TERRORAISER from Ukraine
Questions: Kate Goncharova
Answers: Wojtek
Date: 11 April, 2009

After several changes within Lost Horizon we finally can observe the current state of affairs. Now Wojtek, Christian, Martin and Attila represent the core of the band. But according to the latest information, you are still in search of a new vocalist. Have you succeeded in it?

In search if a vocalist, yes we are. In theory. In practice, we didn’t do much to solve the problem. We did some researches before and laid some time on listening to the received contributions, as well as tried out some singers, but generally we never really cared much about solving the vocalist issue. We didn’t even have any stronger urge to play – more than maybe as an automatic habit – until some time ago, when we started working on a new album. We still don’t care much about the singer problem, not until the instrumental part of the album is fully recorded. Then we will focus entirely on finding a worthy.

You are busy working on a new album. How is the progress?

Busy is not a right description. As always, this occupies my everyday life, life I don’t even have anymore. But I do this anyway. For the rest it’s not the same as me when it comes to practical aspect, but mentally it’s always there as a magnet for all of us. We are slowly moving forward, literary chiselling this monument in a solid rock. But the result is breath taking already. You will see. We only have one more song to record and an old one to revive. While that is done its time for solos, lyrics writing and creation of titles. In the end the process it’s turn for vocals.

The time difference between appearing of your first and second albums was not large: they were released in 2001 and in 2003 accordingly. Now the third one is expected. What is the explanation to such an extended interruption in your work?

Several things. General band burn out, post quakes after hatred within the band, a need to do different things in life, family matters, education, other bands, laziness, no focus, no motivation, no perspectives… I guess the point for why we will record one more album is because we realise that this band is too sacred and too extraordinary to not do that.

The music of your second album “A Flame To The Ground Beneath” is more dynamic, epic, grandiose than of the first one. What kind of work will the fans find in your third album? Purely Lost Horizon’s power metal or something new?

Once again, Lost Horizon is not power metal, but I guess we are thrown in this bag whether we want it or not. (…) It’s apparent already that the third album will contain elements from the two previous ones, but mainly will sweep over new or yet unexposed areas (not necessarily new for us, but for the LH fans); some, quite different from what people are used to. But it will still sound fully Lost Horizon. There will also be a lot of aggressive guitar riffs and a lot of complicated arrangements. Many many melodies, as usually. The guitar sound will be much more salient this time. Synthesizers will often also include magically reverbed pianos and the pads will be truly from other dimensions.

I’ve heard that your new recording will be freely available for downloading on your website with no “interference by any greedy company making it impossible to make a living as an artist/musician unless you sell a million copies”. How will you explain such a decision?

We never wrote anything about making it available for free. No no no, work must be repaid. We said that it will be available in electronic form and that one will be able to buy songs separately. We also said that we will release every song as soon it’s fully done, but that is not an option anymore, because it wasn’t practically viable according to the prevailing circumstances. Instead we will wait until the whole album is written. This whole idea was based on frustration, disdain and hate for lost years, ripped money from us and no economical prosperity contra laid time, energy and work. But we will repair all that.

Your two previous albums were released on British record label “Music for Nations”. What will be your choice after the label officially closed its doors in 2004?

We have some plans, but nothing will be revealed yet. As for Music for Nations, their closing-down automatically released us from the contract. We can do whatever we want now. It’s quite unusual and fantastic in a way when it comes to opportunities.

“Music for Nations” label released albums by such metal legends as METALLICA, PARADISE LOST, OPETH, CRADLE OF FILTH, TESTAMENT, etc. Did the cooperation with this label really add you much popularity?

Ow, definitely yes. One could say much about their way of cooperating with us (I guess they could say same about us back then), but they definitely did a great work to make us visual in all possible magazines, that’s a fact.

It’s not a secret that the band’s lyrics are based on the philosophy of existentialism. Such a thing is typical for power metal bands, but will the subject of your expected recordings remain the same? Do you consider such a tendency in metal music still popular?

Typical for power metal bands….? Are You kidding? :) Power metal bands are in the most of cases full phantasy and most often generally quite awkward. Well, of course, it depends on what You exactly mean, but still. If it’s popular in metal music in general? To some extent it is, definitely. There are many profound people, always searching after answers for their existential wonderings and/or searching for healing of for their inner pain. As it’s not any fashion or temporary human tendency, it something that will always be there. It’s a natural part of human behaviour. For some just as daily questions, for some as main issues.

What’s your opinion about Swedish power metal band DRAGONLAND?

I have no opinion at all, because I don’t listen to power metal and because of that I never heard them really more that at some concert some years ago. I know some of the guys in the band though and they are really nice people. Also good musicians.

This band is most noticeable for basing their two albums upon the self-produced The Dragonland Chronicles fantasy saga. Have you ever thought of choosing any legend, saga of myth for the basis of your recordings?

No, not really, because I could not lay time and energy on interpreting something that is already written and meant to be in specific way. Well, unless someone ordered it from me as a business matter. The reason is mainly that there is SO MUCH one can write about, not least based on own observations.

Do you consider yourself to be a fantasy literature and culture adherent?

In a way and to some extent. It always was and is attractive. Since some years I am much more into reality though, or rather trying to find real magic and mystery in the palpable world, at the same time I never stop watching fantasy and science fiction movies, or reading books. It’s simply something needed to escape, embellish, or restructure this shity and boring reality we are all forced to live in. What I love most are areas moving on the edge of fiction (or “fiction”) and the real, where the border is very misty, both for the reader and the writer, who explores and depict the subject(s).

What’s new from your own projects? For example, you, Wojtek together with Martin actively develop your band “Luciferion” and also “Against the Plagues”.

Well, Luciferion is buried, at least as a name. There is material written, that was meant to be the continuation, but it won’t see day light, or rather night dark under that name. Instead, it will be released under new name some day. We have already recorded two songs as test, and it’s interesting. Mostly, because the sound will be totally filthy and tuned down, in a way modern, when the material itself is 10 years old already. Against The Plagues is temporary in zombie state and I have not much to say here, more that the album is out and available to buy and that it’s really fucking good.

Everyone knows your unusual nicknames. You are “Transcendental Protagonist”; Christian is called “Preternatural Transmogrifyer”, etc. All these names explain your roles in the band. Do you believe that names influence a person’s features of character, behaviour and inner emotional state? According to this belief, do your nicknames influence you somehow in your daily life?

I can’t answer for the rest, so I will for myself. You are right on Your analysis. In many cases they do. Both positively and negatively though. I guess people entitle them selves in order to achieve a position of what they want to be, even if only symbolically, and call themselves things to gain different kind of stimuli as well as position from it. For example, check all the black metal names. It’s to the biggest part only fantasy names to get balls, increase self confidence and first of all make one’s in reality insignificant role in a bigger than life way. For me, my title is first of all a direct reflection of how I have been seeing myself in at least ten years to the moment I formed it. It definitely holds me on a certain level/position in my mind. It also reminds me. From a psychological angle it’s how titles or symbols etc works. They place you on the equivalent level to the name itself, or if not then at least in its direction. If you call yourself Bagger On Knees, your mind will project the visual association and you will automatically, mentally, adapt to that to some extent, or fully, depending on person. It’s how brain works. It’s more or less an affirmation. It will pull you down. Now, I never entitled myself in any way to have a psychological elevator, no, I did it because I felt a strong need to articulate my reflection of my inner view of myself. For myself and for others. But absolutely not with aim to gain anything. It was fully natural and pure.

Do you have any contact with your previous vocalist, Daniel Heiman and his band HEED? Have you thought of an idea to start cooperating together again?

No one has contact with Daniel, he lives totally cut off from the remaining members as well as from the most of other pals. He has new band and new pals. Only they have contact with him from what I know. The rest of Lost Horizon have dug down the war tomahawks, not sure if Daniel has, but even though it’s still unsure there will be any cooperation, because nothing has been said. I met Fredrik some days ago and he was positive to the idea of reunion. I hope all realise soon that it’s time to start the machinery again and not waste time on bands that should be considered side projects. No offence to anyone, but its just reality. Non of any of our side bands will ever reach the level of Lost Horizon, so instead of wasting time, being around 40, its really wise to do the proper thing.

What can you tell about your other plans? Will you go on touring in a recent future?

If there will be any possibilities to do that we definitely will. We are now very hungry for live performances. Recording albums is a horrible thing, not including the final result of course, but that’s the only great with it. The way to that is though covered by pure misery and exaggerated mass of work. Its absolute slavery, fully un-proportional to the gain, with the only difference that in this case for yourself.

How do you view the idea to visit our country?

In two ways – great and bad. Great, because we really really would like to do it – for fans and for ourselves – bad because it’s a bit dangerous part of the world.

You are often asked about your preferences in music and you might get bored of it. My question is a bit different: have you heard of any Ukrainian metal band? Maybe, of those who create music close to your style.

Unfortunately I have not heard any band from Ukraine, or I simply don’t remember, but to be really honest it’s not because it’s Ukraine, but because I am not hunting metal bands at all since years. But please, enlighten me! The only musical thing I know from Ukraine is Ruslana’s “Wild Dance” lol – her contribution to the Intervision Festival 2004, which is absolutely awesome hehehe

And finally, what would you wish to your Ukrainian fans and to the readers of our magazine?

Expect a new revelation of might in relatively short time. Get ready for a new emotional voyage through mystic, unknown dimensions. Prepare for the power of pure uncompromised art.

Thank You for the interview Kate!
/Wojtek Lisicki