"Norwegian fury" tour is coming to Balkan area in September 2016!
Dimenzion:Psychosphere making their way far away from home, and bringing along a young and talented band Mental Despair as a support.
They will hit the Balkan from September 2nd – September 10th.
Let's see what they have to say about it, and let us introduce them to you.
Please, introduce your band to our readers, and how the band was founded?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: By The Architect.
Mental Despair: By Jonas Francis Aversano. Founded in 2012 by lead guitarist, Jonas Francis Aversano. Mental Despair is a brutal death/thrash metal band from Norway. Our music contains everything from slow doom/death to fast and aggressive thrash/groove metal riffs!
How long have you all know each other? How did you meet?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Some of us have known each other basically since childhood, living in the same area. We've played in some bands together too, before Dimenzion. So coming together as this band in 1999 was just natural at the time I guess.
Mental Despair: We didn't really know eachother before we started making music together. We mainly met through friends friends.
Who is the chief in the band? Who is in charge for music and lyrics?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: I write all the music and lyrics. In the early years, there was some contributions from the others. But I like working on music on my own, and have the songs pretty much finished before I present them to the band. I try to let them have their individual playingstyle the way it falls natural to them though.
Mental Despair: Founder, Jonas Francis Aversano, has written all music and lyrics since The start and still does.
Tell us more about inspiration in your songs, where do you find inspiration? What inspires you to make music together?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: As far as music goes, I believe it's kind of a mix between all the music I've liked and listened to through my life. I hear music in my head, and try to recreate it physically. Lyrically, I get inspired to write when I get pissed off by something I read, or watch, about the state of the world. I don't believe people should be ruled in any way.
About making music together... I believe we're just natural born musicians, and playing is what we do.
Mental Despair: We find inspiration in the music we listen to everyday, but also from watching other local musicians. It is allways inspirational to see someone else that burns as strongly for their music as we do.
I won't ask who are your influences , I will ask you – what are you listening to lately?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: We all listen to different music, in different genres. But I think we all like Metal in general. None specific.
Mental Despair: We all have our favorite genres, but all is some form of metal. I think we mostly listen to thrash, death, black, proggressive and groove metal.
I love this question so much cuz it's fun to read what different people say. So, what kind of music you don't like to listen to at all ?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Personally, I have a problem with Hiphop. But I think generally, there is good and bad music in whatever music style you find.
Mental Despair: Personally, I mainly listen to metal, but occationally I find some good music in most genres. However, I am not really fan of electronic music like techno, house or whatever... I can't speak for all other band members, but i think they mostly agree with this.
Dimenzion:Psychosphere, you've already done some gigs and tours outside of your country.Where was your best gig? How is to play abroad, and how is it in Norway? (We dream about playing in scandinavian countries, yeah :) )
Kazan in Russia was great, and in most of the places we played in Russia, they were very welcoming, even if most of them had never heard of us before. I, for one, love travelling and playing to different people. So most gigs are fun gigs...
When it comes to Norway/Scandinavia, I think touring is difficult. Because there are few big cities, and many concerts. So people are not that engaged, if you're not already famous. We usually play one gig here, and one gig there, spread over time.
Dimenzion:Psychosphere , tell us about your masks. Are they part of every live show?
Yes. We started wearing the uniforms/masks in 2011, and they are kind of our trademark now. We like the shows to be entertaining visually, as well as musically.
For a period we painted our faces with UV makeup, but that wasn't very well planned, so the results when painting our faces half drunk before a show, didn't always work too well. We stood out among other bands though.
Mental Despair, is this your first tour abroad? Do you have some expectations?
Yeah, this is our first tour abroad. We have only been on a small tour around Norway, but never played more than 2 days in a row. So we don't really know what to expect for this tour. It is going to be fun, exciting and probably painfull, haha! We are going to give every night all we got and hope for a great experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives!
Martin Karlsen (Mental Despair's drummer ), beside this band plays in "Tell Them The Truth" (blackened deathcore), and country music with his father. Very colorful :)
We are interested, how is to play some country music besides metal?
I thought country was easy to play but I found out it was not. It took long time with practice to play it perfect. It’s more dynamic and softer and I learn techniques that makes me a better drummer, so I can become a better metal drummer by playing country. I really like playing country as well, and it’s nice to travel around and play with my father and my brother. But metal will always be what I like the best.
You've probably had some bad experiences at some gig? Would you share some of that experiences with us?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Sure. In the early days, we didn't have too many gig offers. So we agreed to play on some school arrangement to save the rainforest or something. This was daytime, and we were all hung over. The show started out with probably hundred kids attending, and ended with maybe four. And to add to the humiliation, we got flowers and hugs from fifteen year old chicks for playing. We had to bring, set up and take down the whole fuckin PA ourselves as well. And I can't remember getting payed. We got a bit more picky after that:)
Mental Despair: If there is something that always ruins a concert for us, is if there is a horrible sound or almost no people at all in the crowd, although we always deliver the best show we can, even if there is just a handful of people watching.
(We have been so lucky never to experience any gear getting broken or stolen during a concert, so there is nothing else worth mentioning).
What was the most bizarre/weirdest thing that has happened while you were on stage?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Our soundengineer suddenly appearing onstage, with no shirt. Taking the mic from our singer, and telling the crowd to suck his ass. We continued with our last song, and he decided to do backingvocals without knowing the lyrics. This was kind of an important gig with a handful recordcompanies in the crowd too.
Mental Despair: Only funny thing I can think of is one gig we played, there was a bunch of people chewing on a raw cabbage head and going crazy in the crowd, haha! Don't ask where that cabbage came from!
If you could tour with any band, which band would it be?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Pink Floyd. If we could borrow their lighting rig.
Mental Despair: Hard question to answer…. There is so many bands that I could only dream about going on tour with, I can’t pick just one… a few of the bands that I like are: Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Gojira, Arch Enemy, Children of Bodom.
Do you have some hobbies, except music? What are you doing in everyday life?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Dayjobs and family take most of the sparetime depending on who you ask. I can't think of any hobbies right now, except for our bassists' interest for aquariums.
Mental Despair: Nothing special really… Just normal stuff like being with friends, watching movies, playing games, playing sports, or whatever….
Are you familiar with croatian metal scene? Is there any croatian metal band you like?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: I can't say I follow the metalscene anywhere anymore, unfortunately. I pick up some bands here and there occationally. But I carry a lot of music in my head, so I don't have the need to get it elsewhere anymore.
Mental Despair: I'm sorry to say that I am not familiar with the croatian metal scene... Maybe I will be after this tour!
So, are you ready for gallons of beer on the upcoming tour and a lot of crazy fans on Balkans?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: We are always ready for beer. And the crazier fans, the better. C ya!
Mental Despair: Hellyeah!
The most important thing for us on this tour is there will be a people! If there is people attending the gigs, then every night will be a great night. We hope we get the time to relax and have some beers, and to meet some cool people.
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: By The Architect.
Mental Despair: By Jonas Francis Aversano. Founded in 2012 by lead guitarist, Jonas Francis Aversano. Mental Despair is a brutal death/thrash metal band from Norway. Our music contains everything from slow doom/death to fast and aggressive thrash/groove metal riffs!
How long have you all know each other? How did you meet?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Some of us have known each other basically since childhood, living in the same area. We've played in some bands together too, before Dimenzion. So coming together as this band in 1999 was just natural at the time I guess.
Mental Despair: We didn't really know eachother before we started making music together. We mainly met through friends friends.
Who is the chief in the band? Who is in charge for music and lyrics?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: I write all the music and lyrics. In the early years, there was some contributions from the others. But I like working on music on my own, and have the songs pretty much finished before I present them to the band. I try to let them have their individual playingstyle the way it falls natural to them though.
Mental Despair: Founder, Jonas Francis Aversano, has written all music and lyrics since The start and still does.
Tell us more about inspiration in your songs, where do you find inspiration? What inspires you to make music together?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: As far as music goes, I believe it's kind of a mix between all the music I've liked and listened to through my life. I hear music in my head, and try to recreate it physically. Lyrically, I get inspired to write when I get pissed off by something I read, or watch, about the state of the world. I don't believe people should be ruled in any way.
About making music together... I believe we're just natural born musicians, and playing is what we do.
Mental Despair: We find inspiration in the music we listen to everyday, but also from watching other local musicians. It is allways inspirational to see someone else that burns as strongly for their music as we do.
I won't ask who are your influences , I will ask you – what are you listening to lately?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: We all listen to different music, in different genres. But I think we all like Metal in general. None specific.
Mental Despair: We all have our favorite genres, but all is some form of metal. I think we mostly listen to thrash, death, black, proggressive and groove metal.
I love this question so much cuz it's fun to read what different people say. So, what kind of music you don't like to listen to at all ?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Personally, I have a problem with Hiphop. But I think generally, there is good and bad music in whatever music style you find.
Mental Despair: Personally, I mainly listen to metal, but occationally I find some good music in most genres. However, I am not really fan of electronic music like techno, house or whatever... I can't speak for all other band members, but i think they mostly agree with this.
Dimenzion:Psychosphere, you've already done some gigs and tours outside of your country.Where was your best gig? How is to play abroad, and how is it in Norway? (We dream about playing in scandinavian countries, yeah :) )
Kazan in Russia was great, and in most of the places we played in Russia, they were very welcoming, even if most of them had never heard of us before. I, for one, love travelling and playing to different people. So most gigs are fun gigs...
When it comes to Norway/Scandinavia, I think touring is difficult. Because there are few big cities, and many concerts. So people are not that engaged, if you're not already famous. We usually play one gig here, and one gig there, spread over time.
Dimenzion:Psychosphere , tell us about your masks. Are they part of every live show?
Yes. We started wearing the uniforms/masks in 2011, and they are kind of our trademark now. We like the shows to be entertaining visually, as well as musically.
For a period we painted our faces with UV makeup, but that wasn't very well planned, so the results when painting our faces half drunk before a show, didn't always work too well. We stood out among other bands though.
Mental Despair, is this your first tour abroad? Do you have some expectations?
Yeah, this is our first tour abroad. We have only been on a small tour around Norway, but never played more than 2 days in a row. So we don't really know what to expect for this tour. It is going to be fun, exciting and probably painfull, haha! We are going to give every night all we got and hope for a great experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives!
Martin Karlsen (Mental Despair's drummer ), beside this band plays in "Tell Them The Truth" (blackened deathcore), and country music with his father. Very colorful :)
We are interested, how is to play some country music besides metal?
I thought country was easy to play but I found out it was not. It took long time with practice to play it perfect. It’s more dynamic and softer and I learn techniques that makes me a better drummer, so I can become a better metal drummer by playing country. I really like playing country as well, and it’s nice to travel around and play with my father and my brother. But metal will always be what I like the best.
You've probably had some bad experiences at some gig? Would you share some of that experiences with us?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Sure. In the early days, we didn't have too many gig offers. So we agreed to play on some school arrangement to save the rainforest or something. This was daytime, and we were all hung over. The show started out with probably hundred kids attending, and ended with maybe four. And to add to the humiliation, we got flowers and hugs from fifteen year old chicks for playing. We had to bring, set up and take down the whole fuckin PA ourselves as well. And I can't remember getting payed. We got a bit more picky after that:)
Mental Despair: If there is something that always ruins a concert for us, is if there is a horrible sound or almost no people at all in the crowd, although we always deliver the best show we can, even if there is just a handful of people watching.
(We have been so lucky never to experience any gear getting broken or stolen during a concert, so there is nothing else worth mentioning).
What was the most bizarre/weirdest thing that has happened while you were on stage?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Our soundengineer suddenly appearing onstage, with no shirt. Taking the mic from our singer, and telling the crowd to suck his ass. We continued with our last song, and he decided to do backingvocals without knowing the lyrics. This was kind of an important gig with a handful recordcompanies in the crowd too.
Mental Despair: Only funny thing I can think of is one gig we played, there was a bunch of people chewing on a raw cabbage head and going crazy in the crowd, haha! Don't ask where that cabbage came from!
If you could tour with any band, which band would it be?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Pink Floyd. If we could borrow their lighting rig.
Mental Despair: Hard question to answer…. There is so many bands that I could only dream about going on tour with, I can’t pick just one… a few of the bands that I like are: Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Gojira, Arch Enemy, Children of Bodom.
Do you have some hobbies, except music? What are you doing in everyday life?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: Dayjobs and family take most of the sparetime depending on who you ask. I can't think of any hobbies right now, except for our bassists' interest for aquariums.
Mental Despair: Nothing special really… Just normal stuff like being with friends, watching movies, playing games, playing sports, or whatever….
Are you familiar with croatian metal scene? Is there any croatian metal band you like?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: I can't say I follow the metalscene anywhere anymore, unfortunately. I pick up some bands here and there occationally. But I carry a lot of music in my head, so I don't have the need to get it elsewhere anymore.
Mental Despair: I'm sorry to say that I am not familiar with the croatian metal scene... Maybe I will be after this tour!
So, are you ready for gallons of beer on the upcoming tour and a lot of crazy fans on Balkans?
Dimenzion:Psyhosphere: We are always ready for beer. And the crazier fans, the better. C ya!
Mental Despair: Hellyeah!
The most important thing for us on this tour is there will be a people! If there is people attending the gigs, then every night will be a great night. We hope we get the time to relax and have some beers, and to meet some cool people.