ANTITHESIS

With a curious name and a lot of technique in its great power metal, Antithesis arrived to its solemnity-entitled debut, an independent work with enviable quality. Krepuskulum talked with Jim Lewis (bass), one of the five components of that American band.  

KREPUSKULUM: How is it to do Power Metal in a country dominated by musical fashions as the USA?

Overall our response locally has been very good. Power Metal has never been very popular, not receiving any radio play other than college radio. We have to work very hard to have our music heard by the general public; college radio being our biggest ally. The general metal music scene here is based around bands such as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, and Coal Chamber. Rob Zombie and is also very popular at this stage of the musical game. Of course Metallica rules the radios as
well. None of these bands are power metal, though, just loud, basic heavy grooves. Unfortunately, this is where the US scene is right now. If we wait a few months the flavor of the month will change, again.

KREPUSKULUM:  Antithesis opted for a style that had its peak in the end of the eighties with great names as Savatage, Armored Saint and Omen. How is the Power Metal scene now?

Well, I think I answered the end of this question with my answer to question #1. But we have chosen to play an 80's style power metal with a good blend of 90's progressive music as well.

KREPUSKULUM: . Tell us a little story of Antithesis until the recording of the debut.

Antithesis was formed by Sean Perry through musician want ads in our local newspaper (free newspapers) geared for musicians. I joined the band in October 1997 followed shortly by Ty Cook, Vocals, and drummer Paul Kostyack, February 1998. The current line up then is Sean Perry (lead/rhythm guitars, vocals), Ty Cook (Vocals), Paul Kostyack (drums,
vocals), James Lewis (bass, vocals). Before Antithesis we all played in various local bands, but nothing more than that really worth mentioning. We then recorded the debut CD from October until December 31 1998. We were not very happy with the turnout once we had a chance to listen to it several times, which is why we re-recorded and remastered everything again this past Fall.

KREPUSKULUM:  Why did Antithesis decide to record its debut in an independent way?

Originally, we did not plan to record the CD for any reason other than for ourselves to have something to show our grand children. But, as we started playing gigs and seeing the response we were getting as well as what types of bands were getting record deals, we figured we should try to do something more with this CD. Usually bands have demos out and things like that, we just happened to do an entire album. With the internet it is easier for an independent band to sell records (CDs) so
to be independent is not bad, but of course the ultimate goal is to be hooked up with a good label and climb to the next level of the musical business ladder.

KREPUSKULUM:  Who writes the letters in Antithesis? What is the inspiration for the themes as "Limbo" and "The Web"?

Ty does 90% of all lyrical writing. Paul wrote The Curse lyrics and I helped with Plastic. Ty strives to create thought provoking images and underlying messages. Limbo is about the ignorance of suicide and The Web is about being involved in a fatal attraction/bad relationship.

KREPUSKULUM : You are quite good instrumentalists! What is your musical formation and influences?

We are influenced by many bands: Forbidden, Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Queensryche, Symphony X, Megadeth, old Metallica, Racer X, etc.

KREPUSKULUM:  How have been the reception of the album and what plans the band has for the future?

We have been well received worldwide. We have received excellent reviews from mags, zines, newspapers, etc. from all over. Like I said earlier, locally we are doing very well and beginning to see more US interest as opposed to just European/South American interest.

The future holds great things for Antithesis. I am hoping to have Antithesis signed by Spring 2000 which will coincide with the recording of our next CD (which we are feverishly working on right now). We hope as well to be selling 500-1,000 CDs a month by the end of Fall 2000. We are shooting for a European tour Fall 2000 as well and some small touring around the midwest region in the USA. Hopefully fans will see the next Antithesis album out in stores by summer 2000.

I would encourage everyone to check out our web sites for MP3's, concert info, the latest news, etc. Sign the guest book, e-mail us, etc. We have several styles of T-shirts available as well as posters and CDs all of which can be obtained by going to http://www.antithesismusic.com. people can also go to http://www.intromental.com which is our "official" web site done by our Danish management, Intromental Management Productions.

Thanks to you Edgar for your time and thank you to everyone who has
supported Antithesis to this stage of the game! We hope to continue to
grow and move on to the next level. Thanks!!
James/bassist
Antithesis Contact: antithesis@earthlink.net