Can you please tell us how did Somber Serenity started, and what releases have you done so far?

SOMBER SERENITY was formed in september 1995 by Robert Mutzbauer (Drums), Stefan Botz (Guitar), Andy Meyer (Guitar) and Daniel Vaross (Vocals/Bass). Before that we (Robert, Stefan and Andy) had played together in a nameless band for one-and-a-half years, and wanted to continue with a new band on a more professional level. The musical direction of these two bands was nearly the same, but with Somber Serenity we wanted to play gigs, release demos and so on, which was never planned for our first band.
Up to now we have released two demo-tapes ("Drowned in Sorrow" ´96 and "Swallowed..." `97), a 7" Split-Single with Gone Sadness in `98, and last november we released our first full lenght album "Singular", which we had recorded the year before.

Your current release is called «Singular». Are you totally happy with it? Would you change anything on it now, if you could?

No, we aren`t totally happy with it, but which band is?? After all we think that "Singular" is a very good album and we don`t like to change anything, because it`s the last chapter of the first Somber Serenity period. Bassplayer Manuel Iosca left us in February 2001 because he wanted to concentrate on his mainband Funebris, and some months later Somber Serenity decided to split with Vocalist/Guitarist Daniel Varoß.
With Michael Knöringer (vocals), Àrpàd Jakab (bass) and Christian Löbering (guitar) we found three new members to open a new chapter of somberness!

Your bio states that you were left alone by your previous label. What happened?

There were too many promises and nothing happend at all. It was very disapointing for us, because of all the broken promises we ended up with a very high studio invoice, and we had no money left to release the album in a proper way. That is the main reason, why we had a delay of 15 month between the final mixdown and the release of "Singular".

You released it together with Medusa Productions. Are you totally happy with the way it is being promoted and distributed up until now?

YES! It`s really great to see for the first time, that someone else puts so much work, money and time into your band! Mike Schindler and Conny Renner from Medusa Prod. are totally dedicaded to their bands and the scene. This cooperation is really the best thing that could happen to us!
There are now several Mailorders in Germany, Austria and Italy where one can order our new CD. In Portugal our CD is exclusively distributed by Nemesis Promotion!

What reactions have you had so far, from the press and audience, to the album?

Up to now we have received more good reviews than bad ones. Sometimes we have the problem, that our CD is no "easy listening music" and I‘ve got the feeling, that some of the reviews were written after only one or two listenings, and therefore the reaction wasn’t as good as it could be. The reactions from the audience were really good so far...

You play a very melodic, emotive and dark Doom Metal. What influences do you have, to make you want to play this kind of music?

We didn’t decide to play this kind of music, it was a natural process that started in our first band which I mentioned earlier. We ended up with this kind of music because we wanted to make music that is able to express the feelings we have.
When it comes to musical influences we are nearly all fans from bands like Opeth, My dying bride, Hypocrisy or Anathema (Daniel Vaross was even running the german Anathema fanclub with some others for a while). We try not to copy these bands, but I think that the musical ingredients are in a way the same.

Your lyrics deal with sadness and extreme emotions as well. Do you have to feel sad and depressed to write them, or your inspiration for them comes anytime you need?

It‘s hard for me to answer this question, because all the lyrics on our album were written by Daniel Vaross, and I wasn‘t involved in the process of writing. I think it’s important that a vocalist writes his own lyrics, so he can put more emotions into his voice, because he really knows what he is singing about.

Does the fact that you are from Germany - a big Metal market - help you anyhow in your Underground struggle? Do you feel you have an advantage because you're from Germany?

No, I don’t think that we have an advantage, because it’s always hard to get attention in your own country. For example, in Germany the salesrates of scandinavian newcomer bands are almost always two or three times higher than the salesrates of german newcomers. On the other hand it’s no disadvantage, because there are other countries where the fans are very interested in geman metal.

Have you been playing live to promote this album? Do you have gigs scheduled for any country outside Germany?

No, until now we have no offer to play abroad. We have played once in france in the past, but for the future we hope to get more chances to play in other countrys. On the 30th of March we played the first gig to promote our CD, and there are some plans for more gigs in germany. The reactions we got for this gig were almost all very positive and that was very important for us, cause it was the first gig for our new members.

OK, that's it. Thank you for your answers. Any final message? Any merchandise to sell? This space is yours; use it wisely.

No, we have no merchandise – just our "Singular" CD, that can be order from Nemesis Promotion. The Split-7" is also still available for 6 EURO (incl postage) directly from us.
Thank you very much for this interview! It’s really a honour for us to get attention from portugal!! Feel free to check out our Website: www.ofdarkness.de

Fernando Reis