Well, as happened about three years ago, I am once again contacting Constantin to chat about his new release, the conclusion of the story of The Crow, which began with «On Blackest Wings» and ends with «In Shadows Deep.»
Rockmania: Hello Constantin, thank you for talking to me again. It’s a pleasure to be able to interview you.
Constantin: The pleasure is all ours, my friend. Thank you for inviting us again.
Rockmania: First of all, how are you and how is the band doing at the moment?
Constantin: We are doing well, thankfully. We have faced several difficulties on a personal level at times, but at present we are doing well and are happy with our new release.
We are focusing on promoting the album properly, regrouping, and always looking one step ahead.
Rockmania: As you mentioned to me a few years ago, the complete work would be in two parts, and now we have the second part to enjoy. How has the process of creation and recording been over the years?
Constantin: That’s quite a big discussion. The whole production and, in fact, the whole album ended up being delayed quite a bit compared to what we wanted and planned. In fact it came out 1.5 years out of plan. Stefanos and I were ready to start recording, but some personal family issues came up, so I pulled the plug for about six months.
Then, when I felt I was able and ready to continue, the whole thing turned around and we had to pause again due to Stefanos’ health issues. As you can understand, it didn’t turn out very well in completing the concept.
I don’t want to dwell on it, but we had quite a few problems afterwards, to the extent that it caused us concern. We had to make quite a few adjustments to the original plan, especially in terms of the recordings. But here we were at last, after much effort and hardship, celebrating our latest work with relief.
Rockmania: I haven’t been able to find out who did the artwork for this album. Was it Jim Evgenidis? What part of the story does it represent?
Constantin: The cover, as well as all the artwork inside, is the work of Panagiotis Vlamis. An exceptional artist who brought tremendous life and visual appeal to the atmosphere of the album.
This is the first time we’ve had to work on this part with someone other than Dimitris, and I won’t hide the fact that I felt very insecure at first, as he has been my collaborator for almost 10 years. But after the first few trial ideas Panagiotis sent me, I knew we would end up with a magical cover. We are very grateful to him; what he has created is truly a gem.
Now, as for the story, I don’t think it refers to any particular point or part, but rather to the overall atmosphere and general aesthetic of both the film and the comic.
Rockmania: It’s another long album, again with 16 tracks and over an hour of music. Why so long?
Constantin: So that the concept is clearly divided into two parts. It should be equal in terms of both number of tracks and content. I wouldn’t want there to be any other reason beyond which of the two suits each person’s psyche better to consider one better or worse.
Of course, all the tracks, 32 in total, were written from the outset, originally intended for a double album release. The decision to split them was a joint decision between the company and us.
Rockmania: I noticed there is one more instrumental track on this album. Was there a particular reason for that?
Constantin: I felt that songs like these are needed in situations like this. Small connecting links between songs that aim beyond bridging emotions and styles, a change of scene perhaps, and like pure doses of emotion without words or voice. Purely what a musical composition can give you.
Something that I also identified and loved in concept albums that I love and that inspired me.
Rockmania: I noticed that the songs on this album are more personal, more profound, with even more feeling than on the previous album. Was that intentional, or did the story demand it?
Constantin: I think it happened both consciously and accidentally at the same time. When I started dividing the tracks into those that would go in the first part and those that would go in the second, I did so purely on the basis of the aesthetics of the compositions. Which ones brought out the orchestral approach more strongly, which ones I «heard» the orchestra more intensely, and which ones brought out a more «simplistic» and gothic aesthetic.
With this as my primary guideline, and as the production of the second part progressed, I fully understood the dynamics of the tracks after the final vocals, lyrics, and of course the keyboards were added. I was surprised by how much more «aggressive» and rough it is as a whole and how much more intense the emotions are. This automatically led the lyrics down darker and more personal paths, looking more at moments and scenes from the comic rather than the movie.
Rockmania: I’ve also noticed that, overall, there are quite a few more atmospheres than in the previous album, which was perhaps more «direct.» How do you see it?
Constantin: I never want to make the same album twice, either individually or as a band. That’s why the approach between these two albums is different. As intense as the goth identity and aesthetic are in the comic and the film, so too was the dynamic of a score in my mind. And so we did. When it came time to enrich «In Shadows Deep» beyond its basic musical framework, it was a unanimous decision to move towards slightly more retro keyboards and sounds so that this goth identity would come to the fore a little more.
The almost constant presence of rain and thunder in the background reinforces this whole atmosphere.
Rockmania: As I said in my review, the song Back From Brink has become, for me, one of the best on the album and already a classic in your discography. What part of Eric and Shelly’s story does it tell? Because every time I listen to it, every hair on my body stands on end.
Constantin: Thank you very much for that, there is no greater joy for me than that. This particular piece is more of a conversation between Eric and the crow. As you may know by now, their relationship in the comic has more interaction and is more substantial than in the film. «Back to the Brink» captures this conversation and the nature of the crow as a carrier of Eric’s essence, identity, and mental existence, in contrast to his physical body, which remains untouched by decay.
I think the chemistry between our voices with Stefanos in this piece, each of us taking on a role, was captured in the best possible way.
Editor’s note: I already liked the song, but now I like it even more with this explanation.
Rockmania: Another track on the album that surprised me with its aggressiveness, bordering on thrash metal, and precisely where Kosta Vreto introduces the solo, is «Don’t Want It Anymore.» At what point in history is it set, and why is there so much anger and aggression in that song?
Constantin: Ah, here you enter Stefanos’ lyrical realm, since the lyrics here are his own. This particular track is one of the most aggressive moments on the album and has such a powerful and raw tone because it deals with the carnage in the council towards the end of the film. There, we see the character completely let go for the first time, allowing his rage to act uncontrollably, and we see how unstoppable his nature is.
Rockmania: Thanks to your albums, I have delved into the fascinating story of The Crow, the wonderful love story between Eric and Shelli (I’ve already read the comic and am watching the movie). In which phases of the story are In Shadows Deep and On Blackest Wings?
Constantin: They more or less cover the whole story, trying to cover as many points as possible from both versions. Of course, a frame-by-frame version would require much more material and releases, but I think we’ve covered most of the story.
«On Blackest Wings» takes hold from the beginning until just before the meeting with T Bird, with «In Shadows Deep» continuing from there, while also jumping to the most depressing parts of the comic.
Rockmania: I’ve noticed that there are fewer collaborations on this album than on the previous one. Is there a specific reason for this? Because if I remember correctly (I’m going from memory), there’s only one guitar solo by Kosta Vreto, your producer.
Constantin: As for the number of guests, I wouldn’t say. The only thing I can think of is the duet with Ruby, which on this album is covered by Stefanos’ presence on two tracks. Beyond that, both Dimitris Goutzamanis and Kostas Vretos have made an appearance. It’s just that in this case, they appear on fewer tracks than on the previous album. There’s no specific reason for this, it just happened that way.
Rockmania: This album will be released on December 12 (thanks to the band, we’ve been able to enjoy it early so we can review it). What are your expectations for it, and how do you think fans and music lovers will react when they hear it?
Constantin: I think our expectations are the same as they have always been, speaking for myself at least. We want listeners and friends of the band to find songs that touch them and keep them company. Of course, positive comments and opinions are always welcome, but we try to stay true to ourselves and not disappoint our friends at the same time.
Rockmania: Do you have any plans to present the album live? Because I understand that if there is any kind of promotional tour, it will only be in Greece, unfortunately for me, as I would love to see you on stage performing these great songs.
Constantin: We are working towards that, as we are facing some problems with the lineup, which I believe will be resolved very soon. We thrive in live performances, it has always suited us, and we can’t wait to be back on stage. It’s been a long time, to be honest.
Rockmania: At the moment, the advance single, «Remedial Sinner,» is not available on platforms such as Spotify, only on YouTube. When the full album is released, will it also be available on Spotify or Rokk?
Constantin: I think that as these lines are being written, it should already be available on most platforms.
Rockmania: I still have the same question I had a few years ago. What is it about Greece that inspires so many high-quality bands? Thanks to you, I’ve discovered another band, Anstud Metal Project, which I love, not to mention Disharmony, Ephemeral, I Abissyck, Silent Winter, Wardrum and Inner Wish, to name a few examples of amazing bands with overwhelming quality.
Constantin: To tell you the truth, I don’t have an answer to that. I treat the domestic scene the same as the international scene. I have stopped distinguishing between releases, whether positively or negatively. We have amazing bands in this country and people I admire, enjoy, and am proud of, and I am fortunate to call some of them my friends. Of course, we also have the opposite, as everywhere else. I think there has always been a lot of talent among musicians in this scene in this country. Perhaps in recent decades this has simply become more widely known and accessible.
Rockmania: How do you see the current metal scene, especially there in Greece? Because I’m seeing more and more bands from there that I’m passionate about.
Constantin: I think it’s steadily growing and always on the rise. New bands with incredible playing skills, young guys who are a real joy to watch on stage. Older bands reaching ever greater heights and veterans returning with awesome albums. I think this is one of the most productive periods for the scene.
Rockmania: You have a new album out, but do you have any ideas or sketches in your head about what the band’s next step could be?
Constantin: We always try to be one, if not two steps ahead. So the answer is yes. Of course, we will take our time to recharge our batteries a little, but good things are coming. As we have announced, we are preparing something for the tenth anniversary of the release of our debut album «From Sand to Eternity,» but I won’t hide the fact that we have already started, albeit at a very early stage, work on our next album. Everything in good time, and first and foremost, we need to be well.
Rockmania: It’s a complex issue, but I’d like your opinion. How do you see the landscape for emerging bands, those that want to grow through their quality? How difficult is it for a band with enormous potential to get the support they need to make themselves known around the world?
Constantin: Without having any particular knowledge or perspective, I think it’s all a matter of circumstances. And persistence/effort. If the potential is there, then the means are now overwhelmingly greater than what we had in the past. Of course, there are also many more bands with the same potential as you, so it’s up to you to decide how much you want it, how hard you try, and how far you’re willing to go to achieve your goal. On top of that, there’s the issue of circumstances that I mentioned above. Opportunities come once, if at all. What you do with them can determine everything.
Rockmania: Another question that has been on my mind for a long time is, how does someone who is not a «professional» musician manage to balance their work and personal life with their life as a musician?
Constantin: With lots of coffee… ha ha ha. Joking aside, it’s very difficult and requires a lot of willpower. Living conditions are becoming increasingly difficult, and in cases where there is a family, things are even more difficult in terms of time and obligations. So if you ask me, you need a lot of love for what you do, and as much organization as possible. Of course, having a partner who understands how important what you do is to you, let alone helping you as in my case, I think makes all the difference.
Not everyone can understand why you spend and devote your limited free time to music, or why your mind is constantly racing, alongside other things, coming up with ideas, melodies, and everything else related to music.
Rockmania: We are coming to the end of the interview. Thank you very much for your time. Do you have a message for your fans in Spain and around the world?
Constantin: First of all, I would like to thank you personally, Enrique. You have been a valuable friend to Forbidden Seed, and I truly appreciate that. I hope that our paths will cross someday so that we can shake hands in person. As for our friends, we would like to thank everyone who supports this music, and perhaps us as well, those who took the time to read this interview with a band from distant Greece, and those who support pages, zines, and people who write about what they are passionate about. Help us all so that we can continue to do what gives us joy and courage, giving back to you the same, in times when everything deprives us of our vitality. Stay strong, everyone.
Well, that’s it for the interview with Forbidden Seed and their leader, Constantin Maris. It’s been a real pleasure to interview him again, and as I said in the review, if you don’t know them, do yourselves a huge favor and listen to their music.