Celeste, one of the most important bands of the famous french avant-garde black metal scene, are coming to Athens for the first time for a very promising performance.
RockOverdose.gr and Dimitris Soursos, had the opportunity to speak with them in an interview that tries to understand their artistic temperament, giving an appointment on Friday, December 22 at Temple, Athens.
Don't miss the opportunity to experience this.
Event info: CELESTE (FR) w/ support act: KIVA Live @ Temple, την Παρασκευή 22 Δεκεμβρίου 2023, Αθήνα
A warm welcome to the pages of Rock Overdose. We’re excited to have you for this interview!
RockOverdose: 2022 saw the release of “Assassine(s)” which sparked even more interest for Celeste, partly because you were now part of the Nuclear Blast roster. Was it a smooth transition going from Denovali to a much bigger label?
Johan: The transition from Denovali to Nuclear Blast was indeed a significant step for us. While it brought new opportunities and a broader platform, it also presented new challenges. Overall, it has been a learning experience, and we're grateful for the support and exposure Nuclear Blast has provided.
RockOverdose: Just a short while ago you released the “Epilogue(s)” EP. Am I right in saying that this release works more or less as a companion to last year’s “Assassine(s)”?
Johan: Yes, you're correct. "Epilogue(s)" serves as a companion piece to "Assassine(s)," providing additional perspectives and depth to the themes explored in the full-length album. It allowed us to further delve into the conceptual framework we established with "Assassine(s)". That’s why we called it that way. The story wasn’t really finished, it deserved an Epilogue.
RockOverdose: The third and final track “With Idle Hands” certainly stands out. The music is slow and atmospheric, the lyrics are in English and Tim Heck from Grivo is singing on it. How did this song come about and how did you get Tim involved?
Johan: "With Idle Hands" was a collaborative effort that organically came together. I felt like we needed try some new paths, and this song was designed for it. It was first supposed to be release as an instrumental song, but then I thought that we could go much further by adding vocals. The slow and atmospheric nature of the music, paired with English lyrics. We were fortunate to have Tim Heck from Grivo contribute his vocals, adding a distinctive layer to the track. Tim's involvement brought a fresh perspective and enriched the overall sonic experience. I was quite found of Grivo’s music and Tim’s vocals. I’m more that satisfied by the outcome. I think I might dig further on such experimentations for our future albums.
RockOverdose: When Celeste first appeared you were all about heaviness and extremes. Not that you’re not still heavy and extreme, but you’ve certainly incorporated more experimental elements later in your career. How has the band’s sound evolved over the years and where do you see it heading next?
Johan: Celeste has indeed evolved over the years. While our roots in heaviness and extremity remain, we've embraced more experimental elements to push the boundaries of our sound. This evolution is a natural progression for us as artists, and looking ahead, we anticipate further exploration and growth in our musical expression. We might disappoint some early fans in the future unfortunately, we we can’t fight against our feelings
RockOverdose: Celeste has been described as sludge, black metal, post metal, post hardcore and the list could go on. Do you feel comfortable with any of these labels? Is there any particular genre or even certain bands that you draw inspiration from nowadays?
Johan: Genres are often limiting, but we appreciate the diversity of labels associated with our music. I was used to say that we didn’t have any influences, and that was true for a while, but things changed a bit recently. We draw inspiration from various sources, not confined to specific genres. Our creative process now involves a continuous exploration of different influences, allowing us to shape our own unique sound.
RockOverdose: Since we are drawing close to the end of the year, could you give us a top 5 of your favorite albums for 2023?
Johan:
Periphery – PV
Earthside – Let the Truth Speak
Hypno5e – Sheol
Sorry I only have 3 in mind
RockOverdose: Do you have any solid plans for 2024? Maybe recording a new record or is it too early?
Johan: While it's too early to share concrete plans for 2024, we haven’t written any new material yet. We are focused on doing as much shows as possible, and I guess that later on we’ll start to think about the next release
RockOverdose: In a couple of weeks time you’ll be playing Athens for the first time. There is a core group of listeners that have been wanting to see you for a long time. What should we expect from a Celeste concert, apart from loud music and the now infamous red headlights?
Johan: Our live performances are an immersive experience. Beyond the loud music and iconic red headlights, attendees can expect a sonic journey that transcends boundaries. We aim to create a visceral connection with our audience, delivering a performance that resonates on both a musical and emotional level. We as well have video projections which help the audience to get even more immersed in our sonical journey
RockOverdose: Thank you very much for your time. Last words are yours.
Johan: Thank you, Dimitris, and Rock Overdose, for this opportunity. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our fans and the chance to share our music with a wider audience. Keep an eye out for what's to come, and we look forward to seeing everyone in Athens !
On behalf of RockOverdose.gr
Dimitris Soursos
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