Sear Bliss interview in Freezing Flames

The sabarian Sear Bliss managed to do it, what the Hungarian bands had been daydreaming about: they signed a 3-album deal with a Dutch label. The nightblack, merciless but nevertheless moody music playing band released their debut MC "The Pagan Winter" in April 95 which was received very favourably in the native and foreign black metal underground. A Dutch independent label's attention was raised for this keyboard and trumpet(!)-based atmospheric extreme music and shortly they offered a deal to the guys. Well, let's see this interview, which is made with the bassman/vocalist András Nagy and the trumpet player Gergely Szûcs... Because you aren't very well known in foreign countries yet, tell us the most important things about your band's evolution!

- I (András) formed Sear Bliss in the end of 1993. We worked in silence and went into studio in April 1995. We recorded 4 songs on 24-track and the tape was released in own edition. The cassette's title is "The Pagan Winter". The reviews are surprisingly good and this tape resulted in a contract with the Duth Two Moon Records. Our full-length new stuff has just been finished and we will record it in January 1996. The line-up today is Zoltán Csejtei (drums, vocals), Csaba Csejtei (guitars), András Nagy (bass, vocals), Winter (keyboards), János Barbarics (guitars) and Gergely Szûcs (trumpet).

What were the inspirations to play such a kind of music as Sear Bliss plays?!

- We wanted to create strange music with cold and mystic atmosphere. We want to show individuality. We are different.

What are the key factors of Sear Bliss's music and how is one of your songs usually written?!

- The key factors of Sear Bliss's music are our feelings and reflections. We express them in our songs. I can't tell you how our songs are written.

Where do you get you ideas for your lyrics and what are they about?!

- Our lyrics are about death, dark feelings, visions and the Hungarian Paganism. They are mysterious, they suit our music well.

Your debut MC "The Pagan Winter" was recorded in the Hungarian 24-track LMS Studio. Was it easy to work in that studio? Can you reveal how much it cost?!

- We enjoyed working in the studio, though we were there for a short time. I think it was easy to work in the studio. The LMS Studio isn't expensive because it is not in the capital. We paid HUF 30,000 for the studio and the whole release of the tape cost about HUF 100,000.

Gergely, you have pursued a symphonic musical career for long. How did you come into connection with Black Metal and the band?!

- First of all, I'm not a symphonic musician. I'm a member of a wind orchestra in Szombathely. I've known András for ages and it was he who introduced me to Black Metal. When he formed Sear Bliss he asked me to join the band because he wanted to use an unusual instrument.

I want to mention Zoltán Csejtei who played guitars in another band. Thereafter he made vocals and now he plays drums! Can all the members of Sear Bliss play on all instruments?!

- Zoltán is a very talented musician. He plays well on each instrument Sear Bliss uses with the exception of the trumpet.

Tell me more about the members in the band, please! Do you have very different personalities?!

- Yes, we have different personalities, but all of us live for Sear Bliss. This is the most important thing in our life.

What's your opinion about the use of corpsepaint? Why don't you use it?!

- Far too many bands use it, therefore we don't. I think, corpsepaint gives a strange atmosphere to Black Metal music.

András, please tell us the story when once you painted your faces and went for a walk with your friends!!

- Winter and me and some friends of us resolved to shock people. We walked about town with painted faces. The people avoided us, they didn't know why we were doing it.

Nowadays a lot of Black Metal bands mention repeatedly the Hungarian band Tormentor as the best Hungarian band in domestic BM history. What's your view about it and do you want to follow in their footsteps?!

- I think Tormentor was one of the best Black Metal bands. They deserve respect. I like Tormentor very much, but we don't follow them because our music is different.

After the success of Sear Bliss, will some Hungarian bands try to follow your path?!

If you had to choose, which would be your five favourite bands and albums?!

- I listen to lots of Black Metal, I can't list only five bands or albums. My favourites are Bathory, Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal, Darkthrone, Satyricon, Arcturus, Tormentor, Pestilence, etc.. Winter and me follow the Black Metal lifestyle, but the others listen to different music as well.

Let's talk about the gigs... Do you enjoy performing live? In your opinion, what are the average audience reactions to a group like yours?!

- Yes, I enjoy performing live, because then we can shpw the power of our music. We gave two concerts so far I think, the people enjoyed them very much.

You told me that "The Pagan Winter" is being distributed by the French labels Adipocere and Holy Records. What kind of a deal did you sign with them?!

- Adipocere and Holy bought tapes from us to distribute them. It was a great support for the band. We would like to thank them! Adipocere Records wanted to release "The Pagan Winter" on CD, but in the meantime we entered into a contract with the Dutch Two Moon Records for three albums.

You got quite a few offers and then I heard that the debut CD of Sear Bliss will be out through the Dutch Foundation 2000 Records.. Or is it not so?!

- It was Foundation 2000 Records who took notice of us, but it will be their partner, Two Moons Records, who will release our debut CD. We will be in studio in January and the album will be out around spring.

Compared to the songs on "The Pagan Winter", what will the new songs be like? Heavier, faster or more melodic?!

- Our album will be different from the tape. I like "The Pagan Winter" but I think our new songs are much better. They express what we feel now. They're dark and mysterious.

In your opinion, how popular will Sear Bliss become abroad? Is it possible that in a few years' time your band shall be a well known band in the world?!

Finally, give us some last words please!!

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