VsGreg interview TARTHARIA
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TARTHARIA est un des récentes signatures du labl américain fraichement implanté en Europe Crash Music. Le premier effort de ce groupe russe est un EP tout juste disponible de death black plutot agresif !

1. For those who still don't know TARTHARIA , would you be nice enough to introduce your band with a short history?
TARTHARIA was formed a year ago in November 2002 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The key persons of the band are Antti Ihalainen on guitar& bass and Tahvo Audry Kennonen on vocals. Antti Ihalainen is accordingly the composer of music and Tahvo is the lyricsist. The band is quite a newcomer yet both founders are very experienced in metal music. TARTHARIA had a good start and in March - April  wended way to studios (Phantom Pain, Russia and Astia-A, Finland) to record the debut entitled A Secret Device. The material was produced by legendary Anssi Kippo known as the founder of unique sound of CHILDREN OF BODOM. Afterwards the material got mastered at famous Finnvox Studio (MOONSPELL, NIGHTWISH, IMPALED NAZARENE) with Mika Jussila. This was followed was series of live performances and signing a record deal with Crash Music Inc. On the October 28, 2003 the album was released to be distributed worldwide. The CD also includes enhanced multi-media section. 

2. What's the meaning of your band name?
- TARTHARIA is the land of vain hopes.  

3. Your brand new CD A Secret Device is just released. Can you tell us more about it?
We think that our music should be speaking for us. We also find it essential to point out the big job done. Metal market is overcrowded nowadays and we hope we did our first step to put ourselves into world metal history.   

4. Let's talk about the lyrics. What kind of topic did you write about?
Lyrics is somehow subdued to the general toning of music - dark, aggressive and challenging. It is definitely symbolic and high-flown. Topics are coming from the inside to become expressive reflections no matter if it would be war waging, mind vortex or acute eroticism.    

5. Who did draw the cover artwork of your CD? What does it represent for you? Is there a concept behind it?
Actually the front cover is a separate work of art yet we believe the artwork and our music complementary indeed. Originally it is one of the enchanting works called The Invention of God by John Santerineross, an American photographer, painter and ceramist. Mr. Santerineross was eager to collaborate and we are really grateful to him and reckon on further collaboration. The Invention of God nicely suited the gloomy doctrine of our debut - defiant, provoking and exquisite. No wonder in United States contrary to European edition they introduced some censorship. In fact we haven't seen American edition and hope they didn't change it considerably.              

6. Which bands would you compare the band with?
The best way out is not to compare TARTHARIA to any band. In most cases comparisons are too much personal and don't give accurate accounts. Lets figure it out that TARTHARIA plays modern fast death/black metal in its own original way. 

7. Is there any members of the band involved in other projects/bands?
Yes of course. We have been deep into extreme metal activity since early 90's. 

8. Can you give us more information about the local scene in Russia?
Russia is huge indeed for such definitions as "local". Imagine you need to spend two weeks of constant train travel to cross it. There are big cities in the Far East for instance approachable only by airplane and even there people play extreme music. Different regions have different economics and totally different scenes. Saint Petersburg where we are located is a full-fledged European city with a developed scene of a good level with lots of clubs and stages.

9. What is in your opinion the best metal album released this year?
-  It is too hard to figure out one album for everyone has his own tastes, let's mention just several albums. Latest works of BEHEMOTH, GRAVE, SOILWORK, OLD MAN'S CHILD, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, KREATOR (DVD is awesome!) and more!   

10. The last words are yours!
- See ya on shows. We shall also get back to you with our new music as soon as possible.