Intaglio interview : Evgeny Semenov – Musicmind [Convival Hermit #3]

Intaglio is the first funeral doom metal band to ever come from Russia. Crazy about this style of music as I am, as soon as I heard of Intaglio I had to pick up their album and hear it for myself. Evgeny Semenov, the band's creator, provides us with the story thus far.



Hi, Evgeny. When did the concept of playing in this style of music come to you? How did it all develop?

Hi, Yury! I like this style of music so in 2004 I decided to try to do something by myself. I had some music earlier that wasn't used before in any other projects. I've arranged it for Intaglio. Some parts became slower, and the whole album became conceptual!

The booklet mentions that the songs on Intaglio were recorded and arranged between November of 2004 and September of 2005. Just how old are these tracks? And why did the recording - if I'm not mistaken in my translation - take so long to actualize?

The very best albums of the majority are recorded in the moment of their composition and for them is captured their beginning and original sound. You probably yourself noticed that a lot of groups, after the recording of their album, say that their demo sounds better, so I decided to capture that first work!

The production is extraordinarily clear and heavy... I would go so far as to say it is the best production I've ever heard on a Russian metal CD. Are you satisfied with it? I see that you've produced it, also - do you have prior experience in producing albums?

Yes, I actually did put a lot of attention into the production of this album. For me this is the first independent experience, but a lot of joint experiences with production I have received in playing with S.C.A.L.P. A separate thank you to Pavel Peristy. I am not much satisfied, but it could have been worse! In general, I can say that I am pleased with the result. Furthermore, Intaglio has become the first Russian group that has released an album of this style!

What's your favorite song on the album? Maksim's?

My favorite song is Dark Cherry Day, because of its beginning melody! I like it very much: it was the last song that was composed for the album! Maksim likes Wind Of Autumn because it more looks like Death/Doom genre. It was my first song and first song that he heard!

Returning to the concept you mentioned earlier, the lyrics of Intaglio often address a third person, telling a story of some sort. Is there some kind of continuity in the lyrics? Perhaps you dislike any concrete interpretation, but is there someone/something specifically that you had in mind with these lyrics?

The text was completely written by Maxim? I did not touch this process. Indeed, in the duration of the album a story is told about the loss of a close person which, as is discovered in the last song, was hit by a car. On the whole, the text describes pain and preserves strong sorrow through the duration of the entire album!

Where were the photos taken in the booklet, particularly the one on the cover? The tire treads and the puddle suggest to me some sort of auto-accident, which I now understand is connected to the final piece...

Yes, the photo was taken by Maksim's spouse - Dasha On the cover is simply drawn a road - we like it very much. The railroad on the booklet is associated by us with the endless current of life that will continue regardless of what happens.

Is Intaglio a live band as well as a studio band?

Regretfully, so far we are only a studio group. I have a problem in the city finding a drummer who will start playing this music. I hope that in the future this situation will change!

What has the reaction been like to this CD, seeing that it's basically the first CD of this style that has ever been put out in Russia?

Well, the reaction has been the most varied. In general, we are receiving positive responses. Some people do not like the vocals, some do not like the text. A lot believe that the text is about love but this is not the case. Like I said, the text above is not about love but about grief connected to the loss of a close person. Some who have similar projects have begun to look for imperfections in the record and specially criticize them on different forums. In general, life moves on... We will see what happens in the future. As a final word, I would like to add that anyone who has become interested in our group can visit our site at www.intaglio.nm.ru