Exclusive Interviews Only Found Here at MetalCore!

Symphony of Grief 

MC: Andy it is great that Symphony of Grief is back together and what event or events led to the band getting back together and who is in the band at this current time?

AM: John made me do it... I had no interest until John beat it into me, that took a good two years, seriously...as for who is in the band, that would be the original members me, John and Jay.

MC: Now what event or events led to the band breaking up the 1st time?

AM: Between all the frustration going on with the band, you and management, stuff going on outside the band as well, we basically took time to weigh our differences...it takes a toll on your ass to date, promote and conduct a mid west tour, we understand that. We feel it was worth it in every way but conflicts beg to differ.

JL: When Jay joined Deeds of Flesh...

MC: What did you (Andy) and John do after the band broke up. Did you both stay involved in music?

AM: I did some solo dance music, I did Krypton with Jack Gannon and Jay Anderson...some other stuff.

JL: I've been involved in a few bands and projects over the years I've never strayed far from my instruments...

MC: What is the new material like and when can we expect it to be released?

AM: Actually after playing it and listening to recordings...it's death, doom, sog. as for a release...we don't want it to be any longer than you do!

JL: We can't really put any kind of date on a new release, we're still in the very early stages at this point. We do have some killer new shit. But not enough for a full length yet. At the moment were working on old shit to knock of the rust and get into the right mood.

MC: Your old material, can we expect it to be re-released and was any other songs recorded beside the CD on Wild Rags, the 2 7"'s and the demo you put out?

JL: Yes we will re-release the old material. That will happen before the new shit comes out.

AM: Yeah.

MC: You were originally called Cerberus. Why the name change and how did you come up with the name of Symphony of Grief?

JL: Markert wrote a verse of lyrics that had the words "Symphony of Grief". So I suggested that we use "Symphony of Grief" for the new name as it better suited the mood of the music. Cerberus was just a quick name so we could get a gig. We knew we'd have to come up with something better. And so we did.

AM: John pointed it out in a song.

MC: I know you played some live shows back in the day. How would you rate yourselves as a live band?

JL: Absolutely Horrible.

AM: Yeah an Absolute Disgrace.

MC: John are you in any other bands besides SOG and if you are, what are the bands you are also in up to?

JL: Yes I am also in Necrotion and Perverseraph... Necrotion is in final mixing stages for three new songs witch will be included on an album with old demo/7"/live shit... The disc is to be called "Undead Resurrection". And will be released by Nuclear Abominations/Infernal Creations Records respectively...Perverseraph is taking a short break Whilst we look for a new place to practice.

MC: I know you guys are currently using a drum machine. Do you ever plan on getting a drummer or will it be drum machine for the moment and into the future?

JL: For the moment yes. However we are considering bringing in a drummer.

MC: How hard it is for you guys to come up with riffs and lyrics and how does a song come together?

JL: It all starts with one riff and we build a better music library!

MC: I know you have a My Space page. What is the url of it and what can people find when they log onto it?

JL: The url is myspace.com/symphonyofgrief There you will find the music of Symphony of Grief (obviously). Some old shit at the moment. And there's photos old and new. Also There is a section where one could buy some merchandise. More ideas coming soon.

MC: Looking back what are your thoughts on your demo, 7", and your CD that
came out on Wild Rags?

JL: I really like all of our stuff. But I would have to say I prefer the demo/7" over the CD, not for the music but for the sound. We had a thicker tone on the demo and 7". When we did the CD we experimented with different amps and in doing so I think we lost something. Plus the level of the bass guitar was to low in the mix...

AM: Yup

MC: Were most of the reviews positive or were some of the reviews you felt were unfair?

JL: I think most of the reviews were pretty good. I don't remember many bad reviews. If there were a few then so be it. They won't be the last I'm sure. We can't be all things to all people. We just write the music the way we like and that's it.

AM: Reviews are always promising

MC: For someone who has never heard of the band describe what type of band you are?

JL: Dark Evil Sludge Beyond The Grave.

AM: Death, doom, sog... fuckin misery

JH: Yeah.

MC: Do you have any merchandise for sale and if you do how can people get it?

JL: Yeah go to myspace.com/symphonyofgrief There you will find the answer.

AM: Yeah

JH: Yeah.

MC: You are based out of South Jersey/Phila, PA area. Do you feel this is a healthy metal scene around here?

JL: NO!

AM: No.

JH: Yeah!

MC: Do you have any short term or long term goals for the band or are you just kinda taking things one step at a time?

JL: We do have some short term goals... But we're not rushing things.

AM: Short term yes...album and release party.

MC: Do you have a favorite SOG song and would you ever consider doing a cover song one day?

JL: My favorite song is "Cerebral Hemorrhage". Third song on the first demo.

AM: Assimalation

MC: Do you think using a drum machine hurts or helps the band or it doesn't matter either way?

AM: It doesn't matter to us

JH: Yeah

JL: Yeah

MC: What would you think of some band did a Symphony of Grief cover song?

AM: just another band doing another cover.

JL: That would suck! No actually I think it would be pretty fuckin cool!

JH: Yeah!

MC: I know you told me you have a couple videos up on You Tube. What is the url to check them out and will anymore being going up soon?

AM: not sure ask john

JL: If people want to see it they will find it...

MC: How do you plan on promoting the band this time around?

AM: The web.... through various distributors, zines and broadcasting

JL: Word of mouth!

JH: My foot in your ASS! (only female jockey's feet go up my ass lol-chris)

MC: Has any other band tried to use the name Symphony of Grief?

AM: FUCK no, what's wrong with you?

JL: Yeah there's only one Symphony of Grief!

MC: Have you ever seen any of your stuff up on sites like Ebay or Amazon at all?

AM: all around in my ventures

JL: I've seen it around, but most of the shit is pretty rare. In fact it's dripping with blood.

MC: Horns up for the interview guys. I am out of questions. Any last words and I think SOG are easily one of the heaviest bands of all time

AM: Thanks for the interview Chris, try and put it in the zine with the punctuation so we can read it... lol...also keep an eye out for us, we come like a storm, remember?

JL: Yeah!

www.myspace.com/symphonyofgrief