Mizantropia Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?


Our band was founded on February 23, 2003 and the same day our first rehearsal took place.

Initially the band was focused on Gothic Rock. With the lapse of time, tastes and preferences of the band members have changed. Today Mizantropia's creativity is a mix of Gothic, Doom, Black, Melodic Death Metal shrouded in a dark romance atmosphere.


2. Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?


The sound of the new album are became more heavy heavy and aggressive than it was in the past earlier. But it happened not only just because our sound engineer did a good job, but because the music itself become became heavier itself. The songs sound exactly as we wanted them to. In general,  this album has a took finished form shape,  from the fist to the last song.


3. This is the first album to be released in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?


This album was created and recorded at the end of 2012. We even filmed «I'm after you» video as a promo, but due to certain disagreements Sergey (lead guitar) and Nastya (drummer) left the band and started their own project. During the whole year of 2013 year Mizantropia remained inactive: rare rehearsals, no new songs. Band members Jack and Max focused on their side project. Release of this album was delayed once more.

So, in the end of 2013, Kate (vocals), Sergey and Nastya decided to work together again to revive Mizantropia as a band and to release this album, “Oblivion”. The result of joint work became crystallized into a new single “Nowhere”: music for that song was composed by Sergey & Nastya during 2013, while Kate’s vocals made it complete. On February 23, 2014, this single was released on the internet. Early in 2015 all current line-up was formed. Bass player  Anton “Lis” (ex-Chaoscult, Death Metal band from Ukraine), and Sergey Voitenko, former Mizantropia guitar player, joined the band. However, exactly namely 2015 is the a proper year for Mizantropia’s the second  studio album of Mizantropia to come into the world on Metal Scrap Records.


4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?


Love and suffering are considered to be traditional subjects for our lyrics, and new album is no exception. And yet, creating this album as a whole, we tried to speak out a holistic concept: sooner or later, all our feelings, everything aforesaid would be buried in oblivion. In our latest works we start to explore other topics, such as honor, dignity, dedication, devotion, world structure and a man's place in it, among other issues.


5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Mizantropia'?


It means an objection of the “human things” that people possess. We are talking about self-destruction which people aspire to. This is some sort of reluctance to resist their inner animals (in a bad sense) . Everyone wants just to go with the flow like pieces of shit and get a cheap pleasure from this kind of life. It is inherent to all of us. But at the same time, this is the reason for our hatred. Nevertheless, we don’t sing about our hatred to all the people in our songs, but this idea is like a shadow in all of them.


6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?


We can't boast of a numerous shows that we have played. The most memorable for us was a Goblin Show (Odessa, 2009), this was our first gig on a big stage with many people; later in 2009 we had a gig in our native town with that guys from Japan named Gothika, who played some kind of electronic music; and our gig with the guys from Italy named Dark Lunacy in 2012, Ukraine.

Our live shows are not surprising at first sight. Grim clothes, hair banging. Everything is quite typical for gothic and black metal. But the atmosphere that we create at the concert is unique.


7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?


No, we haven’t. Now we are focused on one-off concerts and studio work.


8. On a worldwide level how has feedback been to your music by fans of gothic and extreme metal?


We’ve got a lot of good reviews all over the world. Previously known in the countries of the former Soviet Union only, now we receive acknowledgements from very distant places of the world. This motivates us to continue our work and do our best.


9. Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?


For now, only Kate, our singer, is involved in the band named Fever Pitch. Rest of the line-up is currently focused on Mizantropia.


10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


As any reasonable person, we hope for the best. We are willing to reach higher levels, produce more professional shows on the bigger stages, constantly improve our recordings and compose better songs.


11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?


Surely, metal music, in all its variety. We can name such bands as In Flames, Crematory, Behemoth, My Dying Bride, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir.


12. What are some of your non-musical interests?


Sex, drugs, rock’n’roll. Just kidding. Each of us has some particular interests: sports, parties, cycling trips, tourism, watching TV-shows, photography, etc.


13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?


Listen good music, visit concerts, support your favorite bands and stay metal.