DRASTIC is a great revelation coming from Italy, led by brilliant and creative Chris Buchman that writes and compose all songs, the band makes a sound that mixes melody, melancholy and lirism to the power of the guitars. A great mixture that is called dark introspective poetry with an avantgarde touch. The album " Thieves of kisses ", released by the Italian label Beyond Prod, is a mark of the metal avantgarde. KREPUSKULUM interviewed Chris Buchman.
Krepuskulum: The music of DRASTIC has a lot of personality, but at the same
time we can put it in a new movement of bands that include exponents like THERION and THE
EQUINOX OV THE GODS, melting classic to the metal, with a lot of melodic concern. How do
you see your music in relation to the metallic movement? Chris: Musically, I was born in the metallic movement and it's great beeing a part of it, but I listen to classical and electronic music too and I'm ispired by these sounds a lot... I like experiments and new ways of expression, I'm trying out to unveil a new world of strong emotions and unknown feelings, in order to lead the listener to a new state of inner consciousness.
Krepuskulum: In DRASTIC compositions present very inspired and complex arrangements, did you study classic music? Which are your musical formation and influences?
Chris: I didn't study classic music but I've listened for hours to Vivaldi, Chopin, Saint-Saens... It's a big source of inspiration for me. I spend a lot of time before I release a new song because I want to have everything under control and every note must be a part of an emotional concept and as sometimes feeling are complex my arrangements are too...
Your lyrics possess cosmic-mystic content, what do you inspire to write them?? why to sing in three languages (Polish, Italian and English)?
Cosmos is inside us. We are the universe! I think my words are inspired by famous poets and there are some poetic quotations too... I'm always in search of something deeper and that's why I turn my eyes to the stars!!! I used three languages because they are more than one, he he... No, seriously, three languages give you more expressive instruments, different sounds, different cultures...
Do you compose and play everything in the band, just counting with the collaboration of the beautiful female vocals of Chiara Donaggio e Alessia de Boni , DRASTIC doesn't play live?? Do You intend to include other members in the band?
Chris: DRASTIC will be a one man band forever but now I have some session musicians for the live-shows. For my next album I'll have a lot of guests too!
How did it go the reception to the "Thieves of Kisses"?
Chris: Very well! Metal Hamer selected it as "Best Italian Album Of The Year" and it's selling about 1,000 copies so far. It will be re-printed in Poland (and distributed worldwide) by Metal Mind Records.
Talk us a little about your process of musical composition for DRASTIC.
Chris: Each song's a different story! I start from a guitar riff or a keyboard solo, then I... let things happen!!! I don't know! It's such a instinctive process that it's hard to descibe it!
Your visual have some special meaning...
Chris: I'm the man from the outer space!!!
In your opinion which are the great bands of metal ( of the present time)?
Chris: ANTHRAX, VADER, PHLEBOTOMIZED, PANTERA, TESTAMENT and SAMAEL.
Is Drastic recording its next album?
Chris: I'll start the recording sessions in June 2000. Stay tuned!!!
Contacts: drastic@tin.it