punk con el poder y la pesadez del Metal. Por supuesto, esta mezcla resultará incomprensible para el clásico metalero, pero si se tiene la cabeza lo suficientemente abierta, se puede fácilmente ingresar en nuestro universo.



LM: En sus comienzos como banda, contaban con la presencia de un tecladista en sus filas, y actualmente han quedado conformados como un clásico trío. ¿De qué forma piensan que ello pudo haber cambiado el sonido de la banda, y de qué forma se modificó el proceso de composición?



MFA: Modern Funeral Art es una historia que comenzó con una gran amistad, y preferimos seguir siendo un clásico trío antes que incluir a un extraño. Hay algunos pasajes de teclado en nuestro nuevo album, y sé que en el siguiente también vamos a incluir un poco más, pero sólo si ello provoca que sonemos más fuerte y que nuestro mensaje se vuelva más profundo.



LM: Europa, y especialmente Francia, tiene un mercado muy fuerte para las bandas de metal. ¿Creen que hay suficiente público para aquellos jóvenes músicos que llegan con renovadas propuestas, mezclando distintos estilos?



MFA: La situación se ha tornado bastante difícil: internet es una herramienta fantástica de promoción, pero ha matado a la industria discográfica. Consideramos que los músicos jóvenes que quieren hacer de su música un medio de vida deben salir de gira constantemente. Para nosotros, la cosa cambia. Modern Funeral Art es tan sólo un proyecto en estudio: todos nosotros tenemos familia, hijos y buenos empleos, lo que nos ayuda a mantener la banda viva sin presiones, y tan sólo por placer.



LM: ¿Cómo describirían la escena metalera francesa, sus pros y contras, no sólo en lo que respecta a las bandas, sino también a las radios, fanzines, y todo lo relacionado a la promoción del under local?



MFA: No somos muy fanáticos de la escena francesa, ¡realmente pensamos que no tiene una identidad definida! De todas formas, hay bandas muy buenas y que se manejan de forma profesional, especialmente en nuestra ciudad natal, Tolouse. Las que recomendamos escuchar son Eryn Non Dae, Psycup, Zubrowska, Punish Yourself, entre algunas otras. En lo que respecta al Doom Metal, recomendamos a nuestros amigos de Ataraxie y Wedding In Hades. En lo que respecta a la promoción, tenemos una buena red de radios y fanzines, pero no mayor a la que existe en otros países. De todas formas, en Francia, es imposible llegar a los medios masivos de comunicación. Allí, el metal no es bienvenido.



LM: ¿Qué nos pueden contar en relación a las sesiones de grabación de “Doom With A View”, en comparación con “Almost Angels”, la primer experiencia que tuvieron en estudio?



MFA: La mayor diferencia en “Doom With A View” radicó en que fue la primera vez en que nos hicimos cargo de todo el proceso de producción. En nuestros lanzamientos previos, habíamos trabajado con nuestro amigo Staef Vanstaen (de Downfall y Discard). Pero actualmente contamos con un estudio casero y con la experiencia suficiente como para poder llevar adelante por nuestra cuenta las sesiones de grabación. En la masterización recibimos la ayuda de Dan Swano, porque es una labor bastante difícil, y él encontró la forma correcta para mejorar nuestro sonido. Realmente, fue un gran honor el poder contar con él.



LM: La lírica de “State Of The World” y de “So Invictus”, ambos temas de su última producción, está muy relacionada a la historía del cristianismo hasta nuestros días. ¿Creen que hay muchas bandas que comparten la misma opinión respecto al rol de la Iglesia en Europa, y no sólo aquellas enmarcadas en el Black Metal?



MFA: Ambos temas critican a la religión en general, como medio de opresión. Están relacionadas con la historia del cristianismo, porque nosotros mismos fuimos criados como cristianos. Si hubiésemos nacido en otra parte del mundo, probablemente hubiésemos criticado a la religión de ese lugar. O quizás hubiésemos tenido que callar nuestros pensamientos por temor a ser asesinados. Es cierto que hemos escuchado muchas bandas de Black Metal, de otras escenas pero que tienen que lidiar con la misma problemática, como Black Widow o Coven, pero no siempre compartimos puntos de vista. Concordamos en que la religión cristiana siempre ha sido una excusa para oprimir a los pueblos, pero de ninguna forma proponemos reemplazarla por el culto a Satán. En la letra de nuestra trilogía “Death Code Of The Devil Worshippers”, expresamos claramente lo estúpidos e infantiles que son quienes se creen satanistas.



LM: Aleister Crowley se ha convertido en un personaje bastante conocido en el entorno del Heavy Metal, gracias a bandas como Iron maiden y Ozzy Osbourne. ¿Cuál es el valor que ustedes encuentran en la obra de este escritor esotérico, que los llevó a componer el tema “Alexander”?



MFA: Nos gusta el tema del ocultismo y el esoterismo, pero nunca nos lo tomamos muy seriamente. Siempre agregamos bastante ironía a nuestras letras sobre el ocultismo. Nuestro tema “Alexander” trata acerca de los años de juventud de Aleister Crowley, y si leés entre líneas, podés ver como inventó todo un sistema mágico para satisfacer su apetito sexual. El tema de Ozzy Osbourne, “Mr Crowley”, es bastante irónico también, así que simplemente seguimos sus pasos.



LM: “Doom With A View” ha llegado a Sudamérica a través de su sello discográfico, Apollon Records. ¿Piensan que existe una oportunidad de que se presenten alguna vez en vivo de aquí a futuro, en nuestro continente?



MFA: Apollon Records no ha llevado a cabo la promoción que esperábamos hasta el día de la fecha, por lo que debimos hacer todo el trabajo de difusión por nuestra cuenta. Hemos lanzado quinientos discos de promoción, los hemos enviado a distintos medios de difusión de Sudamérica y, para serles honestos, hemos recibido respuestas muy positivas especialmente de los países que componen dicho continente. Respecto a las presentaciones en vivo, Modern Funeral Art permanecerá siendo un proyecto de estudio, así que para lo único que podríamos ir a Sudamérica es para tomarnos unas vacaciones (risas).



LM: ¿Se encuentran actualmente trabajando en un nuevo album? ¿Mantendrán la misma forma de componer, dado que se ha vuelto su marca registrada, o experimentarán con nuevos elementos?



MFA: Por el momento, no hemos comenzado a trabajar en el sucesor de “Doom With View”. Arnaud se encuentra en estos momentos focalizado en su proyecto paralelo de Neo Folk llamado Pale Roses, y nosotros tenemos algunas cosas personales por resolver. De todas formas, tenemos algunas ideas en mente, por lo que en breve comenzaremos a trabajar nuevamente. Muchísimas gracias por este entrevista, y para quienes quieran escuchar nuestra última producción, pueden hacerlo a través de nuestro Myspace.





Modern Funeral Art son:



Arnaud Spitz – Voces y Bajo

Benoît Sangoï – Batería

Pascal N'Guyen – Guitarra