With Dimmu Borgir's new album, ''Eonian'', ready to be released after 8 years of silence, drummer Dariusz ''Daray'' Brzozowski gives us the answers that we expect. He also refers to the lessons he does to young people, where he focuses on how to be good humans more than technique itself. He proves to be another one that started dealing with music because of Europe, while his current idol on the drums is Mario Duplantier from Gojira. These and many other interesting stuff, on the following interview.
Rock Overdose: Hello Dariusz and welcome to the Rock Overdose pages. First of all, I'll start with the announcement that Hunter are on tour from October and on. Which are your expectations from this tour? How did people react to the latest album ''Niewolnosc''?
Daray: Hi, thank you for the question about Hunter. Yes, we are on tour now, we play shows every weekend (3-4 shows per week). Hunter is well known only in Poland and we are singing in Polish. Our lyrics on the lastest album ''Niewolnosc'' which means ''No Freedom'' refer to the political situation in my country, Poland. We have the government, that is very conservative and sponsored by the Catholic Church. The worst thing is that they want to tell us what we should do and how we should be thinking. They want to control us. We try to fight them through the music.
Rock Overdose: I personally got to know you 15 years ago with ''Firefrost Arcanum'' of Vesania. Most people got to know you with your presence in Vader when you replaced Doc. All fans praised you for your playing, it was difficult to replace such an iconic drummer but you made it. Which are your memories from that era?
Daray: I've always been a big fan of Vader and Doc. I knew all their songs. I've been on their shows so many times. So when I got a call from Peter, I was very well prepared. I mean, I knew the songs and I could play the songs on drums. I was practicing a lot of those songs before. I don't wanna say, I was better than Doc, but I could do it, at least try it. After some shows with Vader, I didn't know that so many Vader fans are very negative about me. They wanted Doc, but it was not my fault that Doc could not go on tour. I was looking at it as an opportunity to play great music and experience something new. If I wasn't going to play drums, somebody else would have played. I was trying to understand all the mixed feelings from the fans. But I was there to do the greatest job I could, and give people the experience of hearing those songs. I think I've done that. I think people have walked away enjoying what I've brought.
Rock Overdose: You have done so many albums through the years, in different styles, how easy is for a drummer to adapt to the likes of a group and how much can he contribute to the whole result in general? Which was the most demanding album you did and for which reasons?
Daray: The biggest challenge was the last Dimmu Borgir album "Eonian". In my opinion, this is the best album that I've recorded in my life. I was preparing for the session studio for a long time. Mean "preparing" was not just about playing the drums, but also the gym, jogging. I wanted to be in the studio in the best physical and mental shape. I had everything planned, how should I play, what will I play on which drums, which song I'll record first and which song last. I was 100% prepared.
Rock Overdose: The press release I got announces that you are open for session drummer for tours. How easy is to organize your schedule with the various bands that you play and how difficult is to avoid any possible conflict through possible parallel touring of the aforementioned groups?
Daray: I am a professional musician-drummer. I do not do anything else in my life. Music is my hobby and job. I love to play with different musicians. It's always a big lesson for me. I'm always open for good music. I love working in the studio. I prefer recording in the studio than going and play on tour. But of course I'm always open for any proposals.
Rock Overdose: Also, you are open for studio sessions and drum clinics. What is your prime rule in these clinics? Are you focusing on technique, speed, hitting power or a mixture of all of these? Do you recognize a potential to a young guy that comes to be taught by you and if yes, what kind of advice do you offer?
Daray: I'm talking less and less about technique, and more about how to be a good human. Of course technique is important. I see a lot of very good drummers on Youtube, but they can't find a job. There are a lot of lessons on how to play good drums, but there's nothing about how to find a job. I'm also talking about, why the good drummers are losing their jobs. I'm talking about the alcohol and drugs problems. I'm talking about what to do and not waste time on tours. I know it sounds like "nothing new and everybody knows that" but nobody wants to talk about that, especially with young people it is a taboo subject. I want to change it.
Rock Overdose: People would be glad to know how you started wanting to be a drummer. Everyone has a hero and an influence, be it personal or a whole group. For example if I learned guitar, I'd like to play like James Hetfield. Which were your influences and are there any new players that have caught your attention?
Daray: I was 6 years old and together with Orion (Behemoth) we were in kindergarten together and were listening the band called Europe and the song ''The Final Countdown''. We pretended to be on stage and play a concert. I always put two chairs and took two pencils and played "those drums". I remember the music video to this song and the drummer was behind a huge drum set on the high drum riser and he was in middle.
There are so many music idols. My current idol is Mario Duplantier from Gojira.
Rock Overdose: Needless to say, there is a lot of interest for the upcoming Dimmu Borgir album, ''Eonian''. It comes out in about two months, it's the first album for the band in 8 years! First of all, I'll ask, why such a delay? Also, isn't it a little risky to have such a long absence? Dimmu Borgir are a big band, but people tend to forget bands when there is no material!
Daray: The band had a lot of problems with "business partners" which finally changed. There is a new manegment, new crew, new energy and power in the team. I don't know if a such long break is risky, we'll see. It took some time, but in my opinion it was worth it.
Rock Overdose: So far we have listened to ''Interdimensional Summit'' from ''Eonian''. Quite a strange and rather symphonic track for the band. Since we haven't heard the whole album yet, what is the vibe it produces and what should the fans of Dimmu Borgir wait from it?
Daray: There is a new, better quality. The songs' structure reminds me of the first Dimmu Borgir albums. There are a lot of keys and choirs. There are a few songs that are very fast, blasts in 270bpm. For me the new album sounds like old good Dimmu but recorded with a modern sound.
Rock Overdose: Of all the albums that you made so far, ''Impressions In Blood'' from Vader and ''God The Lux'' from Vesania are to me the best you played. Which one of all your participations is the most special to you and is there any special trivia from any recording that you did that might be of interest to your fans?
Daray: Each album is very important to me. I put a lot of work and energy into every album. Some are more popular, some not. It's hard for me to judge which one is special and the best for me. I let the fans have a chance to listen to everyone and choose something special for themselves.
Rock Overdose: It was a pleasure to have this conversation with you. I hope we'll see you in Greece one day, any remebrance from the gigs you did in our country? Which are your plans before or after the Hunter tour?
Daray: I know very well the guys from Septic Flesh, Rotting Christ and George Kollias.
I remember good weather, good food and "ela malaka".
By the way, I usually go on vacation to Greece.
Rock Overdose: Add anything that you'd like, we hope to hear you in plenty more albums in the future!
Daray: Thank you for this interview, thank you for your support, hopefully see you soon on some shows in Greece.
For Rock Overdose
Dimitris Aloras
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