13/07/2026
A truly serious conversation.
Thank you very much, Into the Wells.
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โข ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐จ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ค & ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ โข
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ด โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โฆ
๐๐ฏ ๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ท๐ช๐ฆ๐ธ ๐ธ๐ช๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐๐ช ๐๐ฌ ๐.๐ก. ๐ช๐๐๐๐ฆ
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ & ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฅ โข ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
In an era where algorithms often dictate attention spans and artistic trends come and go with the swipe of a screen, some musicians continue to pursue creation as a journey rather than a commodity. Among them are ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, the Athens-based duo of ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ and ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ, whose debut full-length album, ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ, traverses the boundaries between dark wave, ambient music, trip-hop, and cinematic soundscapes.
Drawing listeners into a universe of collapsing stars, spectral voices, and vast cosmic emptiness, ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ is less concerned with conventional songwriting than with atmosphere, emotion, and transformation. The album feels like a transmission from somewhere beyond the familiarโa meditation on endings, beginnings, loss, and rebirth. Its themes became even more poignant following the passing of ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ, lending additional depth to a work already steeped in the symbolism of dying stars and new creation.
For this edition of ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก, I had the opportunity to speak with ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ about the origins of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, the making of ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ, the bandโs artistic philosophy, their collaboration with ๐รธ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐, and the enduring legacy of a project born from experimentation, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of authentic expression.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐.๐. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ โ First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Thank you very much for your interest and for this interview. The content of the questions reflects the significant time and effort you have dedicated to the story of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ emerged from a desire to explore musical territories beyond the genres you had previously worked in. What was the catalyst that convinced you and ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ that this project needed to exist?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ I had collaborated with ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ in several bands in the past, primarily within specific musical genres (rock, metal, punk, etc.). His addition to the lineup of my personal project, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ, essentially marked the beginning of a broader phase of experimentation. Through this project, we both began to realize that we wanted to compose music in a style we hadnโt previously explored. While recording tracks for the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ album, we decided to form ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ so that we could experiment to the fullest extent.
๐.๐. โ Why did you choose the name ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐? Does the number 1081 hold a specific meaning, or is it part of the larger mythology behind the project?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ The choice of name was made based on very carefully considered criteria.
Among the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ material, we had a track titled ๐๐ถ๐ญ๐ด๐ข๐ณ - ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ด๐ฆ๐ด ๐๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฏ๐ช๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ. As you can see, the interest in stellar phenomena predated the birth of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐. The name serves as a link to the overall themes and the general concept of the release. This is the first time I am revealing the precise meaning behind the number 1081, and that is highly significant. The number 10 symbolizes ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จโs birth month (October), while 81 represents my birth year (1981). Even more significant is the fact that, in astrophysics, there actually exists a star designated as ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐.
๐.๐. โ You have backgrounds in rock, metal, hardcore, dark wave, and post-rock. Which of those influences proved most important in shaping the sound of ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ I canโt single out any of the musical genres you mentioned as being the most significant influences. Generally, the path weโve takenโboth individually and as a groupโhas helped us mature as musicians. Our true point of reference stems from the band I mentioned earlier, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ. Thatโs where we had the opportunity to compose several ambient tracks for an album that didnโt actually fall into that genre. That is essentially where the genesis of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ and the creation of ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ began.
๐.๐. โ When the project began in Athens in 2025, did you already have a clear artistic vision, or did the album evolve organically as the songs developed?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Our sole desire was to compose music. We love musicโsomething reflected in our journey over the past thirty years or so. For ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ in particular, it was important to experiment without rigid constraints or boundaries. This automatically meant that we set absolutely no specific future goals or plans regarding what would come next. In the broader context of the music industry, that desire of ours represents the ultimate โdonโtโโa major no-goโif your goal is to pursue a professional career or make money from music. As you can imagine, we had total freedom, which gave us the impetus to compose and operate exactly as we truly felt. ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ is an album born entirely out of our mood and state of mind at the timeโwithout any eye on the future or a professional business plan. That is why, if you listen to the material under the right conditions, you will understand exactly what I mean.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ The title ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ translates to โThe Beginning of the End.โ What does that phrase represent to you on a personal and artistic level?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ The title can be interpreted in two different ways;
1. Its essential symbolism relates to what we discussed above: the fact that both members of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐โdrawing on their extensive musical backgroundsโdecided to create and evolve in areas they had not previously dared to explore.
2. The second interpretation stems from the albumโs overall concept. It refers to the birth and death of pulsars. Those familiar with cosmic phenomena already know what pulsars are; consequently, they can easily link the title to these specific stars and, by extension, to the bandโs two members (๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ and ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ). Essentially, we are dealing with a form of rebirth born out of death.
The two meanings of the title are indirectly connected, provided one delves deeply enough into the subject.
๐.๐. โ In my review, I described the album as feeling less like a debut and more like โfirst contactโ with an unknown cosmic intelligence. Was creating that sense of mystery and discovery a conscious goal?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ First of all, I want to thank you for the wonderful review. I was particularly struck to read words demonstrating that the listener fully grasped the overall result. For us, that is the ultimate reward for all our efforts, because this album requires time and the right listening approach to truly absorb what we are offering. It is an encounter with something entirely different and unfamiliarโnot merely a standard music release. Connecting with this album means connecting with the inner makeup of the band members, and that is something we never thought we could achieve. Therefore, there is no conscious goal to achieve this. However, as an underlying aspiration, it is understood to be the ultimate level and the desire of every artistโwhether they work in music or any other form of art.
๐.๐. โ The album blends dark wave, trip-hop, ambient textures, and cinematic soundscapes. Were there any artists, films, or literary works that inspired this direction?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ As you rightly point out, you can discern many elements on the album that donโt belong to the ambient genre. We have a vast array of musical influences; weโve been listening to and playing music for nearly three decades. Back in the 90s, ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ and his brother formed one of Greeceโs most well-known dark wave bands. Personally, Iโve also played in various projects outside the realm of extreme music. It is only natural for us to explore various genres of music. ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ listened to a great deal of dark wave and experimental music from the 70s and 80s. For my part, I mainly preferred extreme material, as well as all the offshoots of rock (spanning from the 70s to the present day). Electronic music also left its mark on me during the 90s, as it was a genre I followed avidly for over fifteen yearsโambient, trip-hop, deep house, trance, and so on. I havenโt mentioned classical music, because it is the foundation of everything; ๐๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ค๐ฒ is my all-time favorite artist.
๐.๐. โ The record evokes images of collapsing stars, deep space, and cosmic transformation. What draws you to astronomical themes as a creative vehicle?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ The primary reason for the creation and existence of this project is precisely what you mentioned: we are fascinated by the cosmos. Its general theoryโand, more specifically, a careful analysis of its natureโis what drove us to create this album. Of course, this mindset had taken root long before, back when we were recording the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ album, but here, the approach was entirely deliberate. As an aside, I can tell you that our next album will also be thematically centered on space and the astral realm. I can even reveal that this release features very specific terminology in its track titles!
๐.๐. โ Despite its darkness, the album possesses moments of beauty and wonder. How important is balancing light and darkness within your music?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ It is crucial to be able to balance and harmoniously blend the various elements you hear throughout the release. Iโd say that is perhaps the most difficult part of composing a songโlet alone when youโre dealing with a full release that spans 50 minutes. In our case, it came together quite effortlessly. Thatโs simply down to our personalities; so, from a purely emotional standpoint, it happened quite naturally. The final result shows that everything flowed smoothly. This is something all artists consider when presenting material to an audience. The extent to which someone internalizes your mood on an emotional level is what matters most. Music possesses this unique quality compared to other art forms; it can nurture a person or even destroy him.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ Which track on the album best represents the essence of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ All of them! One can gather this just by reading my previous answer. Each track holds its own meaning and significance; none of them could have been left out. ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ simply wouldnโt exist if any single track hadnโt been recorded, or if we had deemed one more important than the others or felt it carried more weight regarding the projectโs significance. Even the tracklist sequence itself demonstrates this.
๐.๐. โ โInfernoโ immediately stands out by title alone. What story or emotional landscape were you trying to convey with that piece?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ The truth is that this particular track reveals a very dark side of us. Based on the albumโs concept, at this stage, the connection to the unknown has already been established, and the protagonist senses and experiences dark aspects of his existence that he was previously unaware of. The period during which we composed this trackโwhich conceptually ties everything togetherโwas significant in this regard. It is also worth noting that while we were creating this piece, we received an invitation to perform at the ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ. Of course, we had already chosen the title by then. Sometimes, however, certain seemingly simple moments in life are not quite as coincidental as most people think.
๐.๐. โ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฅ is โdreamโ spelled backward. Was that intentional, and if so, what significance does that inversion hold?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Youโre the first person to notice that very important detail. To be honest, I didnโt think anyone would pick up on it. And thatโs exactly why Iโm so pleased. It shows that you really immersed yourself in the releaseโthat you analyzed it. You didnโt just listen to the material. We generally like to create wordplay; we want to draw people into this unique process and get them to engage with the material as a whole. An album isnโt just about the music; itโs made up of so many other elementsโlyrics, imagery, track titles. In our case, of course, we choose not to include the lyrics in our releases. This gives us the option to offer a more in-depth analysis for those who are interested. So, since YOU managed to unlock the true meaning of this title, I feel that everyone deserves to get a lyric from this song.
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฌ๐บ ๐ช๐ด ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ,
๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ด๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ณ๐ฅ!
๐.๐. โ The album often feels cinematic rather than traditionally song-oriented. Do you approach compositions as narratives, visual scenes, or emotional states?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ We always follow the theory of emotion. Yet, at the same time, we integrate the visual aspect. There is no emotion without images; the aim of imagination is to create images. Whatever you feel each time you enter this gameโdepending on your prevailing state of mindโis translated into images. Consequently, these elements are directly connected; they are inextricably linked.
๐.๐. โ Many listeners may interpret the album differently depending on their state of mind. Do you prefer leaving your work open to interpretation, or are there specific messages hidden within the music?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ As for us, the foundation for our approach is already there. Just as Iโwhen listening to other releasesโinterpret each work based on my current state of mind, I want the same to happen for anyone who listens to and devotes time to our release. If there is even the slightest sense of connection with our approach, then we have achieved our goal as an artistic project. Your example regarding the title ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฅ gives us the confidence to keep writing music and to come ever closer to externalizing our thoughts and emotions. After all, that is the magic of music.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐รธ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ Your collaboration with ๐รธ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ led to contributions on Black Medium Current. How did that relationship first develop?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ I have known ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ณ (aka ๐๐ข๐ค๐จ๐ญ๐ง๐ข๐) since 2015. Our friendship goes beyond just the musical realm; we share a very special connection and understand each otherโs inner selves deeply. This, combined with the musical discussions and analyses weโve had over time, ultimately led to our collaboration. Before he proposed working together on ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, we had already collaborated on the other project I mentioned to you. He knows my entire approach to the musical paths I follow very well and trusts me implicitly. That is precisely why he gave us complete freedom to do whatever we felt was best for the final result. Being able to contribute compositionally to an album like ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต means your work is recognized. I continue to work with ๐รธ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ on live performances. Our initial agreement was that I would play with them whenever they performed a setlist consisting solely of their latest album. However, over time, that changed. This clearly demonstrates that when an artist as acclaimed as ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ places his trust in you, it means you are doing something right. His vision was for the two acts to perform together on stage; consequently, there was no point in simply playing the pre-recorded keyboard parts from the album live. We composed our own new parts for every trackโwithout any guidance whatsoever. He granted us total freedom, making us feel this was the ideal opportunity to showcase our working process within the context of one of the best avant-garde albums released in the last two decades.
๐.๐. โ What did you learn creatively from working alongside musicians known for constantly pushing artistic boundaries?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ This particular collaboration helped me grow professionally. Working remotely was extremely difficult; itโs not how Iโm used to operating. I prefer a natural, realistic approachโI need to feel the other personโs presence in the rehearsal or recording room, to have that communication where we can share thoughts, conversation, and ideas. In this instance, however, we managed to strike the perfect balance. It was precisely because we had the freedom I mentioned earlier that everything came together relatively easily for us. ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐โs guidance was somewhat indirect, given the countless hours we had already spent discussing music in general. This collaboration is an honor for us; it helped us mature as musicians and boosted our confidence, encouraging us to keep producing material.
๐.๐. โ How did performing at ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ and ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง influence your perception of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐โs place within the broader underground music landscape?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ When you get the chance to play at such major festivals, you find yourself going through a peculiar process of rethinking certain things. We have always operated within an underground context with all the bands weโve played inโpast and present. Even with my grindcore bandโdespite having played at massive festivals in the pastโmy fundamental outlook on where I want to operate has never changed. The underground isnโt something that chooses you; quite the opposite. If you truly want to compose and manage your material on your own terms, then you act as an underground artist. You might gain recognition and raise your bandโs profile, but if you truly embrace that specific mindset, it gives you the freedom to operate in the way you deem best for yourself. What matters is playing exactly what represents youโnot trying to boost your ego or project the negative aspects of your personality through your musical journey.
๐.๐. โ Were audiences surprised by the atmospheric and experimental nature of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ compared to your previous projects?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Yes. Because, generally speaking, our musical trajectory hasnโt involved such an experimental approach. While some of our past projects may have contained elements that are now present in ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, our audience perceived us as artists who created very specific genres of music. The fact that there are no electric instruments hereโguitars, bass, drums, and so onโalso took our followers by surprise. Even those closest to usโour inner circle and close friendsโdidnโt expect us to work on material like this. However, as I mentioned earlier, what matters is playing what expresses you, depending on your mood over time. Ultimately, the important thing is that the audience embraced this particular endeavor, and we are grateful for that.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐โ โง ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ The addition of ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ต๐ข๐ณ to the ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ release carries deep symbolic meaning. Can you elaborate on the connection between the song and ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ (๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ)?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ This particular track holds immense emotional significance for me. That is precisely why I authorized its inclusion in the physical release via ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ; for if there are but a few people who grasp its importance, ๐๐ข๐ค๐จ๐ฌ is certainly one of them. Words cannot describe what it means to release a track that gives voice to the loss of my friend and collaborator, ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ. Furthermore, we did not upload this track to the internet ourselves on any of our official pages; that was done solely by ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ. A move like this demonstrates just how important this track is to us. The title ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ต๐ข๐ณ perfectly reflects ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จโs personality and characterโa true star lost too soon (like a pulsar), yet one that gives me the strength to carry on the work we created together. I am continuing to work on the project; it is something I owe to ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโs soul. I donโt think I need to go into too much detail about the situation. My actions prove that my sole goal is to ensure ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโs memory remains undimmed as time goes by!
๐.๐. โ The statement accompanying the release notes that the death of one star can give birth to another. How has loss shaped your artistic outlook moving forward?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ The continuation of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐โs musical journey involves a profound emotional void. Without ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ, things will be completely differentโthat is the one certainty in the whole situation. As a person, I have always tried to salvage whatever positives I can from difficult and unpleasant situations. My collaborator helped me grasp concepts of music theory and perception that I hadnโt dared to approach beforeโmainly out of fear, as I lack formal musical training. In short, I didnโt believe in myself. Amidst ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโs absence, I hold onto the positives: I have become a better musician and, on a personal level, a better person.
๐.๐. โ When revisiting ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ today, what emotions arise knowing it stands as one of the final creative statements involving ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ One of the most powerful emotions I experience is an immense sense of pride in continuing the work we created together! It is thanks to this that I am able to keep creating and performing music. The door to experimentation that was opened is largely due to ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ, and I feel blessed for that. Your question gives me the opportunity to mention that ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ is not ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จโs final work. We had already composed a significant amount of material; while I will continue and complete it on my own, his presence will ultimately remain a part of it for as long as I manage to release work with ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐. The same applies to ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ. I also recorded the parts he had composedโoriginally created for the tracks on ๐รธ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ซ๐โs ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต albumโspecifically for use during live performances with the band. At our last two shows together (๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ and ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ง๐ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ), the audience had the chance to hear his parts played as backing tracks. ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ and I had discussed this and agreed to implement it whenever I had the opportunity to perform with them at a festival or a standalone event. The emotional bond formed with the Norwegians was deeply moving. Their invitation for me to continue working with them, combined with the fact that our performance at ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ was dedicated to ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโs memory, made me truly appreciate the significance of this collaboration.
๐.๐. โ Do you view the album as a memorial, a celebration, or perhaps both?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ This particular album is an exploration of the unknown. Engaging with itโand with the emotions such a connection evokesโcan mean absolute destruction for some, as they come to perceive the darkest aspects of their own selves. On the other hand, there are those who, through such a connection, integrate the positive facets of their personalities. Ultimately, it is all subjective; the experience of listening to this release yields a completely different result for each of us.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ The ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ announcement speaks passionately about resisting the commercialization of art. Do you feel underground music is losing something important in the age of social media and self-promotion?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ This is precisely one of the main reasons why we decided to release ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ through ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฌ! Having known ๐๐ข๐ค๐จ๐ฌ personally for many years and fully identifying with his philosophy regarding the general treatment of artists within the music industry, this collaboration was the only logical path. Throughout my journey in the music scene, I have clearly and openly stated my position regarding the prevailing situation. The entire game played within this rotten environment entails very negative consequences for artists. On one hand, I donโt think itโs right to place the blame solely on the companies, because if an artist doesnโt want to go along with a certain situation, their career path simply demonstrates that. On the other hand, given how the whole system works nowadays, one is often forced to take a stand. The downside is that the creative process gets conflated with the way the material is presented. What I mean is that being โundergroundโ doesnโt just mean releasing your material independently. You can still be โundergroundโ even if you are on the roster of a major label. To understand what I mean: over the years, certain companies have capitalized on this concept, marketing the addition of specific artists as a โcultโ move. It all comes down to money. So, when a bandโs primary goal is financial gainโor self-promotion driven by the egos of its membersโwe end up with the situation we are witnessing today. Personally, I find the whole thing very disheartening. I observe talented musicians who fail to deliver authentic material. They even alter their very character in pursuit of lasting fame. Certainly, there should be some return on the time, energy, and money invested in preparing a release for listeners, yet there are boundaries that are now being disregarded. And that is precisely where an artistโs true worth and integrity are revealed. Because the public is not foolish; people can now very easily and quickly grasp who you are, what you do, and exactly why you are doing it.
๐.๐. โ What does artistic integrity mean to you in 2026?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Being able to operate of your own accord and without absolutely any pressureโwhether indirect or directโat any stage of the process regarding the composition, presentation, image, and concept you choose for your material!
๐.๐. โ Is creating music more about self-expression, communication, or personal transformation?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ All three are important when composing music. You find yourself in very specific psychological states, you want the listener to grasp what you are feeling as fully as possible, andโnaturallyโthrough this process, you ultimately evolve. Not just musically, but also in terms of character and personality. Consequently, these three aspects are interconnected. Not everyone manages to combine them all, but the essential point is that creating music encompasses elements of each.
๐.๐. โ Throughout your career, what has remained the most rewarding aspect of creating art despite the challenges faced by underground musicians?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Definitely the act of composing. Because when you feel the urge to compose, you are on your ownโat home, with no one there to influence your creative mindset in any way. That is why, throughout history, we have seen examples of even major commercial artists releasing unexpected, surprising material at seemingly random moments. You witness something akin to an explosionโa sudden, irrepressible urge that the artist ultimately cannot control. To be honest, I find such cases saddening, as they reveal that some people arenโt doing what they truly love. When you turn something that fulfills you into a profession, you inevitably face that significant risk. If you fail to handle the situation correctly, you end up playing music as if you were working any other unrelated job. This spells the internal ruin of an artist. It marks their inevitable endโwith consequences that are, naturally, entirely negative, even for their inner peace and character.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐๐๐ โ
๐.๐. โ If ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ could hear the response to Lโinizio della fine today, what do you think he would say?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ is already watching the whole situation from above. With his gentle gaze, he shows us his utter satisfaction with the results achieved through ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ. He was one of those rare individuals whose only desire was to compose and play musicโbecause he truly loved it. It is deeply moving to think that, through ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, I was able to help ensure that the final chapter of his physical life was among the best experiences he ever had. And those are his own words! That is why I want to carry on the work we started together. I owe it to him!
๐.๐. โ Where do you see ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ heading next, both musically and conceptually?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ I am already in the process of recording the second albumโspecifically, we are at the vocal recording stage. This means a great deal of work has already been done; I havenโt let any time go to waste. I should emphasize that, for this project too, a significant portion of the composition is the work of ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ. You see, we were eager to compose and kept creating material alongside the production of ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ. Music knows no boundaries, and that was a key factor for us from the very beginning. As I said, we wanted to experiment. I donโt want to go into further detail about the new album. The only certainty is that it will surprise the audience, as we are talking about completely different materialโitโs like listening to a different project. Conceptually, however, we are coming from the same place; that hasnโt changed. Especially now that ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ is among the stars, this serves as an extra incentive for me to further develop the themes and the overall concept found in ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ.
๐.๐. โ Are there any sounds, themes, or collaborations you hope to explore on future releases?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Yes. Because, above all, I want my musical side to evolve as part of my character. That is what I want to gain through ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐: to express what I feel without fearing acceptance or rejection. That is the essence of itโfeeling confident in what you are trying to present. You donโt really care about how the audience will respond to the material. Of course, when you get the kind of response ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ received, you are absolutely delighted, but the work needs to have staying power. And when dealing with experimentation in general, there is always a chance your work might be misunderstoodโmainly because it might not come across clearly enough for the listener to grasp what you are offering.
๐.๐. โ Finally, when listeners reach the end of ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ, what do you hope remains with them after the last note fades into silence?
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ โ Our sole aim from the very beginning was for the listener to discover facets of their own character and personality that had previously gone unnoticedโwhether positive or negative. If even a single person managed to do this, then we have fulfilled our mission and we are happy. In other words, we wanted them to experience entirely new emotions through our music.
โโโโโโโโโ โง โโโโโโโโโ
โ ๐
๐๐๐๐ โง ๐๐๐๐๐ โ
One of the greatest rewards of conducting interviews is discovering the person behind the music. While an album review allows a writer to interpret an artistโs work through their own perspective, an interview provides something even more valuableโit gives the artist the opportunity to tell their own story in their own words.
I would like to sincerely thank ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ for the generosity, patience, and respect he showed throughout this conversation. His opening remarks acknowledging the time I had invested in both Lโinizio della fine and the questions themselves genuinely meant a great deal to me. As a writer, there is no greater compliment than knowing the artist recognizes that the interview wasnโt assembled from generic questions, but instead grew from hours spent listening, researching, reflecting, and trying to understand the world they created.
Iโd also like to thank him for the depth and honesty of his responses. Rather than offering brief promotional answers, he chose to thoughtfully explore the philosophy behind ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐, the creative process, the underground spirit that continues to drive him, and the enduring friendship he shared with ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ. Those are the kinds of conversations I hope to preserve through ๐๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐น๐.
Interviews like this also remind me that distance is no longer measured only in miles. Coordinating a conversation between the United States and Greece brings its own unique challenges. Time zone differences, language considerations, and the realities of a musicianโs schedule all require patience from everyone involved. During the course of this interview, ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ was balancing rehearsals, travel, and live performances while continuing to carry the responsibility of moving ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ forward. Despite those demands, he remained committed to answering every question with remarkable care. That commitment deserves recognition and appreciation.
Finally, I want to pay my deepest respects to the memory of ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโknown to many as ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ. Although I never had the privilege of speaking with him personally, his presence resonates throughout ๐โ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ป๐ช๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข ๐ง๐ช๐ฏ๐ฆ and throughout every answer shared by ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ. It is impossible to read this interview without recognizing the profound friendship that existed between them, or the determination to ensure that ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌโs artistic legacy continues to shine long after his passing.
There is something quietly fitting about a project centered on dying stars and cosmic rebirth becoming, in many ways, a living memorial. If the death of one star truly can illuminate another, then ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จโs light continues to travel through every listener who discovers this remarkable album and through every future chapter of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐.
Thank you again, ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐จ, for your trust, your generosity, and for allowing ๐๐ป๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐น๐ผ๐ด & ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น to help preserve another piece of ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐โs story. I wish you nothing but success as you continue carrying the projectโand your friendโs legacyโforward.
โ ๐.๐ก. ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐น๐
โ ๐ง๐๐ โง ๐๐ก๐ โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Every artist has a story beyond the music. Through this conversation, E.N. Wells explores the ideas, inspirations, and experiences that have shaped both the artist and their work. From songwriting and recording to life on the road and the challenges of navigating the worlds of hard rock and heavy metal, this interview offers a firsthand look at the person behind the music.
Whether featuring an underground artist or an internationally recognized name, each interview serves as an archival snapshot in timeโpreserving the artistโs own words, perspectives, and stories while documenting another chapter from deep within the hard rock and heavy metal underground for future generations of music fans.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
