Age of Ascendancy is the latest offering of Sydney based Eastern Black metal fusion band Tamerlan Empire; and what an epic release it is. We chat to Salam from the band to find out more on their new release.
Metal-Roos: Firstly, thank you guys for giving me this honourable chance for this interview. I want to start with the idea of forming a Symphonic Black Metal band intermingling Middle Eastern, Asian melodies… how did the idea come to your mind. What was your main source of inspiration for this step?
Khan: Salam, you are welcome. The idea actually came to me a week before we named the band, quite spontaneously. We were playing traditional Symphonic Black Metal at that time and the material was pretty standard Black Metal. After giving the name to the band I decided to move in this specific direction-Middle Eastern Music/Central Asian. The name itself gave me a lot of ideas and inspiration. Middle Eastern and Central Asian concept is well known to me as I grew up in it. However, I was feeling quite uncertain as I had no idea how it will take off in Australia for obvious reasons.
Metal-Roos: How did the members of the band meet?
Khan: It’s quite a long story I’ve been looking for people for a long time. We all met at a different time. Some members have been in the band from the green period, some joined after the album release. Ghorr and me band basically started the band and we’ve been together for a long time. Vizier joined during demo release. Botir joined after the album release. Bass player from Baghdad was a very interesting offer. Yassa was referral from local promoter and I was quite happy when he showed his talent on stage. He matches the image of the band quite well.
Metal-Roos: Of course Australia is a multicultural community, as a hundred of different cultural resident on its lands. How did you engage your own culture with the Eastern (Western) ones?
Khan: I really didn’t, I was trying to assimilate as much as I could. It’s quite simple I was trying to understand the local vibe. As soon I realized what’s what I was able to introduce my background. I never speak about my background and nobody is asking about it and I like that. But in the band it’s different and with time people get closer and more open.
Metal-Roos: Can you describe to us the Metal scene in Australia?
Khan: I’d say it’s very traditional Death Thrash Black but that’s my personal opinion. It’s very different to East European scene that I’m used to. I started hanging out in local metal community just recently and it’s all still new for me. I think I’m still discovering in this area every community have its own frequency and I’m still tuning to it.
Metal-Roos: What your main musical influences?
Khan: At the moment, I’d say not Metal, the main influence is traditional music of the Turkic/Persian territory. We are in Metal already and older bands already had an influence on us. We love Metal but I don’t see any influence that Metal could give me today. I think it’s because we are all soaked in it and also it may result in playing something that been played before. I don’t want to end up playing played.
Metal-Roos: When I was checking your FB page, I found you almost tour Australia. How was the feedback of the audience while listening to your music?
Khan: It’s very hard to say, as I’m a drummer I can’t see the reaction. But it was mix bag, I think local crowd still digesting it.
Metal-Roos: Can you tell us more about the concepts of your latest album, and the process of writing it?
Khan: The concept of the album, and the lyrics of a lot of the songs reference historical events during the reign of Tamerlan. This was a brutal time where civilizations were literally fighting to survive, but also to dominate and defeat their enemies. The writing process was spread out over a long period, but we always tried to keep a consistent atmosphere where the music was dark, powerful and aggressive.
Metal-Roos: I want to ask you about something, I am an Egyptian Reviewer, and actually Africa has pioneer oriental Symphonic experience as Odious’ “Skin Age” album. Are you in contact with Middle Eastern bands, did you get any feedback from Middle Eastern fans, bands or organisers? Do you get any feedback from Australian/European bands?
Khan: Not at the moment, we just got our material out. But I hope Middle East to act positive on our material.
Metal-Roos: What are your main concerns now?
Khan: Time only time – other than that there are no concerns.
Metal-Roos: What are the main hardships that face you?
Khan: There were quite a few. During the album release especially. We were not quite ready for everything and some things were new for us. In some cases, we were absolutely unprepared – especially in the studio. Most of us had to learn on the spot, we weren’t musicians at that time and there were a lot of gaps in execution and technique. But it’s all far behind and we are stronger and wiser than ever, what doesn’t kill you make you strong.
Metal-Roos: Are you preparing to hit Europe with your live performances?
Khan: Absolutely, this is our main goal. We have more fans overseas then locally.
Metal-Roos: Finally, thank you again for this interview. What are your next steps?
Khan: I think after a few shows we will disappear in sands to start working on new material. We feel that this time everything will be different as the band stepped up. I also feel a bit more confident and I believe we can release another interesting album.
Interview Date: 2018-10-06
Interviewer: Rana Atef